Wild Country has been 'making Friends since 1977', a story that began with a 1972 meeting between two climbers, one a scientist and the other an entrepreneur. Their Friends protection devices arrived as climbers moved away from hammered pitons towards cleaner free climbing. Born in the UK, the brand is now part of Italy's Oberalp Group, alongside Salewa, Dynafit and Evolv.
Same category, HQ in Italy
CACAMP is an Italian maker of climbing and mountaineering equipment based in Premana, Lombardy. Its name stands for Costruzione Articoli Montagna Premana. It was founded in 1889 by Nicola Codega and also makes ski mountaineering gear and equipment for work at height.
Climbing and mountaineering equipment
KOKong is an Italian climbing and safety equipment manufacturer based in Monte Marenzo. It produces carabiners, connectors and other equipment for climbing, rescue and work at height.
Outdoor equipment
3T3T's story began in Turin in 1961, when Mario Dedioniggi left Ambrosio to set up Tecnologia del Tubo Torinese. Renamed 3ttt, it made its name supplying handlebars to Italian pros and in the 1970s launched what it called the world's lightest cycling handlebar, before moving into carbon components and complete bikes.
Bikes and cycling components
ACAcavallo is an Italian equestrian brand that makes saddles with patented technology, plus rugs, boots, stirrups and stable products. Its site presents sponsored riders in dressage and jumping from several countries.
Equestrian saddles and horse-riding equipment
ACAcerbis is an Italian company in the motorbike world since 1973, when founder Franco Acerbis began distributing Preston Petty off-road plastics in Europe before launching his own brand. It makes plastic kits, fuel tanks, skid plates, handguards, frame protectors and chain guides for brands such as Honda, KTM, Yamaha and Suzuki, plus helmets, goggles, riding jackets and MX jerseys, and also produces sports clothing.
Specialist sports equipment
AIAiroh is an Italian maker of motorcycle helmets for road and off-road riding, founded in 1997 by Antonio Locatelli in the province of Bergamo. It says the helmets worn by its racing riders in world championships are the same models sold to the public.
Motorcycle helmets
ARarena is an Italian-designed swimming brand rooted in swimming since 1973, with origins linked to Horst Dassler and Mark Spitz's seven Olympic golds. It makes competition swimwear such as the Powerskin Veloce, Hyperflow and Air Sonic race suits, training suits and gear, triathlon and open water products, and beach, running and gym wear. Its site features world record holder Kate Douglass.
Competitive swimwear and equipment
ASAskoll is an Italian maker of electric scooters, bikes and other electric vehicles, based in Dueville, near Vicenza. The vehicles are designed and built in Italy. The Askoll group began in 1978 with Elio Marioni's work on synchronous electric motors.
Electric scooters and bikes
