Collaborations - Rasmus – DANISH ENDURANCE

Proudly sponsored by DANISH ENDURANCE

Meet Rasmus Kragh

– a DANISH ENDURANCE athlete and outdoor specialist with a profound connection to nature.

As the first Dane, Rasmus Kragh has endured the ultimate test by trekking 1,130 km to the geographic South Pole – unsupported.

In November 2024, Rasmus embarked on his most extreme expedition yet—to become the first Dane to trek solo from Hercules Inlet to the geographic South Pole.

After 63 grueling days, battling physical and mental exhaustion, he reached his destination on January 24th. Throughout the journey, Rasmus pulled a sled weighing up to 110 kg across Antarctica’s harsh terrain, enduring temperatures as low as -50°C.

What is your story with DANISH ENDURANCE?

My first encounter with DANISH ENDURANCE was in 2018. For the previous two years, I had been trying to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest, as the first Dane without supplemental oxygen. Unfortunately, both attempts were cut short due to the weather. I wanted to try again and was searching for the right partners - before long, we found each other. In May 2019, I stood on top of the world at -30°C, with DANISH ENDURANCE Ski socks on my feet.

Since then, DANISH ENDURANCE has been a constant part of my gear whenever I move and perform. This whether it’s my daily run in the woods, challenging hikes in the Scandinavian wilderness, or skiing in the mountains, DANISH ENDURANCE socks have always kept my feet comfortable.

Part of my journey has also been an internal one, battling depression and post-traumatic stress. A personal struggle that has been... but has also made me stronger as a person, mentally more resilient.

In 2024, DANISH ENDURANCE and I decided to strengthen our collaboration and make a statement about human endurance and potential. I walked 1,130 km alone from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole, as the first Dane ever to do so. A journey where I pushed my physical and mental endurance to a whole new level—again dressed in DANISH ENDURANCE who in the meantime had developed a full range of Merino baselayer including underwear and beanies.

On Antarctica Rasmus was fully equipped with DANISH ENDURANCE Merino wool base layers, socks and accessories.

RASMUS' FEATS OF ENDURANCE

Rasmus is a true inspiration—his South Pole trek is just one of many feats of endurance. In 2019, he became the first Dane to climb Mount Everest without artificial oxygen, pushing his limits in one of the world’s toughest challenges.

A true testament to endurance

Nicolaj Due, founder of DANISH ENDURANCE, says: "Rasmus Kragh’s dedication to exploring human potential is a powerful source of inspiration and aligns perfectly with our brand's essence: 'It’s a state of mind.' Rasmus truly embodies this mindset. We are proud to support Rasmus and the resilience he brings to this mission."

How important is the right clothing, and why do you prefer Merino wool?

Being well-dressed is the foundation of any adventure and outdoor activity—big or small. If you’re dressed right, you feel better in your body, it’s more comfortable, and it puts a smile on your face. It also makes it easier and more enjoyable to perform—whether it’s a run in the woods, a hike in the Norwegian mountains, a ski trip, or a longer expedition where your gear is pushed to the limit. Merino wool keeps you warm, and when blended with synthetic fibers, it effectively wicks moisture away from the body. It’s also extremely durable (for example, I wore the same extreme baselayer set for 63 consecutive days in Antarctica without any issues), and it doesn’t smell even after many days of use.

But it’s not just outdoors that Merino wool is my go-to choice. In my everyday life, I almost always wear DANISH ENDURANCE Merino underwear, T-shirts, and socks because nothing beats the comfort of Merino.

It’s all about the layering

"I wore the same Extreme Baselayer set for 63 days straight."

My top 3 sock combinations were:

What were your favorite DANISH ENDURANCE Merino items at the South Pole?

On my journey to the South Pole, I had two sets of Merino base layers: my basic set and the newest style, the extreme set. Every day, after skiing for 12–15 hours, setting up camp, and pitching my tent, I changed from my Extreme Base layer, which I had been wearing, into the Basic one. On an Antarctic expedition, the small things matter, and changing clothes is one of them - it’s a form of daily wellness.

Then, I crawled into my sleeping bag, put on a fresh pair of Hiking Premium socks, and as the finishing touch, I wore a new Merino neck gaiter and a soft Cashmere beanie. Cashmere has its own qualities, and now DANISH ENDURANCE has it in their collection too.

So, it’s hard to pick favorites because every piece had an essential function during the expedition. However, I would highlight the combination of Hiking Premium socks with Ski Performance socks - they kept my feet warm, and I barely had any issues with blisters or chafing, which is extremely rare on extreme ski expeditions.

It’s a state of mind.

My greatest personal strength has always been my mindset. The body has physical limits, but in my experience, I hold far more potential than I realize—if I dare to look inward when searching for strength and that extra push. For me, this is the essence of endurance. A state of mind.

On my solo journey to the South Pole, I reached my physical limits and had to dig deeper than ever before to complete it. At the same time, I had to adjust mentally, as the finish line kept shifting, challenging my motivation and redefining my idea of personal success. It was an expedition where I truly had to combine both body and mind to bring everything together in perfect harmony.

- RASMUS KRAGH