Bjorn Holte, Lachlan Dunn and Magne Bolstad · CLIENT: Hedgehog AS and Hedgehog Dryer Inc
Hedgehog is a series of multifunctional dryers for shoes, boots, gloves and outdoor sports gear. The dryers use a high-powered fan system developed with hydro power engineers, applying water turbine principles to the impeller and the fan housing. The resulting high-pressure airflow pushes warm air into the fabric and forces humidity out. Adjustable heat protects sensitive materials, and an ionic setting reduces odor and bacteria. A simple interface controls airflow, heat and a timer. Each steel spike can be switched on or off to direct the air. Replaceable parts support longer use.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Hedgehog has created an innovative product series to revolutionize drying and organizing. The result is a more efficient and effective dryer for sports and outdoor gear. It has unique design, functionality, and performance relative to other dryers. Features include a high-quality design, a high-powered fan with quiet and tornado mode, adjustable heat for sensitive materials, ionic technology to remove odor and bacteria, increased fire safety, and replaceable parts for improved sustainability.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The optimized Hedgehog Dryer fan delivers 105 cubic meters of hot air per hour with a pressure of 300 pascal. This is enough to heat up a small room or cabin. Energy consumption is low and goes from 35 to 750 watt, depending on the setting.
Depending on model, the sizes fully assembled are:
Width 22-33 cm x Depth 8.5-16.5 cm x Height 65-125 cm.
They also pack in a very compact way for shipping:
Wall and Hanger 22 cm x 18.2 cm x 28 cm, Octopus 22cm x 14.5 cm x 40 cm, Buddy 22 cm x 14.5 cm x 46 cm. - Tags
- Hedgehog Dryer, boot dryer, shoe dryer, gear dryer, glove dryer
- Production Technology
- The dryer series introduces new technology to an existing problem to improve efficiency. To make a high-powered fan system that dries fast, the team worked with engineers from the Hydro Power Laboratory at NTNU in Norway and used the same technology as optimized water turbines. The team also designed everything – engine, impeller, housing and electronics – from the ground up. The result is an energy-efficient fan system with a drying time that is multiple times faster than similar dryers.
- Design Challenge
- The primary challenge has been combining efficient, effective technology with a sleek, functional design. Existing dryers often have relatively long drying times and basic functioning is often prioritized over product aesthetics. Hedgehog has sought to create products that are effective drying and organizing solutions that people will feel proud to feature in their homes. The goal is to have a rapid drying solution that ultimately enables people to be more active and spend more time outdoors.
- Project Duration
- The project started in 2019 in Norway. The first version launched in retail stores across the Nordic region in the fall of 2021. The new Ionic i3 version that removes odor was released in 2023.
- Operation Flow
- The dryer has a user-friendly interface so a user can turn it on, adjust airflow, select heat, choose ionic odor remover setting, and set timer.
What makes this fan much faster is the impeller and the fan house, which together generate high-pressure air flow. Hot air is pushed into the fabric of the item being dried, and humidity is pushed out.
In addition, the dryer has various extensions for different drying needs. On/off switches for each steel spike help focus air where needed most. - Research
- The team has qualitatively and quantitatively demonstrated that Hedgehog drying speed is faster than similar dryers during testing. For research, Hedgehog has collaborated with NTNU Hydro Power Laboratory engineers in Norway to optimize airflow. They have run tests to ensure the design is efficient and effective; it dries five times faster than most products on the market that were tested.
- Inspiration
- Widower and founder, Bjorn Holte, lost his wife to cancer and became single parent to three young children. Living in the snowy, rainy mountains of Norway, he quickly realized the daily challenge of keeping multiple pairs of gloves and boots dry and organized. After testing all the existing dryers, which were weak and ineffective with antiquated technology, he decided to reinvent the dryers, and Hedgehog Dryer is the result.
- Image Credits
- In house production.
- Patents
- Trademark: Hedgehog, registered in US, Europe, China, Japan, South Korea.
Patents: 1 utility, 6 design patents. Registered in same markets.
Press releases are available in 1 languages.