[1] In 1950, at the age of 14, Nordin went hiking in the mountains of Västerbotten and was not pleased with the design of his uncomfortable backpack.
After doing some research, he learned that a pack's weight should be positioned high and close to the wearer's spine.
Using his mother's treadle sewing machine, he made a bag out of strong cotton material.
[2] Ten years later, his invention formed the basis of his company, Fjällräven, which he began out of the cellar of his home in Örnsköldsvik.
During those ten years, he completed his military service at the Swedish Army Paratroop School in Karlsborg, where he saw the need for functional and durable outdoor equipment.