About
Our mission.
To design and build high quality outdoor gear with a focus on minimalism. Using high tech materials and techniques we can create some of the lightest gear on the planet, yet robust and durable enough for even the wilds of Northern Sweden. Our gear is built to be used and abused, both by you the hiker, and by nature. All our gear is designed and built in Umeå, Sweden, and tested in both the local woodlands, as well as mountain regions above the arctic circle.
Who we are.
Skalmo gear is the brain child of Kenneth Shaw. Owner and founder of Backpackinglight.se as well as youtuber and blogger at ultralightandcomfortable.com. Ken had the idea of starting a little cottage manufacturer years before starting Backpackinglight.se. But due to different circumstances, Skalmo was put on the shelf while backpackinglight started to catch on. Always a dream, Ken finally started Sarek gear 2018 with smaller projects and eventually expanding to tents, tarps and proper outdoor gear summer 2020.
Ken is an avid outdoorsmen, obviously, and over the years has tested, used and abused probably more gear than just about anybody alive. He knows what works, what doesn’t, and above all else, how to get maximum useage for minimal weight. Simply put: Ken loves gear.
Marcus Falck came to Skalmo 2021 as co-ceo and owner. Marcus has a long history in business ownership, and the great outdoors. Growing up and spending most his life in the mountains of Northern Sweden, Marcus has an eye on gear development and how to make gear even better. Together, Ken and Marcus design, prototype and test all their gear in Northern Sweden in all kinds of conditions.
Skalmo gear.
Our sewing shop and prototyping is done in Västerslätt in Umeå, a small little town in the north of Sweden. All our gear is designed and manufactured so far here in our shop here in Umeå. Though as demands has increased we are working with different partners in Europe to see if we can meet demand by outsourcing to other factories. As of right now our gear is sold exclusively through Backpackinglight.se / .dk. Though plans for direct sales are in the works.
