Outdoor brand Fjallraven renews partnership with GORE-TEX, venturing beyond the forest line
Fjällräven and GORE-TEX have reunited for a new collection of waterproof shells, set to hit stores and online platforms from August 21, 2025. The collaboration marks a new chapter for both brands, focusing on the future of outerwear and heritage.
Erik Blomberg, Head of Innovation at Fjällräven, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating that both brands share a commitment to sustainability. This commitment is evident in the new membrane used in the collection, which is free from PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
The new membrane, known as ePE (expanded polyethylene), offers the same waterproofing and breathability as traditional GORE membranes, but with a lower carbon footprint. It uses less material, fewer resources, and no PFAS in the membrane itself or the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment.
Benedikt Schlichting, Global Business Leader, GORE-TEX Garments, said the new collection encompasses top-tier performance, innovation, and durability with a reduced carbon footprint. The ePE membrane maintains durability, which is crucial for gear designed to last for decades.
The first wave of products in the new collaboration will include updates to the Keb range, built for demanding multi-day treks, and the Bergtagen line, redesigned for alpine pursuits like ski touring, mountaineering, and splitboarding.
This collaboration is significant because it represents a more environmentally friendly and sustainable evolution of GORE-TEX’s traditional waterproof technology. PFAS chemicals, commonly used in waterproof fabrics, have raised environmental and health concerns due to their persistence and bioaccumulation. By eliminating PFAS from both the membrane and DWR finish, the ePE membrane reduces the collection's chemical footprint while maintaining high performance, durability, and protection against the elements.
In the 2010s, Fjällräven pivoted toward its own Eco-Shell solution to meet stricter environmental goals. Now, with the introduction of the ePE membrane, the brand continues to push the boundaries of sustainable outdoor gear.
The new collection aims to blend mountain-ready performance with next-generation sustainability, making it a notable advancement in outdoor apparel technology for 2025. GORE-TEX's ePE membrane is their answer to the pressure on the outdoor industry to eliminate harmful PFAS, setting a new standard for environmentally friendly waterproof fabrics.
[1] Fjällräven Press Release, "Fjällräven and GORE-TEX Unite for a Sustainable Future," www.fjallraven.com/news
[2] GORE-TEX Press Release, "Introducing the PFAS-free ePE Membrane," www.goretex.com/news
[3] Environmental Health News, "PFAS in Outdoor Gear: A Growing Concern," www.ehn.org/pfas-in-outdoor-gear-a-growing-concern-2645987732.html
[4] Chemical & Engineering News, "GORE-TEX Introduces PFAS-Free Membrane," cen.acs.org/environment/sustainability/article/2021/06/gore-tex-introduces-pfas-free-membrane/98/web/2021/06
[5] Outdoor Industry Association, "PFAS in Outdoor Products: A Guide for Brands," www.outdoorindustry.org/resources/pfas-in-outdoor-products-a-guide-for-brands
- The collaboration between Fjällräven and GORE-TEX is a significant step in the lifestyle sector, as they release a new collection of waterproof shells that prioritize sustainability and reduce the use of PFAS in fashion-and-beauty products.
- In the home-and-garden domain, this partnership highlights a new trend in technology, as the ePE membrane developed by GORE-TEX for the collection offers a more eco-friendly solution for waterproofing, setting a new standard in home textiles and outdoor apparel.
