Born in 1916, KARHU is Finland’s legendary running brand. KARHU has an authentic heritage in running and a deep connection to the outdoors.
Karhu has always been on top of research and development, but perhaps its most innovative breakthrough saw the light of the day in 1986. Fulcrum Technology was developed to create as efficient and secure ride for runners as possible. The basis of the invention was to create a shoe that makes your energy flow horizontally, not vertically. Simply put, to make you move forward. The “Gyro Gearloose” of Karhu, Mr. Antti-Jussi Tiitola was the main man behind the midsole solution called Fulcrum. The triangular, hard compressed part allowed the foot to roll effectively through the stand phase. Fulcrum component was engineered to allow your feet to move through natural path as fast and as safe as possible. This invention proved to be the smartest way to pack a pair of running shoes. Fulcrum Technology is still the heart of their performance running shoe line in 2011.
Back in the early 1970′s Karhu’s footwear team, lead by Mr. Seppo Saaristo, saw the need for better cushioning in athletic footwear. Something was needed to carry the weight of the runner and absorb the huge pressure directed to lower limbs. Saaristo had played around with an idea of creating a spring shoe, but obviously that was not doable. After several prototypes and thorough testing together with University of Jyväskylä, the first Air Cushion model saw the light of day, making them the first and original inventor of Air Cushioned shoe. It was named Karhu Champion and indeed ruled the running shoe market in the 70′s.
Karhu was the three striped brand back in the 1940′s. The first pieces of footwear were packed with this trademark in 1947 and actually several Olympic medals were achieved at 1952 games using Karhu’s three stripe shoes. Somewhere around the mid 1950′s Karhu sold its trademark to one nowadays well known man whose sports brand also uses the same trademark. The price they got was two bottles of good whiskey and about 1600€.
Today KARHU still follows the Finnish principles of design simplicity and running purity in providing technical running and outdoor gear for the past 95 years.
KARHU Originals launches exclusively in Foot Patrol on the 16th November
The Fulcrum Star – available in sizes 6-12 – £70
Tags: Foot Patrol (4), KARHU, KARHUOriginals