Bollé: 130 Years of French Innovation in Mountain Vision

Discover the Bollé brand

Bollé: origins and history of the brand

Bollé was founded in 1888 in Oyonnax, in the Ain region, by Séraphin Bollé. From its very beginnings, the company distinguished itself through its pioneering use of celluloid, which became the foundational material for its products for several decades.

In 1936, the brand launched its first sunglasses and became a pioneer in molded nylon, meeting the highest safety standards of the time. In 1956, Georges Bollé created the famous pair of “cat-eye” glasses with a nylon frame, a signature style of the post-war era. But it was in 1960 that Bollé truly turned its focus to the mountains with the launch of its first ski goggles, quickly propelling the family-owned company to the ranks of the world’s leading manufacturers.

Today, more than 130 years after the brand’s founding, Bollé products are available and used worldwide. The brand has particularly established itself in specialized sports such as snow sports, cycling, trail running, and water sports, while also offering eyewear suited to everyday uses and styles.

Did you know?

The brand is now part of the Bollé Brands group, a B Corp-certified company that recognizes businesses meeting rigorous standards of social and environmental performance.

Product Development and Innovations at Bollé

Bollé’s flagship innovation remains the Chronoshield, launched in 1986: this pair of sports sunglasses has become the brand’s iconic model, paving the way for decades of optical research applied to sports.

In 2007, Bollé created its first line of ski helmets and quickly established itself in the world of winter sports thanks to innovative gear suited for both recreational enthusiasts and elite athletes. Then, in 2015, the brand expanded its expertise by launching a collection of bike helmets designed for road cycling, mountain biking, and urban riding.

In terms of technology, Bollé has developed two major optical innovations: Phantom, its high-performance photochromic lens that automatically adapts to light conditions, and Volt, a high-contrast lens optimized to intensify colors and depth perception on snow. The helmets, meanwhile, incorporate advanced protection technologies such as the MIPS Brain Protection System, AVID Aero Progressive EPS, and Click-to-Fit adjustment systems.

Bollé products available at Speck-Sports

Among the available models are the Laika and Nevada goggles, equipped with Phantom photochromic technology and high-contrast Volt lenses for vision adapted to all conditions. As for helmets, the Ryft Pure MIPS features the MIPS brain protection system, while the X-Fusion combines a photochromic visor with a Boa adjustment system for a precise fit. The Keystone helmet rounds out the adult lineup with an eco-friendly design. For younger riders, the Keystone Youth helmet and the Nevada JR and Inuk goggles offer protection tailored to children’s head shapes.

Bollé Partnerships

Bollé’s proven expertise has made the brand a benchmark for athletes. Today, the brand officially sponsors federations such as the French Ski Federation, the Italian Ski Federation, and the Slovenian Ski Federation. The brand’s reputation even extends across the Atlantic, as it also supplies the Canadian Ski Federation.

The brand also supports numerous events and figures in sports, cycling, and sailing, thereby strengthening its presence in the world of performance and adventure.

Bollé’s Commitment to Sustainability

Bollé grounds its product development in a sustainability approach embodied by its “React for Good” program . This program aims to incorporate recycled or bio-based materials into products without compromising technical performance. The Keystone Youth helmet is thus the brand’s first hard-shell helmet made from recycled materials. The ECO V-ATMOS visor helmet features a 100% recycled photochromic visor, straps and a liner made from bio-based and recycled materials, as well as expanded polystyrene foam mixed with cork to reduce plastic use. As for goggles, the Blackridge features a frame made from recycled TPU, as well as a strap and adjusters made from recycled polyester.

The collection is part of the CSR strategy of the Bollé Brands group, a B Corp-certified company, which formalizes the brand’s commitments at the corporate level.