Our Heritage

Tretorn was founded in 1891 in Helsingborg, Sweden, and has come a long way since then. Today, you can find our brand in stores worldwide, yet we remain true to our vibrant heritage. For us, this means crafting proven products that withstand Scandinavian weather without disrupting everyday life. It also means creating products that are stylish and equally embraced by urban dwellers and nature enthusiasts. Ultimately, Tretorn is about celebrating both style and functionality.

In 1896, five years after our founding, we produced 1 million pairs of galoshes in Helsingborg, and by 1900, we had made our first sneakers. Looking back, we have spent over 120 years pioneering sneakers, rubber boots, and even tennis balls. For a century, we’ve been synonymous with sport—from our first rubber boots to the world’s first luxurious tennis sneakers.

We are proud of our history and heritage. From the harsh weather conditions that brought us to life in 1891 to the ongoing improvements and innovations that keep us alive, we celebrate our vibrant legacy. Here’s to our first 128 years—and to many more years of growth and evolution ahead.

On January 3, 1891, the Dunker family opened the doors of a new rubber factory that would later become known as Tretorn. The factory employed 52 workers and covered an area of approximately 2,500 square meters. It produced galoshes for farmers to protect their feet. The harsh Scandinavian weather posed a significant challenge for farmers, who lacked footwear capable of shielding them from the cold and wet conditions. The new Tretorn galoshes were a groundbreaking innovation, helping farmers across the country stay warm and dry while working in the fields. By the following year, Tretorn had produced 39,000 pairs of galoshes.

1896 - 1 MILLION GALOSHES

The innovative Tretorn galoshes, combined with the harsh Scandinavian weather, led to rapid expansion of the company. In just five years, Tretorn had reached a production milestone of 1 million galoshes.

1900 - FROM 52 TO 575

As production increased, Tretorn expanded rapidly, and just nine years after its inception, the number of employees grew from 52 to 575.

1900 - THE FIRST SNEAKER

What many don’t know is that Tretorn is the second-oldest sneaker manufacturer in the world. Shortly after the U.S. rubber company began producing Keds, the Dunker family, passionate about sports and equipped with knowledge of rubber vulcanization, decided to venture into the sports business. On May 1, 1900, we produced our first rubber-soled sneaker—a major innovation in footwear and the beginning of a new era for Tretorn.

1902 - THE FIRST TENNIS BALL

The Dunker family took their passion for sports to the next level. Two years after introducing their first sneakers, Henry Dunker and Tretorn began producing tennis balls. The tennis balls quickly became highly popular and widely used.

1903 - THE FIRST RUBBER BOOT

Tretorn transitioned from producing protective footwear for farmers to creating the first rubber boot as we know it today. This was a natural evolution, making rubber boots more user-friendly not only for farmers but also for everyday customers.

1911 - FIRST PRIVATE CHILDCARE CENTER

The majority of the factory’s workforce were women. In 1911, Henry Dunker established one of the world’s first private childcare centers, named “Barnkrubban.” It provided care for the employees’ children while they worked, setting a new standard for the relationship and responsibility between employers and employees. Some say that “Barnkrubban” is the origin of the phrase “CSR The Swedish Way.”

1915 - APPOINTED BY THE SWEDISH ROYAL COURT

In 1915, Tretorn was appointed by the Swedish Royal Court under King Gustav V. An avid sportsman, hunter, and renowned tennis player, Gustav V was known in Sweden by the pseudonym “Mr. G,” also referred to as “V Gurra.” To this day, Tretorn continues to supply the Royal Court.

1930 - LEADING IN CANVAS SHOES

Thirty years after producing its first sneaker, Tretorn saw a major breakthrough with canvas shoes on the global market. Sneakers quickly became a worldwide phenomenon, and Tretorn emerged as a key player in the global sneaker market. This was a golden era for Tretorn and many other sneaker brands.

1939 - RECYCLED RUBBER

During World War II, all rubber imports were halted. In 1939, a nationwide rubber collection initiative began in Sweden. Tretorn encouraged its customers to turn in old rubber boots and rubber waste, which were then processed in the factory to create new products.

