Posted by Kirsten on 2023 Nov 30th
Brand Feature: Hestra Gloves
You know that expression when you know something well enough that you know it like the back of your hand? Well, in Hestra’s case, they know the backs of all hands. Hestra is a family-owned company that designs and manufactures gloves. Keeping hands warm and protected are their specialty.
The company was founded as a family business in 1936 by Martin Magnusson from his workshop in a small Swedish village called Hestra. He handmade leather and wool gloves in a farmhouse to serve a need for local lumberjacks. Soon after, a local ski hill called Isaberg opened up. It was one of the first ski resorts in Sweden and would foreshadow an ever growing need. Quick side note: Isaberg Mountain Resort is still in operation. Martin crafted Hestra’s first official ski glove in 1941, in response to the increasing popularity of skiing. The company continued to grow through word of mouth.
Fast forward to the 1960s when skiing took the nation by storm and the Hestra company jumped on the growing excitement for the sport. Today, it remains a family business and is now run by 3rd and 4th generations of Magnussons. It continues to be based in Hestra, Sweden and has also grown to headquarters in the US and factories around the world. The factories where their gloves are constructed are owned by them so they can continue to have total control over their glove-making process. They work with a limited number of suppliers to meet their standard for high-quality and sustainable materials. The company still operates with the objective to create durable products with peak performance that can stand the test of time - just as their family business has.
At River & Trail, we like to say that feet are like snowflakes - no two are alike, and it seems that Hestra has a similar approach to hands. Their line of gloves and mitts have expanded to hundreds of different models for a wide variety of functions. We’re fans of their XC Primaloft Gloves for cross country skiing and their classic Army Leather Heli Ski Mitts for downhill skiing.
To shop Hestra, head to this link.
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