What 66°North does

66°North is an Icelandic outdoor apparel company founded in 1926, originally producing protective outerwear for Icelandic fishermen and workers operating in extreme Arctic conditions. Over nearly a century, the company has evolved into a premium global technical apparel brand, now serving outdoor enthusiasts, runners, hikers, skiers, and fashion-conscious lifestyle consumers through a direct-to-consumer model. The brand sells globally via its own e-commerce platform (66north.com) with shipping to North America, Europe, the UK, Canada, and Rest of World, supplemented by physical retail stores in Iceland, Denmark, and the United Kingdom.

The product portfolio is centered on technical outerwear built on licensed membrane technologies from W.L. Gore (GORE-TEX Pro, GORE-TEX WINDSTOPPER, GORE-TEX INFINIUM, GORE-TEX PACLITE) and Polartec (Power Shield Pro, Thermal Pro, Alpha, Power Grid, Power Stretch Pro), with additional sustainable inputs including PFAS-free waterproof membranes, biodegradable synthetics, and non-twisted merino spinning. Flagship products span down jackets ($705–$1,355), GORE-TEX Pro shells ($465–$905), parkas, mid-range fleeces and base layers ($32–$385), and accessories ($21–$55). The company is B Corp certified and operates a multi-channel marketing strategy spanning Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Strava, an email club, the Norður Journal blog, and presence at Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Revenue is generated through one-time direct product sales at premium price points, supported by seasonal promotions offering 30–60% discounts, free shipping above $350 USD, and a 30-day return policy on full-price items. The company is privately held with no disclosed parent or institutional investors, led by CEO Helgi Óskarsson, and operates from a headcount band of 101–250 employees. Strategic positioning has shifted from pure functional workwear toward the intersection of technical performance and luxury outdoor fashion, evidenced by collaborations with District Vision, Chris Burkard, and designer Charlie Constantinou.

Name

66°North

Legal name

66°North

Website

https://66north.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

66°North is an Icelandic premium outdoor apparel brand founded in 1926, specializing in technical outerwear using GORE-TEX and Polartec membranes. It sells globally via e-commerce and owned retail stores in Iceland, Denmark, and the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Apparel

NAICS

Apparel Manufacturing (315), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159), Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers (458110), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911)

SIC

Women's, Misses', And Juniors Outerwear (2330), Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300), Knit Outerwear Mills (2253), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Outerwear & Cold-Weather Apparel Manufacturers (CRAAAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor Performance Footwear & Apparel Retail (Trail/Hike) (CRAMACAI), Cold-Weather Accessories Manufacturing (Thermal Sets/Arm & Leg Warmers) (IMAOAFAJ), Thermal Underwear & Base Layers (CRAAAIAG), Sports & Outdoor Accessories Manufacturing (Performance Gloves/Headwear) (IMAOAFAI)

Keywords

• Outdoor outerwear
• Technical apparel
• Winter jackets
• Performance clothing
• Waterproof gear

Headquarters

HQ city

Garðabær

HQ country

Iceland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales: One-time product sales through owned e-commerce platform and physical retail stores. Products include outerwear, tops, bottoms, accessories for men and women across outdoor and lifestyle categories. Revenue generated from full-price sales and seasonal sale promotions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

66°North designs, manufactures, and sells premium technical outdoor apparel, including shell jackets, down jackets, parkas, insulated jackets, fleeces, base layers, technical pants, and accessories for men and women. Products are built around high-performance membrane technologies such as GORE-TEX and Polartec, and are validated in Iceland's harsh weather conditions. The brand sells directly to consumers through its own e-commerce platform and branded retail stores globally.

