The Vegvísir is an Icelandic magical stave — the name means roughly "way-guide" or "signpost." It first turns up in 19th-century Icelandic manuscripts, tied to sailors and the idea of not losing your way. Paired here with a longship worked in Urnes-style knotwork, the animal-interlace style Viking Age carvers were using toward the end of the period, around 1050-1100 AD.

Longships got Norse sailors to Iceland, Greenland, further than that — navigating by sun, stars, and a lot of experience. The Vegvísir was supposed to make sure you found your way back. Whatever you make of that, it's a good pairing for a bit of kit meant to travel with you.

Same construction as the rest of the range: stretch fabric, seamless tube, in black and cream. Good for hillwalking, sailing, reenactment, or just carrying a bit of that symbolism around without thinking too hard about it.

Specifications

• Fabric: 95% polyester, 5% spandex, four-way stretch
• Colour: black and cream
• Dimensions: approx. 50cm circumference x 50cm height, one size
• Care: machine wash cold on a gentle cycle, no bleach, hang to dry or tumble dry low, don't iron the print directly
• Design origin: Vegvísir (Icelandic way-guide stave) with a longship in Urnes-style knotwork, c. 1050-1100 AD
• Wear: bandana, neck gaiter, face covering, headband, wristband