Klattermusen

Summing Up Klättermusen

Born in 1975 in the ski resort village of Åre in central Sweden, Klättermusen translates roughly as "Climbing Mouse": a nod to a beloved children's book character, chosen deliberately so the gear itself could do the talking. Founded by Peter Askulv, a biologist and chemist with a background in plant physiology, the brand began as a one-person workshop with a microscope on the desk and a commitment to building equipment that would not poison the environment it was designed for. That scientific rigour has never left. In 2009, Klättermusen became the first outdoor company in history to transition its entire backpack line to recycled polyamide, and in 2017 it became the first outdoor brand ever to achieve a fully fluorocarbon-free collection. The result is a carry system built around the philosophy of "Maximum Safety, Minimum Impact": packs and bags that will handle genuinely serious mountain conditions, look completely at home on a city commute, and outlast almost anything else in their category. Read our in-depth Klättermusen history feature with 114.Index for the full story.

How Does Klättermusen Stack Up

Retina® fabric construction: Klättermusen's proprietary Retina® is a high-tenacity polyamide (nylon) developed specifically for backpack use, where abrasion and shear loads are far greater than in apparel contexts. The Gaut Messenger Bag, for instance, is built from 400D Retina® weighing 251 g/m² and comprising 40% virgin polyamide alongside 30% post-consumer and 30% pre-consumer recycled polyamide. This denier count places it in the structural midweight category: lighter than a Cordura 1000D military-spec bag, but with a far superior strength-to-weight ratio than the 200D nylons found in fast-fashion carry.

Algir toggle-and-loop webbing system: The Algir Accessory Bags attach directly to the loop webbing present on any Klättermusen backpack via a proprietary toggle system. This means the small or medium Algir functions as a detachable hip pouch or top-load organiser on the trail, then converts via an adjustable cord to a crossbody or neck-carry bag in town. The entire Algir series is constructed from 100% recycled polyamide with a PU coating, providing genuine weather resistance without a DWR treatment that would degrade over time.

Skylcoat® PU coating vs. standard DWR: Where most brands apply a Durable Water Repellent spray finish to face fabrics, Klättermusen uses its own Skylcoat® polyurethane coating on backpack panels. This delivers a significantly higher abrasion resistance than aerosol DWR, and critically, it does not require re-treatment after washing. For UK users dealing with persistent drizzle rather than cloudbursts, it is the right tool: it sheds light and moderate rain effectively, though Klättermusen advise adding a rain cover for sustained heavy downpours given that most packs use untaped seams.

Hardur® Kevlar reinforcement at high-wear points: Base panels and stress zones on structural packs use Hardur®, a fabric blending 65% polyamide, 22% polyester, and 13% Aramid (Kevlar®) fibre at 270 g/m² with a TPU coat. This is the same fibre class used in ballistic and cut-resistant applications. On a backpack, it means the base of the bag can be dragged across granite, gravel, and wet stone steps without the structural failure you would see in non-reinforced nylon.

The Urban Industry Take on Klättermusen

Klättermusen sits at a very specific intersection in the current menswear landscape. It is genuine Gorpcore in the truest sense: not a lifestyle brand borrowing outdoor silhouettes, but an actual technical outdoor manufacturer whose product happens to look exceptional worn with wide-leg trousers and trail runners through any British city. The muted, Scandinavian colourways (Raven, Putty Grey, Boysenberry, Olive) read as considered rather than loud, which matters when you are wearing a bag into a client meeting as much as up a hillside.

For UK climate use, the Algir range is ideal as a daily supplement to a larger pack. The water-resistant recycled polyamide shell handles the regular British drizzle without issue. On the full backpack side, the Gaut Messenger Bag is our recommendation for commuters and technical carry enthusiasts who need a 13" laptop sleeve and rapid-access organisation in a single-shoulder format: the three-point padded strap attachment prevents the bag rolling on the torso, which is the core failure point of most sling bags on the market.

