Nokian Footwear

What Nokian Footwear does

Nokian Footwear is a Finnish rubber-boot manufacturer founded in 1898 in Helsinki originally as Suomen Gummitehdas Oy, and has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Finnish family business Berner Ltd since 2005. The company designs, manufactures, and sells rubber footwear under three core brand families: HAI (since 1968, short-shaft lifestyle boots), Kontio (since 1973, traditional tall-shaft outdoor boots), and a Work and Safety line anchored by Eurologger 3. Products are made primarily from natural rubber compounds (with synthetic butyl and specialty rubber blends for cold, chemical, and oil resistance) and carry the Design from Finland label. The technical platform emphasizes cold-condition durability — boots must withstand 1M+ bending cycles in testing, are frost-proof to −40°C on key winter models, and safety lines hold CE approval including Class 3 chainsaw cut resistance (EN ISO 17249:2013 / EN ISO 20345:2022). Additional proprietary features include Outlast temperature-regulating linings, studdable soles, and removable wool-felt inner boots. The portfolio spans women's, men's, children's, and professional/forestry segments, complemented by accessories such as rubber conditioner, glue, studding kits, felt linings, and the new Hai Raincape. The company is headquartered in Helsinki at Eteläranta 4B and operates under Berner's Consumer Goods division.

The business model is multi-channel: (1) direct-to-consumer through the Haicolours.com webstore, which carries the largest global selection of Hai boots but currently ships only within Finland; (2) B2C through third-party online retailers (e.g., Scandinavian Lifestyle, Wasser-Läufer, Myshopfinland) and Finnish webstores; and (3) B2B sales to 14 authorized importers/dealers across Europe (Benelux, Estonia, Germany, UK, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Slovenia), Canada, and Japan. Revenue is hardware sales of rubber boots plus accessory SKUs, with unit pricing across consumer and professional tiers. The company currently discloses no revenue, headcount, or funding data and relies on the Berner parent for ownership and distribution infrastructure.

Name

Nokian Footwear

Legal name

Nokian Footwear

Website

https://nokianfootwear.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1898

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Nokian Footwear is a Helsinki-based Finnish rubber-boot manufacturer (founded 1898) owned by Berner Ltd since 2005, producing natural-rubber HAI, Kontio, and Work/Safety boots for consumer, outdoor, and professional forestry customers across 14 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rubber Footwear

NAICS

Footwear Manufacturing (316210), Shoe Retailers (45821), Footwear Merchant Wholesalers (42434)

SIC

Rubber & Plastics Footwear (3021)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAOAIAF

Boot Manufacturing (Work/Fashion/Western/Combat)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Textiles, Apparel & Leather Manufacturing/Footwear Manufacturing (Including Athletic & Safety)

SECONDARYCRAAACAH

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Footwear

Consumer Products & Retail/Apparel, Footwear & Accessories/Footwear Brands & Manufacturing

SECONDARYCRAAACAE

Work, Safety & Occupational Footwear

Consumer Products & Retail/Apparel, Footwear & Accessories/Footwear Brands & Manufacturing

SECONDARYCRAMAMAK

Outdoor Clothing & Footwear Retail (Camping/Hiking/Climbing)

Consumer Products & Retail/Sporting Goods & Outdoor Retail/Camping, Hiking & Climbing Retail

Keywords

• Rubber boots
• Waterproof footwear
• Work safety boots
• Nordic outdoor footwear
• Natural rubber boots

Headquarters

HQ city

Helsinki

HQ country

Finland

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

Revenue model

1. Rubber Boot Sales: Primary revenue from manufacturing and selling rubber boots across multiple product lines including Hai (fashion/urban), Kontio (outdoor/nature), and Work/Safety boots. Products sold through own e-commerce, third-party retailers, and international distributors.
2. Accessories: Revenue from accessory products including rubber conditioner, studding kits, felt linings (Haka, Kaira, Naali), and rubber glue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Nokian Footwear manufactures and sells rubber boots designed primarily for Nordic and harsh-weather conditions. Its portfolio spans fashion and urban boots (HAI brand family), outdoor and nature boots (Kontio brand family), children's boots, specialized outdoor/hunting/fishing winter boots, and CE-approved Work and Safety boots including chainsaw-protection models. The company also sells accessories such as felt linings, rubber care products, studding kits, and rain capes. Products are sold directly via its own webstore, through authorized importers and dealers in 14+ countries, and via third-party online retailers.

