// About Us
We Are Shackleton
What’s in a name? In Shackleton’s case, an untold amount. It’s a name with a unique heritage from the heroic age of exploration, a name synonymous with courage, leadership, adventure and endurance. Fast forward a hundred years and it’s now a name that’s taking its place in the world of contemporary exploration and discovery.
Welcome To Shackleton
Shackleton is set up in Sir Ernest’s honour and supported by his descendants, is based in London and serves a worldwide community of adventurers.
Here’s an introduction to our people, purpose, products, and expedition experiences. Watch the short film above and learn about our mission to inspire people to seize their ‘life's set prize’ as the Boss had it; to Live Courageously. Onwards!
Ian Holdcroft & Martin Brooks - Co-Founders
We’re on a mission to inspire, enable and equip you to Live Courageously.
We explore the polar regions, the mountains, the deserts and the oceans.
We are explorers, product engineers, climate advocates and record-breakers.
Our Journey
2015
Ian Holdcroft, Martin Brooks and the Hon. Alexandra Shackleton discuss a new company named after her grandfather, dedicated to sustaining his legacy of courage, endurance and enlightened leadership for future generations.
2016
Shackleton Design and Manufacturing Company established
2017
First Shackleton Endurance Parka developed, now synonymous with modern polar exploration
Shackleton Explorer Jacket developed for Aldo Kane's descent into Mount Nyiragongo volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Apparel sponsor to Scott Sears’ record-breaking ‘youngest south’ South Pole expedition.
2018
Shackleton becomes lead expedition partner and official apparel supplier to Louis Rudd’s record-breaking 56-day solo crossing of Antarctica.
Sponsor to Adaptive Grand Slam’s Everest climb.
2019
Launch of Frank Hurley jacket, the world’s first designed for extreme-weather photography, in partnership with Leica Camera AG
Ian Holdcroft, Shackleton Co-Founder, rows 2800 miles across the Atlantic Ocean with Felix Five.
First seasonal pop-up store in Duke Street, London.
2020
Endurance Parka awarded ‘Best Winter Jacket 2020’, beating brands including Canada Goose, The North Face and Patagonia
Shackleton named 'Brand of Tomorrow' by Walpole, the British luxury brands association
Second seasonal pop-up store at King's Road, London, featuring a perfect life-sized replica of the 23ft lifeboat J. Caird. Covid restrictions succeeded where the Southern Ocean failed, forcing an early closure.
2021
Shackleton begins cold-weather apparel supply contract with His Majesty’s Ministry of Defence
Hosts of inaugural Antarctica Now event, a seven-day online festival featuring leading experts on the region
Antarctic Protector Parka wins ‘Best Winter Jacket 2021’ in the T3 Awards
Centenary Collection launched on the 100th anniversary of Ernest Shackleton's death, inspired by the iconic pieces worn by Shackleton and crew throughout the Endurance expedition
Third seasonal pop-up store on Regent Street, London
2022
Launch of the inaugural Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions at the Royal Geographical Society, with the Hon. Alexandra Shackleton as Guest of Honour exactly 100 years after the death of Shackleton on ‘Quest’.
Endurance located beneath the Weddell Sea; team leader Mensun Bound and reporter Dan Snow equipped in Shackleton apparel
Glaciologist Dr. Heïdi Sevestre named winner of the inaugural Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions
Launch of the Shackleton Challenges expedition travel division in Finse, Norway
Launch of the Shackleton South Pole Last Degree Challenge
Fourth seasonal Shackleton Store opens in Covent Garden, London WC2
2023
Inaugural Last Degree Challenge completed at South Pole
Challenger range of elite technical apparel launched, tested in extremes by explorers around the world
Wreck of Shackleton’s last ship Quest located in Labrador Sea by Royal Canadian Geographical Society expedition led by John Geiger. Expedition equipped in Shackleton apparel, co-founder Martin Brooks on board.
Second Shackleton Medal awarded to explorer Pen Hadow for his work to achieve a Marine Protected Area in the central Arctic Ocean.
Flagship store at 214 Piccadilly opens, a stone’s throw south of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s original expedition HQ on Burlington Street
World’s first Pole-to-Pole expedition by electric vehicle completes mission at Geographic South Pole, supported and equipped by Shackleton
2024
Memorial plaque to Shackleton unveiled by Anne, Princess Royal, in the south cloister of Westminster Abbey close to those honouring Drake, Cook and Chichester. In partnership with the James Caird Society and Dulwich College, Shackleton led the fundraising.
Launch of inaugural Arabian Desert Skills Challenge
Third Shackleton Medal awarded to Valérie Courtois, leader of the Indigenous Leaders Initiative in Northern Canada.
2025
Norway’s Karen Kyllesø becomes the youngest person to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole, in a Shackleton pulk suit. At 21, she was five years younger than the previous record holder.
Launch of Fortuna Ski Suit
James Norbury expedition, inc. Fortuna for final homage at the gravestone of the Boss
Fourth Shackleton Medal awarded to Cormac Cullinan, lawyer who founded the Antarctic Rights Initiative.
Menson Bound presents 3-D model of sunken Endurance at Piccadilly HQ,
Shackleton signs a 3-year partnership with JLR’s Defender Rally team.
2026
Defender team victorious in its first-ever Dakar Rally, with support from Shackleton
SHACKLETON JOURNAL
The Shackleton Journal is our guide to Living Courageously. Product guides, expedition journals from the field, interviews with explorers and more.
SHACKLETON IN THE HIMALAYAS // Louis Rudd x Royal Enfield
Join us on Instagram
