Our story
The thirst for adventure is in our DNA. It’s a compelling force that pushes us forward in search of the places we’ve never journeyed before.
Our story
The thirst for adventure is in our DNA. It’s a compelling force that pushes us forward in search of the places we’ve never journeyed before.
1989
Where it all began…
First Ascent was named after the rock climbing term to ascend a climb for the first time. Established in 1989 by Charl Gold the company focused on manufacturing down sleeping bags and parkas.
Quality, performance, durability and value - principles that have driven First Ascent from day one. We develop, test and refine until the products we make are the best they can be.
1989
Where it all began…
First Ascent was named after the rock climbing term to ascend a climb for the first time. Established in 1989 by Charl Gold the company focused on manufacturing down sleeping bags and parkas.
Quality, performance, durability and value - principles that have driven First Ascent from day one. We develop, test and refine until the products we make are the best they can be.
1990s
The Himalayan Down Suit was born
The custom-made Himalayan Down Suit allows adventurers to control their unknown in some of the harshest places on Earth. They’re still hand-stuffed today in Cape Town. First Ascent also started producing baselayers to keep South Africans warm and dry.
The custom-made Himalayan Down Suit allows adventurers to control their unknown in some of the harshest places on Earth. They’re still hand-stuffed today in Cape Town. First Ascent also started producing baselayers to keep South Africans warm and dry.
1990s
The Himalayan Down Suit was born
2001
Down for any weather
Polartec comes onto the scene, and the Glacier Down Jacket makes its debut as the premium down jacket for extreme weather.
2001
Down for any weather
Polartec comes onto the scene, and the Glacier Down Jacket makes its debut as the premium down jacket for extreme weather.
2002
Winter Olympics here we come!
Alex Heath defied all odds to become South Africa’s first Winter Olympian at the 2002 games in Salt Lake City. He returned in 2006 again in Italy. He is also the first African to compete in all five Olympic Alpine events, performing at his best in First Ascent thermal layers.
2002
Winter Olympics here we come!
Alex Heath defied all odds to become South Africa’s first Winter Olympian at the 2002 games in Salt Lake City. He returned in 2006 again in Italy. He is also the first African to compete in all five Olympic Alpine events, performing at his best in First Ascent thermal layers.
2003
Expedition goes down in history
Sibusiso Vilane becomes the first Black man to summit Everest, relying on his First Ascent gear to support him through it. He’s since gone back four times.
The ever-famous red Malamute Jacket is born - its meticulous craftsmanship has seen the North and South Pole, the tops of the Seven Summits and more. First Ascent also dives into cycling, starting with a small range of cycling jerseys.
2003
Expedition goes down in history
Sibusiso Vilane becomes the first Black man to summit Everest, relying on his First Ascent gear to support him through it. He’s since gone back four times.
The ever-famous red Malamute Jacket is born - its meticulous craftsmanship has seen the North and South Pole, the tops of the Seven Summits and more. First Ascent also dives into cycling, starting with a small range of cycling jerseys.
2004
Africa on a bike
Riaan Manser becomes the first person to circumnavigate the entire African continent by bicycle - a mammoth 35,000 km journey clockwise around the coastline of Africa, to raise awareness for the plight of poverty.
2004
Africa on a bike
Riaan Manser becomes the first person to circumnavigate the entire African continent by bicycle - a mammoth 35,000 km journey clockwise around the coastline of Africa, to raise awareness for the plight of poverty.
2007
Who runs the world?
That would be Corrine Coetzer. She makes history by becoming the first South African woman to ski from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole - pulling a sled weighing more than just herself for more than 1200km, she made the journey in just under two months, kept warm by her First Ascent thermals, fleeces and down jackets.
2007
Who runs the world?
That would be Corrine Coetzer. She makes history by becoming the first South African woman to ski from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole - pulling a sled weighing more than just herself for more than 1200km, she made the journey in just under two months, kept warm by her First Ascent thermals, fleeces and down jackets.
2008
Seven Summits
Sibusiso Vilane and fellow mountaineer, Alex Harris, embarked on an unsupported and unassisted trek to reach the South Pole which made Vilane and Harris the first South Africans to walk to the South Pole. Vilane is also the first Black person to achieve this feat. Later that year, he also became the first Black African person to complete the 7 summits.
2008
Seven Summits
Sibusiso Vilane and fellow mountaineer, Alex Harris, embarked on an unsupported and unassisted trek to reach the South Pole which made Vilane and Harris the first South Africans to walk to the South Pole. Vilane is also the first Black person to achieve this feat. Later that year, he also became the first Black African person to complete the 7 summits.