Sizing guidance: The Algir Accessory Bags are one-size accessories. For the full backpack range, Klättermusen use a back-length measurement taken from the 7th vertebra (the prominent vertebra at the base of the neck) to the top of the pelvis. If you sit between sizes, size up rather than down: the harness systems are adjustable and a longer back length gives more clearance between the pack and your lower back, which is critical for all-day carry comfort. The Klättermusen Gaut Messenger Bag accommodates most builds via its three-point strap system and requires no back-length consideration.

Frequently asked questions about Klattermusen

Where can I buy Klattermusen in the UK?

Urban Industry is a UK based independent stockist of Klattermusen, with bags, packs, technical jackets, hats and t-shirts available to ship from our Eastbourne warehouse. We carry the latest Algir, Hrid and Mimer accessory bags and duffles, Gjalp and Gilling backpacks, and the Drifa, Urd, Sif and Eitre outerwear families. Orders placed before 3pm on a working day are dispatched the same day, with next working day UK delivery and tracked international shipping available at checkout. Buying from a long established UK retailer means accurate live stock, secure checkout and aftercare from a real team rather than a marketplace seller.

Is Urban Industry a reliable place to buy Klattermusen?

Yes. Urban Industry has been trading since 2002 and holds an Excellent rating on Trustpilot, with thousands of verified customer reviews covering Klattermusen and the rest of our outdoor, workwear and menswear brands. Every Klattermusen piece we stock is sourced through official channels, so what arrives is genuine, in current season hangtags and packaging and covered by our standard 18 day returns. Our small UK based team handles every order and reply personally, which means accurate stock information, fit advice and aftercare you simply do not get from a faceless marketplace seller.

Does Urban Industry offer fast UK delivery and easy returns on Klattermusen?

Yes. UK orders for Klattermusen qualify for our next working day delivery service when placed before 3pm Monday to Friday, with standard tracked options also available at checkout. We accept returns within 18 days on unworn Klattermusen items in their original condition with hangtags attached, and we offer a subsidised UK returns label for 3.95 GBP that is deducted from your refund. International customers can also return, though postage is at the customer's expense. Full delivery thresholds and complete returns terms for every region are listed on our Shipping and Refund Policy pages.

Why buy Klattermusen from an independent specialist rather than a marketplace?

Klattermusen is a premium technical outdoor brand with a deliberately small range, so it is worth buying from a retailer that genuinely understands the materials, tech and fit. Independent specialists like Urban Industry hand pick each piece we stock, photograph it in house and write our own product descriptions, so you can see the fabric finish, hardware and colour accurately before you order. You also get live, honest stock counts, secure UK payment, no third party resellers and aftercare from a real team, rather than the grey market imports and mismatched listings that often turn up on large marketplaces.

What is Klattermusen and where does the brand come from?

Klattermusen is a Swedish technical outdoor brand founded in 1975 by climber Peter Askulv. The name means climbing mouse in Swedish, a small but tenacious creature, which sums up the brand's quietly capable approach to mountain gear. Klattermusen is headquartered in Are, deep in the Swedish mountains, and the team designs and tests its packs, jackets and accessories on the trails and ridges around them. Every product is named after a figure or place from Norse mythology, which is where the unusual product names like Urd, Mimer, Gjalp and Drifa come from.

How sustainable is Klattermusen?

Sustainability is built into the brand rather than added as marketing. Klattermusen builds its products to last decades and offers repair as a first option, with a long standing buy back and recommerce programme for older pieces. Fabrics lean heavily on recycled polyester and organic cotton, with bluesign approved mills and PFC free durable water repellents across the range. Many bags and packs in our collection are made from recycled body fabrics with PFC free coatings. The aim is fewer, longer lived products, which is why a Klattermusen piece tends to cost more upfront and last considerably longer.

Why do all Klattermusen products have Norse names?

