KARPOS: Technical Expertise, Lightweight Design, and Performance

Discover the KARPOS brand

KARPOS: The Brand’s Origins and History

The story of Karpos began in 2007 in Fonzaso, a small Italian village nestled at the foot of the Dolomites. Although the brand is relatively young, it builds on a rich heritage: that of the Cremonese family and the MVC Group (owner of the legendary brands Castelli and Sportful).

After revolutionizing cycling and cross-country skiing apparel, the Cremonese family set out to tackle a new challenge: applying their expertise in aerodynamic performance and thermal management to the world of mountaineering. Karpos was thus born from a deep desire to create clothing that doesn’t just protect, but moves with you.

Did you know?

When the brand was founded in 2007, the founders wanted a symbol that represented the very essence of mountaineering and direct contact with the rock. They chose to stylize a climber’s hand—but not just any hand: one that seeks a hold, grips the rock face, and creates a physical connection between man and the mountain.

From the bike to the rock face

From the very beginning, Karpos shook up the outdoor industry. While traditional brands offered loose-fitting, rugged clothing, Karpos introduced slim-fit cuts and ultra-stretch fabrics, directly inspired by competitive cycling.

The idea was simple but revolutionary for its time: the mountains must be experienced with agility. Whether climbing a technical route or tackling steep ascents in ski mountaineering, the clothing should be forgotten. It is this “Fast & Light” philosophy that has become the brand’s DNA.

Product Development and Innovations at KARPOS

Based at the foot of the mountains, KARPOS uses the Dolomites as its own open-air laboratory. A prototype can be designed in the workshops in Fonzaso in the morning and tested in real-world conditions on a vertical rock face or a glacier that very afternoon. This short cycle between concept and testing allows for adjustments to cuts and materials with surgical precision.

The brand collaborates with global leaders in textile engineering to push the boundaries of protection:

• Partnership with GORE-TEX: The use of membranes such as Gore-Tex Active or Paclite Plus guarantees total waterproofing at a featherweight.
• K-Stretch Technology: A family of fabrics developed by Karpos offering exceptional abrasion resistance while maintaining multidirectional elasticity, ideal for climbing and dynamic mountaineering.
• Polartec® Alpha® insulation: Used in hybrid jackets to provide active warmth: it regulates body temperature during intense exertion while remaining highly breathable.

Karpos is one of the few brands at this technical level to have kept a large part of its R&D and prototype testing right in the Dolomites. The brand’s offices are located in Fonzaso, just minutes away from Italy’s most legendary climbing walls. When a designer has an idea in the morning, it can be tested on a vertical wall that very afternoon!

Products offered by the KARPOS brand

Karpos’ product line is designed to meet the specific needs of every level of mountain activity.

1. Backcountry Skiing and Ski Mountaineering

This is the core of the brand’s expertise. Karpos is one of the world leaders in this field with its Alagna line: hybrid jackets and pants combining wind protection and targeted thermal insulation for ascents.

2. Trail Running

For those who experience the mountains at a fast pace, Karpos focuses on extreme breathability and record-breaking lightness with its Lavaredo collection: ultra-compact windbreakers, two-in-one shorts, technical t-shirts…designed for ultra-trail running and intense outings.

3. Mountaineering and Rock Climbing

Clothing designed to withstand contact with rock while offering total freedom of movement (4-way stretch).

4. Hiking and Outdoor Lifestyle

Karpos also offers a wide range for classic trekking, including insulated jackets (often made with Primaloft®), pants, and shorts—comfortable and durable for exploring trails year-round.

KARPOS’ Eco-Responsible Commitment

For Karpos, protecting the environment is not an option, but a necessity dictated by its playground: the peaks. The Italian brand has structured its commitment around concrete actions aimed at reducing its environmental footprint while actively supporting mountain communities.

1. The "Help the Mountains" program

This is the cornerstone of the brand’s commitment. Karpos dedicates 1% of its annual revenue to supporting environmental and social projects in the mountains. This program funds a variety of initiatives, such as:

• Climb & Clean: Large-scale cleanup campaigns at the base of cliffs and along trails (several tons of trash collected each year).
• Ice Memory: Support for scientific research to preserve the memory of glaciers before they disappear.
• Support for mountain rescue: Material and financial aid to mountain rescue organizations.

2. A "Responsible by Nature" Design

Innovation at Karpos now systematically incorporates sustainability criteria from the design phase onward:

• Zero PFAS (PFC-Free): Since 2024–2025, Karpos has undergone a major transition by eliminating water-repellent treatments (DWR) containing harmful fluorocarbons, replacing them with solutions based on waxes or plant-based polymers.
• Sustainable and Certified Materials: Increasing use of recycled polyester, organic cotton, hemp, and mulesing-free merino wool. Most of the brand’s suppliers are Bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® certified, ensuring clean production processes.
• Natural Down: Karpos uses only certified down that meets the strictest animal welfare standards.