Product overview

66°North is an Icelandic outdoor apparel brand founded in 1926, offering a comprehensive range of technical outerwear and performance clothing. The product portfolio spans multiple categories including outerwear (down jackets, shell jackets, parkas, insulated jackets), performance layers (fleeces, base layers, zip necks, hoodies), bottoms (shell pants, insulated pants, softshell pants, running tights), accessories, and swimwear. Key technology partnerships include GORE-TEX (including GORE-TEX Pro, WINDSTOPPER, INFINIUM, and PACLITE variants), Polartec (Power Shield Pro, Thermal Pro, Alpha, Power Grid, Power Stretch Pro), and sustainable PFAS-free membranes. The brand serves both men and women with many unisex styles, targeting outdoor enthusiasts, runners, hikers, skiers, and fashion-conscious consumers seeking technical performance with Scandinavian design aesthetics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Skaftafell Jacket Multipurpose GORE-TEX INFINIUM men's jacket designed for versatility across outdoor conditions.
• Askja Light Jacket Lightweight jacket designed for layering and transitional weather.
• Esja Fleece Jacket Polartec fleece jacket (Unisex) providing lightweight insulation for outdoor activities.
• Dyngja Shell Pants Shell pants (Unisex) offering waterproof and breathable protection for outdoor pursuits.
• Dyngja Shell Jacket Shell jacket (Unisex) providing versatile waterproof and breathable protection.
• Helgafell Vest Lightly insulated vest for men and women, providing core warmth without bulk.
• Ljósufjöll Insulated Jacket Insulated jacket providing warmth for cold conditions, available in men's and women's versions.
• Tindur Shearling Jacket Polartec Thermal Pro fleece jacket designed for warmth and comfort as a standalone outer layer or transitional piece.
• Hornstrandir Gore-Tex Pro Jacket GORE-TEX PRO technical shell jacket providing the highest level of waterproof and breathable protection for extreme conditions.
• Snæfell Shell Jacket Multipurpose Polartec Power Shield Pro jacket offering sustainable waterproofing and breathability without Gore-Tex.
• Tindur Gore-Tex Pro Jacket GORE-TEX Pro shell jacket (Unisex) delivering maximum weather protection.
• Sif Raincoat Fisherman anorak rain jacket inspired by traditional Icelandic fishing gear, offering waterproof protection.
• Jökla Parka Arctic professional down parka with fur trim, designed for extreme cold conditions.
• Drangar Insulated Jacket GORE-TEX WINDSTOPPER insulated jacket providing windproof and water-resistant warmth.
• Tindur Down Jacket GORE-TEX WINDSTOPPER down jacket (Unisex) combining insulation with weather protection.
• Dyngja Down Jacket Down jacket (Unisex) with PFAS-free construction for sustainable warmth.
• Hofsjökull Bomber GORE-TEX WINDSTOPPER bomber jacket offering windproof and water-resistant protection in a shorter style.
• Þórsmörk Parka GORE-TEX WINDSTOPPER parka (Unisex) providing windproof and waterproof protection for harsh conditions.
• Básar Zip Neck Merino wool zipneck top for men and women, providing natural temperature regulation.
• Básar Hoodie Merino wool hoodie providing natural warmth and moisture management.
• Grettir Zip Neck Polartec Power Grid Zip Neck offering technical base layer warmth and moisture wicking.
• Hrannar Zipneck Polartec Alpha high-collared zipneck providing lightweight technical insulation.
• Tungudalur Jacket Polartec Power Stretch Pro fleece jacket providing durable stretch and warmth.
• Hornstrandir Gore-Tex Pro Pants GORE-TEX PRO shell pants (Unisex) delivering waterproof and breathable lower body protection.
• Keilir Pants GORE-TEX PACLITE pants offering lightweight packable waterproof protection.
• Skálafell Bibs GORE-TEX GTKYD insulated ski bibs providing comprehensive lower body protection for skiing.
• Vatnajökull Softshell Pants Polartec Power Shield Pro softshell pants offering breathable wind and water resistance.
• 66°North x District Vision | Tindur Down Jacket Limited-edition GORE-TEX WINDSTOPPER down jacket collaboration combining 66North outerwear expertise with District Vision's wellness-focused design aesthetic.
• Straumur Swimsuit Women's swimsuit featuring quick-dry and UV-protective properties.
• Hringbraut Track Jacket Track jacket designed for active movement and casual athletic wear.
• Vindur Wool Jacket Fleece-lined wool jacket (Unisex) combining natural fiber warmth with fleece comfort.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products designed and proven in Iceland since 1926 - nearly 100 years of expertise
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• District VisionflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner66°North collaborated with premium running brand District Vision to create co-branded products including the 66°N x DV Tindur Down Jacket collection. The collaboration combines 66°North's Icelandic outdoor expertise with District Vision's running-focused design philosophy, targeting the intersection of performance running and premium fashion.
