At RefrigiWear, we pledge to commit the full resources of our company to completely satisfy the needs of our customers and employees.

To Our Customers:
We promise to always provide the superior products and exceptional service expected from the recognized industry leader.

To our employees:
We will strive to foster and promote a work environment that provides creativity, empowerment and fun for all.

Since 1954, our sole focus has been on keeping workers warm and productive with insulated outerwear. This concentration has enabled us to gain unmatched knowledge and experience in our industry.
RefrigiWear quality sets the standards for the industry. Quilting our own fabrics ensures that our high standards are met. Taking extra steps to "keep in the warmth", such as a kidney warmer back band, bound seams and extra long knit cuffs represent examples of our commitment to keeping you warm.
Exceeding your expectations every day requires more than just great quality products — you deserve world-class service. Real people still answer the phone at RefrigiWear's office and manufacturing facility in Dahlonega, Georgia.

A Humble Beginning.

In 1954, at the height of the Fabulous Fifties, the NYSE prices reached their highest level since 1929 and the New York Giants won the World Series. More than 29 million households had television sets and the families in them were tuned in to "Father Knows Best." Swanson introduced the first frozen TV dinner to rave reviews from increasingly busy housewives.

Up the road a bit from Wall Street's bull market, two ambitious, hard working entrepreneurs, Myron Breakstone and Mortimer "Mort" Malden, who had never met previously, married sisters. Myron, whose grandfather founded Breakstone Dairy, was quite familiar with the hostile working conditions in cold storage warehouses. He had worked for a time in the family business and had experienced the uncomfortable heavy wool coats and layers of bulky undergarments necessary to keep warm. In addition, his experiences in the cold of Northern Italy during WWII enhanced his first hand knowledge of working in cold temperatures. He knew there had to be a better way.

Against his father's wishes, Myron took his first shot in 1952 with the Insulated Clothing Manufacturing Company located at 333 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan. Myron, with assistance from DuPont's newly formed Textile Fibers Department, created and manufactured the first innovation in insulated clothing to hit the market in years. The initial garments, called Weather-Alls, were lightweight comfortable coveralls made of Dupont Nylon with an exclusive formula of "Air-Cell Insulation". This comfortable, non-binding apparel was a stark contrast to the heavy, cumbersome garments then used by cold storage warehouse workers. Unfortunately, the Insulated Clothing Company ceased operations the same year due to lack of capital.

Dedicated to his dream of creating a line of high quality, comfortable insulated apparel, Myron struck out again in 1954, joining his brother-in-law Mort Malden as the RefrigiWear Clothing Company was born.

Promoted as the “Modern way to keep warm,” the initial RefrigiWear line was called Winter-Seals and consisted of eight styles of under and outer garments. Several initial styles still enjoy success in the current product line, including the style 60 Ice Parka and the 341 Inspector Coat. Seeking to satisfy a variety of cold area clothing needs, RefrigiWear's starting line-up also offered two hats, a pair of mittens, and quilt-sox; that one-source strategy is still in place today.

RefrigiWear prospered in New York City. By the early 1960's, the company was growing to the extent that it was splitting at the seams. Operations for RefrigiWear were moved to Long Island, New York, where they remained for almost thirty years. The Iron-Tuff line, a mere infant in garment industry years, had already proven itself as a standard setter in outerwear. Not surprisingly, RefrigiWear apparel grew popular with sportsmen in addition to industrial workers. Hunters, winter sportsmen, and campers loved the warmth and durability of the company's products.

In 1965, a “doubting Thomas” and writer for Field & Stream Magazine decided to put the RefrigiWear Coveralls to the test. Mr. Clare Conley wore style 541 Iron Tuff Minus 50 Suit in a quick-freeze room at a temperature of -40° to -60°F for an hour. “The tip of my nose grew cold, and my eyebrows frosted, but I was comfortable.”.

The Swinging Sixties saw RefrigiWear expand their focus to Europe. Introduced in Milan, at the Spain Food Processing Show, RefrigiWear's reception was far from chilly. The development of the product line was breaking new ground: twenty-five different styles of apparel, eight headwear items, four pairs of gloves and three boots were offered in the U.S. and overseas.

The WeatherGuard line of insulated blankets and covers emerged during this time as well. The Groovy Seventies made way for bright, fashionable colors and an increased focus on the outdoorsmen and women. Red, orange, camouflage and baby blue made their way into the steadily increasing product line. Sales of his and hers “Sno” Suits took off as the sport of snowmobiling increased in popularity. The Insulated “Macho” Town Coat, sleek and stylish, was introduced in 1979; this town coat foreshadowed the popularity of RefrigiWear in Italy's fashion lines in 2002.

During the 1980's the narrow and intense focus on RefrigiWear's niche market returned. The product line was fine-tuned to meet the needs its business customers. "Sno" suits and town coats were discontinued from the line while the availability of handwear and accessories increased. In-house embroidery was also introduced during this time, as the importance of branding was realized and acted upon.

In the late 1980's a new partnership began to flourish, and with it a new friendship. Ron Breakstone, Myron's oldest son, joined the company in 1975. Ron says, “This Company arose from the dedication and drive for excellence of two of my role models, my father and uncle. I wanted to continue the family business and further develop their hard work.” Mark Silberman had an established career in the apparel industry. Through a series of events, Mark was slowly introduced to RefrigiWear and was intrigued by the challenge of this unique business. Together, Ron and Mark purchased the company in 1988 from the founders, Myron Breakstone and Mort Malden.

Today, RefrigiWear Incorporated continues to be the undisputed leader in the insulated clothing market. It manufactures and sells over ninety-five styles of insulated clothing, headwear, accessories and covers while employing over one hundred people. The company culture is one of empowermen brand in Italy as a fashion name - ads for the product appear beside Tommy Hilfiger in GQ Italia. RefrigiWear is often touted as being “one of care of some of America's largest companies.”.

As pioneers in the science of insulated clothing, Myron Breakstone and Mort Malden launched the insulated apparel industry and a company, RefrigiWear. Striving to combine the highest customer satisfaction with top quality products and world-class service put this company on top. Today, RefrigiWear continues to build on fifty years of success and looks forward to another fifty years of warm, comfortable customers.

RefrigiWear does not sell to individual consumers. We are strictly a business-to-business company.
Thank you for your interest.

If you are an industrial customer and do not currently have an account with RefrigiWear, please contact Customer Service at 800-645-3744 or 706-864-5757.