Merrell Launches Documentary Featuring Jason Antin and Mike Chambers’ FKT on Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail

October 12, 2018

The award-winning Merrell Thermo Rogues, the boots field tested by the duo in Greenland, are now available for purchase through Merrell.com and select retail stores

ROCKFORD, Mich. — Endurance athletes and Merrell ambassadors Jason Antin and Mike Chambers set out in March 2018 to complete Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail by foot in the fastest known time, a challenge of both temperature, endurance and demanding terrain. With Merrell Thermo Rogue boots on their feet, the duo completed their trek in three days, 12 hours, and six minutes. A video documentary titled “In Due Time” from their journey is now available to view on Merrell’s YouTube channel. Thermo Rogues are also now available for purchase on Merrell.com and in select retail stores.

“When Mike and Jason came to us with the need for footwear that could carry them through their Arctic Circle journey, we knew our forthcoming Thermo Rogues were the only option,” says Steve Workman, VP of Product at Merrell. “With the combination of our exclusive Vibram® Arctic Grip Dura for the best possible traction in winter conditions and the ultra-lightweight PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Aerogel for warmth in freezing temperatures, there’s simply not another product on the market that’s better suited for this type of adventure.”

Jason Antin, a native New Englander who now calls Colorado home, focuses his time on striving to achieve the ultimate work-life balance. Beyond helping launch a handful of outdoor focused start-up companies, Jason spends much of his time working as a technical Mountain Guide for Denver Mountain Guiding, and also as a strength and condition coach at The Alpine Training Center in Boulder, CO where he prepares his athletes for the physical and mental rigors of the mountains. Off the clock, Jason shares his home in Golden, CO with his wife Jenny and two-year-old daughter Avery. He enjoys moving quickly in the mountains over all mediums that mother nature shares with us whether that be trails, rock, ice or snow.

“Preparing for an adventure like this is no easy feat,” said Jason Antin. “Through determination, the right gear, and ideal winter weather conditions in Greenland, we were able, and thrilled, to accomplish the journey in our goal time.”

As a mountain athlete and social entrepreneur, Mike Chambers’ work is inspired by the human spirit and our capacity to endure and improve.

“There’s definitely an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment that goes along with completing an FKT,” said Mike Chambers. “Even more so, the time this trek gave me to disconnect with daily life, connect with my good friend, Jason, and reflect on all my upcoming life events, especially the recent welcoming of my first child, was invaluable.”

His passions for adventure, social justice, and storytelling have brought him around the globe, from the highest mountains in the Himalaya, to the most remote villages in Africa and Latin America. He’s led dozens of high-altitude climbing expeditions, including two on Mt. Everest, and is the creator and co-host of Beat Monday on Outside TV, an adventure travel show designed to reimagine the weekend. Mike is also the cofounder of Summits Education, an organization that operates a network of 41 primary schools in Haiti’s Central Plateau serving nearly 10,000 students. When not in Haiti, or in the mountains, Mike and his wife spend much of their time in Kenya where they run Flying Kites, a leadership academy for orphaned and critically poor children.

Inspired by athletes like Jason and Mike, Merrell took on the challenge of introducing a new winter boot designed to go faster and further. The new Thermo Rogue is an athletic two-season hybrid boot suitable for any hike, in any winter conditions. Featuring state of the art PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Aerogel, the boots provide unprecedented protection in the face of extreme cold conditions. The ultra-lightweight technology maintains its insulative properties even when compressed, making it ideal for all day comfort. Maintaining traction in intense and fast-changing winter conditions calls for a specially designed outsole — meet Merrell’s exclusive Vibram® Arctic Grip Dura technology – combining the most durable wet ice grip compound and specialized lug geometry, the Thermo Rogues provide best-in-class traction when experiencing winter conditions on varied outdoor and mountainous terrains.

In its initial debut at the 2018 Outdoor Retailer Winter show, the boot earned Gear Junkie’s Best in Show Award, and was showcased in Backpacker Magazine’s Gear of OR 2018 highlight. The Thermo Rogue is also a winner of the 2018 ISPO Gold Award in the Winter Boots category.

For multimedia from Jason and Mike’s journey, as well as images of the Thermo Rogue, please reach the Merrell contacts below.

In Due Time is a Stept Studios production. Production credit is as follows:

• Director: Andy Maser @andymaser
• Executive Producer: Lindsey Hagen @linze3
• Director of Photography: Chris Naum @chris_naum
• Photographer: Thomas Woodson @thomaswoodson

ABOUT MERRELL           

Merrell® enables you to disconnect from modern distractions and experience the profound power of the trail. Our hiking boots, trail runners, active lifestyle shoes, work boots and apparel are built to give you just what you need to discover the outdoors. We are thorough in our design approach, considering and testing every detail so nothing stands between you and the natural world. Merrell is made for experience-seekers—because we believe every step along the trail is a step closer to our truest selves. www.merrell.com

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MEDIA CONTACTS

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