When people think of Wintergreen Northern Wear, they often picture the deep woods of Ely, the frozen expanse of the Boundary Waters, or expeditions to the literal ends of the earth. And they’d be right... that is our backyard, our testing lab, and our heritage.
But the Wintergreen story isn’t just about the wilderness; it’s about the people who wear the gear and the philosophy we live by. Today, I wanted to introduce you to a different side of the Wintergreen family: my side.
I’m Gabriel Harren, brother to our President, Jackson, and one of the four owners here at Wintergreen. While Jackson and Solveig keep the fires burning up north, my wife Katie Kalkman and I, along with our four children, Jackson, Eddie, Emery, and Benson, spend our school year as "Urban Explorers" in Minneapolis.
The Backyard Rink and the "20 Below" Club
In the city, our adventures might look a little different than a dogsled expedition, but the spirit is exactly the same. We’ve become known in our neighborhood as "the outdoor family."
Even with a small city backyard, we don’t let a square inch of snow go to waste. We have a hockey rink squeezed back there where the kids are out shoveling every time the flakes fall. For us, "limited screen time" isn't a rule—it’s a natural byproduct of being comfortable enough to stay outside.
Whether it's my "20 below" runs around a frozen Lake Harriet or fat-tire biking through city trails, we’ve found that the "Northwoods" is a state of mind. You don’t need a permit or a pack-mule to live an outdoor life; you just need the right mindset and, arguably more importantly, the right gear.
Gear for the City Streets
Since joining the Wintergreen family, our personal wardrobes have had a serious upgrade. I’ve found my daily rhythm in the Nordic Jacket, Flex Pants and Excel Pants, which transition seamlessly from a morning run to a business meeting.
But the real transformation has been for Katie. Historically, Katie was someone who was "always cold." She wasn't necessarily an "outdoor person" by trade, but marrying into the Harren family changed that. Now, she’s never cold. You’ll see her out with the kids in her Black Combo Anorak - a piece she calls "magic." It’s allowed her to stop enduring the winter and start enjoying it.
Your Outdoor Life, Wherever You Are
We feel incredibly lucky to spend our summers immersed in the raw nature of Northern Minnesota. But our mission at Wintergreen is to help you find that connection to the outdoors every single day, no matter your zip code.
You don't have to be in the Boundary Waters or the Arctic to be an explorer. You can be an urban explorer on the streets of Minneapolis, a backyard explorer in the suburbs, or a trail explorer in a local state park. At the core of it all, we believe that if you’re comfortable, you’re capable of anything. And when people get outside, their health, mindset and overall well being elevate.
The Wintergreen story is being written every day by characters like Jackson, Eddie, Emery, and Benson, kids who see a snowstorm as a kiss from the creator and an invitation to GET OUTSIDE!
We’re excited to keep sharing these glimpses into our family’s adventures. In the meantime, we invite you to gear up and find your own "Northwoods," wherever you happen to be.
- Gabriel Harren
