Often it is the inner voice that tells us in which direction to go. It intuitively guides us, for us as a company, for our daily actions, for our values. To follow the inner voice is not always the easiest way, but it feels like the right one.

Mountain safety pioneers since 1980

Since the company was founded in 1980 in the south of Munich, our inner voice has supported us and defined our values. ORTOVOX has always stood for a sophisticated protection and comfort system for the mountains, characterized by the responsible treatment of people and nature. As a pioneer in the avalanche safety field, ORTOVOX has played a key role in the development of emergency equipment for mountain sports. Innovative products, but also targeted training measures, are valuable contributions to making mountain sports a little bit safer and to saving lives every day.

Since 1988, mountain sports apparel made with wool has enhanced the ORTOVOX product range. As wool experts, we have developed a wear comfort system from the first to the third layer that offers the highest functionality, protection and comfort in the mountains through an intelligent combination of natural material with other innovative fibers.

Sustainable management is the hallmark of all of our entrepreneurial endeavors. Commitment to safe and fair working conditions is just as important to this as dedication to the wellbeing of the sheep and the environmentally friendly manufacture of our products.

ORTOVOX sees itself as both a winter and summer brand. The passion for untouched snow on ski tours or freerides propels the brand on in just the same way as shared experiences when alpine climbing, mountaineering or on alpine tours. Friendship characterizes every interaction at the company – within the team, with customers and with partners and suppliers – in the mountains and in everyday life.

Ortovox protects

Protection is ORTOVOX’s highest priority. As our number one brand value, it is the central focus of all of our activities. Here, protection refers not only to products that protect against the elements in dangerous situations on the mountain, but also includes the protection of humans and nature. Safe and fair working conditions are prime examples of this, as are the highest standards of animal protection on our Tasmanian merino farms.

Merino short base layer from ORTOVOX is available in various material strengths and can be used for a wide range of mountain sports. Thanks to the fine merino wool, the underwear has moisture-regulating properties and offers a high degree of comfort for ski touring, climbing and mountaineering.

Ortovox are experts when it comes to emergency equipment, because that’s where you’ll find their roots. Thus, their lightweight, compact and extra robust AVABAG avalanche airbag system offers the best possible protection while adding only 690 grams of weight. The AVABAG’s easy operation and reliable activation make it the most popular companion when you’re in the snow.

Since their development, ORTOVOX avalanche transceivers have stood for one thing: safe, reliable protection in the mountains. They also feature a simple and intuitive operating concept, which guarantees rapid orientation and simple readability in an emergency. Ortovox transceiver sets will complete your emergency equipment so that you can count on the best, most reliable support possible in an emergency!

Whether for ski tours or for free-riding: When you’re on unsecured terrain, you have to be able to estimate the risk of an avalanche. Careful planning, appropriate behavior on the mountain and the experience required to recognize potential hazard areas are the basics needed to ensure your safety on a tour. Since 2008, Ortovox has spread this knowledge by offering safety and avalanche transceiver training for beginners and advanced mountaineers in cooperation with around 30 mountaineering schools. With its avalanche courses, the SAFETY ACADEMY is the world’s largest avalanche prevention training initiative. Get educated and reduce the risk! It’s the only way to avoid emergency situations. The aim of the avalanche courses: Safety and risk management for ski touring and freeriding on unsecured terrain in winter.

Visit the Ortovox Safety Academy.

Ortovox Mountainwear

Ortovox mountainwear for men and women offers protection and excellent microclimate management from the first to the third layer. This is thanks to a combination of various functional and innovative fabrics. Fine Tasmanian merino wool ensures extra comfort. In addition, Ortovox also uses high quality Swisswool from the Swiss Alps in their insulation products.

Wool tradition

Since 1988, Ortovox trusts in wool.

More than a quarter of a century of experience in working with the most functional of all natural fibers. Ortovox combines natural material and other innovative fabrics. With the resulting system of wear comfort they provide you with unique functionality and wear-comfort properties for your mountain adventures. Merino wool offers particular advantages due to its very fine fiber diameter and excellent durability. At ORTOVOX they only use wool fibers measuring 18–19 microns (one micron = one-thousandth of a millimeter). There are thinner fiber diameters, although these cannot really be processed economically and, what’s more, they do not offer the stability required for alpine sports.

