Karhu Sports
Encyclopedia
Karhu is a Finnish
sports brand. Karhu, meaning bear in Finnish
, was first using as a sporting goods brand in 1916 by the Finnish company Ab Sport Artiklar. The brand is currently owned by Karhu Holding B.V., which purchased it in 2008, and is used to market running shoes, sportswear, and skiing and other sports equipment in Finland and abroad.
and javelins
that were Karhu's main products, the company also produced running shoes and track spikes
.
The Karhu brand featured prominently at the 1920 Antwerp Olympic Games, where Finnish athletes took all three medals in javelin using Karhu javelins, and the "Flying Finns" took five gold medals on the track wearing Karhu spikes. Four years later, at the 1924 Summer Olympics
in Paris, Paavo Nurmi
won five gold medals in track events "wearing a conspicuous pair of white Karhu running spikes".
In the 1930s Karhu's production expanded to include cross-country
and ski jumping
skis. During the Winter War
and Continuation War
, from 1939–1945, Karhu produced snow-camouflage suits, tents and skis for the Finnish military.
In 1951, Karhu sold the three stripes
trademark it had been using to a then little known German brand called Adidas
for the equivalent of 1600 euros and two bottles of whiskey. In the 1960s Karhu began to use the M-logo, which is still in use on Karhu shoes.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Karhu's innovations included the first use of nylon
and air cushioning in running shoes. The 1960s also saw the development of Karhu's line of pesäpallo
(Finnish baseball) equipment. In 1966, the Karhu company changed its name to Oy Urheilu Karhu Sport Ab, and in 1972 to Karhu-Titan.
By the 1980s the brand had started to struggle and sold off its outdoor shoe division to Merrell. However, a collaboration of research and design with the University of Jyväskylä
led to the development of "Fulcrum technology".
In 1997, Karhu-Titan's name changed to Karhu Sporting Goods. In 2008, Karhu Sporting Goods sold the Karhu brand to Karhu Holding B.V., a Dutch holding company lead by Huub Valkenburg and Jay Duke.
, Finland based Appleby Finland Oy. L-Tec Sports, based in Porvoo
, Finland, produces Karhu branded pesäpallo
and floorball
equipment. Products branded as Karhu Fitness Equipment are produced by Truebell Finland Oy, located in Vantaa
, Finland.
Technology", which has been developed in cooperation with the University of Jyväskylä
since the 1980s. The line includes several models for both men and women, intended to suit different types of pronation
and training or racing needs. Karhu does not produce off-road or trail running shoes.
In 2009, the Karhu Fulcrum Strong model of running shoe was awarded "Best Debut" by Runner's World
magazine.
The Karhu brand has also been used for a line of casual shoes called Karhu Originals. Karhu Originals are a range of retro inspired footwear, which were nominated for "Sneaker of the Year 2005" at the Global Sports Style Awards in Munich in 2005.
, Finland, as well as in Russia.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
sports brand. Karhu, meaning bear in Finnish
Finnish language
Finnish is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland Primarily for use by restaurant menus and by ethnic Finns outside Finland. It is one of the two official languages of Finland and an official minority language in Sweden. In Sweden, both standard Finnish and Meänkieli, a...
, was first using as a sporting goods brand in 1916 by the Finnish company Ab Sport Artiklar. The brand is currently owned by Karhu Holding B.V., which purchased it in 2008, and is used to market running shoes, sportswear, and skiing and other sports equipment in Finland and abroad.
History
The Karhu brand was established in Finland in 1916 by the company Ab Sport Artiklar, which used a bear as its logo. In 1920, Ab Sport Artiklar changed its name to Karhu. In addition to the discusesDiscus throw
The discus throw is an event in track and field athletics competition, in which an athlete throws a heavy disc—called a discus—in an attempt to mark a farther distance than his or her competitors. It is an ancient sport, as evidenced by the 5th century BC Myron statue, Discobolus...
and javelins
Javelin throw
The javelin throw is a track and field athletics throwing event where the object to be thrown is the javelin, a spear approximately 2.5 metres in length. Javelin is an event of both the men's decathlon and the women's heptathlon...
that were Karhu's main products, the company also produced running shoes and track spikes
Track spikes
Track spikes, or just spikes, are pointed protrusions usually made of metal, ceramic or plastic that are screwed into the bottom of most track and field shoes to increase traction and minimize the likelihood of slipping. The term "spikes" can also refer to track shoes featuring such protrusions...
.
The Karhu brand featured prominently at the 1920 Antwerp Olympic Games, where Finnish athletes took all three medals in javelin using Karhu javelins, and the "Flying Finns" took five gold medals on the track wearing Karhu spikes. Four years later, at the 1924 Summer Olympics
1924 Summer Olympics
The 1924 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VIII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1924 in Paris, France...
in Paris, Paavo Nurmi
Paavo Nurmi
Paavo Johannes Nurmi was a Finnish runner. Born in Turku, he was known as one of the "Flying Finns," a term given to him, Hannes Kolehmainen, Ville Ritola, and others for their distinction in running...
won five gold medals in track events "wearing a conspicuous pair of white Karhu running spikes".
In the 1930s Karhu's production expanded to include cross-country
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
and ski jumping
Ski jumping
Ski jumping is a sport in which skiers go down a take-off ramp, jump and attempt to land as far as possible down the hill below. In addition to the length of the jump, judges give points for style. The skis used for ski jumping are wide and long...
skis. During the Winter War
Winter War
The Winter War was a military conflict between the Soviet Union and Finland. It began with a Soviet offensive on 30 November 1939 – three months after the start of World War II and the Soviet invasion of Poland – and ended on 13 March 1940 with the Moscow Peace Treaty...
and Continuation War
Continuation War
The Continuation War was the second of two wars fought between Finland and the Soviet Union during World War II.At the time of the war, the Finnish side used the name to make clear its perceived relationship to the preceding Winter War...
