Ortovox (170 articles)
Women's 120 Tec Lafatscher Topo T-Shirt Women's Fleece Light Hoody Women's 120 Cool Tec Sweet Alison T-Shirt Men's Brenta Shorts Men's Brenta Trouser Women's Pala Light Jacket Women's 185 Merino Tangram Men's Ortler Jacket Men's Swisswool Piz Boè Jacket Women's Pelmo Trousers Women's 150 Cool Clean Women's Pala Hoodie Jacket Women's 185 Merino Tangram Logo T-Shirt Women's Fleece Grid Hoodie Women's 185 Merino Brand Outline Long Sleeve Men's Fleece Grid Hoodie Men's Ravine Shell Pants Men's Cevedale Trousers Men's Col Becchei Jacket Women's Berrino Hoodie Jacket Women's Fleece Grid Jacket Men's Guardian Shell Pants Men's Fleece Jacket Women's Col Becchei Vest Women's 150 Cool Ballpen T-Shirt Women's 185 Merino Square T-Shirt Women's Fleece Light Zip Neck Men's Swisswool Piz Vial Jacket Women's Swisswool Piz Badus Jacket Women's Col Becchei Jacket Men's Fleece GP Classic Knit Hoodie Jacket Women's Guardian Shell Pants Women's Fleece Hoodie Jacket Women's Freeride Cozy Socks Full Leather Gloves Merino Tangram Knit Hat Men's Berrino Vest Men's Fleece Grid Jacket Women's Trad 28 S Dry Backpack Men's Peak 40 Dry Backpack Women's Traverse 28 S Backpack Carbon Avalanche Probe Extension Men's Ortler Trousers Women's 170 Cool Vertical Top Women's Headband Rock'n'Wool Women's 185 Rock'n'wool Long Sleeve Men's Headband Rock'n'Wool First Aid WaterproofFurther safety equipment such as an avalanche shovel and the first deep snow rucksack with a safety compartment followed. As early as 1988, Ortovox also entered the clothing sector with touring clothing made from pure milled wool. Since then, the share of clothing in the company's added value has grown continuously. Since 1995, much has revolved around the merino fibre. However, avalanche safety equipment has remained an important core area over the last 35 years.
Ortovox: From safety equipment to merino wool
One question comes to mind when you read the company history of Ortovox: How do you go from technical safety equipment to wool? Christian Schneidermeier, CEO at Ortovox, answers: "We know that wool is the best functional material for activities in the mountains. That's why we only produce products made from wool." Because (merino) wool is very functional and creates an optimal body climate. Ortovox now offers a complete clothing system with merino wool in all layers - from underwear and merino fleece jackets to softshells and hardshells. Almost every Ortovox garment contains at least a small proportion of merino wool - comparable to the chilli spice in a soup.Act and protect sustainably
Sustainable thinking determines Ortovox's business activities in all areas. The brand has been pioneering the use of wool since 1988 and has been setting a clear example in the industry since 2017 with the brand's own wool standard, Ortovox Wool Promise (OWP). The OWP goes far beyond conventional testing standards and guarantees that no mulesing is used to protect the sheep, focuses on sustainable farming, addresses the importance of friendly relationships with the farms and complete transparency regarding the history of how the products are made. This is based not only on audits as part of the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), but above all on close, long-standing relationships with selected farmers and constant dialogue between all stakeholders worldwide. All merino wool from Tasmania processed by Ortovox is OWP-verified.
Especially when it comes to protection - another safety aspect of clothing - it is often better to work with additional synthetic materials. The motto in the clothing sector is therefore: high-tech and nature. This also distinguishes Ortovox clothing from other merino brands: Innovative wool-synthetic fibre mixes such as Nuyarn as well as bright colours and unusual designs that can be described as "funky".
The Bavarian company also relies on wool for insulation - Swisswool is used as a filling in the jackets and waistcoats instead of down or synthetic alternatives.
Find out more about Swisswool in our Swiss wool report (German).
Of course, innovative wool fibre blends are not only suitable for winter ski touring clothing. That's why Ortovox has also been using them in its clothing collection for the target groups of alpine climbing, alpine mountaineering and mountaineering/mountain hiking since summer 2016.
