Karhu keeps pioneering the sports industry with Fulcrum technology that makes you roll faster from heel to toe. The patented technology that we still proudly use in our footwear saw first life in our Fulcrum Star model.
1976 / Air Cushion
Karhu revolutionizes footwear game with the first air cushioning system in the world. Karhu Champion leads the Air Cushion line and sells more than 1 000 000 pairs world wide.
1973 / Karhu-Titan
Karhu buys trademark Titan, which produces downhill skis, ice-hockey sticks and skates. 400 000 red colored hockey sticks are produced annually and dominate the rings around the world. User base lead by Wayne Gretzky.
1960′s / M-Logo
The famous M-symbol, the sign of Mäntylä brothers, the designer duo of Karhu, is made official and the only trademark in running shoes. Karhu is among the first to use nylon widely in its running shoes.
1952 / Olympic Games
During Helsinki Olympics Karhu gained more international recognition than ever before. Karhu hand made bespoke shoes to foreign Olympic athletes overnight. With Karhu spikes alone, 17 track & field Olympic Golds were achieved. Running legend Emil Zatopek won his third Gold Medal with Karhu’s striped … Read More →
1947 / Three Stripes
Karhu starts using three stripes on footwear, couple years before Adidas, which bought the rights to use the trademark later in the 50s.
1939-1944 / War Time
Karhu helps defending Finland during war. Company produces tents, camouflage uniforms, skis and boots to Finnish military. Working hours are shifted to night time in Helsinki Headquarters, when less bombings occurred.
1930′s / Karhu Starts Ruling
Karhu employees Matti Järvinen (javelin) and Lauri Lehtinen (5000m) won Olympic Gold at the 1932 Olympic Games. Karhu is the top choice for leading Finnish athletes. Karhu’s sail & sheet department’s back packs and rescue gear are so popular that nearly all importing to Finland … Read More →
1920′s / “The Bear”
The name Karhu, which means bear in Finnish, is associated strongly with the brand. Mr. Hohentahl & Co. broaden production to skis, shot puts, discuses, shoes, sails and gymnastic equipment among others. Karhu starts to produce official equipment to all Olympic Games. In Antwerp Olympics, … Read More →
1916 / The Foundation
Oy Urheilutarpeita is established by Arno Hohenthal & co. in Helsinki. At that time there was no sports equipment production in Finland and the imported stuff was too pricey and poor quality. New found company started out in a dusky cellar in downtown Helsinki producing … Read More →
1988 / Ortix System
Karhu’s Ortix system is released and is the first system in the world to measure the pronation of your feet. Ortix collection with funky late 80′s style hits the retailers worldwide.