Go Directly

Kahtoola (käh-too-lä) means “directly” in Tibetan. We were founded in 1999 with a dual purpose:

Help people get directly where they want to go in the outdoors through product innovations, and operate as a global entity that truly makes the world better overall.

Our Story

In the Italian Dolomites in 1993, founder Danny Giovale experienced a near-fatal accident which inspired him to build a company with purpose at its core.

Independently owned,
Associate led.​

After 25 years, we remain guided by values, not profit. By embracing a non-traditional, flat "associate" model, Kahtoola empowers everyone to lead and have a seat at the table.

Built around need,
not novelty

From the beginning, we've designed gear to fill a need, not to sell more stuff. For over 25 years, a simple philosophy has guided us: we create durable, meaningful gear to ensure it stays in service and out of the landfill.​

Driven by purpose

Great gear is only one part of the story. Kahtoola was founded upon a desire to benefit the world by protecting our planet and supporting communities in need.​

The positive
potential of people

Adventures are even more fun when they're shared. We celebrate human potential, and empower outdoor communities through events, partnerships and shared experiences.​