Main Story. 03. 17.

Beyond Performance: Polartec X Haglöfs

In 1914, Wiktor Haglöf began making backpacks for local workers and foresters from a small cabin in Torsång, Dalarna. They needed equipment that could carry heavy loads across rough terrain and stand up to Scandinavia’s windy, rainy alpine conditions. Instead of compromise or excess, he focused on solving a practical problem for people who depended on their gear. Within two decades, that backpack evolved into a full range of outdoor equipment rooted in function-first practicality, an approach that continues to define the company to this day.

“The Swedish element reflects both our origins and our deep connection to nature, simplicity, honest design and purpose. In honoring our history, we actively shape the future of outdoor performance.” – Eva Weiss Head of Design at Haglöfs.

The Lasts Lifetimes Philosophy

At Haglöfs, responsibility begins long before production, with materials, construction and longevity meticulously defined during the early development phase. And within this careful balance of performance and progress, the company makes sure that innovation stays true to the core mission of crafting products that remain useful for as long as possible to effectively reduce environmental impact. In the words of Eva Weiss, Head of Design, “Our approach is performance driven. Function comes first and our products must enable people to perform in real conditions. But performance today also means longevity, responsible choices, and thoughtful refinement.”

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An Evolving Mindset

For Tom-Oliver Hedvall, Swedish freeride skier, filmmaker and Haglöfs Brand Ambassador, the Haglöfs legacy feels very close to home. Raised in Funäsdalen, close to the Norwegian border, Tom was skiing before he could even spell the word. Alpine racing, moguls, freestyle – he’s done it all. By eighteen, Tom was winning freestyle and freeride competitions across Europe and making extreme freeriding movies with the legendary Free Radicals. Yet when injury reshaped his career and the mountains were no longer a backdrop, Tom began focusing on long-term projects rooted in authenticity and environmental awareness. For people like Tom, the process matters as much as the outcome. The fact that he is filming some of the most epic ski adventures of his life? He says it’s the proverbial dot over the i.

Shared Direction

Growing up in the mountains taught Tom the importance of gear that works in heavy snow, sharp winds, and long days far from shelter. It’s one of the reasons he became a Brand Ambassador and why his connection to Haglöfs is almost instinctive. Starting with the layers he trusts to work without fail, Tom’s loyalty to the brand runs from their functional designs and exclusive use of premium materials all the way to their unspoken respect for the environments we move through. “Often, the greatest journeys begin just around the corner,” he says. “Some of the most powerful moments in nature are found close to home. With my films and explorations, I hope to inspire others to see this possibility for themselves.”

Backed By Experience

More than a century after Wiktor Haglöf sourced raw materials and sewed backpacks, his innovative spirit and dedication to life outdoors continues to be passed on through generations. Framed backpacks were developed by Rolf Haglöf, Wiktor’s son, after traveling and hiking in France. Tents were created in collaboration with Swedish Guides and Scouts. Still today, Haglöfs designers and developers are hikers, skiers, climbers, and bikers who talk about fabric, fit and function in the context of everyday experience. Because Haglöfs represents a community of people passionate about the landscape that inspires them, and the mountains are still a fundamental part of their design philosophy.