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Model in a quilted dark ROA jacket with a hood, black trousers and hiking shoes against a white wall

Brand Portrait · Italy

ROA: a hybrid attitude to the landscape

Named after a pass in the Dolomites, the Italian label brings sportswear thinking to mountain footwear, and footwear thinking to everything else.

Live from Milan

Local time
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Weather
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From Zurich
218 km

ROA proves that outdoor style is not only an Asian story. The Italian label sits exactly where this journal likes to be: between the mountain and the street.

Model in an olive long-sleeve top with a small light grey ROA shoulder bag
Image: ROA

01 / 03

Named after a pass

ROA was founded in 2015 in Italy by technical footwear designer Maurizio Quaglia together with the team behind the Milanese store Slam Jam. The name comes from the Forcella della Roa, a pass in the Dolomites, which also inspired the logo.

ROA Andreas Waterproof Sympatex boot in silver sage
Image: ROA

02 / 03

Sportswear for the mountains

The brand describes its approach as a hybrid attitude towards the landscape. It takes the thinking of sportswear and running shoes and applies it to mountain footwear, with performance materials and experimental construction.

The result looks technical without looking like standard hiking gear. That is why ROA is stocked by fashion retailers such as END. and Mytheresa.

ROA Kuna Trail shoe in black and multicolour
Image: ROA

03 / 03

From boots to everything

Footwear is still the core, from the Andreas boot built for the Dolomites to the light Kuna Trail. Over the years ROA has added clothing, caps and bags, as well as collaborations, most recently with Wrangler.

Your turn: ROA is the closest of our brands to Switzerland. Have you worn their boots in the Alps?

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The Kit

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  • ROA

    Andreas Waterproof Sympatex

    €390

    ROA's signature hybrid boot, made for the Dolomites and the city: a light, abrasion-resistant Cordura upper and a waterproof Sympatex membrane.

    View at ROA
  • ROA

    Kuna Trail

    €230

    A light, responsive shoe for mixed terrain with a Vibram outsole and 4.5 mm lugs for grip on wet and uneven ground.

    View at ROA
  • ROA

    Laki Small Packable Knot Bag

    €65

    An ultralight shoulder bag in water-repellent micro ripstop nylon that packs down to almost nothing.

    View at ROA

Prices as listed on the brand's own website, November 2026.

Brand Card

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