We pass through Eagle Plains, in the heart of an untouched wilderness, less than an hour from the Arctic Circle.

Here, we are forced to stop for two days because of an Arctic blizzard. Access to the ice roads is closed at this truck stop, the last controlled point before entering a stretch where, in an emergency, no one can intervene quickly, especially during a storm.

Our route leads to Inuvik, and then to the last outpost of land: Tuktoyaktuk, on the shores of the Beaufort Sea. It can be reached via the ice roads, in a territory where access is possible only under specific conditions. It is a small settlement inhabited largely by Inuit communities. The only hotel consists of three containers placed side by side, designed for those who work in, or pass through, these latitudes.

Here, we take part in building our own igloo, learning the technique directly on site. We build it on the frozen sea.

At the entrance, a safety system against polar bears is put in place. Inside, protected by bear and seal skins, we face temperatures as low as -47°C. At night, the ice reflects the moonlight and the interior of the igloo takes on a blue hue. Every gesture must be measured. Every choice becomes a matter of survival, making clear what it truly means to experience an authentic north, without filters.

We understood the importance of insulation, but even before that, we understood that the first barrier between the body and the Arctic cold is the outer fabric of the jacket. It must protect against the wind, because as its intensity increases, so too does the perception of cold. It is from this awareness that the concept behind our temperature labels was born, designed to guide and offer a concrete indication of the conditions each garment is made for.

In particular, we understood the value of Murmasky, able to retain and maximise warmth in the most exposed areas, such as the hood. We recognised the importance of internal fleece, both inside the pockets and in the areas of the jacket where the body needs it most. We learned the importance of hoods adjustable in both directions, designed to adapt to wind and movement. And of the buttons inside the pockets, necessarily made of plastic, because unlike metal they do not absorb the cold and, in contact with the skin, do not burn it.

And above all, the thumbhole: an essential detail that allows protection from the cold without removing gloves, when in extreme temperatures exposing your hands even for a single moment is not an option.