ABOUT LEKI

LEKI's DNA is made up of many faces, stories and values. For decades, LEKI has been built on the six core values that will continue to guide us into the future. Enthusiasm, innovation, quality, partnership, excellence and responsibility characterize LEKI and our employees, partners and athletes. For each value, we have chosen a representative who embodies that value and who thus also embodies what LEKI stands for.

Enthusiasm

We bring determination, natural enthusiasm and dedication to everything we do. We are passionate about outdoor sports and we live for our products. We are proud to offer athletes the world's best products.

Product management

„Even though I don't do top-level sports anymore, I'm still an athlete at heart. Every now and then, I start a crazy challenge. Like 100 kilometers on cross-country skis through the Black Forest, for example. Or I do a sunrise to sunset trek in minus 20 degrees on the Feldberg."

Björn is representative of the entire LEKI team. Our products are only good enough when we have tested them ourselves and we are absolutely convinced and enthusiastic about them.

Mirna

Over ten years ago, Mirna Valerio began reporting on her experiences in a world full of thin athletes on her Fat Girl Running blog. What started as a blog is now a movement that inspires people to be who they are and to do what makes them happy. Mirna's mission: to break old thought patterns and to eliminate prejudice. Her smile always puts a smile on our faces.

Innovation

We never rest on our laurels. We review our performance daily. Today's challenges become tomorrow's solutions and products. We are constantly looking for better and more practical solutions for our demanding customers.

Technology Team

1974 – the birth of LEKI Makalu. The crazy idea of an adjustable trekking pole was first suggested during a meeting between Klaus Lenhart and Reinhold Messner. After much tinkering and much trial and error, the first Makalu was born. Four years later, Reinhold Messner became the first person to climb Mount Everest without artificial oxygen – and he did it with the LEKI Makalu. The one basic requirement for innovation is having the courage to try things out and not letting others stop you.

"Our passion is shown by our attention tiny details that then evolve into something big. In the end, if even one person wins a race, has a memorable moment, or achieves a personal goal, we're satisfied."

Dawa

Dawa Yangzum Sherpa became the first Nepalese woman to climb Makalu, the fifth highest peak on Earth, on May 29, 2019. When we heard about it, we immediately knew she was a perfect partner for us. The Makalu was the first trekking pole – a sensational innovation at the time. Fifty years later, an athlete used LEKI poles to make history on Makalu. This is where it comes full circle. In April 2021, Dawa conquered Annapurna 1 with LEKI poles. Measured by the mortality rate, Annapurna 1 was considered to be the most dangerous of all the eight-thousanders. These are the stories we work for every day.

Quality

We strive for the highest quality in the design and manufacture of our products. High-quality, reliable and durable products ensure an optimal user experience and the satisfaction of our customers.

Made in Tachov

Maintaining quality over the years is a constant challenge and is sometimes an exhausting process. Just as not every training session is a pure pleasure for our athletes, every step in production requires attention and effort. All for the higher goal of quality, and for the years to come. Every gear must mesh with all the others. Because we want to make sure we meet the needs of all our customers. We use detailed test criteria to guarantee the quality of each and every LEKI product. We use specially developed machines to test every product until we're 100 percent satisfied.

Michi

The 30-year-old professional alpinist Michi Wohlleben practices one of the most dangerous sports in the world: mountaineering. At the age of 17, he had already experienced one of his most dangerous situations on a 7,000-meter peak in Pakistan. An avalanche buried a group of climbers. He and his colleague were the only ones who could help. They dug out the injured and waited four days without equipment for the rescue helicopter. After two days, their fuel, food and painkillers ran out. Fortunately, everything turned out well. Today, Michi always approaches his projects with 100 percent determination. Nevertheless, every adventure is always a mix of emotions and decisions. Should I do it or forget about it? This mental strength stands for quality. In every single ascent.

Partnership

We keep our promises. Professional and recreational athletes around the world trust LEKI for a reason. The same goes for our employees and business partners. We treat everyone with respect, appreciation and sincerity.

Support for athletes

Partnership also takes first place when it comes to our athletes. LEKI draws on a unique pool of expertise, with over 1,000 athletes involved in alpine skiing, Nordic sports, trail running and mountaineering. This partnership is not just about providing each athlete with the best equipment. It's about standing by athletes as a true partner and being there for them in every way. This requires skill, commitment and patience. We do all this for our athletes, to give them an extra boost and to enhance their performance.

Johannes

Ten years ago, we discovered a 14-year-old Norwegian whose incredible talent was not recognized by everyone at first glance. His name was Johannes Klaebo, who is now one of the most successful cross-country athletes in the world. After the 2013 Junior World Championships, we offered him his first contract. The value of partnership also plays a big role in Johannes' life. He is part of a large family that has supported him since he was very young. His trainer is his grandfather, Kåre Høsflot, his father Håkon is his manager, and his brother Ola, who is five years younger than he is, is his social media manager. His younger sister acts as interpreter and his mother takes care of the finances. Partnership is the foundation for any success.

Top performance

LEKI stands for ultimate performance. We proudly support athletes in delivering their top performance and in celebrating their successes. The connection to elite sports is the foundation of our product development work.

Racing service

Exceptional athletes need outstanding products and support. Vladimir Kreis, also known as Vladi, has been taking care of that for over 27 years. He customizes poles and gloves for all athletes and fulfills their every wish. Sometimes a pole only needs to be shortened by a millimeter or its weight changed by just an ounce – because we strive for perfection. Driven by our passion for details.

Mikaela

There is no need to list Mikaela Shiffrin's successes, because everyone knows what she has already achieved. But her true greatness was revealed in 2020, when her life was turned upside down and her career was even in danger of ending. But Mikaela fought her way through this difficult time and returned to take second place in the World Cup on November 21, 2020. During the World Championships, she repeated this success and collected a complete set of medals. True excellence also means fighting your way back out of the deepest valleys.

Responsibility

We take responsibility for our actions and for the protection of our environment. People use our products to conquer their natural environment and to face their personal challenges there.

Waltraud Lenhart

Taking responsibility for our actions and producing high-quality products are essential for LEKI. We were once asked, "Why do you repair all those old poles after so many years of use?" Our answer was short and to the point: "Because it's the right thing to do." Responsibility is also especially important to us in connection with our athletes and partners. We support athletes who handle their roles responsibly and support sustainable and social projects.