Canada Goose
To state the obvious, it can be cold in Canada. Parts of the country are within the Arctic Circle and its winters are harsh. In some areas, snow can cover the ground for almost six months of the year. To protect themselves, the indigenous people of the region, the Inuit, have traditionally worn animal skins and furs. So effective were they at keeping the wearer warm, that when the explorer Roald Amundsen arrived on the shores of King William Island in 1903, he ditched his conventional woollen garments in favour of those used by the Inuit. This enabled him and his team to live for two years in extreme Arctic conditions before completing their expedition to find the elusive North West Passage.
A lot has occurred in the intervening 110 years. Two world wars. Cars. Aviation. Space flight. Computers. Telecommunications. But men like Amundsen still explore; they still push themselves to the limit; they still climb mountains; and they still race to the poles. Happily, though, they no longer have to rely on wool or animal skins for their clothing, as thanks to companies such as Toronto-based Canada Goose – market leaders in hand-made, high-quality extreme weather outerwear – there are twenty-first-century alternatives.
Canada Goose coats feature a coyote fur trim to the hood and are insulated using white goose down. The Snow Mantra parker from the mens Canada Goose range is renowned as the warmest coat on earth. And it's not just explorers and expedition members who relish wearing Canada Goose apparel. It is much sought after around the world, especially in Scandinavia. The garments are worn by Hollywood's top stars, including Matt Damon, Daniel Craig and Kate Beckinsale. Canada Goose is so successful that counterfeiting has been a growing problem in recent years, with dog or cat fur replacing the coyote trim and inferior feather mulch being used as insulation. To combat the copycats, a hologram is now sewn into each product as proof of authenticity and a legitimate Canada Goose sale. Genuine Canada Goose coats and accessories are currently available in ranges to suit men, women and kids, only from selected high-end retailers.