1946 - DANDELION RUBBER TENNIS BALL

On October 15, 1946, Tretorn produced a tennis ball made from dandelion rubber. This unique ball was an experimental innovation and a testament to Tretorn’s commitment to exploring new materials.

1950s - 7 MILLION BOOTS PER YEAR

With innovations like rubber boots, sneakers, and tennis balls in its portfolio, Tretorn gained international recognition. This global fame made Tretorn the largest rubber producer in Scandinavia during the 1950s. With 3,000 employees, Tretorn produced 7 million rubber boots annually.

1952 - INTRODUCTION OF CASTOR

After the war, the number of farmers grew, leading to increased demand for protective footwear. Developing work boots was deeply rooted in Tretorn’s DNA, and in 1952, we introduced the classic work boot Castor. It was designed with a wooden insole to provide additional stability and offer farmers a sense of comfort reminiscent of wearing wooden clogs.

1953 - THE DUNKER FOUNDATION

Henry and Gerda Dunker established the Dunker Foundation, dedicated to supporting elderly care for the people of Helsingborg and funding cancer research. After Henry and Gerda Dunker’s passing, the foundation took over their home and converted it into a care facility—Villa Hevea, which remains in operation to this day.

1955 - TOURNAMENT

Following the success of sports shoes in the 1930s, we launched a new version of the Tournament as a tennis sneaker. The style is a true original and was reintroduced in 2019 with a modern eco-friendly design.

1955 - INVENTION OF THE PRESSURELESS TENNIS BALL

In 1955, it was time for Tretorn’s next major innovation. That year, we invented and patented the pressureless tennis ball. This same type of tennis ball is now used worldwide.

Pressureless balls differ from regular tennis balls in that their bounce comes from the rubber core, meaning they do not lose pressure or bounce over time. They only need to be replaced when their outer covering wears out, which typically happens after 1–2 years.

Tretorn continues to produce the most advanced and playable pressureless balls in the world today.

1960 - LOW-COMPRESSION BALLS

In 1960, Tretorn invented low-compression balls—a range of softer balls that moved more slowly, designed to facilitate effective and easier development of tennis skills.

1961 - INTRODUCTION OF THE RACKET SHOE

Originally launched as the “Davis Cup” and later renamed “Racket,” this highly popular original sneaker was designed for professional tennis. Featuring a durable rubber toe cap and a triple-layer studded sole that withstood even the toughest matches, it was an innovative tennis shoe for clay courts and became an icon. The Racket shoe remains a true classic and was reintroduced in 2019 with a modern eco-friendly design.

1962 - HENRY DUNKER PASSES AWAY

In 1961, Henry Dunker, the founder of Tretorn, passed away, leaving behind one of the largest inheritances in Sweden at the time. As he and Gerda Dunker were childless, they decided to bequeath 58 million SEK (equivalent to 550 million SEK today) to the Dunker Donation Fund and the Dunker Foundation in their will.

The funds from Henry and Gerda Dunker’s donation fund were intended to improve the daily lives of the people of Helsingborg. To this day, the money from the fund is used by the city of Helsingborg for building new cultural and sports facilities (see the year 2002 for more information).

1967 - INTRODUCTION OF THE NYLITE

In 1967, Tretorn launched the Nylite, the world’s first luxury tennis sneaker. It became a favorite as tennis stars like Björn Borg and Martina Navratilova dominated the global stage. Borg wore the shoe both on and off the court, and it gained fame after being worn at Wimbledon and the US Open in the 1970s.

By the late 1980s, Tretorn had also made its mark in the world of fashion. Through innovations that advanced both functionality and design, our shoes became a staple in the fashion scene. The canvas Nylite was even declared a must-have in The Official Preppy Handbook.

1967 - KATJA OF SWEDEN JOINS TRETORN

Tretorn began a collaboration with Katja of Sweden, one of the most influential Swedish designers of the era. Katja partnered with Tretorn to create seasonal fashion collections, riding boots, sailing boots, and sneakers over multiple seasons.

