There's no doubt about it, Scandinavian brands are cool. In terms of outdoor clothing and equipment, they make some of the best gear on the planet and you'll see it being used everywhere from mountaintops to city streets. But where has our obsession with Nordic kit come from?
Us Brits like to think of ourselves as an outdoorsy nation, and not without some justification. After all, thanks to its remarkable geological diversity, Britain has an incredible variety of different landscapes. There’s moor, mountain, fell and dale, not to mention coast, down and heathland.
And thanks to our enviable network of paths and long-distance trails, stunning national parks, swathes of access land and some of the best mapping in the world (thanks Ordnance Survey), it’s pretty easy to get out there and enjoy it all.
However, when it comes to an affinity with the outdoors, a few nations probably outdo even the UK. In Europe, various Alpine countries can lay decent claim to the title – particularly Austria, Italy, France and Switzerland. Then there’s Germany, which by virtue of its population of 83 million people makes it Europe’s biggest outdoor consumer market.
But if you’re talking about places where the nation’s history, culture and everyday life are steeped in a love for the great outdoors, then the Nordic countries are surely the undisputed champs.
There’s even a word for it: friluftsliv. Coined in the 1850s by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, the term literally translates as ‘free air life’, but it is about far more than just enjoying a bit of fresh air. Instead, it’s a lifestyle that is bound up in the freedom of nature and a spiritual connectedness between people and landscape.
The Scandinavian lifestyle
It helps that northern Europe is blessed with a large amount of land and a relatively small population, including vast tracts of forest, rugged hills and mountains, myriad lakes and islands, and countless fjords and archipelagos. Or to put it simply, there’s plenty of space for everyone.
But in tandem with room to roam, there is also the right to roam. Norway, Sweden and Finland all have a long-established right of public access, called allemansrätten (‘everyman’s right’). It means that everyone is allowed to respectfully access land – even private land – to hike, ride, swim, ski, forage, fish and even wild camp, provided you don’t cause disturbance or damage to wildlife and the natural environment.
Are Scandinavian brands more sustainable?
Though sustainability this is now the biggest buzzword in the outdoor industry, it’s a practice that has long formed part of many Scandinavian and Nordic brands’ approaches. This often entails using responsibly sourced or organic natural fibres rather than man-made synthetics, and often reclaimed or recycled fabrics and fills too.
But arguably the largest single focus Nordic outdoor gear has in terms of sustainability, is a well-earned reputation for true longevity through innovative design and high quality craftsmanship, both of which are cultural hallmarks.
Our pick of the best Scandinavian brands
Denmark
While Denmark may not have much in the way of mountains, it is blessed with rolling plains, mile after mile of sandy coastline and hundreds of islands. In fact, nowhere in Denmark is further than 32 miles from the coast.
But it’s also a nation of campers, and many Danish children attend forest schools or join the Scouts. And let’s not forget that the Kingdom of Denmark also includes two overseas territories that ought to be on every adventurer’s bucket list of epic destinations: frozen Greenland and the rocky, mountainous Faroe Islands.
Top Danish outdoor brands
Nordisk | nordisk.co.uk
Current holder of the gong for the world’s lightest double-skinned tent, this camping and backpacking specialist makes some seriously technical gear. But the product range also includes bell and teepee tents, a wide choice of sleep systems and outerwear, and practical campsite accessories.
Robens | robens.de
This popular Danish brand’s tents and camping equipment are well-made, reliable and good value, and the different ranges are complemented by a range of technical sleep systems and sturdy camp furniture. For backpacking, we’re fans of the well designed Odyssey, Track and Trail tents.
Norway
The twin concepts of friluftsliv and allemansrätten are deeply embedded across Nordic cultures. In Norway, you can even take a bachelor’s degree in friluftsliv, while it is said that Norwegians are born with skis on their feet and packs on their backs.
It’s certainly true that Norway has produced more than its fair share of polar explorers and champion skiers, as well as being responsible for innovations such as the first modern skis and ski bindings, and the framed rucksack known as the Bergan – a forerunner of pretty much all modern packs.