Safety on the mountain: outfitter and protection brand
The company continues to see its core values in the area of safety and wants to continue its pioneering work in this field. Managing Director Christian Schneidermeier puts it like this: "Ortovox protects. That is our mission. We want to offer the most sophisticated protection and comfort systems on the mountain. Innovation, functionality and wool play an important role in this. And we will not forget our alpine origins."Just how seriously Ortovox takes this mission is demonstrated by the fact that the manufacturer wants to offer its customers a complete service. In addition to equipment, this also includes the correct use of the products as well as successful tour planning. "We want to be a protective brand," explains Head of Marketing Hendrik Reschke. That's why his team has invested a lot of time and effort and created the Ortovox Safety Academy (especially for alpine tours: the Safety Academy Lab Ice), which teaches basic knowledge about safety in the mountains in cooperation with mountain schools online and in classroom courses. A free mountain tour app supplements the complete offer with tour tips, avalanche reports, slope inclinometers, offline maps and much more.
Proact2024 sustainability strategy
But sustainable action at Ortovox does not end with the OWP. The Proact2024 sustainability strategy brings together existing standards such as the OWP with binding targets up to 2024 at all levels of the company. In addition to protecting sheep and its environment, Ortovox is committed to protecting people: Fair treatment of employees, customers and business partners is not just lip service. Ortovox has been a member of the "Alliance for Sustainable Textiles" initiative and the "Fair Wear Foundation (FWF)" since 2015. The brand's commitment to fair working conditions was recognised in 2018 with Fair Wear Foundation Leader status. Ortovox has held this status, which is reviewed annually, ever since.And where does Ortovox produce? Some of the textiles are produced in Europe, such as the fleece and softshell jackets. The majority of sewn products such as backpacks, hardshells and trousers are manufactured in Vietnam - according to Katrin Bauer, "a top country for outdoor products with comparatively high labour standards, strict legislation and a great deal of expertise in the manufacture of complex textile products." As the "ingredients", i.e. many of the materials used, also come from Asia, production there is an obvious choice, not least in terms of transport routes. "You wouldn't find a production facility in Europe for everything," says the textile expert. "There are simply too few heavy fabric sewers and similar specialists here."
In contrast, the Swisswool production chain takes place entirely in Europe (Swiss wool - the report) - all Swisswool products are manufactured in Europe, from the wool to the finished garment. Most of the merino wool comes from Tasmanian farms with which close contact is maintained. Particular emphasis is placed on the ethical attitude of the farmers.
Sustainable management
However, sustainability at Ortovox is not just about the origin of the materials and production. Keyword Merino trend: "Of course we are pleased to be part of a trend. But it's not trends, but the products that are at the centre of our focus. We continue to focus on our core expertise: safety on the mountain," says Managing Director Schneidermeier. "Doing business sustainably is not always easy and not always cheap, but I am convinced that it is the only way to be successful in the long term. Not just in the outdoor industry."Goal: climate neutrality at Ortovox
Another commitment is the protection of regional uniqueness. The promotion of regional resources and traditional expertise among all partners is of particular importance. 60% of all textile products come from Europe. This should remain the case. Another area to which Ortovox's sustainability strategy is dedicated is its commitment to environmental protection and climate neutrality. Because protecting the mountains means taking active measures as a company to become completely climate neutral. To ensure that the company's own products also make their contribution to protecting mountain sports enthusiasts and the environment, the area of "chemical management", i.e. the handling of chemicals in the production of products, is also part of the strategy. By 2024, all products should be free from harmful substances, above all perfluorinated and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs). And to ensure that the high-quality products can be used in the mountains for a long time, Ortovox pays particular attention to the reliably robust construction and repairability of the products. In the event of a defect, a straightforward repair service offers rapid assistance.From the Bavarian Alps to the high mountains, from ski and freeride tours to alpine climbing routes - ORTOVOX sees itself as the voice of the mountains and lives and breathes mountain sports and the experience of nature. The basis is friendship and trust - within the team, towards customers and in co-operation with partners and suppliers.
Behind the scenes: A visit to Ortovox in Taufkirchen
Ortovox brand check
- Ortovox has been based in Taufkirchen near Munich since 1980 and today, together with Deuter, is part of the outdoor division of the Schwan-Stabilo Group.
- Best known for... Avalanche safety equipment (avalanche transceivers), bright colours and merino fleece jackets
- A well-known athlete of this brand is... Andy Holzer
- "Classics" are... the Fleece Plus Classic Knit Hoodie and the Avabag avalanche backpack
- Sustainability: member of the Fair Wear Foundation, Swisswool products made in Europe, controlled merino wool from Tasmania