Sustainable skiwear retailer EcoSki is proud to partner with natural fibre clothing company icebreaker on the launch of Shell+, the brand’s pioneering water repellent merino shell jacket and pants — icebreaker’s first performance ski outerwear made without plastic fibres.

icebreaker’s Shell+ jacket and pants are made from 240gm2 merino wool, a natural fabric woven tightly and coated with a PFC-free DWR finish to keep skiers warm and protected against wind and light rain. The Shell+ is the latest addition to icebreaker’s mission to inspire customers to opt for a full natural fibre layering system.

The Shell+ is also entirely in line with EcoSki’s mission to kickstart a skiwear revolution. EcoSki founder Rachael Westbrook says: “We couldn’t be more proud or excited to be partnering with icebreaker to help launch this one-of-a-kind, trail-blazing piece of kit. A high-performance outer ski jacket and pants made without plastic fibres is a first for both icebreaker and EcoSki.

“Developing natural alternatives to traditional ski wear is something we need to move towards for a more sustainable future. EcoSki supports all brands that are working towards a shift away from virgin fossil fuels and/or a move to closed-loop recycling.”

icebreaker’s Shell+ jacket (RRP £570) features a three-point helmet-compatible hood, articulated seams for enhanced range of motion, cuffs with snap closures and internal dump pockets for stashing gloves. The pants (RRP £435) feature thigh-zippers and an articulated cut for range of movement. The range is available for both women and men, each in two different colourways — black, flash and shine.

Natasha Pack, icebreaker sales manager for Northern Europe, says: “EcoSki are the natural partner to launch Shell+, our first complete natural layering system. We’re privileged to have been part of their journey from the start, inspiring, sharing and connecting us with passionate consumers who demand better choices in performance clothing to enjoy their next adventure. We’re excited to see where the conversation heads next!”

The Shell+ will be available to buy and rent exclusively through EcoSki for Winter 2022-23 and is one of a number of new additions to the retailer’s carefully curated range of environmentally and socially conscious skiwear. Also new for Winter 2022-23 on the EcoSki platform are Halti, Norrona, Maier Sports, Houdini, Smartwool and Spektrum — brands that join the existing stable of Patagonia, Ortovox, Hestra, Picture, Mammut and so many more.

EcoSki has made a few changes to its skiwear rental offering following a phenomenally successful debut over winter 2021-22 where demand exceeded all expectations. EcoSki has now taken the rental platform in-house and will work alongside ACS on logistics including shipping, cleaning, sterilising and repair.

Renting skiwear offers a practical, cost-effective and sustainable solution for skiers wanting high-quality kit without paying high prices — or having to store bulky kit all year round.

Kit is available for rental periods of four, eight, 12 or 16 days, starting at £4 per day. It arrives at a customer’s door the day before their ski trip and can be packaged up, without being washed, the day after the customer returns. After each rental items are cleaned and reproofed or repaired if necessary and then sterilised via an innovative, eco-friendly Ozone chamber before being dispatched to the next customer.

EcoSki offers the added bonus option of “try before you buy”, ensuring that any customer who falls in love with a piece of kit while they are renting it have the option to buy minus the rental cost. Customers just get in touch with the friendly EcoSki team at the end of their holiday and arrange to purchase.

EcoSki, icebreaker and ACS will be at the Snow Show in the après-ski bar, offering anyone who brings their kit to the show the chance to get it cleaned and sterilised with the ACS Ozone chamber. Samples of the ground-breaking Shell+ will be available for visitors to see, touch and feel.

The icebreaker Shell+ is available to rent for £60 for four days or £95 for eight days, Saturday to Saturday.

For more information and images, visit EcoSki.co.uk or contact Abi Butcher on +44(0)7966141363 or email [email protected]