More than 5% of the entire population are paid-up members of the DNT, the Norwegian Trekking Association. No surprise then, that Norwegian outdoor brands make some of the most protective gear around, especially when it comes to the art of staying dry.
Top Norwegian outdoor brands
Bergans | bergans.com
Ole Ferdinand Bergan built his company on his invention of an externally framed backpack way back in 1908, which influenced modern pack design. The Norwegian Armed Forces have been using Bergans packs since 1913, and British soldiers and Royal Marines still call their packs ‘Bergans’ today. In addition to rucksacks, these days Bergans can also outfit you from head to toe.
Norrøna | norrona.com
With products for skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, climbing, hiking, trekking, hunting and even arctic surfing, Norrøna covers all the bases. The innovative brand was the first manufacturer to bring Gore-Tex to Europe. Today, its Gore-Tex Pro shells still rank among the best winter-ready mountain waterproofs.
Helly Hansen | hellyhansen.com
The primary reason for Helly’s continued success across skiing, sailing and mountaineering is its track record of developing pioneering waterproof fabrics, warm but breathable fibrepile insulation, and game-changing Lifa wicking layers.
Some may recall the classic Helly base layer as being pretty much de rigueur amongst winter adventurers in the ’80s and ’90s. These days, the bang up-to-date Odin mountain series is a collection of all-season gear well adapted for cold, wet UK weather.
Sweden
Sweden is enamoured with outdoor living. Over half of the population have access to a summer house in the countryside or on the coast, while a recent national survey revealed that around a third of Swedes get outdoors at least once a week.
Perhaps that explains why there is such a profusion of high-quality Swedish outdoor brands, turning out everything from expedition-proven tents and camping stoves to a multitude of clothing, equipment, tools and accessories.
Top Swedish outdoor brands
Fjällräven | fjallraven.com
Established in 1960, this cult brand is now one of Sweden’s biggest success stories. So much so, in fact, that Fjällräven gear is increasingly popular with fashionistas – probably because of its classic and timeless looks.
But the brand also has a strong focus on functionality and sustainability, with key innovations including its excellent G-1000 fabric, a tough, breathable and fast-wicking polycotton blend that can be waxed for added weather resistance.
Haglöfs | haglofs.com
Sweden’s biggest and best-known outdoor brand. Much of the apparel is bluesign-approved and/or at least partly made from recycled or renewable materials.
We’re big fans of its Gore-Tex mountain shells, as well as the ultra-rugged walking trousers and the innovative Mimic insulation, a highperformance, graphene-infused synthetic fill. The brand is also known for its minimalist and ultralight L.I.M series (‘less is more’).
Hilleberg | hilleberg.com
Hilleberg tents are known for their exceptional build quality, and an ability to withstand storm-level conditions that would shred lesser tents. Inevitably, that makes them pricey, but we know many seasoned wild campers who have owned a Hille for years and continue to swear by them.
The brand’s black label and red label tents are designed for expedition and all-season use, while the yellow label models are aimed at lightweight backpackers.
Primus | primusequipment.co.uk
The Swedish brand’s stoves have been to the world’s highest mountains and most remote regions. Today it still makes some of the best camping, backpacking and expedition stoves around, along with a range of complementary cookware, drinkware and camp accessories. We love the warm glow of the gas lanterns, the insulated flasks and food jars, and the tried and tested camp stoves.
Hestra | hestragloves.uk
This family-owned company has been making gloves (and only gloves) for more than 80 years. The brand’s roots are in the thickly forested Swedish province of Småland, the heart of the nation’s timber industry.
Hestra first began making tough work gloves for foresters, then for skiers, and now caters for all sorts of outdoor pursuits, including hiking and mountaineering.
Klättermusen | klattermusen.com
In Swedish, this brand’s name means ‘climbing mouse’. It has actually been around since 1975, though scuttled under the radar in the UK until fairly recently. Klättermusen’s ambition is to make the world’s most refined mountaineering equipment, with a focus on functionality and sustainability that they sum up as ‘maximum safety, minimum impact’.
