Fjallraven was born out of one man's vision: a vision to make nature accessible to everyone.
Fjallraven's founder, Ake Nordin, was a young, adventurous man living in the small town of
Ornskoldsvik in Sweden, a place where mountains and forests meet the sea. Growing up with
the vast and untamed landscapes of Sweden as his playground distilled in Ake an abundance of
adventurous spirit and knowledge of the outdoors. Increasingly frustrated with the growing
problem of how to carry his adventure gear comfortably, Ake knew there must be a way. Armed
with his mother's sewing machine, his father's tools and his unwavering spirit, he retreated
to his basement and began creating his first backpack with a wooden frame. Thrilled with his
creation, the seed of Fjallraven was sewn.
10 years later, in 1960, in the same basement, Ake founded Fjallraven and launched his first
product for sale: a backpack, this time with an aluminium frame. Throughout the next decade,
Ake was fuelled by his stubborn belief that there must always be a way. A practical
solution. This stubbornness led to the significant expansion of Fjallraven's product range,
eventually including tents, sleeping bags, jackets and trousers. Some of Fjallraven's
original, defining products, such as the Greenland Jacket, the Expedition Down Jacket and
the Kanken backpack, can still be found within the range today.
As word spread of Ake's innovative creations and reliable gear, Fjallraven became a symbol of
Swedish craftsmanship and outdoor exploration. From avid trekkers to enthusiastic nature
lovers, virtually every other Swede wore and trusted Fjallraven. As time went on, Ake went
from strength to strength, expanding throughout Scandinavia, then further afield in Europe,
all whilst retaining the same adventurous Fjallraven spirit and passion for nature.
Fjallraven was already more than just a brand - it was a way of life, a testament to the bond
between humans and the natural world.
Throughout the decades, Fjallraven continued to innovate their products and introduce new
materials, enhancing their product's performance in varying weather conditions, all without
compromising on quality and durability.
Nature has always been at Fjallraven's heart; whether that's making gear to explore new terrain or recognising the impact humans can have on those same landscapes. Fjallraven were quick to learn no shortcut or fashion trend is more important than protecting the environment, landscapes, and wild places we all love to explore. Its mission is still the same as Ake's original vision: To enable and inspire more people to experience nature. Making continued responsible choices and the utmost respect for the environment is at the core of who they are. Nowadays, they are synonymous with Scandinavian outdoor excellence. Fjallraven continues to inspire countless expeditions, thrilling adventures, and meaningful connections with nature.