August  2022

Every product has an environmental impact. That’s why one of the key pillars of Haglöfs sustainability strategy is about ensuring their products can withstand a lifetime (or more) of adventure. 

With the effects of global climate change threatening the very nature we are all seeking to experience, Haglöfs continues to make conscious business decisions that take into account the next generation. One of the three pillars of their sustainability strategy, “A life well lived” embodies Haglöfs’ dedication to ensuring that the products they make will last as long as possible.  

“Once a product is produced, the environmental impact is already a fact.” 

Thanks to rapid innovation in the textile industry, it is now possible to produce high-performance outdoor gear with a lower environmental impact than ever before. But, in the big picture, altering the production process is not enough.  

“Once a product is produced, the environmental impact is already a fact,” says Fredrik Ohlsson, CEO of Haglöfs. “That’s why we always aim to deliver high-quality products that will last for many years.”  

“A life well lived” is one of the three pillars that make up Haglöfs’ sustainability strategy. It is about recognizing the fact that, once a product is produced, the most effective way to reduce its environmental footprint is to keep it in use for as long as possible. This pillar consists of three legs that are separate in theory but, in reality, tightly connected: Quality, Repair, and Repurpose. 

Quality and repairability are built into Haglöfs’ design philosophy   

Haglöfs’ design philosophy takes the durability, repairability and end-of-life of each product into consideration. By the time a product reaches a consumer, it has been quality tested multiple times. However, if a product should fail to meet expectations due to a material or manufacturing defect, Haglöfs’ lifetime guarantee will cover its repair or replacement. 

The outdoor company also continuously strives to eliminate environmental impact from their design and production process. These efforts range from only using renewable energy to avoiding harmful chemicals.  

Product care is equally important in the effort to prolong the life of products and reduce their total environmental impact. Haglöfs encourages consumers to take care of the products they own by repairing damage whenever possible and repurposing or recycling them at the end of their useful life. 

“Accidents happen and stuff breaks—but that shouldn’t automatically mean a product is destined for the landfill,” says Fredrik. “This is a shift in mindset we want to encourage not just at Haglöfs but within the outdoor community at large.”  

Finding a new purpose for old products  

In an effort to become better at maximizing the use of the products and materials they have already produced, Haglöfs has a growing number of strategies in place. For instance, the company has a leftover initiative that empowers their product team to get creative with any leftover, high-quality fabrics they find by integrating them into new products. 

Additionally, Haglöfs recently launched Haglöfs Restored – a collection of second-hand products that have been repaired, reproofed, and restored to original standards. It’s a way for the company to extend the life of thousands of products which would otherwise be neglected or wasted. 

“The initiatives connected to ‘A life well lived’ contribute to reducing the environmental impact that’s inherent to our products, but we have no intention of stopping there,” says Fredrik. “We are committed to halving our emissions and reaching net zero no later than 2030, and there is still a lot of hard work to be done. Keep an eye out for further initiatives coming soon from Haglöfs.”