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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 Gary 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 Gary 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.
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.
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 Mansen 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 Mansen 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 Mansen, in another daring feat, becomes the first person to paddle around Madagascar.
2009
Paddle power
Riaan Mansen, in another daring feat, becomes the first person to paddle around Madagascar.
2010
Lumo is in!
The Magneto Jacket comes to play, with expertly crafted and performance-tested technology to make it a cycling essential.
2010
Lumo is in!
The Magneto Jacket comes to play, with expertly crafted and performance-tested technology to make it a cycling essential.
2011
Let’s go on a multi-day adventure
First Ascent expands its equipment range beyond sleeping bags - first looking to the stars for the Jupiter and Venus Multi-day Hiking Packs, and then on the road ahead with the Yak Sak, which has seen many the back of a yak in the past decade.
2011
Let’s go on a multi-day adventure
First Ascent expands its equipment range beyond sleeping bags - first looking to the stars for the Jupiter and Venus Multi-day Hiking Packs, and then on the road ahead with the Yak Sak, which has seen many the back of a yak in the past decade.
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
The first tents - the Traverse II Plus and the Snowdog - make their debut. First Ascent also brings in its first range of cycling equipment.
2013
Creating our first home away from home
The first tents - the Traverse II Plus and the Snowdog - make their debut. First Ascent also brings in its first range of cycling equipment.
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.