ISPO Award Winner 2025: The RealFleece Grid Blackridge Pullover Hoodie by icebreaker elevates plastic-free thermal performance

The RealFleece Grid Blackridge Pullover Hoodie represents icebreaker’s latest step toward performance apparel built fully from plastic-free fibers. Designed for winter mountain adventures and snow-sport environments, the hoodie is constructed from a blend of 57% Merino Wool and 43% Tencel Lyocell. This combination provides high thermal retention, breathability and adaptable comfort across changing intensities. Awarded an ISPO Award 2025, the midlayer addresses a clear demand in the outdoor market: performance fleece that avoids synthetic fibers entirely. As icebreaker continues its mission of “taking unnecessary plastic out of performance apparel,” the Blackridge stands out as a benchmark product.  

“Designed for winter mountain adventures, the RealFleece Grid Blackridge delivers dynamic thermoregulation, naturally. The flexible hood system and 100% plastic free grid material adapt to changes in tempo and temperature – breathing whilst active and insulating at rest,” says Monika Foster, Global Product Designer at icebreaker. The hoodie is targeted at experienced outdoor explorers aged 30–55 who prioritize performance, durability and responsible material choices. 

The engineered grid construction is the defining feature of the Blackridge. The material traps heat when the wearer is stationary and releases excess warmth during movement — a natural, responsive form of thermoregulation that reduces the risk of overheating during snow sports. The grid channels increase airflow and help moisture escape during exertion, creating consistently comfortable microclimates throughout varied conditions. 

Unlike conventional grid fleeces made from polyester or nylon blends, icebreaker’s approach relies on 100% plastic-free composition. The Merino-Lyocell blend delivers a soft hand feel, low bulk and strong breathability, while naturally offering odor resistance and thermal responsiveness. The result is a midlayer that performs across wide temperature swings, whether worn under a shell during alpine days or as a stand-alone piece during milder conditions. This marks a notable shift in the market: a grid fleece that achieves technical performance without defaulting to synthetic materials. 

A key element of the design is the integrated hood-and-chute system, giving the wearer multiple configuration options depending on weather and intensity. It replaces separate accessories such as neck gaiters or lightweight balaclavas, reducing bulk while offering quick adaptability. The hood can be worn up, down, partially enclosed or combined with outer layers, adapting seamlessly to colder winds, sudden ascents or rest breaks. 

For retailers, this modularity expands the usability narrative: the Blackridge functions as a single midlayer that covers a broad spectrum of conditions, reducing the number of items consumers need to carry. The fit is regular, lightweight and low-bulk, offering unrestricted movement on skin tracks, winter trails or alpine ridges. Available in men’s colors Abyss and Black and women’s Black and Dawn, the hoodie slots into a technical layering system without compromising comfort or freedom of movement. 

The sustainability story behind the Blackridge extends beyond the absence of plastics. The midlayer is made in a vertically integrated facility in China, where both fabric and garment are produced on-site, reducing transport distances, emissions and resource use. The Merino wool is RWS-certified, ensuring responsible sourcing, while the Tencel Lyocell comes from FSC-certified wood and is processed in a closed-loop system with strong chemical management controls. 

For icebreaker, this piece symbolizes the next phase of natural-fiber innovation: high-performance technical apparel that avoids synthetics without sacrificing capability. The ISPO Award 2025 recognizes this achievement — a midlayer that pairs functional engineering with a sustainability narrative grounded in material integrity. As demand for natural alternatives to synthetic fleece increases, the RealFleece™ Grid Blackridge Pullover Hoodie demonstrates how design, thermoregulation and environmental responsibility can align in a single, well-executed product. 

• High breathability with engineered airflow channels
• Lightweight, low bulk and easy to layer
• Dynamic insulation through natural grid construction
• 100% plastic-free material concept