ISPO Award Winner 2025: Viking's Expower Insulated SC Playsuit delivers advanced warmth for long days in the snow

Children’s winter wear often struggles to balance insulation, comfort and freedom of movement. Viking solves this challenge with the Expower Insulated SC Playsuit, a design focused on the way young children actually play outdoors. Awarded an ISPO Award 2025, the playsuit introduces Solarcore insulation to the seat area — a NASA-inspired aerogel technology that delivers exceptional warmth without bulk. This ultra-thin layer activates under pressure, offering reliable heat when children sit, slide or rest directly on snow. The concept is simple yet transformative: targeted insulation applied exactly where heat loss is greatest. 

For Viking, the award also reflects a milestone in the company’s expanding apparel journey. “For Viking Apparel, as a new brand on the market, winning this award means a great deal,” says Silje Kristine Langsholt Røst, Product Manager Apparel. “We are so proud to be able to take the Solarcore success from footwear to children’s apparel.” As a Norwegian brand rooted in outdoor culture, Viking sees its mission clearly: “Our absolute biggest mission is to make products that keep the children dry, warm and comfortable.” 

Beyond its advanced insulation, the Expower Insulated SC Playsuit is engineered for the realities of winter terrain. A windproof and waterproof outer material with Bionic Finish ECO shields against wet snow and cold winds, supported by fully taped seams to maintain performance in harsh conditions. The suit integrates Primaloft insulation throughout the rest of the body to ensure warmth remains breathable and evenly distributed. 

Durability is a central theme: the main fabric is bluesign approved, and reinforced materials on the back and knees are designed for the toughest outdoor use — ideal for daily kindergarten play, where abrasion resistance is essential. Reflective elements enhance visibility in low winter light, while functional details like a removable hood, snow gaiters and easy-to-operate front zipper ensure everyday practicality. The waterproof rating above 15,000 mm and breathability of at least 7,000 g/m²/24h underline the technical ambition of the design. 

The playsuit is aimed at children aged 1 to 10 years, especially those who spend long periods outdoors in kindergarten environments where sitting, jumping and crawling on snow are part of daily activity. The lightweight feel of Solarcore ensures that insulation never restricts mobility, allowing kids to stay outdoors longer while remaining warm and comfortable. 

Viking highlights the importance of designing for real use patterns: the suit provides warmth without stiffness, supports natural movement and maintains comfort through a soft inner lining. The brand’s design DNA focuses on sustainable thinking, durability and clean Scandinavian aesthetics expressed through muted and mono colours. “Our DNA is to design with sustainability in mind. Durable fabrics are therefore a must,” says Røst. For retailers, the product offers strong value: a compact, clearly structured collection “so that both retailers and end consumers can find their absolute must-have for the kids.” 

The Expower Insulated SC Playsuit marries advanced insulation technologies with a high level of weather protection and durability. By combining Solarcore and Primaloft, Viking delivers warmth that is efficient, lightweight and tailored to children’s needs in cold environments. “In the Expower SC Playsuit you will get a durable bluesign approved main fabric, together with Primaloft and Solarcore,” says Røst. 

The ISPO Award 2025 recognizes this clear and purposeful approach: a playsuit built to keep children warm in the coldest conditions, to withstand heavy use and to support outdoor play without compromise 

• Targeted Solarcore insulation in the seat area
• High-performance weather protection with Bionic Finish ECO
• Primaloft insulation for breathable, full-body warmth
• Durable, bluesign-approved main fabric built for heavy use