Fjällräven History
From A Basement Workshop To Scandinavian Outdoor Icon
Fjällräven was born out of one man's vision: a vision to make nature accessible to everyone. Fjällräven's founder, Åke Nordin, was a young, adventurous man living in the small town of Örnsköldsvik 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 Åke an abundance of adventurous spirit and knowledge of the outdoors. Increasingly frustrated with the growing problem of how to carry his adventure gear comfortably, Åke 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 Fjällräven was sewn.
10 years later, in 1960, in the same basement, Åke founded Fjällräven and launched his first product for sale: a backpack, this time with an aluminium frame. Throughout the next decade, Åke was fuelled by his stubborn belief that there must always be a way. A practical solution. This stubbornness led to the significant expansion of Fjällräven's product range, eventually including tents, sleeping bags, jackets and trousers. Some of Fjällräven's original, defining products, such as the Greenland Jacket, the Expedition Down Jacket and the Kånken backpack, can still be found within the range today.
As word spread of Åke's innovative creations and reliable gear, Fjällräven became a symbol of Swedish craftsmanship and outdoor exploration. From avid trekkers to enthusiastic nature lovers, virtually every other Swede wore and trusted Fjällräven. As time went on, Åke went from strength to strength, expanding throughout Scandinavia, then further afield in Europe, all whilst retaining the same adventurous Fjällräven spirit and passion for nature. Fjällräven 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, Fjällräven 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.
Fjällräven's commitment to the future
Nature has always been at Fjällräven's heart; whether that's making gear to explore new terrain or recognising the impact humans can have on those same landscapes. Fjällräven 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 Åke'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. Fjällräven continues to inspire countless expeditions, thrilling adventures and meaningful connections with nature.