Dainese was established in 1972 by Lino Dainese, a 24-year-old motorcycle enthusiast driven by endless curiosity, a constant desire to experiment and a strong interest in contemporary art and design. Right from these early days, Dainese’s mission has always been to advance and promote ergonomics, performance and above all safety in dynamic sports. Lino Dainese’s vision initially saw him combine the technical expertise of two areas in the Italian province of Venetia - Arzignano with its unique hide-tanning tradition, and Marostica/Molvena with its clothing expertise. The result, presented at the company’s Milan Showroom in 1974, brought a dazzling touch of color to a world dominated by black, increasing rider visibility and therefore safety, adding fun and significantly increasing the scope for sponsorship.

This paved the way for the very first technical motorcycle tracing suit, personally designed by Lino Dainese in 1975 for the legendary Giacomo Agostini, who went on to become 15-times world champion. Featuring radical new developments, including improved ergonomics, thicker hide and distinctive graphics, this suit heralded the Dainese revolution. Ceaseless innovations followed, not only increasing safety but rider performance as well. Which is why Dainese creations have been used by so many world champions. The next milestone was the back protector, first worn on the track by Barry Sheene in 1978. This was followed by the protective knee slider, originally conceived for American champion Kenny Roberts in 1980. Following fast on its heels came the aerodynamic speed hump (1988), composite armor (1990), gloves with rigid carbon (1995), boots with a carbon, and then boots worn under the suit, rather than outside (1988), an innovation whose best-known ambassador is still Valentino Rossi today. And that was just on track and road. Dainese’s vision has also transformed off-road riding with inventions conceived for the fastest competitions - African Rallies. The best known of them is armor made by hot injection molding in a process that brings hide, polyurethane foam and a rigid shell together as one. The technology, first seen in the iconic suits of Champion Edi Orioli, brought new standards of safety and comfort off-road. Our most sophisticated innovation to date, the D-Air® airbag system, saw the light of day as a small drawing Lino sketched on a paper napkin in 1995. Following intensive research and development, it made its first public appearance at Intermot, Munich, in 2000. Today it has become a brand within our brand and a proven, life-saving success on track and road. Recognition of our expertise, research capabilities and ability to think “outside the box” to achieve “the impossible” have led to exciting advancements in new fields, including the new SkinSuit for the International Space Station, the BioSuit being developed for future NASA missions to Mars, and the Sea-Guard aerodynamic safety jacket created for the “flying machine” foiling catamarans of America’s Cup champions Emirates Team New Zealand.

Like all sports enthusiasts, we at Dainese live our passion every day. It’s a natural part of who we are and how we work and play, of our shared passion to push the boundaries of human achievement in dynamic sports and beyond. These values are:

Courage

The courage to dare. To follow a hunch. Not to give up where others claim the impossible. The courage to create protective clothing that is both lighter and stronger. To develop an airbag system for motorcyclists contained within clothing that allows total freedom of movement while offering previously inconceivable levels of protection. A space suit that recreates gravity’s load on the body irrespective of an astronaut’s alignment in the International Space Station. And which does so without being bulky or restricting movement (it’s called SkinSuit for a reason). Inspired by humans, we strive to develop solutions that help the bold perform at their peak in comfort and safety. We will not let technology, convention or tradition limit that potential or our own curiosity and creativity, but invest all the resources, time and ingenuity it takes to deliver life-saving, championship-winning, horizon-expanding solutions.

Trustworthiness

Dainese has always been driven by the passion that true sports enthusiasts share. We are committed to and have a unique track record for delivering. We are proud of our reputation and credibility. And because we live our products alongside our customers and champions, we engage with them openly and honestly to continually push the performance envelope. And it shows in every area from award-winning innovation and design to materials and construction. Whatever their sport, enthusiasts know our standards meet their ambitions.

Leadership

At Dainese, we are focused on ceaselessly improving safety, performance and comfort. For the thrill of winning, but also for the joy of living. Which is why one innovation has followed another throughout our history. Built on passion, teamwork and a determination not only to achieve outstanding performance but to make it truly competitive and accessible. So that it is widely used. Raising performance standards and saving lives. Leading where others follow.

Style

We’re scientists and engineers. We understand how form follows function. But we’re also Italian, so we don't separate innovation from style. Or fun. From artistic graphics and kaleidoscope colors to ergonomic performance fits and the vintage lines of timeless classics, sculpted in the natural hides with which it all began. Because style says who we are and how we feel. And we live it with individuality, expression, exuberance, flair... After all, that’s what the sports we love are all about.