It’s always exciting when we feature a new brand on The Clymb. Today is no exception as we debut Fjallraven, Swedish pioneers of mountaineering gear and apparel.
Fjallraven is Swedish for ‘arctic fox.’ Founder Ake Nordin was inspired by this resourceful predator, which was a constant sight on his hikes through the mountains as a young man.
At 14, Nordin spent more time outdoors than indoors, and found himself dissatisfied with the backpacks available for long mountain treks. Taking matters into his own hands, he designed a wooden frame that allowed for better distribution of weight and the ability to carry more. That was the start of Fjallraven.
After redesigning backpacks and tents, Nordin turned his attention to apparel, fashioning prototypes out of tent material using his grandfather’s tailor scissors and mother’s sewing machine. The fabric, G‑1000, is treated with Greenland Wax, a paraffin/beeswax formula made my a small family in North Sweden. When damp, G‑1000 swells and provides excellent protection against water and wind the harsher the conditions get.
The innovation didn’t stop there. In the 1970’s, answering the call for warmer clothing for expert adventurers, Nordin got the idea to sew together two jackets. The space between them trapped warm air and made for warmer insulation. After a few years of testing and development, the Expedition Down Jacket was born, and its design was labeled a work of art by the Swedish Supreme Court.
The arctic fox isn’t just Fjallraven’s namesake, it’s also their cause. Fjallraven supports SEFALO, a project dedicated to saving this curious creature from extinction. This kind of environmental awareness and stewardship extends to Fjallraven’s business practices as they development environmentally friendly fabrics.
Below, three Fjallraven trekkers breakdown the different features on three of their trekking pants.
Be sure to shop our Fjallraven event today and stock up on decades of innovation in mountaineering outerwear and apparel.