Ortovox protects sheep

Animal protection – in particular the welfare of sheep – determines their actions as wool experts. In 2017, Ortovox used this as a basis for developing our own wool standard. The ORTOVOX WOOL PROMISE (OWP) stands for the highest quality of animal welfare and sustainable economic management. Furthermore, all farms are certified to the international Responsible Wool Standard (RWS). Regulations are essential, but for Ortovox the basic premise remains the honesty, ambitious mindset and involvement of all partners. That’s why Ortovox also holds regular ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS to utilize and intensify our close, friendly cooperation with sheep farmers, producers and experts. There they bring different interest groups together to openly discuss challenges, implement new ideas and develop solutions.

Ortovox goal: 100 % owp-verified wool by 2024

The goal is to further strengthen the ORTOVOX WOOL PROMISE by 2024. As part of this, SWISSWOOL, the traditional wool from the Swiss Alps used primarily as insulation material, will also be included in the OWP. Integration is planned for 2021/2022. Furthermore, Ortovox have set the goal of demonstrating transparency in all processes and procurement steps.

Ortovox protects people

The fair treatment of employees, customers and business partners is their highest priority. Ortovox has been a member of the PARTNERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE TEXTILES initiative and the FAIR WEAR FOUNDATION (FWF) since 2015. Their commitment to fair working conditions was rewarded once again in 2019 when Ortovox received FAIR WEAR FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP STATUS – the FWF’s highest accolade. Since 2018 Ortovox maintains that status.

Ortovox goal: maintaining fwf leader status

Ortovox has set the goal of maintaining LEADER STATUS within the FAIR WEAR FOUNDATION. The status of the FWF is reviewed annually and as such calls for a process of continuous improvement. In concrete terms, this means they are committed to continually making production planning more efficient and socially acceptable. The status also includes payment of a living wage in a safe, healthy working environment. For example, as part of the roadmap of the PARTNERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE TEXTILES, they are also committed to improving chemical and environmental management among all manufacturers.

Ortovox protects regional uniqueness

They use and nurture natural resources and traditional expertise worldwide – such as Tasmania’s centuries-old experience in processing merino wool. And since its early years, the brand has also relied specifically on local raw materials and regional craftsmanship The ORTOVOX textile production chain currently comprises 48 companies in 14 countries. 56.49% of all textile products are made in Europe.

Goal: 60% of production in europe

They have set the goal of continuing to manufacture at least 60% of their production volume in Europe. Working closely with local stakeholders, they are also committed to supporting special activities at international locations. For example, the Tarkine rainforest in Tasmania, the island that is home to their merino sheep, is one of the largest, oldest and most biodiverse landscapes in the world. However, large-scale clearances by the mining and timber industry threaten its unique diversity – and what is an enormous green lung for the planet. They are supporting the Bob Brown Foundation, which is committed to the conservation of the rainforest, with various campaigns. For every order purchased from the online store and not returned, they are donating 3 euros to the Foundation. Ortovox also invested 10,000 euros in the Tarkine Trail app, which is designed to promote soft tourism in the region. In addition to providing financial support to the Bob Brown Foundation, they also equip local environmental protection teams with backpacks and clothing.

Ortovox protects the mountains

Protection of the environment is part of their self-image and influences the company’s actions. Their declared goal is to achieve climate neutrality at all company sites and for all products. Initially this means accurately measuring the carbon footprint, then developing a strategy to reduce this to a minimum and offset the remainder.

Goal: climate neutrality

Ortovox will measure their carbon footprint – taking into account energy, water, heat and paper consumption, the commutes that their employees make to and from work and the production of climate-neutral products – before drawing up and implementing measures to maximize its reduction. Unavoidable CO2 emissions will ultimately be offset by compensatory measures. Ortovox will therefore be completely climate-neutral by 2024.