Our company

• About
• Products policy
• Vision
• History
• Jobs
• Privacy policy
• Downloads

1929

Jørgen Jørgensen withdraws from eleven years partnership in a leather goods firm, to establish his own company: Jørgen Jørgensen, Norrøna “Sports Articles and leather goods”. Originally the production involved travel artickles and backpacks, but soon included mountain climbing garments, tents and sleeping bags.
The Viking logo was designed the same year. One of the earliest versions shown here.

The company management is taken over by Bjarne Jørgensen, second generation Jørgensen to lead the company.

In the 1950’ies and 1960’ies the production activities were complemented by trading in garden furniture and camping producs.
A new logo was presented. The initials JJ from the original company name is symbolized in the skis and the shield of the Viking.

Company management is taken over by Ole Jørgen Jørgensen, third generation Jørgensen to lead the company. Tomas Carlstrøm (the founder of Skandinavisk Høyfjellsytstyr, which became the best known mountaineering store in Scandinavia) was employed as a free lance product developer, while focus was directed towards active development of backpacks and mountain tents, as well as mountain garments.
As new products were established, existing trading activities were reduced accordingly.

Norrøna introduced Ravneskar, the first tunnel tent with front and rear openings.
Norrøna introduced padded hip belts on the Beito and Tyin backpacks.

The introduction of the Stetind climbing backpack. Ove Skjerven, Odd Eliasen and Erik Bølke went over the Hadeng La pass to reach Noshag (7800 metres). The introduction of an improved version of Beito, that later was renamed Hadeng La. This signified in many ways the start of the expedition wave that followed and that Norrøna became a large part of.

The Ringstind tunnel tent was launched.

A new wind stopper Arktis cotton clothing collection was launched

Skarstind tunnel tent was launched.
Cotton mountain jacket and pants, also an Arktis anorak and wind pant was made.
Name changed to Norrøna Sport AS. About the same time the new edition of the Viking was made by Bruno Oldani.

Norrøna makes the prototype of Europe’s first Gore-Tex jacket.

Missing the Viking in the logo, Kjell Witberg made a new sterilised edition of this.

The first winter climb of “Jubileumsruta”- Østpillaren on the Store Midtmnaradalstind (Ulf Geir Hansen, Hans Christian Doseth and Ketil Svanemyr). On the trip a prototype of Trollveggen suit was tested. The first winter climb of the svenskeruta in Trollveggen was climbed by Hans Christian Doseth and Håvard Nesheim.

The Stetind backpack with anatomic carrying system (carrying system 2000) was launched. Carrying system 3000 for the frame backpack- the best carrying system for frame backpacks in many years was launched. The Lapplander- sledge was launched through Norrøna around this time.
Stein P. Aasheim Spizbergen was supported by Norrøna at the exhibition “End to End”

The “Thelay-Shegar” expedition with among others Hans Chr. Doseth and Ragnhild Amundsen, equipped with many Norrøna products.
Kjell Withberg drew the first version of the Viking that many people connect with Norrøna today. The drawing was inspired by a painting by the same artist.

The “Great Trango Tower” expedition with Hans Chr. Doseth, Finn Dæhli, Dag Kolsrud and Stein P. Aasheim. Hans Chr. And Finn finished the the most technically demanding great wall in the world. Norrøna supplied a large number of garments and backpacks for the expedition.

The Norwegian Mount Everest expedition led by Arne Næss. The Mount McKinley expedition with Jan Westby and Stein P. Aasheim. Carl-Emil Petersen crosses Greenland on his own, with the Norrøna Arktis cotton garments.

The “90º South” expedition led by Monica Kristensen.

Norrøna presented its first hunting collection.

In the spring of 1988 Norrøna moved their head office from Nydalen in Oslo into new locations at Hvalstad in Asker, 15 minutes from Oslo. These premises were built and are wholly owned by Norrøna, and they are still the location of the company.
The Yerpaja expedition in Peru led by Trond Hilde.

