Making adventure last since 1960

In the 1950’s, 14 year-old Åke Nordin from Örnsköldsvik in Northern Sweden spent more time outdoors than indoors. After many long treks in the mountains, Åke decided the backpacks at the time were unsatisfactory and took matters into his own hands by building a wooden frame. This evenly distributed weight across his back so the pack did not end up uneven, pear-shaped, and uncomfortable. It also meant he could carry more weight with ease. Åke’s innovation quickly caught on and in 1960 Fjällräven became the first to commercially make and distribute framed backpacks.
Fjällräven means Arctic Fox in Swedish, honoring the small and highly adaptable predator that lives in the Swedish mountains under the harshest conditions. From the small town of Örnsköldsvik, Fjällräven has now expanded to every corner in the world. The fundamental ideas remain the same; provide functional, durable, and timeless equipment to make the outdoors more enjoyable for all. We continue to find smart, innovative solutions to make every adventure an unforgettable one.

An idea that carried weight

Åke built his first framed backpack in his basement with his mother’s sewing machine. Using strong cotton fabric for the pack, he attached the wooden frame using leather straps and used calfskin for the support straps. Not only was the pack more comfortable and distributed weight evenly, it also increased ventilation between his back and the pack. Soon after, during a trip up North, Åke’s invention caught the attention of the indigenous Sami people who spent weeks at a time high up in the mountains. They asked Åke to build them a backpack and after that a tent. Fjällräven had found its beginning.

Rule 1: Functionality

We work hard to develop functional equipment by carefully considering everything from new smart solutions to improved material. Our goal is to offer outdoor equipment that allows you to spend more – and more enjoyable – time in nature.

Rule 2: Durability

A Fjällräven product is a guarantee that you will not need to buy a new product for a long, long time. Our users know that our products live up to strict requirements and last for a long time. Many products last for generations. This long lifecycle depends on many factors - for example production experience, superior choice of material, product assembly and strict quality controls during the production process.

Rule 3: Dependability

When we design our products, we choose material and solutions that combined give you a safe, dependable product you will be able to use outdoors. We are aware that our equipment might be used in situations where there is not a lot of room for error, which is why all of our products are tested by experienced test groups before being sent to our retailers.