Woman of The Year in the sports industry!
Houdinis CEO Eva Karlsson has won the award for Woman of The Year in Swedish sports industry!
The price, wich is newly established, was handed out by Sweden’s Minister of Gender Equality Nyamko Sabuni during the Swesport Fair January 23, 2012. Congratulations Eva!
Facts and philosophy behind Houdini's sustainability work
These are the hard facts on what we have accomplished so far and the philosophy and passion guiding us here and onward, in our quest to become a 100% sustainable company.
Our company vision is to provide addictive products to playful and proud “Houdiniacs” worldwide and inspire people to lead a healthier and happier lifestyle on a living planet, for us and future generations.. We believe it is our duty to do what we can to reduce the company’s environmental impact and our policy is to move to sustainable alternatives as soon as this is possible without compromising with product performance and quality.
To date this has resulted in sustainability changes made to 98% of the styles in the Houdini product line and we label 76% of the styles sustainable. For our accomplishments in the field of sustainability CNBC selected Houdini as one of the 25 most creative European companies in 2010 and we received the SOG Sustainability Award in 2011 for our 2.5 layer hardshell Surpass.
-”We’re at the forefront of the race to change the way brands work with Mother Nature’s resources, and we intend to stay there.”, says Ola Oredsson, CEO at Houdini.
For styles labeled sustainable we have reached far in the transition in everything from design, technologies used, manufacturing practices and “end of life” solutions. We are constantly raising the bar and working to improve further.
The first Houdini products labelled sustainable reached the retailers in the spring of 2007. Houdini had become Teijin’s first European partner in the closed-loop polyester recycling system Eco Circle® a year earlier. Moving to Eco Circle® recycled polyester reduced CO2-emissions by 77% and energy consumption by 84% (fiber and textile production in comparison to using virgin polyester).
The partnership enabled our “cradle to cradle” products and the possibility to collect and recycle worn-out garments. Today we use recycled polyester for 63% of our styles and a third of these are “cradle to cradle” and are found throughout the complete layering system - from underwear to waterproof shells.
In development of our waterproof shells we excluded all other technologies but a polyester membrane for sustainability reasons. For the same reasons down was banned from our segment of shelled insulation.
-”Bold decisions from a marketing and sales perspective but the right thing to do. I would even say our uncompromising way of working forces us to be more creative and often this has resulted in products with improved performance as well.”, explains Per Örås, designer at Houdini.
In 2010 we launched Airborn SilkMerino, our first series of organic, renewable and biodegradable products. After more than 4 years of development and testing we were able to present a next generation of Merino baselayers - ultralight yet durable, and sustainable.
Practising zero tolerance for waste is an example of our holistic approach to sustainability, where all aspects and every step in the product lifecycle is taken into account. In the Scrap Me Up Project we find creative ways of reducing factory waist, using scrap fabrics for Limited Editions such as the Scrap Me Up Supersuit.
Our design philosophy of maximum product versatility, durability and reliability, “timeless” aesthetics, form following function and less being more is essential in order to reach true sustainability. Not a single Houdini product is designed to be sport specific but rather the opposite - like a wearable multitool.
We practice full transparency when it comes to sustainability and our policy is to share technological innovations in the field of sustainability. These are often the results of partner projects with our top suppliers Polartec, PrimaLoft, Teijin and Pontetorto. We work closely with a very limited amount of suppliers and manufacture all products in Europe.
We became BlueSign partners in 2011. As partner we can go further and dig deeper in our quest to become 100% sustainable. With the holistic approach to sustainability that we as a company stand for BlueSign provides us with knowledge and a control and improvement mechanism at supplier-level that would be impossible for us to implement ourselves.
-”Houdini customers expect us to provide them with the ultimate product in terms of both performance, sustainability and style - without any compromises. The team at Houdini shares this mindset and will keep up the good work with continued passion”, says Mia Tapio, Product Manager.
Undercover Suit
For those really cold days we have the Undercover Suit, a one-piece suit in Recycled Econ Stretch. Wear it directly towards your body or as an extra layer. No more cold air or fluffy snow sneakin in!
With the overlap at lower back and droptail construction you’re back at the mountain in no time. More smart features:
- Handwarmer side pockets.
- Chestpocket with E-opening and keyloop.
- Shaped panel hood, comfort cut neck and zip-garage.
- 2-way frontzip for easy ventilation and fly-function.
- Alpha-seams for comfort and perfect fit.
Get out and get warm!
Fusion Shell
A low-impact hybrid shell layer, providing a well-balanced fusion of breathability and protection against the outer elements. Silent 4-way stretch and fully seam sealed. Made from recycled fibers, recyclable!
With a combination of 4-way stretch, DWR-treated, 3 layer water¬proof Fusion Comfortshell™ and highly breathable, DWR-treated Motion Comfortshell™ featuring a truely sustainable technology and maximum freedom of movement.
Developed in partnership with Teijin Fibers®, Japan and Houdini Friend Carl Lundberg, UIAGM-authorized mountain guide. The Fusion Comfort shell™ technology is produced from recycled fiber and fully recyclable.
