Founded in 1887 by Norwegian textile innovator, Jacob Jacobson, Brynje (pronounced Brin-ya) is a technical apparel company that has been equipping outdoor adventurers with insulating mesh garments that are as reliable and relevant today as when they first went to market almost 140 years ago.
At first glance, Brynje’s mesh base layers can look a little peculiar – reminiscent of early viking armory or perhaps, a flashback to your teenage punk phase – but these highly technical, lightweight garments have been tried and tested over and again in some of the harshest climates in the world - and continually come out as reigning champions in the insulating and moisture controlling domain.
“One of our biggest challenges is convincing new customers of our mesh philosophy and explaining why a base layer full of holes is the best option,” laughs Henrik Melsom, company manager at Brynje, which has been owned by the same family for five generations, “It might seem counterintuitive that a garment with holes can keep you warm – but just try it and you will love it.”
Admiration of Brynje’s apparel has been shared by countless alpinists, cyclists, and adventurers over the past century as their garments have played an essential role in numerous Arctic, Antarctic, and Subarctic expeditions. Their impressive track record is enough to convince even the most skeptical among us of the performance benefits of their unique designs.
“We are extremely proud of being the first baselayer on Mount Everest in 1953 with our mesh base layer,” explains Henrik, “We are a go-to brand for Norwegian polar explorers, firefighters, military special forces, and experts who need the best functionality, quality, and service. We are proud of the trust they place in us.”
In fact, most of Brynje’s product development over the last 30 years has been driven by feedback, ideas, and improvements from their demanding professional users which has led to innovations like their SUPERthermo polypropylene fabrics, their modern merino wool/polyester blends and their Double Arctic garments that layer wool or fleece over the mesh for added reinforcement and unmatched moisture control.
But just how do these ingenuitive knit garments work?
“During periods of high activity, the mesh ensures air circulation and transports excess moisture and heat away from the body,” explains Henrik, “During low activity or rest periods, the mesh cells retain warm air, forming an uninterrupted layer of insulation next to the skin. Mesh offers up to six times the insulation value per gram of weight compared to traditional base layers.”
Brynje’s garments, which were previously produced in Larvik, Norway are now primarily made in Poland and are not only built to keep you warm, dry, and comfortable during your adventurous outings, they are also designed with sustainability and longevity in mind.
“We have always strived to make high-quality garments that last as long as possible,” says Henrik, “Unlike others, we do not release new collections every year – most of our collections and products remain the same as they were 30 years ago. We also offer repair services for damaged garments and provide a 5-year warranty.”
Additionally, Brynje aims to educate their customers on proper product care and maintenance, believing that increasing the lifespan of garments and avoiding overproduction and fast fashion are some of the most important contributions the textile industry can make to the environment – noting that one of the biggest challenges the company currently faces is the impact of global warming on the shortening of the winter season.
With that in mind, Brynje – like many other companies – are continually looking for ways to advance and expand their market and offer their performance garments to people the world over who might benefit from their use.
So, after 130 years of providing their sought-after base layers to the European continent, Brynje decided to extend across the pond and open up a new branch of distribution to North American adventure apparel enthusiasts.
“The purpose of creating Brynje USA was to make our wonderful mesh underwear and its properties available to Americans and to educate them about it,” explains Henrik, “We hate to see people freeze, so we’re here to help with that!”
“It seems more and more Americans are discovering and growing fond of our mesh clothing and other collections” he continues “and we are proud to outfit the US Marines when they travel to Norway for cold weather training.”
And while Bryne has extensive roots in the knitwear industry, the company continues to be run by a small but mighty team consisting of 12 employees in Norway, 4 employees in Poland, and 2 employees in the U.S.A.— although their vision moving forward is toward sustainable growth.
“Our goals are to keep people warm, comfortable, and safe when venturing outdoors,” explains Henrik, “but we also aim to expand globally and increase awareness of our brand and clothing collections.”
“We are celebrating 140 years in 2027, and we hope to be here for another 140 years!”
Ali Becker is a freelance writer and adventure storyteller who spends half the year backpacking and bikepacking and the other half sleeping in strangers' beds as a professional house sitter. She and her partner, Mathieu, share their ups and downs on their IG channel at @trip.longer and hope to inspire others to get outside, adventure in nature and find their own freedom. You can learn more about them here: triplonger.ca.
