OUR HISTORY

2025

SEEK

We launch Seek – the headlamp made for both everyday moments and big adventures. With its compact, detachable light unit and design made from recycled materials, Seek is just as at home on a dog walk as on a mountain peak – always ready to light up the contrasts in life.

2024

SMINI

We launch our lightest headlamp series ever. Smini Fly weighs only 38.5 grams and fits in the palm of your hand. Developed together with ultrarunner Philipp Ausserhofer and made from recycled materials, Smini Fly is awarded the ISPO Award 2024.

2023

SILVA CELEBRATES 90 YEARS

We celebrate 90 years of innovation by launching Free – the world’s first modular headlamp series. With interchangeable light units, batteries, and mounts, you can easily adapt the lamp to your activity. All cables are integrated into the headband for a clean, wireless feel. The series is awarded the ISPO Award 2023.

That same year, Silva acquires the Swedish outdoor company Primus and forms Primus-Silva Sweden AB.

2022

IGNITE

After many years of development, we launch Ignite – our most powerful headlamp ever. With its 10,000 lumens, it turns night into day and is designed for high-speed action sports and orienteering. Ignite is awarded the ISPO Award 2022.

2021

ARC JET & SPIKE JET

Together with orienteering world champion Tove Alexandersson, we develop the compasses in the Arc Jet and Spike Jet series. They feature unmatched needle stability and set a new standard for orienteers.

2020

FREE TECHNOLOGY

We launch Trail Runner Free – our first headlamp with Free Technology, where all cables are integrated into the headband. The result is a wireless, streamlined lamp with soft materials that deliver a new level of comfort. The innovation is awarded the ISPO Award 2020.

2016

FIRST GLOBAL COMPASS

We launch the Ranger and Expedition compasses with a global needle that works across all three magnetic zones. This makes the compass more versatile – you can use it wherever you are in the world.

2015

FLOW LIGHT

We continue to develop the light pattern of our headlamps and introduce Silva Flow Light. The technology further optimizes the light and adapts the beam to your activity. Tilt the lamp down for a wider light at a slower pace – or up for a longer reach when moving faster.

2008

INTELLIGENT LIGHT TECHNOLOGY

We launch Silva Intelligent Light – our dual light beam technology that combines a long-reach spotlight with a wide floodlight close to you. The balanced light pattern improves visibility, reduces head movement, and makes it easier to maintain speed in the dark. The technology is still used in all our headlamps today.

1982

WORLD’S FIRST GPS WITH DIGITAL COMPASS

Silva develops the world’s first handheld GPS with an integrated digital compass. It allows users to save waypoints, find positions, and navigate with precision – an early predecessor to today’s adventure GPS devices.

1981

FIRST MARINE COMPASS

We take to the seas and launch our first range of marine navigation equipment.

1971

BJÖRN BRINGS ORIENTEERING TO THE USA

Björn Kjellström helps establish the American Orienteering Federation and plays a key role in promoting the sport of map and compass navigation in the United States.

1960

FIRST WRIST COMPASS

With The Globe Trotter, we introduce our first wrist compasses. It features an aluminium housing, a red-and-white needle marked for north, and an extra-long leather strap so the compass can be worn over a winter jacket.

1955

FROM TRAYS TO ORIENTEERING HANDBOOK

At this time, we don’t just make outdoor products – we also produce teak trays at our factory in Sollentuna. Meanwhile, our founder Björn Kjellström publishes the orienteering handbook Be Expert With Map and Compass in the USA. It sells over half a million copies and is still used by orienteers around the world today.

1939

FIRST SIGHTING COMPASS

We introduce the first compass with a mirror sight on a liquid-filled baseplate. This allows you to see both the terrain and the compass at the same time, making navigation faster and more precise.

1935

FIRST HEADLAMP – ZEILER

At this time, headlamps are mainly used by miners. They require frequent maintenance and produce only about 5 lumens after a full day’s work. With Zeiler, our first headlamp, we offer a better alternative.