Our Story
The vision for Valour was first sparked in 2000 during an overseas deployment. It would take years of intense experience, research, and development to bring that vision to life. David Allison, a former member of His Majesty’s UK Special Forces 22 SAS (Special Air Service), spent years operating in some of the most extreme, remote, and hostile environments on Earth. His experiences taught him that operational gear must be both reliable and comfortable to endure the harshest conditions—from searing heat to freezing cold temperatures.
Valour was officially born in 2016, founded by David as a passion project fueled by his deep commitment to excellence. His meticulous attention to quality materials, combined with a profound respect for military heritage, led to the creation of Valour’s signature jackets, crafted from Ventile®—a fabric originally developed to save the lives of RAF pilots flying over the Atlantic during World War II.
These pilots needed a flying suit that was cool and comfortable in the cockpit but warm and impenetrable in icy waters. With no existing fabric meeting these needs, a team of pioneering scientists at the Shirley Institute in Manchester rose to the challenge. After months of rigorous testing, Ventile® was born—a fabric so revolutionary that it increased pilots’ survival rates in the sea tenfold, making rescue a real possibility. By 1943, Ventile® was in mass production, protecting RAF pilots worldwide.
Ventile’s unparalleled weatherproof qualities quickly gained the admiration of outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. It was the fabric of choice for the first ascent of Everest in 1953 and accompanied Sir Ranulph Fiennes on his epic Arctic crossing from 1979 to 1982.
Today, Ventile® continues to be favoured by the world’s greatest explorers. At Valour, we honour not only the extraordinary individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice but also those who have pushed and continue to push the boundaries of human performance.