Product overview

Nokian Footwear is a Finnish rubber boot manufacturer with over 125 years of heritage (established 1898), now owned by Berner Ltd since 2005. The company produces a diverse portfolio of rubber boots organized around key brand families: HAI (iconic short-shaft boots since 1968, now including Hai Classic, Hai Low, Hai Kids, Hai Winter, Hai Shiny metallic variants), KONTIO (Finnish favourite since 1973, including Kontio Classic, Kontio Basic, Kontio Low, Kontio Winter, Kontio Jr), and specialized Work and Safety boots including the Eurologger 3 for loggers. Additional product lines include outdoor winter boots (Naali, Kaira, Tuura, Finnwald, Finnjagd, Koli, Kevo Outlast High) and children's boots (Wintry Plus, Winter Light, Nokian Light Kids, Vikla, Hai Kids, Kontio Jr). The company also offers accessories including felt linings (Haka, Kaira, Naali), Rubber Care products, Rubberfix glue, and studding kits. All boots are made primarily from natural rubber compounds with sustainability focus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HAI: Finnish iconic rubber boot brand first introduced in 1968 for sailing, made primarily from natural rubber compounds with sustainability focus. Carries the Design from Finland label.
• Kontio

Products and services

• HAI Classic boots Iconic short-shaft rubber boots first introduced in 1968 for sailing, known for bright colours and street fashion appeal. Made primarily from natural rubber compounds.
• Hai Low Light, multipurpose ankle-height rubber boot with sporty look, quick-drying polyester lining, and non-slip outsole. Part of the Hai family.
• Kontio Classic Original and authentic rubber boot and a Finnish favourite since 1973. Tall shaft provides waterproof protection with tightening strap and reflective band for visibility.
• Kontio Basic Traditional mid-calf rubber boot made with Kontio sizing. Previously known as Tapio. Suitable for garden and outdoor work with dirt-resistant outsole.
• Kontio Low Short basic rubber boot easy to slip on, perfect for garden use. Generous shaft width allows fitting wider calves with shock-absorbing heel cap.
• Naali Sturdy, extremely warm long-shaft winter rubber boot for demanding use such as ice fishing and hunting. Civilian version of army boot with 100% wool felt lining. Certified for work use per EN ISO 20347:2022.
• Kaira Long-shaft winter boot with removable felt lining (80% wool) suitable for hiking, ice fishing and demanding winter use. Features groove for cross-country ski bindings. Certified for work use per EN ISO 20345.
• Tuura Long-shaft boot designed for active outdoor life year-round with fixed felt lining (80% wool). Built-in groove for cross-country ski bindings.
• Finnwald Knee-high rubber boot with generous shoe width for outdoor pursuits. Firm favourite of fishermen and hunters with tightening strap and low-profile outsole.
• Finnjagd Classic knee-high rubber boot with narrow ankle designed for active outdoor life, fishing and hunting. Features lacing at back to minimize branch catching.
• Koli Lightweight, knee-high rubber boot for demanding outdoor activities. Features adjustable shaft with quick-release mechanism and shock-absorbing PU insoles.
• Kevo Outlast High Well-fitting long-shaft rubber boot for demanding conditions with temperature-regulating Outlast lining. Features felt midsole for cold insulation.
• Eurologger 3 CE-approved safety boot for loggers and woodcutters with chainsaw cutting resistance (class 3, chain speed 28 m/s). Waterproof with steel toe cap and adjustable gusset. EN ISO 17249:2013 and EN ISO 20345:2022 certified.
• Studding kit Studding kit including 70 studs. Suitable for all Nokian Footwear boots that can be fitted with studs. Tool for studding included.
• Rubber Care Rubber care product 65ml. Restores shine and maintains elasticity. Forms dirt-repellent surface and protects boot.
• Rubberfix rubber glue Rubber glue for patching rubber boots.
• Hai Raincape Lightweight rain cape that keeps wearer dry in heavy rain. Waterproof rating 6,000 mm with waterproof zip. Folds into its own pocket.
• Felt lining Kaira Removable felt lining designed for Kaira boot. Material 80% wool, 20% polyester. Can be hung out to dry.
• Felt lining Naali Removable felt lining for Naali boot. 8mm thick, made of 100% wool. Hand wash in 30°C.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rubber boots last 2x longer than other European brands and 20x longer than Far East boots
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Store S.à.r.l.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized importer for Benelux region. Contact: Sanna van Look-Peltonen, 16-18 rue des Muguets, L-2167 Luxembourg. Tel:+352 621 683 446.
• Brushey'scoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized importer for Canada. Located at 518 Main Street, Box 68, P0H-1Z0 Powassan, Ontario. Tel. 888-262-5557.
• Tamrex Ohutuse AScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized importer for Estonia. Located at Laki tn 5, 10621 Tallinn. Tel. +372 6 55 77 88.