1968 - OFFICIAL SWEDISH OLYMPIC TEAM SNEAKER

In 1968, the Olympic Games took place in Mexico, famously known as the “Design Olympics” due to the groundbreaking graphic design campaign that became one of the most iconic in Olympic history. Tretorn was proud to produce the official sneaker for the Swedish Olympic team, further solidifying its reputation as a global sports and sneaker brand.

The Olympic sneaker was also the official team sneaker for the Winter Olympics in Grenoble.

1969 - LAUNCH OF WINGS

By the late 1960s, sailing had become increasingly popular as both a sport and a hobby. During this time, Tretorn introduced the classic sailing collection, Wings. The rubber sailing shoes quickly gained popularity and became a common sight throughout the Swedish archipelago.

1972 - INTRODUCTION OF SAREK

In the early 1970s, people reconnected with nature and ventured into the forests. In 1972, Tretorn launched the classic hiking boot, Sarek, designed to provide comfort during long treks. That same year, Tretorn trademarked the name of Sweden’s Sarek National Park as a brand name.

1973 - THE KING IN TRETORN MODELS

The Swedish King (then Crown Prince) appeared on the cover of Tretorn’s employee magazine, Skohornet, wearing the Olympic sneaker.

1976 - CLOGS FOR ABBA

In 1976, Tretorn introduced a special collaboration with ABBA, designing a limited edition of Tretorn x ABBA clogs. This marked Tretorn’s first musical collaboration, and it was a significant opportunity, as ABBA was one of the most famous groups in the world at the time.

1977 - ROLAND GARROS

The year was 1977, and the stage was Roland Garros. Guillermo Vilas faced Brian Gottfried in the French Open final, with the Tretorn tennis ball as the official match ball.

1977 - EXPANSION TO THE USA

With Tretorn sneakers establishing a strong connection to the U.S. sports market, Tretorn decided to relocate its sneaker production to the United States, making them proudly “Made in USA.”

1978 - A STRONG START

In Sweden, the outdoor lifestyle was thriving. People went hiking, fishing, and spent time at their summer cottages. Tretorn introduced its classic rubber boot, Strong, for the first time, and it quickly became a favorite for the whole family. Even today, Strong remains one of Tretorn’s best-selling rubber boots.

1980 - THE PREPPY HANDBOOK

In the 1980s, the preppy trend was growing in the United States, and the famous Preppy Handbook was published. The book guided readers on where to shop and what to wear, quickly becoming popular among young people. During this time, the Nylite sneaker was spotted on several celebrities and gained iconic status. When The Preppy Handbook was released, it listed the Nylite as one of the “must-have sneakers.” This recognition greatly boosted the shoe’s popularity!

1983 - THE PRESSURELESS XL TENNIS BALL

Tretorn launched the new, unique pressureless XL tennis ball—the first pressureless ball to deliver performance comparable to that of pressurized balls. It quickly became a major success. Over the following years, it became one of the most popular tennis balls in Sweden and many other countries, including Switzerland, Belgium, Singapore, Italy, and Mexico. Sold in more than 80 countries, it became the fastest-growing tennis ball in the world.

1985 - BJÖRN BORG JOINS TRETORN

By this time, Björn Borg had already collaborated with Tretorn for many years. However, in 1985, he officially joined Tretorn’s advisory team as an expert to assist with product innovation and marketing. Borg played an active role within the Tretorn team, offering advice on improving existing products and contributing ideas for new ones. His approach to product development was as quality-focused as his legendary tennis gameplay.

1988 - TRETORN PLUS BALL

Like Tretorn, Björn Borg believed there were no shortcuts to success—hard work was irreplaceable. Three years after the launch of the XL tennis ball, Tretorn, in collaboration with Björn Borg, introduced the PLUS ball.

