Tretorn
Tretorn is a Swedish brand founded in Helsingborg in 1891, known for rubber boots, sneakers and tennis balls. Today it makes footwear, rainwear and outerwear designed for Scandinavian weather and city life.
| Founded | 1891 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Henry Dunker |
| Headquarters | Helsingborg, Sweden |
| Known for | Rubber boots, sneakers, tennis balls |
| Website | tretorn.com |
What is Tretorn?
Tretorn is a Swedish footwear, rainwear and sports brand from Helsingborg. It grew out of a rubber factory opened by the Dunker family in 1891, with Henry Dunker regarded as the founder.
History
The factory first produced galoshes, protective overshoes for farmers. Rubber then shaped the brand's early milestones:
- 1900: first rubber-soled sneaker
- 1902: first tennis ball
- 1903: first rubber boot in the form known today
These three products, boots, sneakers and tennis balls, have defined the brand ever since.
Products and positioning
Tretorn today focuses on products for Scandinavian weather that also work in the city. Its range includes rubber boots, among its best-selling items, and relaunched heritage sneakers such as the Racket and Tournament styles in eco-design versions. It also makes rain jackets, including styles in its OCEAN-SHELL fabric, and continues to produce pressureless tennis balls.
Why it matters
Tretorn is one of Scandinavia's oldest active footwear brands, and its story shows how a nineteenth-century industrial heritage can be turned into a lifestyle positioning. Its move towards recycled materials and eco-designed versions of archive sneakers reflects how heritage brands are using their back catalogue to address sustainability expectations.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Tretorn from?
Tretorn is from Helsingborg, Sweden, where the company began as a rubber factory in 1891.
Who founded Tretorn?
Tretorn was founded by Henry Dunker, whose family opened the rubber factory in Helsingborg in 1891.