1955

Tenson launches the original Fjäll Anoraken (Mountain Anorak 7031), which later takes part in the Norwegian expedition in 1971 to the summit of Huagoruncho, a 5,800+ meter peak in the Chilean Andes.

The (now) iconic Tenson Fjäll Anoraken was made in 1955 with a cotton-poplin fabric, a durable, coated mix of cotton and polyester for wind- and waterproof properties along with very good breathability in dry conditions.

1963

In 1963, during a trade show in Cologne, Germany, Tenson founder Paul Rydholm has an “Aha!” moment that further cemented Tenson’s developing legacy as “The Swedish Outdoor Brand”. In his own words:

“As I left for the evening to get my car at the parking lot I saw smoke coming up from the chimneys of an adjacent industrial complex and I thought that “This is not natural for us people. We were once created to be free hunters and gatherers, and now we’re getting tied down by our own progress. Back to nature will definitely be something people will need to break free from modern life…”. It was in this very moment that the idea for an outdoor, nature-driven collection was born.”

This first truly outdoor collection features Tenson’s first pants with leg pockets and Tenson’s classic style wilderness jacket with four outside pockets.

For the outdoor collection, Tenson introduces its legendary trekking-fabric made of 55% cotton and 45% polyester and treated with wax. This hard-core outerwear fabric withstood the wear and tear of serious outdoor adventures. A new and improved version of this legendary fabric is re-introduced in 2021 as Tenson XT: Soft. Silent. Durable.

1970

In developing outdoor apparel for the most challenging and demanding conditions, Tenson needed to ensure that all aspects of its clothing were designed to perform. With this in mind, Tenson introduces, ”expert testad” (or, in English, ”expert tested”) which becomes essential to the corporate culture onwards. Bottom line: to push the envelope and keep the competitive edge, Tenson products must be tested by true experts in the toughest of conditions.

Although reaching the world’s highest summit is not for everyone, Tenson’s inclusiveness - providing an all-conditions apparel offering — inspires people to live closer to nature and to seek a more adventurous life outside.

Tenson launches the Himalaya Jacket. It becomes one of the most iconic outerwear jackets in history. To further test and develop Tenson “survival” jackets, Tenson begins sponsoring yearly polar expeditions carried out under the leadership of mountaineering and alpine specialist Torsten Kjéssel. Torsten and his team regularly test Tenson product under the most challenging circumstances to ensure superior function and comfort.

The “Himalaya”, designed in the early 1970s, was inspired by man’s first trip to the moon. It becomes an iconic product and signature silhouette for Tenson. It remains so today.

1975

The Himalaya Jacket is made from a high-tech fabric: its back is laminated with aluminum foil, providing effective insulation and warmth for extremely cold conditions. Numerous expeditions are performed during the Himalaya Jacket’s development, including a polar expedition to ensure high quality and superior function.

During the British Mount Everest South West Face expedition in 1975, several of the world’s leading climbers commit to the Tenson Himalaya Jacket as their primary choice for the extreme conditions. Led by the legendary Sir Chris Bonington and Hamish MacInnes, they set off to climb Everest’s South West Face, which, up to that point, had never been successfully climbed.

1979

The Tenson Lapplander is Tenson’s first jacket with down filling 90/10: a 90/10 ratio means that the product is 90% down - the “fluffy” stuff - and 10% feather. This is the science behind any down-to-feather ratio you see, the higher the down percentage, the warmer it will be. Designed and developed in and for cold conditions, it is tested by the professional dog sledge racing team led by Marsha and Bob Crockett and Lewis Leonardin near Mount Alyeska, approximately 160km southeast of Anchorage, Alaska.

1980 - 81

Less than two years after its 1979 introduction -  in the winter of 1980/1981 Tenson sponsors and equips the Japanese Mount Everest Expedition, led by the well-renowned adventurer-explorer Naomi Uemura. Two members of his team reached the summit. The expedition’s jacket of choice: Tenson’s original “Lapplander”.

Naomi was particularly well known for doing solo what had previously been achieved only with large teams. For example, he was the first man to reach the North Pole solo, the first man to raft the Amazon solo, and the first man to climb Denali solo in winter.

Sadly, he disappears on the descent a day after his 43rd birthday after summiting Denali, North America’s highest and most challenging peak at 20,320-foot (6,194-meter).

Some 40 years later in the autumn of 2021, Tenson launches an updated version of the “Lapplander”, paying homage to world-renowned adventurer, Naomi Uemura. It is now appropriately named, The Tenson Naomi Expedition Jacket.

1981

Tenson equips the Swedish Mountain Everest Expedition in 1981 with its Skerfe MPC shell jacket and pants. The endeavour begins in the jungle and continues all the way up to the Glacier Dome at about 7,000m. The garments prove ideal protection against the fierce tropical rainstorms, all while letting body moisture evaporate.

The Tenson Skerfe is Tenson’s first MPC (“Moisture Permeability Coating”, proprietary technology introduced by Tenson) shell jacket and pant set, and pushes the envelope in terms of innovative technical functionality.

1982

Tenson introduces other soon-to-be classic in the spring of 1982: a classic that lays the foundation to Tenson’s functional rainwear specialist legacy, The Tenson Skagway, a 3-layer shell MPC (“Moisture Permeability Coating”) set, jacket and pants. It is waterproof and highly breathable, keeping nature enthusiasts comfortable and dry, while preventing in-garment condensation. The Skagway gets refined over the years with the latest fabric enhancements and remains an integral, signature piece of Tenson’s range some 40 years later!

