Brands You Should Know | Hestra Gloves

In a world obsessed with fast fashion and disposable gear, Hestra stands as a beacon of timeless craftsmanship. We love history at Carry HQ, and Hestra are one of those brands that exemplify the best of craftsmanship. How many brands do you know that make just one product!? Founded in 1936 by Martin Magnusson in the small Swedish town of Hestra, the brand has spent nearly a century perfecting the art of glove-making. Now, their products have a global audience and are an industry icon. What started as rugged work gloves for lumberjacks in Sweden’s harsh forests has evolved into a global benchmark for performance and durability. For those who value gear that lasts and performs, Hestra isn’t just a brand — it’s an investment in legacy. We’ve trusted them in some of the most extreme places we’ve ever been, so we’re sharing some of their best gloves; this is the upgrade you didn’t know you needed.

Who Are Hestra?

Hestra’s story kicks off in 1936, deep in the southern Swedish forests of Småland (a province also known for another small Swedish designer–IKEA!). Martin Magnusson wasn’t chasing trends — he was solving problems. Lumberjacks needed tough gloves to handle brutal Scandinavian winters, so Magnusson crafted them from hardy leather. Word spread fast. By the 1940s, skiing was taking off in Sweden, and Magnusson saw a new frontier. Hestra gloves started showing up on the hands of serious skiers — and winning podiums. The brand became synonymous with alpine performance and Scandinavian resilience. Fast forward to the 1960s, and Martin’s sons, Lars-Olof and Göte, took the reins, driving innovation while keeping the focus on handcraft and quality. 

Today, Hestra is still family-run — now in the hands of the third and fourth generations — and merges traditional handcraft with cutting-edge materials, from Scandinavian leather to eco-conscious synthetic fabrics. Their gloves are meticulously designed for everything from alpine expeditions to urban winters, balancing warmth, flexibility, and unmatched longevity. Each pair is a testament to the brand’s relentless pursuit of quality, with over 400 meticulous steps involved in the production process.  This is a level of detail you can feel with every grip, turn, and climb. Hestra isn’t just making gloves — they’re building a legacy.

Sport/Active

Ergo Grip Active Wool Terry (US$125)

Getting active outdoors and need excellent mobility from your hands? Look to the Ergo Grip Active Wool Terry gloves. Crafted with a goatskin leather palm for durability and grip, paired with windproof and breathable Hestra Ventus stretch fabric on the backhand, these gloves are made to perform in active outdoor settings. The gloves also feature a thin wool terry lining for warmth and moisture-wicking, along with a pre-curved fit and thoughtfully positioned seams to maximize freedom of movement and fingertip sensitivity. These are some of my most used gloves between October and March, they’re just exceptional all rounders.

Army Leather Patrol 3-Finger (US$145)

Since I first tried a three finger glove about six years ago, I’ve never looked back. The Army Leather Patrol 3-Finger is a tough and warm ski glove that offers a shorter alternative to Hestra’s Heli Ski model. Designed to be worn inside a jacket sleeve, the 3-finger design provides enhanced warmth while still enabling finger mobility. The extra dexterity has to be tried to be believed. The gloves feature impregnated goat leather on the fingers and palm, with a flexible and weather-resistant softshell fabric on the backhand. An insulated fleece lining provides toasty warmth and is removable for washing, drying, or swapping out for a different lining to adjust to different activities. The gloves also include a wrist strap and a carabiner for secure portability, a feature set that I’ve come to adore.

Army Leather Wool Terry Mitt (US$155)

If you’re seeking a simple, functional option for outdoor winter activities such as skiing or snowboarding, check out the Army Leather Wool Terry Mitt. It’s made with a goatskin leather palm for grip, a cowhide leather backhand, and a removable moisture-wicking wool terry/wool fleece lining. The neoprene cuff is easy to insert in a coat sleeve, while the removable wrist strap offers added peace of mind if you need to remove the gloves. Crafted with a pre-curved fit, this is a tough and comfy option for diverse outdoor winter excursions. This is a sleeker version of the Army Patrol, and for those who like to fly under the radar.

Fall Line 3-Finger (US$165)

These are the first pair of Hestra’s I ever owned and they are a snow sports icon. Chances are that if you ski or snowboard, you’ll have seen these gloves at the lift. The Fall Line 3-Finger gloves offer stylish and practical protection while freeriding and snowboarding. Designed to fit easily inside a jacket sleeve courtesy of the short cut and neoprene cuffs, the gloves are made with impregnated cowhide with outseams for added comfort and enhanced pole grip. The synthetic lining can be removed for easy washing or drying, while foam insulation keeps you warm on the slopes. Further features such as a wrist strap and a carabiner enhance the functionality of this durable, practical outdoor companion. These just get better and better with age, they patina like crazy, wearing stories of your adventures and “that run!”. With a good clean and use of the included leather balm, you’ll get decades of use from them.

Army Leather Extreme Mitt (US$175)

When the mercury truly plummets, and you’ll be outdoors for extended periods of time, the Army Leather Extreme Mitt has you covered. The long, well-insulated design provides excellent warmth in severe conditions, with G-Loft insulation and a removable microfleece lining. The high cuff and snow lock keep the snow and chill at bay, and the gloves also include a carabiner for securing to a bag. Ideal for lower-level activities such as snowmobiling or dogsledding, the Army Leather Extreme Mitt is a dependable option for long outdoor sessions in harsh conditions. These feel like pulling on a sleeping bag for your hand, they work incredibly well with liners, and are tough stuff. A killer outdoor companion.

