About Us
Hello!
We’re Shane and Shereen Petersen, the creators behind Glacial Gear, now based in the beautiful upstate region of South Carolina near the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Our journey began in the Midwest. Shereen growing up in the quiet Northwoods of northern Minnesota just a mile from the Superior Hiking Trail, and Shane spending his life exploring the forests and prairies of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. A shared love for the outdoors brought us together, and after raising two kids and sending them off on their own adventures, we felt a spark to create something new.
Why Glacial Gear?
Our brand name is rooted in the very landscape that shaped our early outdoor experiences. The terrain of far northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin defined by rolling moraines, kames, kettles, and ridgelines carved by ancient glaciers was where we spent countless hours hiking and learning to appreciate the natural world. Those glacial landforms inspired not only our name, but the rugged, reliable spirit behind everything we make.
Where It Started
What began as a simple idea soon grew into a passion. We turned a spare room in our Illinois home into a sewing studio so we could design the kind of outdoor gear we couldn’t find anywhere else. When we later relocated to South Carolina, we expanded that humble beginning into a dedicated professional workspace, giving Glacial Gear the room it needed to grow and the capacity to build gear with even more precision, consistency, and care.
Inspired by the Trail
Our creativity has always been shaped by the places we love. Glacial Park in Richmond, Illinois where we spent years hiking those glacier-carved hills and exploring the winding edges of Nippersink Creek played a major role in inspiring our trail-focused approach.
And during Shane’s time on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Wisconsin, the need for a purpose-built trail towel became unmistakable. That idea became the Trail Rag: a lightweight, sustainable, Merino wool towel that clips to a backpack shoulder strap and quickly became a favorite among long-distance hikers.
Growing the Line
As Glacial Gear grew, so did our product line, expanding into Merino wool sleeping bag liners, blankets, and other trail essentials—all crafted with the same commitment to sustainability, premium materials, and thoughtful, trail-tested design.
Today, we’re honored that Zpacks, one of the most trusted names in ultralight backpacking, relies on us exclusively to manufacture their Merino sleeping bag liners and their signature Merino Trail Rag. Their trust reflects the quality, precision, and integrity we bring to every stitch.
Our Commitment
All of our packaging is fully compostable or recyclable, reflecting our ongoing dedication to protecting the natural spaces that inspired us from the beginning.
Whether you’re trekking a high ridge or enjoying a peaceful walk through the woods, we’re grateful to be part of your outdoor journey.
Welcome to the Glacial Gear family!
Here’s to many happy trails ahead!
Shane & Shereen
