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"Always be one step ahead"
This was Odd Roar Lofterød's motto when he founded ODLO in Oslo in 1946. The experience he gained in a garment machine factory and his wealth of ideas inspired him time and again to develop new products. Initially he started with ladies' underwear. He then developed the first functional underwear for his son, who was training in the Norwegian speed skating squad and should not freeze. He achieved this with a pair of training pants made of Helanca fibres. Not only his sports friends were enthusiastic about it, but also top athletes.
In 1963 Lofterød developed the first functional cross-country and speed skating suit made of the synthetic fibre Helanca. The suit was worn by the Norwegian national team at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck. Eight years later, Odlo outfitted over 20 teams at the Olympic Games in Sapporo.
One year later, in 1973, the new, fully synthetic sports underwear collection Odlo Termic was launched, again inspired by speed skaters. Previously they could only wear briefs even at minus 20 degrees, as cotton underwear was not suitable under the suits.
Finally, the founder Lofterød Senior retired from active business in 1979 and his son Odd Roar Junior took over the company. After the headquarters moved to Switzerland in 1986, the Athletic Clothing System, the three-layer principle, was born. The underwear, also known as the base layer, ensures optimum moisture transport, while the second layer, mid layer, is responsible for insulation and temperature regulation. The outer layer serves as weather protection and is therefore waterproof, windproof and breathable.
"from the skin"
Odlo remained true to this principle again in 1994 with its start in the running and outdoor sector. So every collection is always started from the inside to create a good feeling on the skin. With Effect by Odlo the manufacturer achieved a major breakthrough in the field of materials in 2002. For the first time, antibacterial silver ions were added to the underwear to reduce unpleasant odours. Over the next two years, all underwear was provided with the new fibre.
"Passion for sports"
With this new philosophy Odlo presented its new face in 2003. A new logo was also part of the rebranding. Recognizing the new trend of Nordic Walking, Odlo quickly became a market leader in this field with its new collection. Thanks to its investments in further development and research, Odlo achieved another milestone with the Just One T-shirt. The shirt's double-knit technology regulates the body temperature perfectly. For Cubic, an even improved, ultra-light knitted construction, Odlo has even received several awards.
Engineers of Active Layers since 1946
In 2016 Odlo celebrated its 70th birthday and the next novelty was already coming. Odlo took advantage of the cooling properties of ceramics. But the technology is not only used as Ceramicool, but also as a warming version in Ceramiwool and Ceramiwarm. Another highlight in 2018 was the collaboration with architect and designer Zaha Hadid. And the development continues. In 2019 I-THERMIC will be presented as the first intelligent thermal technology that analyses body temperature and regulates underwear accordingly.
Protecting beautiful nature for future generations
The Norwegian family-owned company faces up to this responsibility. The high quality of the products ensures a long service life. As a member of the Fair Wear Foundation, Odlo also has the goal of constantly improving its working conditions. At the same time, Odlo is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), which ensures sustainable and environmentally conscious production throughout the supply chain. The materials processed by Odlo all comply with the OEKO-TEX Standard 100, which ensures that no harmful substances are contained.
Odlo assures that no "mulesing" has been used in the cover of its wool, just as no down from live plucking or force feeding has been used. Materials are only used by suppliers with the bluesign® or OEKO-TEX certificate. The production is PVC and nickel free, and we also try to produce completely PFC-free as soon as possible.
In 2012 the first sustainable series, Evolution Greentech, was launched on the market. It is the first seamless underwear produced from 100% recycled materials. 2015 Odlo received the ISPO Gold Award for sustainability for the Blackcomb collection. This is followed in 2020 by the ZeroScent anti-odour technology, which is also made from renewable and recycled sources.
(Photos: Odlo)
