Icewear story

Icewear

Icewear’s operations date back to 1972, when the company began as a knitting workshop in Hvammstangi. It has been active in retail, wholesale, and apparel manufacturing for more than 50 years. Initially, emphasis was placed on garments made from Icelandic wool, with the aim of offering products closely connected to Iceland that met tourist demand.

2010 marked a turning point when the company opened its first retail store under the Icewear name on Þingholtsstræti in Reykjavík. Subsequently, demand in the Icelandic market increased, and priorities were steadily adjusted to meet the needs of a new customer group.

Since then, much has changed. Today, greater emphasis is placed on our own stores—now numerous across Iceland—alongside Icewear’s online shop.

Stores

Icewear operates more than thirty stores, as well as an online shop, a wholesale division, and a corporate sales division.

The stores operate under the brand names Icewear, Icewear Magasín, Icewear Garn, Icemart, Arctic Explorer, Mt. Hekla, Saga, Vík Market, and Icewear Woolhouse. Icewear operates service centers for cruise‑ship passengers in Akureyri; food‑and‑beverage sales and stores at Goðafoss; shops in tourist visitor centers; and food service at Leirar in Þingvellir National Park.  In addition, the shopping center in Vík í Mýrdal is part of the operations and houses Icewear Magasín, Icewear, Icemart, and Woolhouse, as well as restaurants, cafés, and a grocery store, alongside other services for tourists.

For years, Icewear has offered one of the country’s widest selections of souvenirs, gift items, and related products, available both wholesale and in its own stores under the Icemart name.

Apparel

Icewear’s outdoor apparel is designed in Iceland by the Icewear design team for Icelandic conditions. The outdoor line comprises technical apparel engineered for Iceland’s variable weather and rugged terrain, where responding appropriately to changing conditions is essential.

The wool line offers a wide selection of clothing and accessories with traditional Icelandic ties—such as the lopapeysa and wool socks—alongside items with Nordic influences and a range of classic, everyday wool products. Icewear emphasizes diversity and offers a broad, fairly priced product line that serves as many people as possible.

Icewear continues to use these classical Scandinavian patterns to create traditional Icelandic clothing, and has established itself as a true Icelandic outdoor clothing brand. The clothing is sown, knitted or crocheted with spun or unspun yarn for extra thickness. After all these years, Icewear now owns more than 30 stores. Icewear taps into the harsh Icelandic climate which calls for wind and water resistant outerwear. Hanging onto the arctic circle, the weather conditions on the island can be rough. Icelandic men, women and children choose authentic wool clothing with traditional designs to keep themselves warm. Combining a winter jumper with outdoor apparel such as a wind jacket or even a parka, and you´ll be warm in Reykjavik. When going to the countryside of Iceland, you might want to buy online wool outdoor clothes from Icewear.