Seabirds at the Edge of Europe: Hornøya
January 15, 2026
There is something special about gear you can trust in the field – the kind that does not just look rugged but truly performs when you are knee-deep in a wetland or exploring a mountain ridge. At Mr Jan Gear, that reliability comes from decades of outdoor experience, a long friendship, and a small Slovakian workshop where every stitch is made with purpose.
The Belgian Jan Goddefroy and Dutch Olof Fredrikze first met as teenagers in 1980 during a Dutch nature camp, bonding over birds and photography. Years later, they reconnected in the outdoor world: Jan as an importer of outdoor brands, Olof in a major outdoor retail shop. Their shared passion for nature and well-designed gear naturally brought them back together.
When Jan moved to Czechia and the idea of a new brand began to take shape, Olof joined in as web designer, sounding board, and co-developer. “Our combined experience had taught us the same lesson: real innovation must serve the field, not the brochure. That principle became the foundation of the brand,” Olof recounts.
From challenge to creation
Jan had spent decades observing wildlife, climbing, hiking, and working in the field. He knew exactly where the equipment fell short. “Friends teased me that if I believed things could be improved, I should start doing it myself. That challenge pushed me to develop gear that truly matches the demands of professional nature photography.”
To bring those ideas to life, Jan started working with Martin Suchan, a Slovak designer whose career began in 1986 on his grandmother’s sewing machine. Over time, he developed deep expertise in prototyping, production, and quality control. In 2007, he founded Protoservis, the workshop that would later become the birthplace of all Mr Jan Gear products.
Jan’s field experience, Olof’s practical knowledge, and Martin’s craftsmanship made the ideal combination for creating durable, purpose-driven outdoor equipment.
In the workshop near Bratislava, fabrics are cut with millimetre precision, seams are reinforced by hand, and prototypes are refined again and again. Every design goes through multiple iterations until it performs flawlessly in real conditions.
Martin describes durability as something that begins long before stitching. “It’s all in the planning, cutting, shaping, and assembling,” he says. “This equipment must survive extreme weather, long hours, and unpredictable environments. That is why ambassadors and customers test everything in the field and why designs keep evolving based on their feedback.”
Olof’s eye for detail completes the process. “The magic is in the details,” he says. “That mindset led to some of the brand’s signature products – the Boris IV photo backpack, the Lens Carrier, and the Inflatable Floating Hide. Each of them reflects the same philosophy: durability, practicality, and simplicity.”
In the workshop, a backpack prototype standing next to a row of floating hides represents the continuous cycle of creation and improvement. A design only proves itself in real use – when a floating hide moves silently through a foggy pond or a backpack keeps its shape after years of heavy equipment and travel.
Martin and Jan monitor both function and longevity, ensuring every product maintains its form and performance over time. From the first sketch to field evaluation, nothing leaves the workshop until it meets the brand’s high standards.
Local production has always been a conscious choice. Manufacturing in Slovakia ensures fast response to feedback, reduced environmental impact, and close oversight of quality. Specialised machinery and skilled hands make it possible to produce small batches tailored to the needs of photographers and outdoor professionals.
Every zipper, seam, and buckle is selected for reliability. Backpacks come with carefully designed dividers, floating hides with superb stability, and straps with comfort for long days in the wild.
Martin leads the workshop alongside pattern experts and experienced craftsmen. Out in the field, dedicated ambassadors such as photographers Yves Adams and Tuomas Heinonen push the gear to its limits in harsh environments. Their insights drive the continuous evolution of each product.
Jan describes every piece as the result of many years of dedication. “The brand remains intentionally small-scale, which keeps its focus on craftsmanship, personal attention, and uncompromising quality,” he says. “The goal is not just to make gear. It is to create tools that photographers can rely on day after day, adventure after adventure. Gear made by people who understand the outdoors for people who live it.”
