Karhu means “bear” in Finnish. The label used to be one of the best kept secrets among in athletic circles, but we think you’ll be happy we let the fashion cat out of the bag. The first pair of shoes were made for athletes Hannes Kolehmainen and Vielle Ritola aka The Flying Finns, in 1916. It’s widely held that Kolehmaine and Ritola’s superior footwear arguably had an influence in helping them scoop gold medals all over the globe. Today, Karhu continues to push tech boundaries – science meets style, whether you’re a serious athlete or just want to look good in some fine shoes. Team Karhu spends as much time exploring science as it does style, and the brand's much-lauded, patented Fulcrum technology uses a runner's natural energy to create a smoother ride and keep all forces moving forward.