If I were Scandiavian, what would my North Face be?
March 29, 2010 5:22 PM Subscribe
What are the major Scandinavian Mountaineering/Ski clothing companies out there?
Recently, while skiing, I saw a woman wearing gear from Norrona. As an American familiar with the standard mountaineering/ski clothing companies (the North Face, Patagonia, Arc'teryx, Marmot, EMS, Mountain Hardware etc.) I have not been exposed to the top notch gear of other regions. There has to be a huge market in Scandinavia (and in the Alps) for ski & Mountaineering gear. And trust me, as a woman who is tall and has curves, I'd love to find more gear that does the job right. (Men's gear is fine, but women's is always way better fitting).
I only found out Norrona by asking the woman where her awesome pants were from (and thoroughly creeping her out). Norrona appears to be at the high-end; comparable to Arc'teryx. There have to be more winter gear companies that I just flat out don't know about.
Metafilter, tell me the top ski/mountaineering gear companies from your native country!
p.s. first question! yays!
Recently, while skiing, I saw a woman wearing gear from Norrona. As an American familiar with the standard mountaineering/ski clothing companies (the North Face, Patagonia, Arc'teryx, Marmot, EMS, Mountain Hardware etc.) I have not been exposed to the top notch gear of other regions. There has to be a huge market in Scandinavia (and in the Alps) for ski & Mountaineering gear. And trust me, as a woman who is tall and has curves, I'd love to find more gear that does the job right. (Men's gear is fine, but women's is always way better fitting).
I only found out Norrona by asking the woman where her awesome pants were from (and thoroughly creeping her out). Norrona appears to be at the high-end; comparable to Arc'teryx. There have to be more winter gear companies that I just flat out don't know about.
Metafilter, tell me the top ski/mountaineering gear companies from your native country!
p.s. first question! yays!
Helly/Hansen is Norwegian. If price is an adequate signaling mechanism, they are very good too.
posted by shothotbot at 5:55 PM on March 29, 2010
posted by shothotbot at 5:55 PM on March 29, 2010
Best answer: Fjällräven is Swedish, and exactly what you want. Their US site is here, and they recently opened their first US store on Mott St.
posted by Nothing... and like it at 5:55 PM on March 29, 2010
posted by Nothing... and like it at 5:55 PM on March 29, 2010
I've always thought Fjällräven stuff looked awesome.
Helly Hansen is a Norwegian brand that's pretty solid, though they've gotten into streetwear in a big way.
There's also Haglöfs.
posted by zamboni at 5:59 PM on March 29, 2010
Helly Hansen is a Norwegian brand that's pretty solid, though they've gotten into streetwear in a big way.
There's also Haglöfs.
posted by zamboni at 5:59 PM on March 29, 2010
Best answer: 66°NORTH from Iceland makes very neat stuff.
posted by Threeway Handshake at 7:54 PM on March 29, 2010
posted by Threeway Handshake at 7:54 PM on March 29, 2010
Haglöfs is another Swedish outdoor garment company. I'd also like to add Jack Wolfskin, they were in North America for a bit, but since then have returned to their German roots.
posted by furtive at 8:37 PM on March 29, 2010
posted by furtive at 8:37 PM on March 29, 2010
Best answer: The aforementioned companies are all widely used, not only in Scandinavia, but all around Europe. Some other popular names are: Klättermusen and Haglöfs from Sweden, along with Devold, Helsport and Bergans from Norway.
Although not originating from Scandinavia, the German brand Bogner is very popular, especially with those concerned with their clothing's asthetics.
posted by eldvno at 8:46 PM on March 29, 2010
Although not originating from Scandinavia, the German brand Bogner is very popular, especially with those concerned with their clothing's asthetics.
posted by eldvno at 8:46 PM on March 29, 2010
Bergans of Norway makes some fantastic stuff. Highly recommend and it is used quite a bit locally I might add.
posted by Funmonkey1 at 8:59 PM on March 29, 2010
posted by Funmonkey1 at 8:59 PM on March 29, 2010
Peak Performance does very beautiful, technical stuff.
posted by madeinitaly at 9:45 PM on March 29, 2010
posted by madeinitaly at 9:45 PM on March 29, 2010
Yep, I saw a lot of Bergans while in Norway. Pricey, but I tried on one of those rain jackets and it is so worth it. Also saw Helly Hansen stores but didn't see a lot of people wearing it.
posted by R a c h e l at 11:08 PM on March 29, 2010
posted by R a c h e l at 11:08 PM on March 29, 2010
Response by poster: I've been to Iceland and completely forgot about 66 North!
As someone who is seriously addicted to winter sports (alpine touring, big mountain skiing and telemark) it's awesome to have other options out there. I'm looking for gear more along the lines of Bergans and Fjällräven to expand my options. All this gear is seriously pricey, so it's nice to know that there are options other than the standard North American Companies.
Thanks!
posted by larthegreat at 4:59 PM on March 30, 2010
As someone who is seriously addicted to winter sports (alpine touring, big mountain skiing and telemark) it's awesome to have other options out there. I'm looking for gear more along the lines of Bergans and Fjällräven to expand my options. All this gear is seriously pricey, so it's nice to know that there are options other than the standard North American Companies.
Thanks!
posted by larthegreat at 4:59 PM on March 30, 2010
If you want to buy 66 North clothing while traveling in Iceland, wait until you're in the airport and get it at the duty free shop. You'll save up to hundreds of dollars.
posted by matildaben at 7:32 AM on April 2, 2010
posted by matildaben at 7:32 AM on April 2, 2010
If you ever visit Svalbard, you can get clothing from Bergans, Fjällräven, Helly Hansen etc tax free.
At this time of year, many sport retailers in Norway has winter clothing from Bergans etc at their end of season sales. Example: Bergans 40% off... and they deliver to international customers too.
posted by iviken at 4:07 AM on April 3, 2010
At this time of year, many sport retailers in Norway has winter clothing from Bergans etc at their end of season sales. Example: Bergans 40% off... and they deliver to international customers too.
posted by iviken at 4:07 AM on April 3, 2010
"Halti" in Finland. Haglöfs, and Fjällräven are also big here.
German, Swiss and Austrian brands are not really strong in Scandinavia, and opposite... It's a style and weather issue too. In Scand. it can be darn cold and snowy, in the alps the clothes must take more rain.
DB
posted by Doggiebreath at 9:45 PM on June 29, 2010
German, Swiss and Austrian brands are not really strong in Scandinavia, and opposite... It's a style and weather issue too. In Scand. it can be darn cold and snowy, in the alps the clothes must take more rain.
DB
posted by Doggiebreath at 9:45 PM on June 29, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by matildaben at 5:31 PM on March 29, 2010