, from 1939–1945, Karhu produced snow-camouflage suits, tents and skis for the Finnish military.
In 1951, Karhu sold the three stripes
Three stripes
Three stripes is a registered trademark of Adidas since 1949.Karhu Sports sold the three stripe trademark to Adidas for €1,600 euros and two bottles of Whiskey.- Branding in sports :...
trademark it had been using to a then little known German brand called Adidas
Adidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
for the equivalent of 1600 euros and two bottles of whiskey. In the 1960s Karhu began to use the M-logo, which is still in use on Karhu shoes.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Karhu's innovations included the first use of nylon
Nylon
Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers known generically as polyamides, first produced on February 28, 1935, by Wallace Carothers at DuPont's research facility at the DuPont Experimental Station...
and air cushioning in running shoes. The 1960s also saw the development of Karhu's line of pesäpallo
Pesäpallo
Pesäpallo is a fast-moving ball sport that is quite often referred to as the national sport of Finland and has some presence in other countries, such as Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, and Northern Ontario in Canada...
(Finnish baseball) equipment. In 1966, the Karhu company changed its name to Oy Urheilu Karhu Sport Ab, and in 1972 to Karhu-Titan.
By the 1980s the brand had started to struggle and sold off its outdoor shoe division to Merrell. However, a collaboration of research and design with the University of Jyväskylä
University of Jyväskylä
The University of Jyväskylä is a university in Jyväskylä, Finland. It has its origins in the first Finnish-speaking teacher training college , founded in 1863. Around 14,000 students are currently enrolled in the degree programs of the university...
led to the development of "Fulcrum technology".
In 1997, Karhu-Titan's name changed to Karhu Sporting Goods. In 2008, Karhu Sporting Goods sold the Karhu brand to Karhu Holding B.V., a Dutch holding company lead by Huub Valkenburg and Jay Duke.
Current use of the brand
The Karhu brand is owned by Karhu Holding B.V. and is licensed to several different manufacturers. Karhu Holding B.V. itself produces Karhu branded running shoes. Karhu skis continued to be produced by Karhu Sporting Goods, which in 2010 changed its name to Karhu Ski. Karhu sportswear, including the official apparel of the Finnish national track and field team, is produced by the NaantaliNaantali
Naantali is a city in south-western Finland, known as one of the most important tourist centres of the country. The municipality has a population of , and is located in the region of Finland Proper, west of Turku....
, Finland based Appleby Finland Oy. L-Tec Sports, based in Porvoo
Porvoo
Porvoo is a city and a municipality situated on the southern coast of Finland approximately east of Helsinki. Porvoo is one of the six medieval towns in Finland, first mentioned as a city in texts from 14th century...
, Finland, produces Karhu branded pesäpallo
Pesäpallo
Pesäpallo is a fast-moving ball sport that is quite often referred to as the national sport of Finland and has some presence in other countries, such as Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, and Northern Ontario in Canada...
and floorball
Floorball
Floorball, a type of floor hockey, is an indoor team sport which was developed in the 1970s in Sweden. Floorball is most popular in areas where the sport has developed the longest, such as the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. The game is played...
equipment. Products branded as Karhu Fitness Equipment are produced by Truebell Finland Oy, located in Vantaa
Vantaa
Vantaa is a city and municipality in Finland. Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo and Kauniainen make up the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.Vantaa, with its population of , is the fourth most populated city of Finland. The biggest airport in Finland, the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, is located there...
, Finland.
Karhu shoes
Karhu's main line of running shoes is based on their "FulcrumLever
In physics, a lever is a rigid object that is used with an appropriate fulcrum or pivot point to either multiply the mechanical force that can be applied to another object or resistance force , or multiply the distance and speed at which the opposite end of the rigid object travels.This leverage...
Technology", which has been developed in cooperation with the University of Jyväskylä
University of Jyväskylä
The University of Jyväskylä is a university in Jyväskylä, Finland. It has its origins in the first Finnish-speaking teacher training college , founded in 1863. Around 14,000 students are currently enrolled in the degree programs of the university...
since the 1980s. The line includes several models for both men and women, intended to suit different types of pronation
Foot type
Foot type refers to differences in foot structure and shape, as reflected in pronation during heel strike running.Foot type affects the reduction of impact on the foot while walking, jogging, or running...
and training or racing needs. Karhu does not produce off-road or trail running shoes.
In 2009, the Karhu Fulcrum Strong model of running shoe was awarded "Best Debut" by Runner's World
Runner's World
Runner's World is a globally circulated monthly magazine for runners of all skills sets, published by Rodale Press in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
magazine.
The Karhu brand has also been used for a line of casual shoes called Karhu Originals. Karhu Originals are a range of retro inspired footwear, which were nominated for "Sneaker of the Year 2005" at the Global Sports Style Awards in Munich in 2005.
Karhu skis
Approximately 200,000 pairs of Karhu branded skis are sold in Finland each year. The major export markets for Karhu skis are Sweden, Japan, Estonia and Germany. Karhu skis are produced in Karhu Ski's factory in KiteeKitee
Kitee is a town and a municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Eastern Finland and is part of the North Karelia region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water...
, Finland, as well as in Russia.