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 with 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.
Our paths didn’t begin on the trail, but the outdoors became a meaningful part of the life we built together. Through the years, raising two kids, working hard, and navigating all the seasons of family life time outside became where we reset, reconnected, and found clarity.
As our kids grew and stepped into their own adventures, we felt a pull to step into one of our own..something creative, something tangible, something built with our hands that reflected the values we care deeply about: simplicity, stewardship, durability, and purpose.
That spark became Glacial Gear.
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.
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 vision for how and where our gear could be used.
While our roots will always be in the hiking community, we began hearing from customers who were taking our products far beyond the trail into camper vans, rooftop tents, overland rigs, and backcountry basecamps.
They were looking for lightweight insulation that could regulate temperature, manage condensation and stay comfortable in tight sleeping quarters and changing climates- environments where Merino wool naturally excels.
That feedback led us to expand our product line into Merino wool sleeping bag liners, ultralight blankets and other versatile essentials designed not just for backpackers, but for van-lifers, campers, overlanders and anyone seeking premium comfort on the trail, the road or at camp.
Today, our gear is just as at home in a remote desert pull-out, a foggy mountain trailhead, or a lakeside campground as it is deep in the backcountry.
Trusted Craftsmanship
We’re honored that Zpacks, one of the most trusted names in ultralight backpacking, relies on us exclusively to provide 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
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, waking up in a condensation-lined van, setting up a remote overland basecamp, or simply enjoying a quiet evening outdoors, we’re grateful to be part of your journey.
Welcome to the Glacial Gear family.
Here’s to many miles and memories ahead!
Shereen & Shane