• Scandic Outdoor GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized importer for Germany. Located at Zum Sportplatz 4, D-21220 Seevetal. Tel.+49 05/68 130.
• Cool Standard Agency / Nokian Footwear OriginalsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlternative importer for Germany through Autaga GmbH. Located at Birlenbacherstraße 155, 57078 Siegen.
• Rosker LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized importer for Great Britain. Located at 13 Quay Lane, Gosport, PO12 4LJ Hampshire. Tel. +44 (0) 23 9252 8711.
• J.McAleer & Sons Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized importer for Ireland. Located at Curr, Beragh, Omagh, Co. Tyrone BT79 0QW. Tel. +44 77 8785 7655.
• Wenaas NordiccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized importer for Norway. Located at Tevlingveien 23, 1081 Oslo. Tel. +47 22 57 50 50.
• Moxter ABcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized importer for Sweden. Located at Box 3032, 831 03 Östersund, Sweden. Tel. +46-(0)63-55 66 66.
• Amenity Conducts co.,LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized importer for Japan. Located at 1467-1 Oiwake Karuizawa, Kitasakugun, Nagano 389-0155. Tel. +81-267-46-9115.
• Marka ehf.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized importer for Iceland. Located at Glerargata 36, 600 Akureyri. Tel. +354 565 5688 / 860 5432.
• Ivan Jerman s.p.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized importer for Slovenia. Located at Polje 11, SI-4226 Ziri.
• Scandinavian Lifestyle GermanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline retailer of Nokian Footwear products in Germany.
• Wasser-Läufer GermanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline retailer specializing in Nokian Footwear boots in Germany.
• Purnavu Muiza LatviaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline retailer in Latvia.
• The Smart Products CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline retailer for Benelux & Germany, specializing in Nokian Hai boots.
• MyshopfinlandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline retailer shipping Finnish products, including Nokian Footwear, to all countries.
• Lauri TähkäminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinnish vocalist partnership with Kontio boots. Long-term cooperation under hashtag #elämänkumppari (boot for life) lasting until end of 2021.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Aigle: French heritage rubber boot maker (founded 1853) producing natural rubber boots for fashion, equestrian, hunting, and professional use. Closest direct peer to Nokian Footwear in product, heritage positioning, and channel mix across Europe.
• Dunlop Protective Footwear: Global manufacturer of protective rubber boots (Purofort, Chesapeake) for agriculture, food processing, and industry. Direct overlap with Nokian's Eurologger safety/professional rubber boot category and European presence.
• Leakproof / Muck Boot Company: US-based premium rubber/neoprene boot brand (since 1999) focused on hunting, farming, work, and outdoor. Directly comparable on natural rubber construction, professional/working end-users, and -40°C product claims.
• Le Chameau: French/UK handmade natural rubber boot specialist (since 1927) serving country, equestrian, and professional markets. Overlaps directly with Nokian's premium natural-rubber, hand-finished positioning and country/outdoor segment.
• Hunter Boot Ltd: Iconic British rubber Wellington boot brand with strong fashion and DTC presence globally. Comparable in iconic-sub-brand heritage (Original Tall), durability-led marketing, and lifestyle/professional segmentation.
• Tretorn: Swedish heritage rubber footwear and outdoor brand (since 1891) producing rubber boots and sneakers. Comparable Nordic heritage, premium rubber boot positioning, and lifestyle/professional crossover.
• Bogs Footwear: US rubber/neoprene boot brand for farming, outdoor, and casual wear, with comparable product categories (knee-high, mid-calf, work, kids) and similar price/quality positioning to Nokian Footwear.
• Baffin: Canadian extreme-cold rubber boot and footwear manufacturer serving industrial, outdoor, and work markets. Comparable in cold-weather professional product positioning and emphasis on temperature ratings.
• Kamik: Canadian family-owned outdoor and rubber boot maker (since 1898) serving work, farm, and family segments. Highly comparable on heritage, family ownership, product breadth (kids, men, women, work), and rubber boot specialization.

Regional players

• Viking Footwear: Norwegian outdoor and rubber boot brand with strong Nordic distribution and similar climate-targeted products. Highly comparable to Nokian Footwear on Nordic/Scandinavian consumer needs and design language.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/nokianjalkineet
• Instagraminstagram.com/nokianfootwear_nokianjalkineet

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Nokian Footwear