1982

Also in 1982, the Nordland Parka gets produced with Tenson’s legendary trekking-fabric, composed with 55% cotton and 45% polyester and treated with wax. It is a highly durable fabric that withstands the wear and tear of active outdoor adventures.

Nordland is part of Tenson’s “cold collection” tested in harshest cold conditions in Kootenay National Park, in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, a remote wilderness territory rich in wildlife, where grizzly bears, deer, moose and elk roam the mountain slopes, while falcons soar above.

1984

Made in Tenson’s Nordland trekking fabric, its Mount Robson Jacket was among others tested by Guy Clarkson who was a professional international IFMGA Mountain Guide testing Tenson gear in tough everyday working conditions.

In the picture on the far right, Guy Clarkson belays Buck Corrigan on the ascent. Both are wearing Tenson’s Mount Robson, which they afterward praised for its comfort and ease of movement. The tests were carried out in Snowpatch Spire surroundings in the Canadian Rockies.

1984

Also in 1984, Tenson launches its proprietary AirPush, a microfibre technology focused on improving breathability. AirPush offers maximum freedom of movement suitable for strenuous activities which require maximum comfort and breathability along with wind and water resistance.

1987

His Majesty the King of Sweden and the Swedish Climbing Association support the 1987 Swedish Mount Everest expedition. The preparations to develop the products included an expedition to climb Mount Assiniboine, a 3,600+ meter pyramidal peak mountain located on the Great Divide, on the British Columbia/Alberta border in Canada. Tenson undertakes the expedition to test the prototype of a completely new, advanced survival jacket, which is then worn by the Swedish Mount Everest expedition.

Tenson’s Mount Everest jacket is a down-insulated AirPush jacket. The outer fabric is made of Super Microft and the padding is made of high quality 90/10 duck down. Eleven roomy pockets and a double material construction in the detachable hood make the Mount Everest jacket one of the most advanced products ever presented by Tenson.

1995

On the 17th of July 1995, the Dutch Seven-Up K2 expedition, led by Ronald Naar, reaches the top of K2 at 8.760m equipped top-to-bottom by Tenson.

The survival jacket of choice: the Tenson Mount Everest Jacket.

1997

The Greenland Ice Cap is the coldest place in the Northern Hemisphere. Ronald Naar, the seventh mountaineer to climb the Seven Peaks, crosses the ice cap on skis. He combines the expedition with climbing the highest mountain in the Arctic region, the 3.753m-high Gunnbrøn Fjell.

The expedition takes 38 days. The team uses Tenson MPC Extreme and AirPush™ fabrics to conquer the extreme conditions. Tenson MPC Extreme, which features, “20,000 water pillars and 20,000 breathability”, is first introduced by Tenson in 1996 - a new generation of advanced technical shell products by Tenson.

1999

Tenson introduces its X-lite series. These garments are lightweight, easily packed and comfortable to wear.

The characteristics, combined with durability, make the X-lite garments particularly suitable for backpacking and adventure travel. As X-lite is made of synthetic fibers, it features important functional advantages like: quick drying, enhanced moisture transportation, and hard wearing durability.

Tenson “XLITE” - Xtreme Light Intelligent Technical Equipment.

More than 20 years later, in April 2022, Tenson introduces a new and improved version of its versatile “XLITE” series, now called “TXlite™”, designed especially for lightweight, packable and comfortable adventure travel wear. 

2000

Tenson again equips Dutch lead adventurer Ronald Naar. This time, he sets course for the South Pole, deliberately choosing a route never travelled before. When he and his companion Coen Hofstede reached the Amundsen-Scott base after 63 days, they had truly blazed their own trail. The Antarctic expedition features Tenson’s newly developed “Xizang” 3-layer MPC Extreme jacket and pants.

2010

David Wembrand had already climbed three out of the Seven Summits (the Seven highest peaks of the seven continents), when he embarks on the expedition to the Alaskan wilderness to climb Mount McKinley (or “Denali” as the mountain was originally called, the name which was restored in 2015 by President Obama).

Denali, at 6,190m, is known to be the coldest mountain in the world. It is paramount to think of one’s own safety as weather conditions can be unforgiving with temperatures down to -45°C.

To withstand such extreme weather conditions it is vital to have the right equipment. David turned to Tenson to equip him with the right apparel for his epic journey.

2020

In 2020, ISPO honours outstanding products and services of the sports industry for the ninth time with the renowned ISPO Award. The international neutral jury of experts is made up of media representatives, retailers, athletes, consumers and material experts reviews several hundred submissions according to certain criteria such as design, function, sustainability and innovation.

The independent jury chooses the Tenson Aerismo JackoRak™ MPC Extreme as “Gold Winner” in the Category Snowsports - Jackets, which means it was the best voted product in this category!

2021

Tenson's brand history is a never ending voyage of discovery. A journey filled with observations where adventure and outdoor enthusiasts are constantly learning and where beginner's luck seldom leads to good results. Instead, success comes from knowledge, experience, endurance and equipment. At Tenson, we have been making outer wear for 70 years. Naturally, this does not say everything about a product and its quality. But, what we can say is that when you choose Tenson outer wear it has nothing to do with beginner's luck.