European outdoor brands, sorted by where they make their gear
Euronomy Team
"European brand" often means designed in Europe, sewn in Vietnam. So every card below states where the products are actually made. The list is sorted with the brands that manufacture in Europe at the top, then the ones that make part of their range here, then the ones that only design here.
Ownership changes fast in this category. Mammut, Haglöfs and Helly Hansen all changed hands recently. We flag that on the cards. Below: European outdoor brands, from wool base layers to climbing hardware.
Buff
Known for: The tubular neck gaiter that became a generic word. Founded 1992 in Igualada, Catalonia. Also caps, beanies and headbands.
Manufactured in: Spain (about 90%, all tubulars, in its own factory). A small share of caps and gloves is outsourced.
Devold of Norway
Known for: Merino base layers and wool sweaters since 1853. Controls the chain from its own contracted sheep farms to the finished garment.
Manufactured in: Lithuania, in Devold's own factory.
Tilak
Known for: Technical Gore-Tex shells from Šumperk since 1986. The Evolution jacket has been the flagship since 1995. Makes the urban Poutnik line designed by ACRONYM founder Errolson Hugh.
Manufactured in: Czech Republic, 100%, in Tilak's own factories.
Scarpa
Known for: Mountaineering and climbing footwear from Asolo since 1938. The Manta boot, the Phantom, the Instinct climbing shoe, the Alien ski touring boot and the Mojito approach shoe.
Manufactured in: Italy (around 60%), Romania and Serbia, all in Scarpa's own factories. Only some lightweight trail shoes come from Asia.
AKU
Known for: Hiking and trekking boots from Montebelluna since 1985. The Slope GTX was the first outdoor shoe with Gore-Tex. Supplies the British and Swiss armies.
Manufactured in: Italy, Romania and Serbia, all in AKU's own factories. Top models are made in Italy.
Petzl
Known for: The GriGri belay device (1991), the Tikka LED headlamp (2000), harnesses and rope-access gear. The standard kit of European mountain rescue.
Manufactured in: France (three own factories, the majority of products), Malaysia (own factory), some harnesses in Romania.
La Sportiva
Known for: Climbing shoes and mountain boots from the Dolomites since 1928. The Solution, TC Pro and Mythos are global standards in sport and trad climbing.
Manufactured in: Italy (around 60%, own factories), China and Vietnam (trail running shoes and apparel).
Partly made in Europe
Vaude
Known for: Bike panniers, packs, tents and outdoor apparel. Climate neutral as a company since 2022 and fluorocarbon free across the range.
Manufactured in: Germany (welded bike bags and packs in its own factory), Vietnam and China (most apparel), Portugal, Myanmar, Lithuania and Ukraine.
Norrøna
Known for: The lofoten Gore-Tex Pro shell, one of the most respected ski shells anywhere. Also the falketind and trollveggen lines. Founded 1929 near Oslo.
Manufactured in: Vietnam and China (about 70% together), Lithuania (own factory for base and mid layers), Portugal and a few others.
Salewa
Known for: Alpine apparel, via ferrata sets, helmets and mountain boots. Born in Munich in 1935, based in Bolzano since 1990. Sister brands Dynafit, Pomoca and Wild Country.
Manufactured in: Vietnam, Bangladesh, China and Myanmar for most of the range. Romania (own boot factory), Italy and Switzerland for boots, skins and technical hardware. Around a quarter of group production value is European.
Garmont
Known for: Hiking, ski touring and tactical boots from the Montebelluna footwear district since 1964. The Dragontail approach shoe, the 9.81 line and the T8 military boot.
Manufactured in: Vietnam and Indonesia for most of the range. Italy for a small share of high-altitude mountaineering boots
Designed in Europe, made mostly in Asia
Fjällräven
Known for: The Kånken backpack (1978), the Greenland jacket and the G-1000 fabric you wax instead of replace. Founded 1960 in Örnsköldsvik.
Manufactured in: Vietnam and China for most of the range. Portugal, Lithuania, Serbia and Ukraine for a minority.
Klättermusen
Known for: Technical mountain wear from Åre since 1975. First outdoor brand to use recycled fishing-net nylon across a pack line (2009), fluorocarbon free for years.
Manufactured in: Vietnam, China and Taiwan for most of the range. Portugal, Lithuania and Poland for a minority.
Mammut
Known for: Ropes, harnesses, the Barryvox avalanche transceiver and the Eiger Extreme apparel line. Started as a rope maker in 1862.
Manufactured in: Vietnam (about half), China, Indonesia, Turkey, Taiwan and Bangladesh for apparel and packs. Italy, Czechia, Switzerland and Romania for carabiners, ropes, transceivers and footwear.
Haglöfs
Known for: Backpacks, shells and outdoor apparel from Dalarna since 1914. A Scandinavian design language with alpine credentials.
Manufactured in: Vietnam and China for most of the range. Portugal, Turkey, Indonesia and Sweden for a minority.
Helly Hansen
Known for: Sailing and ski wear, the Lifa base layer from the 1970s, Helly Tech shells and professional workwear. Founded 1877 in Moss.
Manufactured in: China and Vietnam for most of the range, plus Cambodia and Bangladesh. Portugal, Turkey and a few other European countries for socks and workwear.
Bergans of Norway
Known for: Ole F. Bergan invented the framed rucksack in 1908 and patented it in 1909. Packs, apparel and sleeping bags. Equipped Amundsen in 1911 and the 1953 Everest expedition.
Manufactured in: China and Vietnam for about 90% of volume, plus Bangladesh and Myanmar. Single small facilities in Czechia, Norway and Sweden.
Deuter
Known for: The Aircomfort mesh back system (1984) that solves a sweaty back on multi-day hikes. Packs since 1898 in Augsburg. Deuter packs went up Nanga Parbat in 1934 and 1953.
Manufactured in: Vietnam (about 90%, by one exclusive partner), plus Indonesia and China.
Ternua
Known for: Basque technical apparel since 1994. Recycled fishing nets (Redcycle), walnut-shell dyes (Nutcycle) and traceable recycled down.
Manufactured in: Asia and Eastern Europe for most of the range, some Portugal and North Africa. Ternua publishes no country split.