Craft

The Specialist in Technical Sportswear

In the early 1970s, Swedish innovator Anders Bengtson set out to develop a new kind of sports underwear. He recognized that overcooling or overheating caused by sweat directly affects an athlete’s performance, so he needed a material that could wick moisture to the outside quickly and let it evaporate.

Bengtson had his breakthrough in 1973, going on to develop additional moisture-absorbing and insulating layers. The resulting three-layer principle became the foundation of modern functional clothing – and of the brand itself. Originally known as CRAFT of Sweden, the company is still headquartered in Borås, in central Sweden, today. CRAFT now covers virtually every sport that demands stamina and conditioning, along with clothing built to keep up.

Pioneer of Base Layers

CRAFT’s mission is to create sportswear that helps athletes maximize their performance, and the brand has built its reputation above all in base layers. Its functional fabrics, knitted with an innovative structure, are engineered for every intensity level and temperature, delivering outstanding body temperature regulation.

At the same time, they guarantee maximum wearing comfort. As the first layer of any sports outfit, base layers work best paired with additional breathable, moisture-regulating layers on top – a principle that underpins every CRAFT collection.

Innovation Through Athlete Collaboration

To keep pushing forward, CRAFT collaborates with renowned research labs and works directly with athletes, developing innovative materials that are then woven into existing collections. Partnerships with leading, exclusive material producers are equally essential, ensuring CRAFT always has access to the best functional fabrics, such as Gore-Tex®, Coldblack®, Ventair® and Coolmax®. 

CRAFT is also official outfitter to national cross-country skiing and biathlon teams, including Norway’s biathlon and cross-country squad.

A Sports Brand That Takes Responsibility

Alongside its drive to create the best possible functional clothing for athletes, CRAFT holds its operations to clearly defined standards: the brand bans chemicals on the “Restricted Substances List” and follows the “OEKO-TEX Standard 100” in production.

A growing share of its sportswear is made from recycled polyester. As a member of initiatives such as “Textile Exchange”, the “amfori BSCI Business Social Compliance Initiative” and the “Clean Shipping Index”, CRAFT also plays an active role in driving global improvements across textiles, logistics and working conditions.

Today, over 80% of CRAFT’s materials are recycled – and that figure is still climbing. By 2030, the brand aims to cut its CO2 emissions by 30% and offer 20% of all products through circular options such as rental, resale or reuse.

(Photos: CRAFT)