Salewa is one of the oldest European outdoor brands, founded in 1935 in Munich by Josef Liebhart. The brand’s name comes from abbreviations of three German words describing the company’s original business profile: Sa-ttler (saddlery), Le-derwaren (leather goods), and Wa-ren (goods). From its modest beginnings as a leather goods manufacturer, Salewa has evolved over 90 years into one of Europe’s leading producers of alpine equipment, mountain apparel, and outdoor gear, renowned for technological innovation, high environmental standards, and authentic roots in mountain culture.
History and evolution of the brand
In the 1950s, Salewa gradually shifted away from leather goods production toward specialized alpine equipment. The first metal crampons with an adjustable heel, introduced in 1962, became a breakthrough among mountaineers. In 1978, Salewa entered the apparel market — functional jackets and technical base layers expanded the company’s product portfolio. In 1979, the brand presented all its products under one unified logo for the first time — the iconic stylized Salewa eagle wings, which remain the recognizable symbol of the brand to this day.
A major turning point came in 1990, when the brand was acquired by Italian importer Heiner Oberrauch and the Ober Alp Group. Under the new ownership, the headquarters moved from Munich to Bolzano in South Tyrol — the heart of the Dolomites. In 2011, Salewa opened its modern headquarters in Bolzano, designed in the shape of a mountain crystal, visually expressing the brand’s innovative and progressive approach. In 2014, Salewa underwent a global rebranding with a new logo and visual identity, opening a new chapter in its history.
Technologies and key products
Salewa is known for technologically advanced products that combine mountain functionality with alpine aesthetics. The Ortles Gore-Tex Pro series is the brand’s flagship mountaineering apparel system, based on the Gore-Tex Pro membrane engineered for extreme high-altitude conditions. Salewa trekking and climbing boots feature the proprietary Flex System, designed to improve ankle stability while maintaining walking comfort — especially important during long mountain approaches. In alpine equipment, Salewa offers backpacks, helmets, ice axes, crampons, and ropes that meet rigorous UIAA and CE safety standards.
Sustainability is more than just a slogan for Salewa — the company measures and reduces its carbon footprint year after year, uses certified recycled fabrics, and works with environmentally responsible suppliers. The slogan “Engineered in the Dolomites” reflects the real connection between the products and the environment in which they are tested and used by mountaineers with the highest demands.
Who Salewa is for
Salewa products are designed for mountaineers engaged in demanding rock and ice climbing, trekkers and hikers looking for reliable footwear and apparel, mountain runners using dedicated speed hiking clothing lines, ski mountaineers and ski touring enthusiasts, as well as all active outdoor enthusiasts who value European quality combined with an authentic understanding of mountain environments.
Salewa at Militaria.pl
At Militaria.pl, you will find apparel and equipment from Salewa — 90 years of European alpine tradition combined with modern technology and mountain aesthetics. Salewa boots, jackets, backpacks, and accessories are the choice for those who take the mountains seriously and seek reliable gear for trails and climbing walls across Europe. Engineered in the Dolomites — feel the difference.
