Shackleton: High Performance Clothing (20% Offer for Blog Readers)

I have a weakness for clothes originating in the very British heritage of adventure and exploration and am delighted that Shackleton, suppliers of British-made professional outdoor clothing to some of the toughest cold weather expeditions, are here offering their products to blog readers for a 20% discount (see below for details).

Clothing worn in the most extreme conditions has to be well-designed and robust and it's the toughness that makes it essential for extreme expeditions that also makes it invaluable for cold weekend walks and standing on icy railway platforms.

Wearing the Shackleton Discovery jacket made in Manchester, England

The Shackleton Company is named after that redoubtable polar explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. Best known for navigating a small boat to South Georgia to find help for those left behind stuck on the Antarctic ice, his careful leadership saved the lives of all of his men. He's less well known for his earlier expedition to the south magnetic pole in 1907 which saw him come within 97 miles of the South Pole.

The company has the blessing and shareholder support of Shackleton's granddaughter and aims to inspire a modern world to rediscover courage, endurance and adventure. It has sponsored Scott Sears, the Gurkha officer who is, at this very moment, walking across Antarctica in a bid to become the youngest man to walk solo and unsupported to The South Pole. Shackleton have supplied much of his clothing, including a bespoke down parka, made in England, which will protect him in temperatures of -60 degrees Celsius and high windspeeds on the Antarctic ice sheet.

The Discovery jacket

The Endurance jacket

This expedition pedigree lies at the heart of the British-manufactured jackets, shirts, knitwear and merino layers that form part of the Shackleton clothing collection. The Discovery and Endurance jackets are made in the same factory as Scott Sears's expedition jacket, the knitwear is knitted in the UK and based on patterns worn by Shackleton's expedition members.

These products are no 'chocolate soldiers', but the real thing. All are hand-made in Manchester by the same hands that equipped both Scott Sears and other tough cold weather expeditions. The Discovery and Endurance jackets are made with very high quality goose down and are tested in Antarctica to -20ºC. The Discovery has a cotton Ventile shell, making it waterproof and breathable, while the Endurance uses a lightweight technical fabric which makes it even lighter than the Discovery, but makes it look more 'mountaineering equipment' in appearance.

The Endurance jacket in olive worn with a Shackleton Submariner jumper

But these products aren't just for hairy explorers. What better for cold commutes, dogwalks, rugby matches, country rambles or for those whose jobs take them outdoors in all weathers? The expedition heritage means that they are better-made, will last longer and be more effective than lesser high street pretenders. I've worn both the Discovery and Endurance jackets and they are toasty warm, stylish, beautifully made and designed and completely fit for purpose, whether you're in an alpine or polar landscape or tramping to the station on a cold winter's morning.

The Lupoid down shirt in black and merino scarf

The Discovery jacket in Ventile with turtle neck jumper

I'm delighted to be collaborating with The Shackleton Company, not least because I'm planning a trip late next year to the South Atlantic and Antarctica, during which I hope to visit South Georgia where Sir Ernest died in 1922 and is buried. Over the next year I will be wearing, using and abusing the Shackleton Collection in both Antarctic and urban conditions to try out the best of British-made outdoor and expedition wear. 

To celebrate this collaboration Shackleton have agreed to offer a generous 20% discount to blog readers. If you visit Shackleton Clothing and enter GreyFox20 at the checkout the discount will apply.

Photographs by Andy Barnham. I've been wearing Shackleton clothing for this feature and have received no payment. All views are my own.

Shackleton Clothing: designed and made in Britain on Kickstarter

Simon Middleton started The Great British Banjo Company a couple of years ago to manufacture and sell a British-made banjo - the one instrument that Sir Ernest Shackleton didn't abandon after he evacuated his ice-bound ship to look for rescue on his Antarctic expedition of 1914-17.

Simon has now turned his attention to designing a clothing collection based on and inspired by clothing worn on the expedition, sweaters, jackets, footwear and various accessories. The clothes will be designed and made in Britain. 

This is a wonderful project and one to support. Watch the video for more information and help the project on Kickstarter.

Influences - real life adventure, putting fashion in perspective

What influences a man's approach to life?  Many things, of course, from childhood to more recent experiences.  I have always been fascinated by the stories of early Polar explorers.  Their efforts put our self-absorbed interest in style and fashion in perspective.

Scott's tragic and unsuccessful expedition to be first to the South Pole, only to find that he had been beaten to it by the Norwegian, Amundsen, 100 years ago.  The heroic efforts of Shackleton to rescue his team from the ice pack a few years later, making his way to South Georgia on a small boat and arranging the rescue of the remainder of his men from Elephant Island.  These were among the last heroic adventures before Europe was plunged into the senselessness of the Great War.

Scott's flag from the South Pole
Photo exceedpossibility.com

These stories are graphically and movingly told at The Heart of the Great Alone exhibition at the Royal Collection, Buckingham Palace, where I went yesterday with my son.  Although these events put the more mundane aspects of our lives in perspective, we are influenced by such memories and maybe we can aim to  live more honest and useful lives as a result.