The production of the Tretorn XL and PLUS balls was based on a unique new rubber compound. Using these materials required an entirely new production technology. Traditional manual methods were replaced with an advanced, computer-controlled production line, where the rubber cores for the tennis balls were manufactured with the highest precision standards.

1988 - TENNIS AT THE GREAT WALL

Björn Borg brought new creativity to the brand, and in the same year that the Tretorn PLUS ball was launched, he played tennis with Tretorn on the Great Wall of China.

1991 - 100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

On June 14, 1991, Tretorn celebrated its 100th anniversary. Legends such as Stan Smith and Ilie Năstase attended the festivities in Helsingborg. A center court was built in front of the factory, and a tournament was held to mark the occasion.

1998 - MICRO X

Tretorn’s microcellular technology was introduced, patented worldwide, and recognized by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) as the pioneer of a new category of tennis balls called “microcells.”

Tretorn’s Micro X tennis balls are neither pressurized nor pressureless. The Micro X ball combines the best of both worlds, resulting in a tour-performance ball that maintains its bounce and performance over time.

2002 - PRESSURIZED TENNIS BALLS

Tretorn introduced pressurized tennis balls and became the official sponsor of the WTA (Women’s Professional Tennis Association).

2002 - DUNKERS KULTURHUS

Dunkers Kulturhus was built in Helsingborg, funded by the foundation of Henry and Gerda Dunker. This foundation also enabled the construction of cultural and sports facilities such as Kulturmagasinet, the Olympia sports stadium, the Graphic Museum, and Helsingborg’s City Theatre.

2005 - SNEAKER AWARD

Tretorn received the fashion award from the Swedish fashion magazine Café as the Sneaker Brand of the Year.

2007 - COLLABORATION WITH MALIN BARYARD

The revolutionary riding boot, Advanced, developed in collaboration with Malin Baryard, was launched.

2007 - TRETORN X ACNE CO-LAB NO. 1

Tretorn and Acne joined forces for a collaboration, launching three different Co-Labs over three seasons. The first Tretorn x Acne sneaker collaboration debuted in 2007.

2008 - TRETORN X ACNE CO-LAB NO. 2

Tretorn and Acne unveiled their second Tretorn x Acne sneaker collaboration.

2009 - TRETORN X ACNE CO-LAB NO. 3

Tretorn and Acne introduced their third Tretorn x Acne sneaker collaboration.

2009 - COMME DES GARÇONS CO-LAB

An exclusive sneaker collaboration with Comme des Garçons was launched. The Co-Lab was highly successful and worn by many global celebrities.

2012 - OFFICIAL BALL PARTNERSHIP

Tretorn signed official ball partnerships with select tournaments on the WTA and ATP World Tour, including Hamburg, Stockholm, Umag, Zagreb, and Båstad.

2016 - ECO ESSENTIALS

In 2016, we celebrated our 125th anniversary, prompting us to reflect on the company’s core philosophy and the kind of products we want to create in the next 125 years. With a long history of CSR and responsible production, and in light of the significant climate challenges we face, we decided it was time to take even greater responsibility. To innovate in using the planet’s limited resources more wisely, we launched the Eco Essentials Initiative.

2016 - LEFT OVER PROJECT

Tretorn launched its first Eco Essentials project—the Left Over Project. In collaboration with the Swedish outdoor retailer Naturkompaniet, we introduced a rain jacket collection inspired by natural ecosystems where nothing goes to waste. We purchased leftover fabrics from manufacturers and repurposed them to create an extremely limited-edition collection.

2017 - GHOST NET PROJECT

Tretorn and Naturkompaniet launched the second Eco Essentials project. This limited-edition Co-Lab collection was made from recycled fishing nets collected to help prevent ghost nets in our oceans.

2017 - WORLD OCEAN CONFERENCE, NEW YORK

Tretorn was recognized as a flagship company for achieving climate goals and highlighted at the United Nations World Ocean Conference.

2018 - BIOPLANT

Tretorn and Naturkompaniet launched the third Eco Essentials project: a premium Co-Lab rain jacket that is 100% biodegradable. Made using PLA derived from tapioca and sugarcane, it eliminates the need for fossil fuels.

