Karhu
Karhu, the Finnish word for bear, was founded in 1916 in a small workshop in Helsinki, Finland. The company originally focused on crafting skis, javelins and discuses from locally sourced birch wood.
Over time, Karhu shifted its focus to running shoes, helping athletes win multiple Olympic gold medals. As a result, Karhu running shoes are built on decades of biomechanical expertise.
Fun fact: Karhu’s logo originally featured three stripes. In 1950, the brand sold these to another well-known running brand: adidas. According to the story, adidas bought the three stripes for a modest sum of €1,600 and two bottles of whisky.
Karhu Fulcum Technology
Karhu running shoes are designed with Fulcrum technology. This innovation harnesses your body’s natural energy to create a smooth running experience, also known as the rolling effect.
Fulcrum provides thus cushioning, enhanced support, and greater energy return.
Karhu Ortix
Karhu also developed the Ortix Fit. This refers to the geometry of the midsole, the volume of the upper, and the dimensions of the shoe. In other words: Karhu designs its shoes to match the shape and volume of the average foot as closely as possible. There’s also the Ortix HiVo, a higher-volume fit, and HeraFit, a women-specific fit.