Viking Footwear

Viking Footwear is a Norwegian outdoor footwear brand founded in 1920 by Peter Mathias Røwde in Askim. It began with galoshes and rubber boots and today makes weather-resistant wellies, hiking boots and running shoes for adults and children.

What is Viking Footwear?

Viking Footwear is a footwear brand from Norway, built around shoes and boots for harsh weather. Its motto, If it works in Norway, it will work anywhere, sums up the focus on protection and durability.

History

Peter Mathias Røwde founded the company in January 1920 in Askim, starting a rubber factory that produced galoshes and then rubber boots, inspired by farmers working in difficult conditions. Early customers included farmers, fishermen, foresters and explorers.

By the mid-1930s Viking was one of Norway's largest workplaces, and after the Second World War it opened branches across the country. In the 1970s it introduced new production methods and materials and launched a successful children's boot. In 1992 it became one of the first companies to use Gore-Tex membranes in footwear, which helped grow sales in Norway and across Europe.

Products and positioning

• Rubber boots and wellies
• Hiking boots and shoes, including Gore-Tex models
• Running shoes
• Outdoor footwear for children

Distribution

The brand is sold through outdoor and footwear retailers across Europe, both in stores and online.

Why it matters

Viking Footwear is one of the long-established Nordic outdoor brands, and its early use of waterproof breathable membranes illustrates how technical materials reshaped everyday outdoor footwear.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Viking Footwear from?

Viking Footwear comes from Norway; it was founded in Askim in 1920.

Who founded Viking Footwear?

Peter Mathias Røwde founded the company in January 1920 as a rubber factory making galoshes and rubber boots.

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