Northwave
Northwave is an Italian sports footwear brand founded by Gianni Piva in Montebelluna and headquartered in Pederobba. It is best known for cycling shoes and snowboard boots.
| Founded | 1991 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Gianni Piva |
| Headquarters | Pederobba, Italy |
| Ownership | Piva family |
| Brands | Northwave, Drake, Bakoda |
| Website | northwave.com |
What is Northwave?
Northwave is a privately held Italian company owned by the Piva family, specialising in technical footwear for cycling and snowboarding. It is headquartered in Pederobba in the Veneto region.
History
The business was founded by Gianni Piva in Montebelluna, a well-known sports footwear district, and began as a shoe manufacturer in the early 1980s. The Northwave brand dates from 1991, when it started producing snowboard boots. Cycling shoes followed in 1993. The company expanded its snow business by acquiring the binding brand Drake in 1997 and the accessories brand Bakoda in 1998, and it has also produced Venue snowboards.
Products and positioning
- Road and mountain bike cycling shoes
- Snowboard boots
- Drake snowboard bindings and Bakoda accessories
- Limited editions for professional teams, such as a 2019 shoe for Astana Pro Team
Its products are sold widely through specialist bike and snow retailers as well as online.
Why it matters
Northwave is a product of the Montebelluna footwear cluster, showing how Italian technical shoe expertise transferred from traditional boots into board sports and performance cycling.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Northwave from?
Northwave is an Italian brand founded in Montebelluna and headquartered in Pederobba, Veneto.
What does Northwave make?
Northwave makes cycling shoes and snowboard boots, and owns the Drake bindings and Bakoda accessories brands.