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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUtYPXnVcq0

“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.”

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, Antin 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, Antin 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 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, 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 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 Himalayas 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. Chambers is also the co-founder 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, Chambers and his wife spend much of their time in Kenya, where they run Flying Kites, a leadership academy for orphaned and critically poor children.

In its initial debut at the 2018 Outdoor Retailer Winter show, the Thermo Rogue 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.

Photo courtesy Merrell