• PolarteccoreTechnology or Integration66°North sources Polartec Power Shield Pro membrane technology for use in waterproof jackets like the Snæfell. Polartec provides sustainable, PFC-free waterproof breathable membranes that form a key technical component of 66°North's outerwear products.
• W.L. Gore and Associates (GORE-TEX)coreTechnology or Integration66°North licenses GORE-TEX membrane technology for use across its premium shell jackets, insulated jackets, and technical pants. Products include Hornstrandir GORE-TEX Pro Jackets and GORE-TEX WINDSTOPPER insulated pieces, representing the brand's top technical outerwear offerings.
• Chris BurkardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExplorer and photographer Chris Burkard partnered with 66°North to launch outdoor gear inspired by his photography work. The collaboration draws on Burkard's extensive experience documenting rugged landscapes and outdoor adventures to inform product design and storytelling.
• Charlie ConstantinouminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigner Charlie Constantinou collaborated with 66°North for a product drop, creating pieces inspired by Icelandic fishermen jumpsuits. The collaboration represents the brand's approach to designer partnerships for fashion-forward technical apparel.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Arc'teryx: Canadian premium technical outerwear brand offering GORE-TEX shells, insulated jackets, and performance apparel at similar price points. Direct competitor in the high-end technical outerwear category 66°North targets, with overlapping use cases in skiing, hiking, and urban gorpcore.
• Canada Goose: Premium cold-weather outerwear brand anchored by Arctic heritage, down parkas, and global DTC retail expansion. Closely comparable business model: heritage narrative, premium pricing ($500-$1,500 parkas), DTC and flagship store-led growth, and identical use of GORE-TEX membranes.
• Helly Hansen: Norwegian outdoor apparel brand founded in 1877, offering technical shells, insulated jackets, base layers, and sailing/outdoor gear. Comparable Nordic heritage, similar membrane technology stack (Helly Tech alongside GORE-TEX), and overlapping professional and consumer customer base.
• Fjällräven: Swedish outdoor and lifestyle brand producing technical outerwear, base layers, and durable everyday apparel with strong sustainability positioning. Comparable Scandinavian heritage, similar premium pricing architecture, and overlapping appeal to gorpcore consumers.
• Patagonia: California-based outdoor brand with industry-leading sustainability and B Corp credentials, producing technical shells, fleeces, and insulated outerwear. Overlaps with 66°North on PFC-free membranes, repair/recycling commitments, and the premium outdoor consumer segment.
• Peak Performance: Scandinavian outdoor apparel brand founded in Sweden producing technical outerwear, base layers, and ski apparel with strong gorpcore crossover. Closely aligned with 66°North on Scandinavian design aesthetic, premium technical positioning, and DTC-led distribution in Europe.
• Norse Projects: Copenhagen-based brand blending technical outdoor fabrics with fashion-forward Scandinavian design, producing outerwear, knitwear, and seasonal collections. Overlaps with 66°North on Copenhagen Fashion Week positioning, gorpcore aesthetic, and premium DTC model.

Broad incumbents

• The North Face: Global mass-to-premium outdoor apparel and equipment brand owned by VF Corporation, offering GORE-TEX shells, down jackets, and fleeces across price tiers. Larger scale competitor serving the same outdoor enthusiast and lifestyle consumer but at broader price points and distribution.

Emerging players

• Houdini Sportswear: Swedish sustainable outdoor brand producing technical shells, insulation, and base layers with circular product lifecycle commitments. Comparable Scandinavian heritage, similar premium pricing, and shared leadership in PFC-free and recyclable materials.
• Klättermusen: Swedish technical outdoor brand producing durable, repairable outerwear and mountaineering apparel with strong sustainability positioning. Comparable Nordic origin, premium technical pricing, and focus on longevity and circular design.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCCYU4l5SL99Kk5JUhJWBKmQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/66north
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/66-north
• Instagraminstagram.com/66north
• TikToktiktok.com/@66north
• Xx.com/66north

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 66°North