Salewa

With its headquarters in the Dolomites, Salewa is exactly where its customers want to go: in the mountains. As an alpine outdoor manufacturer, the product range extends from clothing and hiking boots to climbing equipment, backpacks and tents. Pure Mountain is the philosophy.

Salewa

SALEWA stands for passion for mountain sports and has been developing highly functional equipment for alpinists since 1935. The family-run company based in Bolzano combines traditional materials with innovative technologies and places great importance on environmental and social standards. The experience in the mountains always remains the focus - under the guiding principle: #PureMountain.

Passion for mountain sports

SALEWA stands for the passion for alpinism and the unparalleled adventure of the mountains. Founded in 1935 as SAttler- und LEder WAren (saddler and leather goods), or SALEWA for short, the Munich-based company of Josef Liebhart initially sold mainly camera bags. Leather footballs and motorcycle tank bags were also part of the range. In the 1940s, ski poles made of hazelnut wood were added. The management-led family business is now firmly rooted in the South Tyrolean Dolomites. At the company headquarters in Bolzano, technical equipment is created that combines traditional materials with progressive design – always under high environmental and social standards and with a deep awareness of regionality, quality and value.

The Dolomites are home and inspiration for the brand

SALEWA believes in people who live life to the fullest, seek new challenges and pursue their dreams. It's not just the destination that counts, but also the journey there – a philosophy summed up under the hashtag #PureMountain.

Alpine Hemp Technology

Climbing challenges body and mind. It strengthens the muscles, promotes concentration and coordination, and requires mental strength at the same time. This resilience is reflected in hemp, which SALEWA has used since 2017 in the Alpine Hemp climbing collection.

The choice of hemp is based on its unique properties: the material is soft, elastic, breathable, thermoregulating and offers high wearing comfort. It is more hard-wearing and breathable than cotton, absorbs moisture without feeling damp, protects against UV radiation and has antibacterial properties.

Alpine Hemp is an innovative hybrid fabric developed in close collaboration with suppliers. Special weaving and knitting techniques combined with recycled polyester and elastane create a particularly abrasion-resistant and elastic material – perfect for the demands of climbing. The collection includes versatile garments that, depending on need, provide cooling, warming or protective effects, supporting climbers through every challenge.

Tirolwool® Celliant®

The robust wool of Tyrolean mountain sheep – cleverly combined with the mineral fibre Celliant® – creates a clothing line that, thanks to resilient natural materials and hybrid technologies, insulates excellently and warms reliably.

Especially in autumn and winter, short breaks during strenuous activities in the mountains are critical for individual temperature regulation. In fast-paced mountain sports, phases of intense movement alternate with rest breaks. A cold, damp feeling caused by heavy perspiration carries the risk of rapid cooling.

For SALEWA, the right balance between insulation performance and breathability is therefore essential. Wool keeps mountain athletes warm, even when wet, and regulates body heat naturally. Celliant® is a patented blend of 13 thermo-reactive minerals integrated into recycled polyester fibres. This technology has the unique ability to convert body heat into infrared light, store it, and return it to the body over an extended period. The result: improved blood circulation and faster recovery – a decisive advantage in the mountains.

Sustainability

SALEWA aims to offer high-quality, durable mountain sports products while keeping its ecological footprint as small as possible. The company headquarters in Bolzano was the first building in Italy to receive the KlimaHaus Work&Life certification and generates more electricity through its own solar roof than the building itself requires.

Sustainability is a central theme for the South Tyrolean Oberalp Group, which also includes brands such as Dynafit and Wild Country.

Since 2022, the in-house label Salewa Committed has marked products that meet additional criteria – such as chemical safety verified by independent testers or a factory audited externally. SALEWA has also held Leader status with the Fair Wear Foundation for six consecutive years, recognising fair working conditions in production.

These factors make SALEWA a brand that not only develops highly functional products, but also takes ecological responsibility seriously.

For the brand, product longevity is a matter of honour. Mountaineers should be able to use their gear for years – ideally a lifetime. That's why SALEWA offers a repair service using original spare parts, so products stay in use longer instead of being discarded prematurely.

Animal welfare is also a high priority: SALEWA is committed to strict animal welfare regulations for down sourcing and follows the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) to ensure ethical production.