2018 - OCEAN-SHELL®

In 2018, Tretorn introduced OCEAN-SHELL® as the next innovation under the Eco Essentials Initiative. OCEAN-SHELL® is a three-layer fabric made from recycled PET bottles collected from the ocean near Taiwan. The jacket features a hydrophilic membrane, also made from recycled ocean PET, making the fabric a renewable resource that can be recycled again.

The OCEAN-SHELL® fabric is currently used in jackets such as the Arch and Sphere models. Designed to renew the future, this fabric will continue to appear in Tretorn collections in many new and creative ways.

2018 - TRETORN BY ANDRÉ BENJAMIN 3000

The “I André Benjamin Will Not Draw In Class” collection was launched, inspired by André’s personal connection to the classic Nylite while growing up in Atlanta. From André’s original sketches to the finished collection, the classic Nylite was infused with the playful spirit and design sensibility of this style icon.

2019 - ECO SNEAKER

Tretorn reinvented its iconic sneakers from the 1960s, now with a cleaner footprint in line with the Eco Essentials Initiative.

2020 - TRETORN X NIGEL CABOURN

For SS20, we launched an exclusive collaboration with designer Nigel Cabourn. The partnership was rooted in a shared passion for creating high-quality garments that are functional in detail, timeless in design, and respectful of the environment. The collaboration consisted of a three-piece collection, including a jacket, a bag, and a pair of sneakers.

2020 - JUBILEE SNEAKER - A TRIBUTE TO OUR HERITAGE

In 2020, we celebrated 120 years since producing our first sneaker, and we marked the occasion in style! As a tribute to our sneaker heritage, we introduced the 1900 Jubilee—an exclusive reissue of our very first sneaker. While preserving all the classic original design lines, the sneaker was produced in a modern way under our Eco Essentials Initiative.

2020 - TRETORN X SEA LIFE TRUST

We expanded the ECO ESSENTIALS Initiative to reach the depths of the ocean. In 2020, we took the next step toward transforming how we interact with nature by collaborating with SEA LIFE Trust, a registered charity dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans and the marine life within them. The Tretorn X SEA LIFE Trust collaboration was rooted in a shared passion for healthy oceans that are protected and teeming with life.

The collection included a parka, a bag, and a pair of sneakers, all made from recycled materials such as fishing nets and plastic bottles retrieved from the oceans. For every product sold, 10% of the sale price was donated to the SEA LIFE Trust.

2021 - SEA LEVEL RE-BOOT

Tretorn aimed to raise awareness about the issue of global warming by designing a rubber boot called “Sea Level Re-Boot” to visualize the tangible impacts of climate change. The goal was to inspire action in ourselves and others.

The iconic rubber boot featured a printed ruler indicating how sea levels are expected to rise in the coming decades due to climate change. The boot was made from sustainable and recycled materials.

2022 - THE TRETORN TENNIS BALL TURNS 120

We celebrated the 120th anniversary of our tennis ball by serving as the official match ball in Båstad during the Tennis Weeks.

2022 - TRETORN BECOMES OFFICIAL FOOTWEAR SUPPLIER FOR THE SWEDISH OLYMPIC TEAM

Tretorn became the official outfitter of the Swedish Olympic Committee, providing the entire Swedish Olympic and Paralympic teams with our special edition Olympic Arch Hybrid sneakers to wear between competitions during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

2023 - THE ICON RAIN COAT: A TRIBUTE TO THE BESTSELLING WINGS RAIN JACKET

In 2023, we launched the Icon Rain Coat as a tribute to the bestselling Wings Rain Jacket. The Icon Rain Coat is crafted from recycled materials as part of our Eco Essentials Initiative.

“The Icon Rain Coat highlights our ongoing efforts to connect new products with our history. By preserving the design language of the Wings Rain Jacket, the Icon Rain Coat, with its modern technical textiles and construction, is just as timeless as the original,” says Carl-Henrik Hallén, Head of Design at Tretorn.