Karhu Shoes... Who and what are they?

The Bear That Runs: Karhu, the Finnish Footwear Brand.

Here at Urban Industry we feel that its definitely worth the digging deeper into many of the brands we choose to stock. Karhu is definitely one of those brands which may not get all the limelight when it comes to hype sneaker releases but its been a solid favourite of our customers since 2019. People seem to favour the quality of the shoes, the colour ups and the fact that the brand is not over exposed out their on the streets.  Lets dig in...

To begin, Karhu is a Finnish footwear brand that has been creating high-quality running shoes for over 100 years. The company was founded in 1916 as Oy Urheilutarpeita, which means "Sports Equipment Ltd." in Finnish. In 1920, the company was renamed Karhu, which means "bear" in Finnish.

Karhu quickly became known for its innovative and high-quality products. In the 1950s, Karhu Trainers were worn by some of the world's best runners, including Emil Zatopek, who won three gold medals at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics while wearing Karhu shoes.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Karhu began to lose some of its market share to other brands, such as Adidas and Nike. However, in recent years, Karhu has made a quiet comeback and we find that our customers love the fact you don't see Karhu all over the high street!

Karhu shoes delivery fantastic levels of durability, comfort, and performance. The company uses a variety of innovative technologies in its shoes, such as the Fulcrum midsole, which provides cushioning and support, and the Air Cushion heel unit, which absorbs impact.

Karhu shoes are also known for their own very distinctive designs. The company offers a variety of different shoe models, in a variety of different colors. Karhu shoes are popular with both runners and casual wearers alike.

Here are some of the things that make Karhu stand out for us at Urban Industry,

• Finnish heritage: Karhu is a Finnish company, and its products are designed and made in Finland. The company's Finnish heritage is reflected in its logo, which is a stylized bear.
• Focus on running: Karhu is a running company. It makes shoes, clothing, and accessories specifically for runners. The company's focus on running is evident in its product development, marketing, and sponsorship strategies.
• Innovation: Karhu is a pioneer in running shoe innovation. The company has developed a number of innovative technologies that are used in its shoes, such as the Fulcrum midsole and the Air Cushion heel unit.
• Style: Karhu shoes are known for their stylish designs. The company offers a variety of different shoe models, in a variety of different colors. Karhu shoes are popular with both runners and casual wearers alike.

We carry a good selection of each and every seasonal collection from Karhu. The styles below are the classic mainstays and pillars of each drop. 

• Fusion 2.0: The Fusion is a lightweight and responsive running shoe that is perfect for both training and racing. It features a Fulcrum midsole and an Air Cushion heel unit for cushioning and support. We stock the Fusion 2.0 which is a direct descendant of the classic running shoe. 
• Ikoni: The Ikoni is a classic Karhu running shoe that was first released in the 1960s. It is a versatile shoe that can be used for training, racing, or everyday wear.
• Legacy 96: As the name suggests, this is a direct take down of one of Karhu's iconic running shoes... From 1996! 

 Shop our seasonal selection of Karhu Trainers here at Urban Industry.