The Path We Take: Besseggen

The Besseggen down jacket is one of a family of Holzweiler pieces named after a Norwegian mountain. What’s the connection between your designs and these natural landmarks?

Maria: When we first started out making technical jackets, we wanted to name them after some of the incredible natural landmarks you can find in Norway, and that require you to wear clothing with a high level of technical capability in order to fully enjoy them.

Besseggen was the first mountain to inspire a product name. What significance does it hold to you?

Maria: It’s one of Norway’s most famous, and most beautiful mountains. It just made sense for the journey to start there.

The Besseggen has been reimagined for this season with a lighter down padding. What was the inspiration behind this new iteration of a classic design?

Maria: The original Besseggen was designed with the extreme cold of winter in mind, but the weather in Autumn is more varied, so we wanted to redesign the Besseggen with this in mind but retain its iconic silhouette. 

The Besseggen Light is slightly more fitted and is very practical in that it takes up less space in your bag, and it’s also water resistant. It’s the perfect option for hikes and trips up the mountain when the weather’s milder.

Where do you wear your Besseggen Lt. jacket?

Maria: It’s so versatile that I find myself wearing it when I’m in the city, the countryside, or on top of a mountain.

Do you have any other transitional favourites from AW25?

Maria: I love the Cia leather jacket - it really works for all kinds of occasions. I also wear the Steilia Light jacket layered under other coats or as my main jacket for the day. I always reach for the Flow jacket when it looks like it’s going to rain.

Aside from Besseggen, what are some of Norway’s best hiking trails?

Maria: Norway has so many! I guess it really depends on what you’re looking for. Besseggen is one of the most well known so it can get a little crowded - but there’s other options that feel a little more private. Knutshøe is literally known as ‘a little Besseggen’ - and the views are just as majestic.

What are the essentials you always bring with you on a hike?

Maria: I need outfit options for both good and bad weather. I also always make sure to pack blister plasters, sunscreen, sunglasses and chocolate for when I need an energy boost.

What are some of the most beautiful aspects of this in-between period we’re currently in, as summer transforms into autumn? 

Maria: The fact that we never know what to expect - each day the weather’s different. Nature starts to transition, and we start to see new colours. Also the cosiness, the new fresh fruits and vegetables my garden grows, and creating new looks through layering.

What about autumn are you most looking forward to?

Maria: To be able to layer again with heavy knits and jackets, shared moments around a fireplace, and to light up dark evenings with candles.