Greenland is home to one of the most extreme climatic regions on the planet. Continually averaging near-double digit negative temperatures in winter, the wind chill blowing off the ice cap and its glaciers can drop the degrees far below even that. Working in such conditions is not easy – and without the right kit , things can literally freeze to a halt.

When expedition leader and Arctic Exped founder Julian O’Neil had to head out to the region on a scouting mission for his adventure tours, he sought out Arksen’s expedition-grade Asgard Down Parka to help keep him warm.

The cutting-edge garment, which is only available at a limited volume of 100 pieces, has been meticulously developed in collaboration with other Arctic adventurers – and this adventure put it to the test in sub-zero environments.

What is your background and what do you love about adventure?

Julian O’Neil:  “I work in outdoor adventures and before that I was in the military. I now run a company called Arctic Exped, leading trips in Iceland and Greenland. We do all sorts of outdoor adventures with a luxury angle, from glacier hikes to ice caves to snowmobiling. I love exploring new places and I’m out and about all the time, ice climbing, visiting new hot springs, finding waterfalls to climb, exploring glaciers and crevasses. That is what I do for work and for fun.”

What do you look for in outdoor gear?

JO:  “It needs ruggedness and warmth, for sure; especially in Iceland and Greenland, warmth is crucial. Temperatures drop to the minus 20s and we're out doing stuff in quite remote places, so it needs to be very reliable, rather than just pretty. Warmth – and particularly maintaining the right temperature – is crucial and reliability, above all, is most important – small stuff like zippers breaking and hoodies coming off is really horrible out here.”

What expedition did you do with the Arksen jacket?

JO:  “I was going to Eastern Greenland to scout for some tours around Kulusuk and I was sent an Asgard Parka to try out for that trip. We did a lot of routes through the glaciers, went into an ice cave and did some ice climbing on the face of a glacier. We also took some boat trips out in a little open boat out on the ocean to look at icebergs, going into some fjords to do some hiking. The jacket was excellent in all conditions. It really helped to keep me warm.”

What's your view on the future of adventure?

JO : “That's a good question. I think tourism is good and although mass tourism can have a negative impact, when you take people – especially in Iceland and Greenland – to some of these really remote and beautiful corners of the Earth, you actually encourage and inspire a great deal of respect for nature, especially when you take them on the glaciers and they see the effects of the global warming and how the glaciers are disappearing. I guess, in that sense, I hope I can contribute a little bit.”

The Asgard Down Parker

One of the most unique elements of the Asgard Down Parker are the in-built temperature management tools – which allow the wearer to maintain optimum warmth whether they are hunkered down in a snow hole or perspiring under the Arctic sunshine on a glacier hike.

The base design incorporates a super-lightweight, yarn-dyed shell – crafted from 100% recycled materials – and a 90% recycled 850 fill power goose down insulation, providing exceptional warmth-to-weight performance. The temperature flexibility, meanwhile, comes from a host of features including a contoured cocoon collar, a two-way zip to allow venting without fully undoing the jacket, Schoeller 4-way stretch softshell cuffs with integrated thumbholes and non-stitched baffles that help reduce heat loss.

Designed for durability and optimum functionality, the jacket also includes robust anti-abrasion reinforcements on the shoulders, elbows and pockets, a ten-pocket configuration to provide comprehensive storage, and a concealed waist adjuster beneath the storm flap for a tailored fit without exposing to the cold external environment.