2009
Paddle power
Riaan Manser, in another daring feat, becomes the first person to paddle around Madagascar.
2009
Paddle power
Riaan Manser, in another daring feat, becomes the first person to paddle around Madagascar.
2010
Lumo is in!
The Magneto Jacket, successor to the popular L'Alpe d'Huez, revolutionizes cycling with its magnetic locators, enabling riders to reattach sleeves mid-ride. This innovation boosts First Ascent cycling sales, cementing its status as a game changer in the South African cycling market.
2010
Lumo is in!
The Magneto Jacket, successor to the popular L'Alpe d'Huez, revolutionizes cycling with its magnetic locators, enabling riders to reattach sleeves mid-ride. This innovation boosts First Ascent cycling sales, cementing its status as a game changer in the South African cycling market.
2011
Let’s go on a multi-day adventure
First Ascent's venture beyond sleeping bags marks a significant expansion into equipment, initially with a celestial inspiration for the Jupiter and Venus Multi-day Hiking Packs, followed by the rugged Yak Sak, synonymous with the backcountry adventures of yaks over the past decade. This inaugural pack range boasts nine variations, spanning from the compact 2L hydration pack to the capacious Jupiter 85L Hiking Pack. The strategic alignment of the launch with the first Solo non-stop 9 Peaks Challenge in April 2011, where each peak was conquered with a distinct new First Ascent backpack, underscores the brand's commitment to innovation and adventure. The Yak-sac, conceived during a Himalayan expedition, embodies this ethos, its name enduring as a testament to its utility and resilience.
2011
Let’s go on a multi-day adventure
2012
Summiting heights
Saray Khumalo takes a Malamute Jacket up Kilimanjaro. She went on to become the first Black African woman to summit Everest in 2019 and achieved the Seven Summits in 2023.
2012
Summiting heights
Saray Khumalo takes a Malamute Jacket up Kilimanjaro. She went on to become the first Black African woman to summit Everest in 2019 and achieved the Seven Summits in 2023.
2013
Creating our first home away from home
In 2013, First Ascent expands its product lineup to include tents, with the debut of the Traverse II Plus and the Snowdog. The Traverse II Plus undergoes rigorous testing in the challenging terrains of the Cederberg and Drakensberg, ensuring its durability and performance. Meanwhile, the Snowdog undergoes its maiden voyage in the Himalayas in 2011, where innovative improvements to the guy ropes are conceived, setting a new standard in tent design. This groundbreaking feature not only distinguishes the Snowdog but also earns it accolades, with some tents still in use on Kilimanjaro to this day. Extensive testing in the Drakensberg across all seasons in 2011 and 2012 further refines the Snowdog, resulting in an exceptional final product. Alongside these tent innovations, First Ascent introduces its inaugural range of cycling equipment, signaling its commitment to providing top-tier gear for outdoor enthusiasts.
2013
Creating our first home away from home
In 2013, First Ascent expands its product lineup to include tents, with the debut of the Traverse II Plus and the Snowdog. The Traverse II Plus undergoes rigorous testing in the challenging terrains of the Cederberg and Drakensberg, ensuring its durability and performance. Meanwhile, the Snowdog undergoes its maiden voyage in the Himalayas in 2011, where innovative improvements to the guy ropes are conceived, setting a new standard in tent design. This groundbreaking feature not only distinguishes the Snowdog but also earns it accolades, with some tents still in use on Kilimanjaro to this day. Extensive testing in the Drakensberg across all seasons in 2011 and 2012 further refines the Snowdog, resulting in an exceptional final product. Alongside these tent innovations, First Ascent introduces its inaugural range of cycling equipment, signaling its commitment to providing top-tier gear for outdoor enthusiasts.
2017
Taking responsibility
Joining the global goal of better traceability and animal welfare in the down industry, First Ascent applies the Responsible Down Standard to its range.
2018
The bestseller is born
Off the back of the Explorer, the updated Nueva and Luxor emerge as First Ascent’s bestselling shirts, accompanying many an explorer on their adventures around the globe.
2018
The bestseller is born
Off the back of the Explorer, the updated Nueva and Luxor emerge as First Ascent’s bestselling shirts, accompanying many an explorer on their adventures around the globe.
TODAY
Control your unknown
With a vibrant, young, passionate team at the helm, First Ascent remains South Africa’s leading outdoor specialist - offering a cross-category range in the outdoor, hiking, running, cycling and triathlon spaces.
First Ascent’s ambassadors continue to achieve inhuman feats around the world, in some of the harshest environments, including ultramarathons, summits, first ascents, adventure racing and more.