Polar history
Devolds suksess sammenfalt med de første store polarekspedisjonene på slutten av 1800-tallet.
Polfarer Fridtjof Nansen gikk allerede i 1888 på ski over Grønland med ”Ullundertøi, Islandstrøier og Vadmelsjakker”. Nansen, og alle de andre på Fram-ekspedisjonen, kunne takke solide ullklær for at de overlevde tre dramatiske år på drivisen i Nordishavet.
På den andre siden av jorda, i 1911, sørget polfarer Roald Amundsen for at norsk ull var først på Sydpolen. I 1925 fløy nordmannen sammen med den amerikanske polfareren Lincoln Ellsworth over Nordpolen i luftskipet ”Norge 1”, godt kledd selvfølgelig. Da Ellsworth gjennomførte den første flyturen over Sørpolområdene i 1933, takket han Devold for de varme ullklærne de ble forsynt med, i et svært hyggelig brev.
I wish to express to you my appreciation of the excellent service you have rendered in furnishing supplies and equipment for my Expedition and to thank you for your generous consideration in connection with the charges for your products. We have found them to be of the very best quality.
Lincoln Ellsworth
(Letter to O.A. Devold Sonner A/S)
Proof of quality
For several generations, both at sea and on land, Devold has equipped famous pole expeditioners and hard-working fishermen with woollens. But for farmers, fishermen, forestry workers, and everyone else working outdoors in Norway, Ellsworth’s letter, filled as it was with superlatives, was unnecessary. In Norway, people already acknowledged the Devold quality. Further south in Europe, however, the supreme quality of Devold products became associated with such expeditions.
Modern expeditions
Since the 1960s, many Norwegian and foreign expeditions have relied on Devold. Woollen clothing has protected everything from sweaty foreheads to frozen toes on both the North and South Poles. In 1988, Stein P. Aasheim led the Greenland Expedition, for which he took a leaf from Nansen’s book. For him, Devold was a natural choice as a supplier of socks, underwear, and Islender jumpers. Arne Næs Senior wore Devold in 1964 during his Himalayan expeditions. In 1994, Liv Arnesen crossed the South Pole all on her own. To keep warm in the extreme climate, she, as the first woman to undertake this trip, used Devold’s Aquaduct woollen lingerie (now sold as the Expedition collection).
It’s clear that, after more than 170 years of research and development in woollens, Devold stands supreme in terms of comfort, quality, and protection.
Utforsk Devold
Natures high-tech fiber
There are almost endless reasons to choose wool. Wool regulates temperature, manages moisture, and keeps you warm even when wet. Naturally.
From sheep to Shop
From sheep to finished garment – Devold’s “Sheep to Shop” ensures control at every stage. Traceable wool, responsible production, uncompromising quality.
Get to know us
Devold is more than wool. Here you'll find events, inspiration, and stories from the people, places, and experiences that make Devold what it is. Come outside with us.
Stories from life outdoors
Here you'll find articles from across the Devold world. About wool, people, product development, and life outdoors.
It's natural for us
Our founder, Ole Andreas Devold, was more than a shrewd businessman. He built communities. Since 1853, Devold has worked to do right by people, animals, and nature.