Haglöfs launches first Standard Issue Black™ product

This spring, Haglöfs and Polartec collaborated on a shared black standard, aiming to establish a more resource-efficient approach to black fabric in the industry. Now, Haglöfs launches its first product dyed in Standard Issue Black™ – the Buteo Mid II Jacket.

Each year, outdoor brands independently produce tens of thousands of fleece garments in near-identical shades of black. Each shade requires its own dye batch, chemical mix, and minimum order quantity. To reduce these unnecessary environmental impacts, Haglöfs and Polartec created Standard Issue Black™: a shared black, pre-dyed at scale, and openly available to the whole industry. It reduces water use in production by over 50% and saves a minimum of 20% energy usage compared to traditional piece-dyed black fabrics, based on internal production assessment.

To raise further awareness around the issue, Haglöfs launched The Black Capsule alongside the announcement of Standard Issue Black™ this spring. The limited pieces served as a powerful demonstration of the miniscule, yet impactful differences between black fleece fabrics. By compiling three shades of leftover fleece into single pieces, the Swedish outdoor brand highlighted the need for change.

Now, Haglöfs is bringing its first product dyed in Standard Issue Black™ to the market: the Buteo Mid II Jacket. Already a popular style in the Haglöfs collection, the second iteration of the product was an obvious choice for the new black standard, as Weiss recalls. “To maximize the impact of this new color, we wanted to implement it in one of our high-volume styles. Using Polartec fleece in Standard Issue Black™ also presents a fabric upgrade from the previous fleece.”

For Eva Weiss, Head of Design and R&D at Haglöfs, the launch also marks a starting point for transformation in the industry. “This change shows a move towards a smarter and more conscious design process. It’s about using materials more wisely, reducing waste, and keeping quality high, while still allowing the team to be creative.”

Instead of seeing a single shade of black as a limiting factor, Weiss and her team welcome Standard Issue Black ™ and the simplification it brings.

“Standardization doesn’t have to limit creativity. With the right framework, it gives us the freedom to work together in the same creative direction and make a bigger impact. Having one defined black simplifies the design process, and brands could still differentiate themselves through other colors, cuts, and design elements.“

With the Buteo Mid II Jacket, Haglöfs is launching a warm and breathable update to the previous model. Now with a lightweight and durable Polartec® microfleece made from 100% recycled polyester. The versatile jacket thrives both as an outer jacket and as an insulating midlayer. Available in Standard Issue Black™ and other color options – aiming to inspire the industry to adopt a similar, more resource-efficient approach to black fleece fabrics. Available from fall 2026 in Haglöfs stores and online at haglofs.com.