If you literally call your brand Peak Performance and set your prices high, your kit had better cut the mustard in the great outdoors. Fortunately, the Swedish brand warrant both name and cost. Peak Performance was founded in 1986, following a ski lift conversation between two passionate skiers about the dearth of functional yet attractive snowsport wear. From its charming base in the town of Åre, northern Sweden, the brand soon developed a solid reputation for superb outdoor gear.
These days, Peak Performance is owned by Finnish multinational Amer Sports, whose roster includes Arc’teryx and Salomon. Its Elevate Hood Jacket is a synthetic puffer that has garnered praise aplenty and won an ISPO award for its sustainable design, particularly in terms of its repairability. This is a key quality in a world where implementing a circular economy is of paramount importance in the fight against climate change.
