© Julbo
Kilian Jornet x Julbo: “No Coincidence”, a collaboration written since childhood
Some collaborations make immediate sense once announced—not because they chase headlines, but because they tell a story rooted in meaning. The new partnership between Julbo and Kilian Jornet is exactly that: authentic, coherent, and driven by a shared vision of performance. On one side stands the most accomplished ultra-trail runner in history, a defining figure of endurance sports and modern alpinism. On the other, a French eyewear specialist founded in 1888, deeply anchored in the mountains and outdoor performance. Their association doesn’t surprise—Julbo summed it up perfectly with two words: “No Coincidence.”
| A meeting that owes nothing to chance
Officially, Kilian Jornet joined the Julbo team on January 1, 2026. Unofficially, the relationship goes back more than twenty years. Long before podiums, records, and boundary-pushing projects, the four-time UTMB winner grew up in a high-altitude refuge in the Catalan Pyrenees, run by his parents. The mountains weren’t a playground—they were home.
From an early age, he moved across alpine terrain year-round, wearing glacier sunglasses to protect his eyes from light, wind, and glare. Julbo—pioneers of this equipment since 1888—was already part of his daily life. Iconic models accompanied his first outings, long before his name became synonymous with extreme feats. That continuity explains the strength of this story: it’s not opportunistic sponsorship, but the formalization of a relationship forged decades ago.
“Since my first steps in the mountains as a child, in the Pyrenees where I grew up—where I learned to ski and run—I’ve worn Julbo sunglasses. They’ve been with me through countless projects, summits, mistakes, and successes, protecting my eyes from Himalayan storms to the blinding glaciers of the Alps. After all these years, making this collaboration official simply feels natural.”
Kilian Jornet
For Jornet, equipment isn’t marketing—it’s a vital tool, tested where mistakes aren’t forgiven.
| A shared vision of performance
What unites Julbo and Kilian Jornet goes far beyond product. They share a common philosophy of performance:
✔ performance isn’t only about speed or results,
✔ it’s rooted in total commitment, self-transcendence, precision, and equipment reliability,
✔ and it’s inseparable from respect for nature—a fragile playground that must be preserved.
For the Catalan athlete, this means a holistic mountain approach: trail running, alpinism, ski mountaineering, and committed positions. For Julbo, it’s a product culture built on field innovation, rigor, and knowledge transfer—developed alongside alpinists, guides, and athletes for over a century.
| When an athlete’s demands become a product engine
Julbo is transparent about the strategic importance of this partnership. Jornet’s exacting standards are a lever for innovation—a catalyst to go further, more precisely and more sustainably in product development—and a way to expand the brand’s international reach.
This collaboration is clearly long-term. From March 2026, a “Kilian Jornet Series” collection will launch, followed by a gradual rollout of products specifically developed to meet the needs of the most committed outdoor athletes.
Ce partenariat s’inscrit clairement dans le long terme. Dès mars 2026, une collection « Kilian Jornet Series » sera disponible, avant l’arrivée progressive de produits développés spécifiquement pour répondre aux exigences des pratiquants outdoor les plus investis dans leur passion.
“The partnership between Julbo and Kilian Jornet marks a major strategic milestone for the brand. It makes deep sense because Kilian embodies values we’ve always shared with the athletes in our community. It’s a long-term relationship grounded in real-world product use under extreme conditions, fully validating our positioning around performance and innovation. Partnering with Kilian accelerates our international reach and raises our product development standards even further. It’s a structuring partnership focused on sustainable value creation and the ambition to build a global, committed outdoor brand.”
Damien Guillobez, CEO of Julbo
| Why this news goes beyond trail running
Kilian Jornet is more than an ultra-trail runner—he represents a modern vision of endurance. Effort management, energy economy, equipment sobriety, durability, mindset—these themes resonate far beyond the trails, including with road runners and marathoners. For them, too, Jornet is a reference.
Beyond the compelling story, this partnership also highlights a truth often overlooked by road runners: performance starts with vision. Seeing clearly, comfortably, and without fatigue preserves mental clarity over long distances—sometimes the difference that saves precious seconds over a marathon.
Julbo x Kilian Jornet isn’t a typical collaboration or a publicity stunt. It’s the culmination of an authentic, field-forged relationship—built in cold, wind, and harsh mountain light—long before contracts or press releases. For Julbo, it’s a step up on the international stage. For Kilian, a natural continuation of a legendary career. And for everyday runners, a powerful source of inspiration for future adventures—on trails, mountain passes, and perhaps even on asphalt.
✔ The “Kilian Jornet Series” collection will be available from March 2026 on julbo.com.
Clément LABORIEUX
Journalist