We’ve tested a fair bit of their kit over the past couple of years and have been seriously impressed – especially by its stretchy, waterproof and eco-friendly Cutan fabric.
Thule | thule.com
Hang on – doesn’t Thule make roof racks? Well, yes it does, but this Swedish company also makes great hiking and trekking packs. The first offering was the streamlined Stir, which was soon joined by the capacious Guidepost and Versant rucksacks, then the versatile AllTrail series of daypacks.
Trangia | trangia.se/en
The Trangia stove system has legitimate claim to be considered a true icon. Made in Sweden since 1925, it’s been used and abused by multiple generations, from intrepid adventurers to boy Scouts. And while there are lighter stoves on the market these days, the Trangia remains a robust, reliable and practical option.
Silva | silvasweden.uk
In 1933, Björn, Alvar and Arvid Kjellström invented the first ever liquid-filled compass. Two years later they launched their first headlamp – the Zeiler – and Silva was born. Still a popular choice if you need a classic compass or a high-performance headtorch, Silva products have become a staple of DofE expeditions, orienteering races and mountain leader courses alike.
Woolpower | woolpower.uk
Hailing from Östersund, Woolpower is known for its warm, soft and comfortable base and mid layers. Every product is responsibly made in Sweden, from cruelty free merino wool sourced in Argentinian Patagonia and Uruguay. The brand’s proprietary fabric is Ullfrotté Original, a unique wool/polyamide/polyester blend originally developed in collaboration with the Swedish armed forces
Revolution Race | revolutionrace.co.uk
You might have noticed, while a lot of Scandi gear is durable, functional and supremely well-made it generally isn’t cheap. Revolution Race (founded in 2014) bucks that trend by producing quality kit and selling it via a direct-to-consumer model that keeps prices more affordable. The products we’ve tested to date have been superb.
Finland
Finland is renowned for its pristine lakes and vast forests, with an estimated 13,000 trees for every citizen. It also boasts 35 national parks, over 7000km of marked trails and thousands of islands. Fittingly, Finnish outdoor brands produce tough and hard-wearing kit, built for life in the woods.
But in addition, Finland has long been one of Europe’s technology powerhouses (remember Nokia phones?). In Suunto, the country has one of the world’s leading manufacturers of precision navigational instruments.
Top Finnish outdoor brands
Sasta | sasta.com
This family-run business focuses on sustainability and longevity, and builds products designed to perform in the harshest conditions. On test, we’ve been particularly impressed with the Jero trousers, made from weatherproof polycotton with Kevlar-reinforced panels.
Halti | halti.com
Established in Helsinki in 1976, Halti is now Finland’s best-known sports and outdoor brand. It has kitted out a range of expeditions, winter sports teams and adventure racers for use in some of the world’s most remote regions. It takes sustainability seriously, with the Next Generation jacket winning a prestigious ISPO Outdoor Award for being 100% recycled, recyclable and repairable.
Suunto | suunto.com
Suunto excels at building tough and reliable navigational tools. One of the best-selling products in the brand’s history was the Suunto Vector, a classic mountain watch that was a favourite with Himalayan climbers. These days, the Peak series of GPS watches offer even more functionality.
Iceland
The land of fire and ice. And that’s not just tourist board marketing – 11% of the country is covered in glacial ice, while the country is also famous for its volcanic lava fields, hot springs and steaming geysers.
A coastline of bays and fjords gives way to snow covered plains and a remote, mountainous interior. This spectacular, wild and richly varied landscape has made it a mecca for adventurers from hikers and kayakers to ice climbers and mountaineers. It’s a brilliant testing ground for seriously warm, adventure-ready outdoor kit.
Top Icelandic outdoor brands
66° North | 66north.com
Founded in 1926, 66° North started out making warm, protective clothing for Icelandic trawlermen. Today, the brand makes outdoor clothing for everyday wear, winter sports and other adventures. Using premium fabrics and fills (Polartec Neoshell, Gore-Tex Pro, high fill power down), this is top-quality kit.
