THE STORY
FROM SWEATY BOXERS TO PRIZEWINNER
We’re out and about in the Norwegian outdoors all year round and in all kinds of weather. And after too many perfect moments ruined by base wear that got sweaty, wet and cold, and failing to find anything better, we decided to do something about it - so we just made it ourselves.

Fortunately, we had an old sewing machine in the closet. We watched a few YouTube sewing courses and a few nights later the first Zipbody and Ziplongs were more than a dream. Zipwear was born! At last, we had some functional clothing that let us enjoy the outdoors to the fullest.

The following weekend we tried it out in the backcountry. Our friends got interested and wanted to get their hands on this new creation too. Once friends were enjoying the new freedom of Zipwear, it was clear that others would too, and something had to be done! We simply had to start our own company. Since then Zipwear has helped thousands of people to enjoy the outdoor to the fullest. That is pretty awesome...!

Today Northern Playground consists of two concepts: Zipwear and The Organic Collection. 

Why we are called Northern Playground? Well, we are grown up children that love to play in the best playground in the world: The Norwegian outdoors. 

Celebrating the Scandinavian Design Award by stripping

Featuring the Ziplongs in a magazine

The first Ziplongs is born

The Zipbra is launced in 2016

Early days of the Zipbody

The longsleeve has long been a favourite - now in organic wool & silk

  • From idea to protoype - 2011

    Jo is sick of sweaty boxers and sows the first Zipbody with his mom

  • The worlds first Ziplongs - 2011

    A bottle of whisky, a sowing-machine and a youtube-class - and the first Ziplongs is born in Magnus' hands a bright winter night.

  • First sale - 2012

    A small production arrives and a homemade website leads to the first sale of a pair of Ziplongs to a guy planing to cross the Greenland glacier

  • The first collection made of wool is launched - 2013

    Up until then it had consisted of two kinds of technical fabric. 

  • The company Northern Playground AS is founded - 2014

    After a successful visit on prime-time television, Jo realises the potential of the business and decides to quit his job and go all in

  • Finalist ISPO Brand New and winner of German Design Awards - 2015

    The Ziplongs wins it's first prizes

  • Ziplongs 2.0 - 2016

    Product development takes time, and the 2016/17 season is when we were truly happy with the outcome

  • Winner of the Scandinavian Outdoor Awards - 2016

    In the apparel-category

  • Crowdfunding a new product - Zipshorts Padded - 2016

    We use Kickstarter.com to launch what has become one of our best sellers

  • Equity-crowdfunding the company - 2016

    We choose to raise equity from the lay-man with a genuine interest for Northern Playground, our products and our future.

  • Launching the Zipbra - 2016

    Jo observes that many women choose to change their shirts when sweaty, but keep trekking with a wet bra. He decides to do something about it, and today this is also one of our best sellers

  • "Best Winter Gear Guide" in Outside Magazine - 2017

    In the category "The Best Winter Gear for 2017" in Outside Magazine

  • "The Organic Collection" is launced - 2017

     Functional, classic design made with organic wool and silk. Read more

THE STORY BEHIND ZIPLONGS

Developing new stuff is demanding. Trial and error is what counts, and we've done plenty of both developing todays Ziplongs

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

All manufacturers know that a product has an impact on the environment. We must realize that we are affecting the environment in our production of Zipwear, just as you must realize that you as a consumer have an impact in the same way.

We are taking action to minimize our environmental impact.

Free shipping worldwide
On orders above €125
Produced in Europe
For quality and the environment
Fast and secure payment
With Stripe and Paypal