Every Klattermusen product is named after a god, giant, dwarf or place from Norse mythology, which ties the gear back to the Scandinavian landscape it is built for. Urd, Mimer, Sif, Drifa, Gjalp, Tjalve, Gilling and Skrymner all come from the Eddas and sagas, with the names loosely matched to the character of the piece. It is also why pronouncing some of the names is a small puzzle the first time round. Once you know the convention, the range starts to feel more like a connected family than a catalogue of separate products.

How do I care for and repair my Klattermusen gear?

Klattermusen is designed to be cleaned, refreshed and repaired rather than replaced. Wash technical jackets and shells inside out on a cool, gentle cycle with a non bio detergent, and refresh the durable water repellent finish with a PFC free reproofing spray once water stops beading. Bags and packs can be wiped down with warm water and a soft brush, and zips kept moving with a light wax. Klattermusen also runs a recommerce and repair programme, so worn pieces can often be repaired through the brand or resold with their support.

What is the Klattermusen Algir Small Accessory Bag for?

The Algir Small is Klattermusen's go to everyday organiser, designed to slip into a backpack, duffle or carry on while keeping cables, chargers, headphones and small kit corralled in one place. It has a robust, recycled fabric outer, a single zipped main compartment and a soft webbing handle for grab and go. At around 35 GBP it is one of the most accessible ways into the brand, which is why it has become a quiet bestseller. We stock it in multiple seasonal colours including beige, black, green and orange.

What is the difference between the Klattermusen Algir Small, Medium and Foldover Bags?

The Algir Small is the pocket organiser of the family, sized for cables, chargers, headphones and small daily items. The Algir Medium has the same construction in a larger footprint, useful for toiletries, gym kit or a packed first aid set. The Algir Foldover is a rolltop style accessory bag, with a folded closure rather than a zip, useful when you want to over stuff or under stuff a bag and still keep things contained. All three share the same recycled body fabric and PFC free finish, so the choice really comes down to what you need to organise.

What is the Klattermusen Mimer Dufflebag good for?

The Mimer Dufflebag is built for travel, gym sessions and weekends away, with a wide U shaped opening that lets you pack and unpack the whole bag at once rather than digging through the top. We stock it in 25L and 40L sizes, both made from a hard wearing recycled body fabric with reinforced base panels for extra abrasion resistance. Carry options include twin grab handles and a detachable shoulder strap. The 25L works as carry on for short trips and gym use, while the 40L covers a long weekend or a couple of nights away.

Should I choose the Klattermusen Mimer 25L or 40L?

The Mimer 25L is the better choice if you want something compact for the gym, day trips or as a carry on for a short escape, with enough room for a change of clothes, trainers and a few extras. The Mimer 40L steps up to weekend trips, longer training cycles or anyone who tends to overpack, with enough capacity for a few outfits plus shoes and toiletries. Construction, recycled fabric, hardware and carry options are the same across both sizes, so volume is really the only deciding factor.

What is the Klattermusen Drifa Hood Jacket designed for?

The Drifa Hood Jacket is a midweight insulated piece designed for autumn and winter use, whether that is layering under a shell on the hill or wearing as standalone outerwear around town. It uses a windproof outer with synthetic insulation and a fitted hood, balancing warmth, weight and packability so it works for hiking, commuting and travel. The cut sits cleanly under heavier shell layers, which is part of how Klattermusen build a complete system across the range. It pairs naturally with the brand's heavier waterproof shells when the weather turns.

Are Klattermusen backpacks any good for daily use and commuting?

Yes. The Klattermusen pack family covers small daypacks like the Tjalve 2.0 10L through to the Gjalp 18L and Gilling 20L for daily commutes, the gym, hill walks and travel. They are built from hard wearing recycled fabrics with PFC free coatings, comfortable shoulder straps and simple, clean panels rather than busy outdoor styling, which makes them work in town as well as on a trail. Inside you typically get a padded laptop or hydration sleeve and one or two organiser pockets, designed to hold what you actually need without unnecessary extras.