Schöffel

From Swabian nightcaps to high-tech outdoor clothing

What began in 1804, when Georg Schöffel traded stockings, socks, nightcaps and tasselled caps in Schwabmünchen south of Augsburg, was carried on by his son Josef and Josef’s wife Theresa, first as itinerant trade during wartime and later as a settled textile business.

After the Second World War, a new chapter began for the family business. When Ludwig Schöffel was killed in Russia, his younger brother Hubert took over the company in the sixth generation. He and his wife Lydia first set up a clothing house and, after acquiring further companies, began producing children’s and men’s trousers in their own factory. Hubert Schöffel spotted the hiking trend early on, expanding into sports clothing as far back as 1967.

This decision secured the company’s success, as it met customers’ needs precisely with outdoor clothing. By 1971, Schöffel was already market leader in trousers, and shortly after in jackets and hiking wear too. Schöffel is also the inventor of the salopette, the first trouser that can be fastened over a ski boot.

Schöffel kept innovating: testing new materials, developing new textile processes and working with GORE-TEX on new membranes that are both windproof and waterproof. Using a new welding technique, the first mountain anorak “Tibet” with a Gore membrane was born in 1983 and became a bestseller almost overnight. In the 1990s, management passed to son Peter Schöffel, who still runs the company today.

What does Schöffel stand for?

Even in its seventh generation, the customer still comes first at Schöffel. To fully enjoy nature, customers should get exactly the products they need.

And it pays off. Schöffel has become a premium brand and today ranks among the leading manufacturers of functional ski and outdoor clothing, both nationally and internationally.

The blend of tradition and modernity is key to this success. That’s why Schöffel, as one of the oldest family businesses in Bavaria, continues to focus on regional roots: design, development and company management remain at the Schwabmünchen headquarters, where around 200 people are employed – including an in-house tailoring workshop, something only a handful of large clothing companies in Germany still maintain.

The Schöffel logo is only ever applied to products that meet the brand’s strict quality standards.

Well equipped all year round

Schöffel’s product range spans hiking wear, ski clothing and casual jackets. Most Schöffel jackets share similar traits: windproof, waterproof, breathable materials, welded seams and a thoughtful design that allows plenty of freedom of movement.

One of the bestselling lines is ZipIn!: depending on temperature and activity, a universal zip system lets you combine a windproof, waterproof outer jacket with different inner jackets made of down, PrimaLoft or fleece – for variety in any weather.

For a light companion, compact, packable windproof jackets are ideal – perfect for fine weather, mountain wind or cycling, since they barely take up any space.

Schöffel’s outdoor and trekking jackets are made from high-quality windproof and waterproof membrane materials that are also hard-wearing, breathable and easy to care for. Welded seams and sealed zips keep the jackets watertight even in heavy rain – the laminates used reach a water column of up to 10,000 mm.

Schöffel takes responsibility

Schöffel bases its sustainability strategy on the principle of quality over quantity. Good, timeless products with a long lifespan are meant to counter the trend of excess. The company also offers a good repair service through its own Service Factory, so damaged products don’t have to be thrown away immediately.

Strict rules are also followed in production, for example when choosing suppliers. Peter Schöffel takes this responsibility seriously:

“A perfect garment stands for the entire supply chain, from responsible raw material sourcing, hazardous substance management and resource-conserving production, to social responsibility towards our employees in Schwabmünchen as well as towards the staff of our production partners around the world.”

That’s why Schöffel has been a member of the Fair Wear Foundation since 2011, improving year after year. Schöffel has also been a bluesign® System Partner since 2013, a standard for sustainable textile manufacturing.

(Photos: Schöffel)