Bally Is Setting The Standard For Sustainable Initiatives

Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay made history on 29 May 1953 when they became the first confirmed climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest. And they didn’t do it alone. At 8,848.86m, the renowned (and unforgiving) mountain required not only an incredible amount of physical strength and mental perseverance, but the right equipment. Norgay famously trekked the journey from base camp to the peak wearing a pair of Bally Reindeer Himalayan boots. 70-years since the pioneering trek to Everest’s peak, Bally are celebrating their legacy by preserving the natural wonder through their sustainability initiative, the Bally Peak Outlook Foundation.

While impossible to track just how much trash has been left up and around the mountain due to the over 100,000 visitors to Everest every year, in 2019 the Nepali government launched a campaign to clear 10,000 kilograms of trash from the area. Looking to alleviate the responsibility, while celebrating the brand’s mountaineering heritage, the Bally Peak Outlook Foundation is the brand’s commitment to keeping Everest clean from trash and debris left by visitors. Since it was established in 2020, the alpine preservation program led by climate activist Dawa Steven Sherpa has successfully removed 8.4 tons of waste from Everest.

‘We are honoured to celebrate the 70-year anniversary of Everest’s ascent by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary, and proud to have been there on the day with Norgay wearing Bally boots to the ‘Roof of the World,’ says Bally CEO Nicolas Girotto.

Today, the legacy lives on through the Foundation’s sustainability efforts along with longtime brand partners of Bally, the sons of Tenzing Norgay, Jamling and Norbu Norgay. The siblings, along with Dawa Steven Sherpa narrated parts of the Foundation’s short film, tracing their efforts in preserving the natural wonder of the Himalayas.

To further celebrate their mountaineering legacy, Bally have also introduced a limited-edition capsule collection as an homage to Norgay and Hillary. 70 individually number crewneck sweaters in crisp ivory (inspired by Everest’s peaks) are adorned with archival patches such as the Himalayan flag. Crafted from GOTS-certified ethically-sourced organic cotton to reflect the Brand’s commitment to sustainable practices.