Rohan

Rohan was founded in 1972 by Paul and Sarah Howcroft, with start-up capital of £70, from a house in Skipton, Yorkshire. They were keen outdoor enthusiasts with an interest in fabric technology.

Their first product was a pair of quick-drying mountaineering salopettes. In 1978, one of their jacket designs was worn by the Austrian climber Peter Habeler on the first climb to the summit of Mount Everest without bottled oxygen. 

Soon afterwards the lightweight travel range was launched which used all the technologies they had put into their mountain products in a more everyday setting.

Rohan Bags, the first poly-cotton trousers, were launched in 1982. Bags epitomised what Rohan was about – providing lightweight, packable, easycare and protective clothing.

These days we like to describe ourselves as “Born in Skipton and worn worldwide since 1972.”

At Rohan we pride ourselves on our five principles; protective, lightweight, packable, easy care and versatile. The focus on constant innovation in these five areas ensures our range is ready for any challenge you throw at it. Although our branding and style are subtle, we ensure an uncompromising approach to all of our gear design with fabric technology at the heart of everything we do.

The five principles of our clothing can manifest themselves in different ways – from a jacket and trousers that protect you from the elements, to reduced carry weight through lightweight materials. From the packable convenience of zipping your jacket up into a build-in Packpocket, to how quickly a shirt dries in your hotel room or the wide range of uses that piece of clothing may have. It ensures that there are a vast number of benefits which are passed on to you, the wearer.

Protective

Rohan clothing will be your shelter. It will keep you dry in the rain and warm in the coldest winds. It will keep you cool and comfortable in the heat. It will protect you from the sun and biting insects. And it will help keep your important stuff safe when you are far from home.

Lightweight

We were the original lightweight revolutionaries. Back in the 1970’s we realised that cutting weight without losing performance meant that you can take less and do more. Everything we make is engineered to achieve this.

Packable

Low pack size is a benefit whether you’re packing for a day’s walking or for the trip of a lifetime. We continually scrutinise fabric specification and garment construction to minimise the packed size of our clothing. The actual pack size is tested and listed.

Easy Care

There’s rarely any need to iron Rohan clothing. With a little body heat, gentle creases will drop out. Everything is a cinch to wash and it will dry in a fraction of the time of ordinary clothing.

Versatile

Performance outdoor gear can look simple and urban clothing can be technical. This simple truth means that you can take half as much with you.