Lars Ebbesen simplifies the Norrøna logo.
Erling Kagge and Børge Ousland used the Norrøna Arktis cotton garments on the Norwegian North Pole expedition.

Norrøna supplied tents to Mona Kristensen’s “Aurora” expedition to the South Pole.

Per Einar Bakke, Willy Gautvik and Arild Vegrim are the first people crossing the Arctic Ocean from Siberia across the North Pole to Canada, bringing all supplies with them. For this extreme challenge they chose shell clothing from Norrøna. (You can read about this expedition in their book:”100 døgn over polhavet”). They used the Norrøna “Arktis” cotton garments for this expedition. Erling Kagge “Solo to the South Pole” with Norrøna “Arktis” garments.

Norrøna produces the first generation of the Finnskogen hunting set in Gore Tex which later revolutionizes the waterproof hunting clothes market.

Norrøna fits three great expeditions, to the South and North Poles and to the summit of Mount Everest. The Norwegian Everest expedition led by Jon Gangdal, “Unarmed to the South Pole with Cato Zahl Pedersen, Lars Ebbesen and Odd Harald Hauge with specially made Gore Tex products and “A Bicycle Odyssey with Paul Olai-Olssen (Patagonia – Alaska).

Lars Monsen and Marit Holm “Across Canada”

The Norwegian Everest expedition led by Jon Gangdal.

The Trango Pulpit expedition led by Robert Caspersen, Per Ludvig Skjerven, Gunnar Karlsen and Einar Wold. Using Norrøna clothing and backpacks.

The Norrøna Viking has received a face lift. This project has been done in cooperation with GRID Design. The intention is to behind the adjustment was to identify a “font” which could give the Norrøna name more unique and at the same time make it easier to embroider and more distinct in print.
Norrøna receives the “merket for god design” design award for the Synkron II backpack and carrying system.

Norrøna has for some time worked with the development of two new product groups which differ from the traditional Norrøna products. These two product groups have been given new concept names and completed with new logos. The Norrøna concepts are now: Ski / Snowboard, OffTrack, Mountaineering, Outdoor, Hunting and Military. Norrøna receives the “merket for god design” design award for the OffTrack backpacks.

Norrøna launches the multi sport concept OffTrack, including the world’s lightest PacLite jacket, and the first PacLite generation 3 is developed in cooperation with Norrøna. The Narvik concept is launched, with Gore-Tex XCR jacket and pant for men and women and fleece.

Norrøna receives the “merket for god design” design award for the Synkroflex backpacks.
The launch of the Vestveggen Gore Tex XCR jacket with glued zips.

The launch of the Lofoten concept takes place, introducing XCR jacket and pant with Gore Tex Soft Shell.
Cecilie Skog reaches the summit of Mount Everest, as the second Norwegian woman to do so. Cecilie is equipped with Norrøna products

The fourth generation takes over management of the company. Norrøna takes the first step in becoming a European brand by presenting two brands at ISPO Winter 2005.
A new graphic profile is launched in the summer 2005. Designed by Ole Sletten and Levi Bergstrøm.
Norrøna receives the SOG Design Award for the Lofoten 35 backpack.

Børge Ousland reaches The Nort Pole 23.rd of March. This sis one of his toughest expeditions ever. The first edition of the svalbard Pro Shell jacket and pants is tested on this trip.

Børge Ousland expedition in Nansens footsteps to Franz Josefs land, tests and perfects the svalbard Pro Shell sett.
Norrøna launches the new lofoten collection, including the lofoten Pro Shell One Piece.

bitihorn and /29 collection is launched.

At Gullblyanten (Norwegian communication contest) Norrøna wins one gold and a bronze medal and at Visuelt (Norwegian graphic design contest) Norrøna wins to gold for the Whiteout 08/09 campaign.
Norrøna Magazine is launched.
lyngen and svalbard collection is launched.
Signature svalbard Pro Shell jacket and pant developed by Børge Ousland is launched.