You are our athletes – 25 years of Chillaz

Since 2001, Chillaz has stood for robust materials, high-quality climbing apparel, and a commitment to environmental responsibility. For its 25th anniversary, we celebrate the history of this Tyrolean family business and the athletes who bring the brand's vision to life on the rock face.

Durable clothing by climbers for climbers

Clothing that works and looks good both on the rock and in everyday life – that was the idea behind Ulf Kattnig and Florian Proxauf's founding of Chillaz. As passionate climbers with a background in the textile industry, they wanted their products to meet the needs of the climbing community.

The focus is on: lightweight and movement-friendly clothing from responsible production in Europe and, if possible, natural, recycled or biodegradable Fabrics. 25 years ago, this was a small pioneering achievement within the textile climbing and outdoor scene, where durability and "repairability" have become significantly more important today.

^{Photos: Stefan Riedl (top), David Wilhelm (bottom)}

Chillaz: Together between the peaks, at home

Even in 2026, Chillaz remains based in Tyrol and is still family-owned. And that's quite literal: Today, not only are Ulf and Sandra Kattnig, both enthusiastic climbers, continuing to develop the brand, but also their daughter Jeanie. In total twelve At the company headquarters in Vomp, employees work every day on new, innovative companions for climbing, hiking, or everyday life. Incidentally, the name "Chillaz" also contains a homage to the Zillertal valley, where the brand is rooted – and to the connection between relaxation and adventure in climbing.

Chillaz doesn't just take its values ​​out onto the rocks and trails. The brand supports many successful athletes from all over Europe: including climbers and boulderers, mountain guides and coaches, as well as slackline and parkour professionals. Partnerships with athletes are forged to last. The focus is not always on top performance, but on standing up for the same values..

^{Top center: Chillaz founders Ulf and Sandra Kattnig | Photos: David Wilhelm (top center), Stefan Riedl (top left, bottom), Lisa Kohler (top right)}

Climbers like you and me: Chillaz athletes Melanie Michalski & Stefan Riedl

Stefan Riedl and Melanie Michalski have long been part of the Chillaz family – as athletes, but also as ambassadors for what the brand has stood for since its inception. They contribute their expertise in very different ways within the climbing community and are supported by Chillaz in doing so.

Melanie Michalski

I am a passionate climber, trainer, and founder of Climbing workshopBesides my own climbing, I work as a mental coach and systemic therapist. I am a certified trainer for systemic therapy and work as an instructor at the Institute for Educational Coaching.

Furthermore, I am part of the national teaching team at the German Alpine Club (DAV) and the Association of German Mountain and Ski Guides. This makes my daily life very varied: rock climbing, training, courses, workshops, and working with people. 

Stefan Riedl

I originally come from Franconia and now live in the Upper Palatinate. As a climbing photographer, consultant and account manager, I am fortunate to be able to manage my time flexibly and combine work, travel, photography and climbing well.

Depending on the season, I climb and boulder, but I prefer to be outdoors on the rock, where, besides the sport, the people and shared experiences are what matter most to me.

What connects you to Chillaz?

Stefan: Chillaz, and especially the people behind the brand, have become very dear to me since we began working together in 2019. I appreciate that the "chill" isn't just in the name, but truly embodied, and that it's not just about the sport, but also about community and having a good time. My focus is on climbing photography, which allows me to experience the sport from a slightly different perspective. I'm particularly interested in the people, stories, and emotions surrounding climbing.

Melanie: What connects me to Chillaz is the idea that climbing is more than just reaching a certain difficulty level. In my work as a coach, a lot of it is about supporting people in finding their own way into climbing, developing confidence in their own bodies, and becoming more self-reliant. This attitude – being authentic, moving freely, trying things out, and following your own path – resonates very well with Chillaz for me.

^{Stefan and Melanie in their element | Photos: Klara Stein (top left), Stefan Riedl (top right, bottom)}

What topics are you currently working on – on the wall, but also in everyday life?

Melanie: What's currently on my mind is the question of how we can live authentically and self-determined lives, while increasingly coming into harmony with our own bodies. Perceiving our own needs, taking them seriously, and expressing them – and at the same time having the courage to follow our own path. This plays just as important a role in my life as it does in climbing.

Stefan: Besides climbing and photography, I'm currently very involved in organizational development, and especially with AI. I'm fascinated by how our working world is changing and what new opportunities are emerging as a result. I'm not just interested in the technologies themselves, but above all in the people behind them. Climbing is the perfect counterbalance for me: outdoors, many things suddenly become very simple again.

^{Outdoors at home – Melanie and Stefan | Photos: Christoph Muster (left, right), Stefan Riedl (center)}

How does Chillaz support you in your projects?

Stefan: Chillaz has supported me for years in my own passion projects, for example our annual non-profit festival “HaltsFest”which I organize together with friends. Through Chillaz, I've also had the opportunity to discover new places and meet many wonderful people. Some of these encounters have blossomed into genuine friendships. For me, it's not about receiving something, but about being a part of it, growing together, and making Chillaz more visible in my own way.

Melanie: Chillaz accompanies me in my daily life, which involves a lot of travel. I often jump directly from everyday life to the climbing gym, the crag, or a workshop. Therefore, it's important to me that my clothing is uncomplicated, comfortable, and functional, while still reflecting my personal style. At the same time, the partnership provides me with support for my projects and ideas with the climbing workshop.

^{Chillaz is always with Melanie – not only as a favorite item, but also as a supporter of projects like the climbing workshop | Image: Stefan Riedl}

What is important to you as athletes in the partnership with Chillaz?

Stefan: For me, sponsoring means give and take, not just standing behind a brand, but standing alongside it. Transparency, honesty, and trust are the foundation of a good collaboration. It's important to me that we treat each other as equals, communicate openly, and develop ideas together. That's exactly what I've experienced with Chillaz for many years: a warm, direct, and uncomplicated partnership.

Melanie: Trust, honesty, and equality. I want to be able to remain authentic and not have to play a role. For me, a sponsorship is successful when we develop ideas together, support each other, and both sides are genuinely enthusiastic about the collaboration. And most importantly: I want to be able to truly stand behind the brand, its products, and its values.

In three words: What do you associate with Chillaz?

Stefan: Friendship. Family. Tradition.

Melanie: Freedom. Authenticity. Joy of life.

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Cover photo credit: Chillaz/Stefan Riedl