88% matchNapapijri
Italian heritage anorak label, same colour-pop outerwear lane
What changes: Heavier parkas and logo-driven fashion rather than pack-away shells
Brand profile
K-way
French rainwear label known for the Le Vrai nylon windbreaker that folds into its own waist pouch, now owned by Italy's BasicNet.
ParisOrigin
UnisexFocus
Gorpcore / OutdoorStyle
$$$Price
4 brands like K-way like Napapijri, Stutterheim, Peak Performance →
What to know about K-way
One jacket defines the whole brand
The Le Vrai windbreaker — lightweight waterproof nylon, full-length zip, folds into its own pouch and straps at the waist — is the template everything else extends from.
French invention, Italian ownership
Léon-Claude Duhamel created it in Paris in 1965; after a decline, Turin's BasicNet bought the brand in 2004 and runs it alongside Kappa, Superga, Sebago and Woolrich.
Packable rainwear, now a full range
Beyond the shells there are colour-blocked versions, quilted and padded outerwear, bags and kids' sizes, priced above high-street rainwear but below technical specialists.
How K-way fits
Overall fit
true to size
K-Way outerwear is generally reported to fit close to true to size with a fairly European, slightly slim cut, so those wanting room for layers sometimes go up one size.
Tip: Order your usual size, but consider sizing up if you plan to layer heavily under the shell.
Medium confidence · based on 8 sources
By category
| Category | Runs | Shape | Size advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackets | true to size | regular to slightly slim | Take your normal size for a trim fit, or size up if you want to wear thick layers underneath. |
Directional fit consensus summarized from public sources with AI — a starting point, not a guarantee. Confirm with the product's own measurements before buying.
If you like K-way
88% match
80% matchStutterheim
European raincoat specialist built on one iconic silhouette
What changes: Rubberised cotton, heavier and non-packable, moodier palette
73% matchPeak Performance
Scandinavian take on light shells and packable down
What changes: Ski-performance roots and more technical pricing
70% matchMontbell
Ultralight, stuffable jackets at obsessive weight savings
What changes: Pure mountain-gear function, no fashion styling
K-way fit questions
Does K-way run big or small?
K-way fits true to size. Order your usual size, but consider sizing up if you plan to layer heavily under the shell. K-Way outerwear is generally reported to fit close to true to size with a fairly European, slightly slim cut, so those wanting room for layers sometimes go up one size.
How does K-way fit?
K-Way outerwear is generally reported to fit close to true to size with a fairly European, slightly slim cut, so those wanting room for layers sometimes go up one size. Overall shape: regular to slightly slim.
How do K-way jackets fit?
K-way jackets fits true to size. Take your normal size for a trim fit, or size up if you want to wear thick layers underneath. Shape: regular to slightly slim.
Brand facts
K-Way makes packable nylon rainwear, built around the Le Vrai windbreaker: a lightweight, waterproof jacket with a full-length front zip that folds into its own pouch and straps around the waist. Léon-Claude Duhamel invented it in Paris in 1965; the brand declined, then was bought in 2004 by Turin group BasicNet, which also owns Kappa, Superga, Sebago, Briko and Woolrich. Lines now span colour-blocked shells, quilted and padded outerwear, bags and kids' styles. In 2025 Permira took a roughly 40% minority stake valuing K-Way near €190 million; BasicNet keeps about 60% and the brand marked its 60th anniversary with a retrospective book.
- Founded
- 1965
- Origin
- Paris, France
- Made in
- Europe
- Price
- $$$
- Focus
- Unisex
- Facts checked
- August 2026
- Styles
- Gorpcore / Outdoor, Streetwear, Minimalist / Contemporary