Decathlon Revives 1976 Heritage with “Vertigo 76” Capsule Ahead of 50th Anniversary

Decathlon has announced the return to its roots with the launch of Vertigo 76, a winter outdoor capsule collection that bridges the gap between technical heritage and contemporary “gorpcore” fashion.

The 15-piece unisex lineup, which debuted on 27 January 2026, serves as a high-visibility prelude to the organisation’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2027.

The timing is a calculated move to capture the spotlight during Paris Fashion Week, as functional, trail-inspired silhouettes continue to dominate global runways.

The collection is a direct homage to Decathlon’s founding year, 1976, reinterpreting archive pieces for a modern, “city-ready” demographic.

For the first time, the brand has revived its original triangular bordered patch and historical slogan, “À Fond La Forme” (AFLF), meaning “at peak form”, signaling a shift toward leveraging the brand’s 50-year-old identity as a premium heritage asset.

Commenting on the throwback launch of the brand, Decathlon textile designer, Kynza Ahmed, said:“The aim was to strike a balance between nostalgia and relevance.”

 “We are reinterpreting archive pieces into outfits that feel coherent, wearable, and rooted in our identity rather than looking like a costume,” Ahmed

Strategic Commercial and Performance Impact

Decathlon has committed to a 2026 mandate where 100% of its new products must be “eco-designed,” and this method serves as a pilot for integrating sustainable, technical fabrics into high-demand lifestyle categories.

The 15-piece collection features modular windbreakers, cargo trousers, and walking shoes, with prices starting from EURO15 (AUD25) for accessories and ranging up to EURO80 (AUD131) for footwear.

While initially launching in France, Spain, the UK, and Italy, the organisation is leveraging the capsule to drive its 2026 expansion strategy, which includes opening 25 new stores in Germany and a major push into the Swiss and Australian markets.

By positioning functional utility gear as high-fashion during Paris Fashion Week, Decathlon is directly competing with premium labels like Arc’teryx and Salomon for the lucrative “urban outdoor” segment.

The launch comes as the Decathlon CMA CGM professional cycling team prepares for its most ambitious season yet, further reinforcing the brand’s “high-performance” credentials.

The Vertigo 76 collection is now available online and at select flagship locations, marking the first of several “heritage drops” expected throughout the year.

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