Kilian Jornet x Julbo: no coincidence
Some relationships seem inevitable, almost destined. Like the greatness of mountains, like the highest athletic performances, they require time, consistency and commitment.
The partnership between Julbo and Kilian Jornet was born this way. Over time. Naturally. Anything but a coincidence.
Julbo and Kilian Jornet: a shared vision, a new dimension of trail running
For more than twenty years, Julbo has lived trail running from the inside. On the trails, in the mud, at dawn and deep into the effort, alongside emerging talents as well as the most accomplished athletes. Year after year, the brand has built a strong and authentic presence, shaped by field experience, innovation and an uncompromising demand for performance. This unique connection has made Julbo a global reference in trail running.
Today, the partnership with Kilian Jornet marks a turning point. A key moment. A collaboration driven not by chance, but by a shared vision of sport, commitment and pushing limits. For Julbo, it represents both the culmination of more than two decades of expertise and the opening of a new chapter: strengthened international visibility, broader global reach and a clear ambition to go further.
Kilian’s level of demand becomes a driving force. A catalyst to push product development further, to innovate more precisely, more efficiently and more sustainably. Together, Julbo and Kilian share a responsibility toward nature — a fragile playground that must be respected, protected and defended.
This partnership is part of a collective and structured vision of trail running. From rookies to legends, Julbo continues to support those who shape the sport, without ever opposing generations or levels. Because it is together — on the terrain, in the effort and over time — that trail running is built.
A story shaped by time
Since January 1st, 2026, Kilian Jornet has officially joined Team Julbo. A natural outcome of a relationship that dates back to the early 2000s, long before his name became a benchmark in outdoor sports and before he left his mark on every race and every mountain he encountered.
Kilian Jornet grew up in the mountains, in the Catalan Pyrenees, in a high-altitude refuge run by his parents. From an early age, he evolved in alpine terrain year-round, wearing his first glacier sunglasses.
Founded in 1888, Julbo is a French brand and pioneer of glacier eyewear designed to protect eyes in high-mountain environments. For more than a century, Julbo has supported alpinists, guides and mountain enthusiasts. The brand’s iconic models, rooted in alpine heritage, were already part of Kilian’s equipment during his childhood and teenage years on Pyrenean summits.
As early as 2011, during his years at the highest level of ski mountaineering with the FEDME, Kilian Jornet chose the Aerolite, one of the first mono-lens photochromic frames developed by Julbo. At the time, this model embodied a new approach to outdoor equipment: lightweight and minimalist, aligned with the rise of the fast & light philosophy that Kilian helped shape by reducing gear to the essential.
“From my first steps in the mountains as a child in the Pyrenees, where I grew up and learned to ski and run, I have worn Julbo sunglasses. They have accompanied me through countless projects, summits, mistakes and successes, protecting my eyes from Himalayan storms to the bright glaciers of the Alps.
After all these years, making this collaboration official feels completely natural.”
Kilian Jornet
His most emblematic projects followed: an ascent of Everest, then more recently Alpine Connections across the Alps, and States of Elevation, a monumental project linking the highest peaks of the United States by foot and bike.
Never losing sight of each other, Julbo and Kilian Jornet have continued to move forward in parallel, driven by the same vision of mountains and commitment.
Shared values
If the partnership between Julbo and Kilian Jornet feels so evident today, it is because it is rooted in a shared culture deeply anchored in high-mountain environments.
For Kilian Jornet, performance is not limited to speed or results, despite an unmatched track record. It is expressed through total commitment, the ability to evolve in complex terrain, at altitude, in environments where mistakes are not an option. Trail running, alpinism, ski mountaineering, steep skiing and committed traverses: his vision of the mountains is global and demanding, shaped by a practice where lightness, precision and equipment reliability are vital.
This approach echoes Julbo’s DNA, built alongside those who venture into the mountains, developing eyewear designed to protect and support athletes where conditions are most extreme. Innovation, rigor, field testing and knowledge transfer are at the heart of this shared culture.
Innovation is also central to Kilian’s approach. He has never simply adapted to the mountains — he constantly redefines what is possible, opening new lines, inventing routes and rethinking movement and the equipment that enables it. An instinctive, terrain-driven approach that resonates deeply with Julbo, whose innovation is rooted in real-world testing, athlete feedback and an uncompromising demand for precision, reliability and performance.
Beyond values, there are strong human connections. Having lived in Chamonix for many years, Kilian shares more than a mountain range with Julbo athletes. Projects, outings and adventures have long connected him with team members such as Mathéo Jacquemoud, Vivian Bruchez and Philipp Reiter, rope partners, playmates and members of the same alpine family. A natural proximity forged in the field, long before any official announcement.
Since the beginning, Kilian Jornet has chosen his equipment for one reason only: its ability to meet real-world demands. This constant and sincere loyalty gives full meaning to the officialization of this partnership, following many years during which Kilian chose Julbo solely because the products met his expectations.
Today, Kilian Jornet is recognized not only for his sporting achievements, but also for his environmental commitment. Growing up in the mountains taught him the fragility of these ecosystems. He now works actively to preserve them, notably through the Kilian Jornet Foundation, which supports research projects, educational initiatives and concrete field actions.
Moving forward together
The partnership between Julbo and Kilian Jornet goes far beyond a traditional sports collaboration. Starting this year, a “Kilian Jornet Series” collection will be available from March.
“The partnership between Julbo and Kilian Jornet marks a major strategic milestone for the brand. It is rooted in the real-world use of our products in extreme conditions and fully validates our positioning in terms of performance and innovation.
Partnering with Kilian allows us to accelerate our international reach, strengthen Julbo’s desirability in key markets and further elevate our product development standards. It is a structuring partnership, focused on creating long-term value and building a global, committed outdoor brand.”
Damien Guillobez, CEO of Julbo
In the years to come, this collaboration will give rise to products capable of going beyond existing standards, meeting the demands of the most committed outdoor athletes.
