Monthly Archives: February 2010

What's next to your Skin?


February 26th, 2010

Our favourite sock and clothing brand, Icebreaker Pure Merino, is having a cheeky little contest that’s running the length of the olympics. There are still a few days left to enter! – Andria

Swamisz: Australia Meets India In A Shoe


February 25th, 2010

rainbow of swamiszWe have some spring newcomers to our Aussie shoe family–the Swamisz sandals! Like our other brands at ABC, they might take some getting used to at first, but once you get them on, you will quickly realize what the hype is all about.

Swamisz is an Aussie owned brand and the all natural rubber sandals are based on an ancient Indian shoe called the Paduka–traditional footwear of Swamis and Yoga masters. They keep your foot in place with a yogi-inspired toe plug and a simple support strap that goes over the top of the foot.

In true Australian Boot Company tradition, we are always on the look out for more comfy and functional footwear and we have found it once again with Swamisz. Traditional flip flops are great, but Swamisz just might be a bit better. You can relax your feet while walking in them–no toe clenching for dear life as you run to catch the streetcar, and unlike the traditional flip flop, the Swamisz neither make the sound of flipping nor flopping, creating a ninja-like silent approach to simple summer footwear.

In the tradition of the original Paduka, you can wear Swamisz while doing yoga, in fact, a lot of people already do. They are flexible and comfy and, if I may say so, they just might be to yoga footwear what Lululemon is to yoga pants.

So come on down, give ‘em a go. We have 6 different colours and they are going for $24.95. We know it’s still snowy, but you can never be too prepared for spring.

Dusty Boots…..


February 25th, 2010

Today we had a wonderful conversation with an artist who is part of the Canadian Forces Artists Program project. Last year she spent time with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan as a War Poet where she documented- oh so eloquently- her time with the troops.

During this time she never took off her old school chisel toe lace up Blundstone Boots (pictured here still dusty from the desert…)

afgan-boots2

Check out her poetic diary on her website warpoet.ca; I did- and I was quickly reminded how lucky I am to be here in the comfort of my peaceful world.

Go New Zealand?!


February 18th, 2010

On Monday night some staff from Vancouver attended the Olympic Welcome Party for Team New Zealand; sponsored by Icebreaker Pure Merino. Dressed all clad in our Canadian gear, our Blundstones, and of course our Icebreaker we headed downtown to get our party on. A great night was had, complete with the traditional Haka dance, a fashion show, some live kiwi music, and of course some New Zealand wine!

**Note the giant live merino ram- frightening enough to make a grown man cry.

Jon's Great Icebreaker Sock Experiment.


February 18th, 2010

Helpful co-worker on Day 4.Feb 14, 2010
“I guess there are parts of the body that simply smell better than feet. In their defense, it must be tough to be enclosed in shoes and socks all day without proper ventilation, especially during these winter months. I wonder if hands, with a similar quarter million perspiration glands, would have the same stigma for odour if they were left to their own sweaty devices? Who knows. I do know that for as long as I’ve been wearing socks, I’ve been wearing the cheap ones. I had no issue with buying an inexpensive pack of tubes, causing no hard feelings when they died a premature death.

Three days ago I picked up a pair of Ultralite Merino wool socks by Icebreaker. They were put on my feet about halfway through the day, so I figured that I would wear them for a second day as they still had that new sock smell. I was amazed that by the end of the second day, they didn’t have even a slightly offensive aroma. After sharing this excitement with my co-workers, I was informed that socks made from Merino wool can often be worn for a few more days than conventional socks and won’t turn noses.
This being is the fourth day of continuous wear, I’m curious to see how many more I can get away with…”

Feb 15, 2010

“Busted. Maybe it was all the stress and excitement of writing the last sock blog, but I wasn’t fooling anyone by day five. You know when you don’t want something to be true, so you fish for opinions in hopes of being told otherwise? That was me in the kitchen on that monumental morning. I was advised that continuing the experiment would probably not be in the best interest of anyone. I mean, I could have rejected the advise and toughed it out for three weeks, but I think the object of the whole experience was to be unnoticed by the nostrils of the unaware–like the James Bond of dirty laundry. In the end, getting five days on active feet is nothing to turn your nose up to. I know if I’m ever stuck without luggage or get kicked out the apartment for a few days, socks will be one less thing to worry about.”