- Panels in highly breath¬able DWR-treated Motion Comfortshell.
- Helmet-compatible hood with single hand adjustment.
- Removable stretch powderskirt.
- Vent zips
- Transceiver zip pocket with saftey loop inside for secure storage and handling.
Snowy greetings from Japan
Hi guys, just wanted to send you a little postcard from Japan. I am here on a phototrip and what can I say? The japanese powder is just what they say, it's awesome! The powder is light and very dry and it just keeps on coming. I have been here for about two weeks so far and I have hade about one hour of sunshine, the rest of the time it has snowed. Take care!
/David Kvart
Share your favorite magic moment!
And you might be the lucky one to win some great Houdini gear or the ski trip of a lifetime!
We, the team and friends at Houdini, are so inspired by the stories you have shared with us over the years. Stories of the amazing experiences our gear gets to be part of with you. Now we want to give you the opportunity to share your magic moments with others. Click on magic moments at our facebook page and submit your story!
Terms and info
Play hard, have fun!
Alpha Baselayer
A strong foundation is essential. Choose the right type for your sport and you will end up using it for most activities.
Baselayer is your second skin. The one you get to choose yourself, depending on your sport – and style. It keeps you from feeling overheated or underheated. The Alpha Baselayer is soft, supple and great at moisture management. With Chill Control™ air pockets providing insulation, and Heat Control™ panels working to move moisture away from your skin,
Great thing is also that it’s made from recycled fiber that you can recycle again!
Tell Cold weather where to go!
Mr Dunfri - ultralight and packable, featuring Prima Loft® One, a high-tech synthetic down.
Mr dunfri provides effective insulation and is supple to wear both as outerwear and as a midlayer. It is highly water resistant, dryes in no time and can be compressed and stowed into its' chestpocket.
Dunfri Insulated Comfortshell™ is a series of ultralight and packable synthetic down jackets featuring PrimaLoft® One. "Dunfri" (Swedish for "downfree") as they insulate effectively, barely get wet and dry quickly, no matter the conditions you are in.
The microfiber face-fabric is DWR-treated for effective wind and water resistance. The PrimaLoft® One padding provides cozy "sleepingbag comfort". The Dunfri-styles enable an optimal next-to-skin micro-climate, protecting you against the outer elements while breathability remains intact.
May true Core Comfort be with you!
News Archive
2012.01.30 Woman of The Year in the sports industry!2012.01.26 Facts and philosophy behind Houdini's sustainability work
2012.01.26 Undercover Suit
2012.01.20 Fusion Shell
2012.01.02 Share your favorite magic moment!
2011.11.29 Alpha Baselayer
2011.11.03 Tell Cold weather where to go!
2011.09.27 Motion Jacket
2011.09.20 Houdini is launching a new baselayer!
2011.09.05 Action Twill Pants
2011.08.31 Women's Bliss Tunic
2011.08.22 Houdini Teams up with Mountain Guides Travel!
2011.07.21 Winner of S.O.A
2011.06.09 Alpha Houdi
2011.05.25 Liquid Rock Pants
2011.03.03 Pure Freeride Camp
2011.01.13 Houdini ranked among Europe's 25 most creative companies
2011.01.12 Space Jacket
2010.11.18 Fusion Comfort Shell
2010.10.28 Snowleopards and mongolian wilderness
2010.08.22 Fall and Winter news from Houdini
2010.08.03 For off-road activities on land and on water
2010.07.28 Thanks!
2010.07.08 Houdini at Friedrichshafen
2010.06.17 Back to Indian Creek
2010.06.17 Dries in no time
2010.05.07 Metropolis Tee
2010.03.22 Freeride World Tour
2010.03.19 Fusion
2010.03.02 Spring and Summer collection 2010
2010.01.22 See you at ISPO
2009.09.03 Pro Houdi
2009.08.11 Now it's here, 2009's Fall & Winter collection!
2009.08.04 Join us at Facebook
2009.07.29 Transition Stretch, a truely sustainable thermal layer
2009.07.21 Pura Vida
2009.07.15 The Houdini Team is back from Germany
2009.04.07 Meet Houdini at Pure Freeride Camp
2009.03.24 Ane Enderud Freeride World Champion
2009.03.09 Liquid Rock Pants
2009.02.23 Ane Enderud won in Chamonix!
2008.05.21
2007.12.12 Peak UK Himalayan Challenge November 2007
2007.06.13 Swedish Meatballs
Friends Adventures
2012.01.11 Snowy greetings from Japan2011.05.23 Water rafting in Uganda
2010.10.20 Hilde want to be tough...
2010.06.11 Travel tips from Jonte Grundelius
2010.03.25 Enjoying the powder!
2010.02.17 Down in the Graveyard!
2010.02.17 Two Houdini Friends on the podium in the Freeride World Tour Championship!
2009.05.18 Johan Wigforss and Long Power Tights
2009.04.15 Kajakcross with Mats Wålstedt
2009.04.14 Iceclimbing with Felix Oppenheim