Karhu

Karhu is a Finnish sports brand with a rich history that dates back to 1916. It was originally founded as a small workshop in downtown Helsinki, named Ab sportartiklar Oy, where locally sourced birch was crafted into skis, javelins, and discuses. The brand quickly became associated with athletic excellence, particularly when Finnish athletes, known as the "Flying Finns," began dominating track events around the world. The company changed its name to Karhu, which means bear in Finnish, in 1920, and it was around this time that Paavo Nurmi, one of the most famous Flying Finns, won nine Olympic gold medals wearing Karhu footwear.

Karhu's reputation for innovation and quality continued to grow, and by the 1952 Olympics Games in Helsinki, the brand was well-established, with athletes winning fifteen gold medals in Karhu shoes. One of the most notable aspects of Karhu's history is its original three stripes trademark, which it sold to another now well-known athletic shoe company in the 1950s. Following this, Karhu introduced its famous M-logo, which stands for "Mestari," meaning champion in Finnish. This logo is still used on Karhu products today.

Throughout the years, Karhu has been at the forefront of sports technology and innovation. In the 1970s, it developed the first patented Air Cushion midsole in its running footwear. The brand continued to innovate with the introduction of Fulcrum technology in 1986, which was designed in collaboration with the University of Jyväskylä. This technology is an advanced propulsion system that helps runners move forward more efficiently.

More recently, Karhu has focused on creating footwear that offers a near-custom fit right out of the box. This was achieved through the development of Ortix Fit, which was designed by analyzing over two million foot scans. Ortix Fit refers to the geometry of the midsole, the volume of the upper, and the overall measurements of the last. Karhu's commitment to fitting the average foot has evolved to include HiVo, a high volume last, and HeraFit, a women's specific last.

Today, Karhu continues to be a beloved brand among runners and athletes, known for its quality, innovation, and the legacy of the Flying Finns. Its products, which include sneakers, apparel, and accessories, are designed with the same spirit of excellence that has defined the brand for over a century.