Salewa outdoor equipment

Salewa is a prominent mountain sports brand that originated in Munich, Germany, in 1935. Founded by Josef Liebhart, the brand's name is an acronym for Sattler (saddler), Leder (leather), and Waren (wares), reflecting its early focus on leather goods and saddlery. Over the decades, Salewa evolved into a technical pioneer in the alpine industry, credited with inventing the first fully adjustable lightweight crampons and advanced mountain hardware.

Since 1990, the brand has been part of the Oberalp Group, controlled by the Oberrauch family. This acquisition prompted a move of the headquarters to Bolzano, Italy, situated in the heart of the Dolomites. Today, Salewa is known for its high-performance mountaineering apparel, footwear, and equipment, emphasizing a blend of traditional materials (like TirolWool) and modern engineering.

While the brand's DNA and design are deeply rooted in the Italian South Tyrol region, its manufacturing process is global. Technical apparel and hardware are produced in various specialized facilities worldwide, though certain specialized lines utilizing regional materials are processed in Europe.