Heater Gauntlet Mitt (U$475)

Looking for the Rolls Royce of winter gloves? Give your fingers a luxurious home during cold winter days with the Heater Gauntlet Mitts. Heated panels on the fingertips ensure your fingers stay comfortably warm throughout the day, with three heat settings available. The gloves are crafted with a tough goatskin and softshell outer, a waterproof and breathable CZone membrane, and a microfleece lining, with synthetic insulation for added warmth and moisture-wicking. The mitts come with replaceable and rechargeable batteries, a charger, and wrist straps and are versatile companions for a variety of outdoor activities on chilly winter days. My wife loves these for winter walks or extra cold days on the slopes. These aren’t a gimmick though, Hestra have taken the time to get these right. The battery placement and the controls are clean and intuitive, making this a no-brainer for your paws if you run cold.

Everyday

Cow Driver (US$24.99)

Not all gloves need bells and whistles. Sometimes they just need to be robust and reliable. The Cow Driver is a tough, comfy work glove that lends itself to diverse uses, from carrying wood to gardening, working with tools, and more. The glove is made with soft cowhide that shapes itself to your hand over time and provides trusty grip. Unlined and ideal for warmer weather activities, this is a hard-wearing, functional glove that offers excellent value for money and is sure to be a grab-and-go companion for years to come. Keep this in your toolbox, your glovebox, just about any box will do! You’ll find yourself reaching for them more often than not.

Nordic Wool Mitt (US$60)

Class, class, class. It wouldn’t be a Hestra round up without a bit of Scandi style would it? The Nordic Wool Mitt offers a splash of Aprés Chic style and cozy warmth in one, with a classic Nordic Fair Isle design available in a variety of colorways. It’s kniited with a blend of 85% wool and 15% polyamide for warmth with added durability, and is paired with a 50% wool/50% polyester lining. The straight cuff features a decorative contrast color, rounding out this eye-catching and cozy design that’s great for cooler autumn and winter days.  A crowd pleaser, and a functional one at that.

Deerskin Wool Tricot (US$125)

These are the kind of gloves I imagine Sean Connery wearing as he steps out of an Aston Martin DB5 in the depths of the Swiss Alps. The Deerskin Wool Tricot gloves are old school cool. They blend classy aesthetics, beautiful natural materials, and practical everyday design for milder winter weather. The deerskin leather palms offer an appealing contrast to the wool jersey on the backhand, while a thin knitted merino wool lining provides welcome warmth on cool days. Further details include vegetable-tanned goatskin cuffs, with an elastic seam and press stud at the wrists for an ideal fit. 

Wakayama Mitt (US$160)

While the Wakayama Mitt is designed for alpine skiing and snowboarding, it’s also a great option for everyday use with its removable wool terry lining, fixed fleece lining, and synthetic insulation, making it easy to adjust to different settings and warmth requirements. It’s crafted with a cowhide exterior, a neoprene cuff for a comfy fit, and paracord around the wrist to adjust the width. The mitt also comes with a wrist strap and is available in a variety of colorways. These feel great on the hand and go with just about everything. I’ve found them to be a good “middle of the road” option between hardcore activities on the slopes, and lightweight warmth. They also come in a five finger version!

John (US$160) 

With its suavely minimalist design, practical features, and durable build, the John is a smart choice for everyday urban use or leisurely outdoor excursions. The pre-curved design features a treated lamb nappa exterior and warm PrimaLoft Gold insulation, with a short ribbed wool blend cuff. As an added bonus, it also features a touch function for use with touchscreens, so you can use your phone without needing to remove your gloves.

Liner/Accessories

Touch Point Active (US$35)

The Touch Point Active is a thin synthetic liner that’s equally suited to use under a thicker winter glove or as a thin standalone glove for high-level activities like running. Made with a stretchy 97% polyester and 3% elastane jersey blend, the liner has a touchscreen-compatible print on the thumb and index finger and is machine-washable for easy care. I run these under my 3 finger gloves on brisk days on the lift so I can grab a snack or answer a text without losing a digit for my troubles.

Touch Point Fleece Liner (US$40)

The Touch Point Fleece Liner adds welcome warmth under larger gloves with its soft polyester fleece construction but is also a good standalone option for active use such as running or hiking. The glove has a touchscreen-compatible print on the thumb and index finger, as well as an elasticated wrist for comfort. These live in my hiking bag year round, because you never known when you might need an extra bit of warmth and protection.

Windshield Liner (US$45)

The Windshield Liner is a versatile standalone glove for activities such as walking, running, or fishing, while also doing double duty as a lining under winter gloves. The Windshield Liner combines windproof, breathable fabric on the backhand with a grip-friendly print and moisture-wicking on the palm. Plus, it also offers touchscreen compatibility on the index finger and thumb. A fleece cuff with a hanging loop helps keep the warmth in and offers carabiner-friendly attachment for securing to a pack while you’re out and about. These have become my go-to photography gloves because they pack down small, and offer me all the touch features I might need on a shoot. Super stretchy and comfy, these lightweight gloves pack a big punch.

Merino Touch Point Warmth (US$47)

The Merino Touch Point Warmth liner offers a multifunctional design that serves as a warm base lining for winter gloves but can also perform as thin standalone gloves for activities such as running or hiking. The liner is made with a blend of 70% polyester, 20% wool, and 10% elastane jersey and is also touchscreen-compatible on the thumb and index finger.

Merino Windwool Liner (US$80)

The Merino Windwool Liner delivers the warm, moisture-wicking benefits of merino in a thin windproof design that offers excellent finger mobility. Made with 100% merino 3-layer tricot with a windproof membrane, the glove has reinforced palms for added durability, a pull tab at the cuff, and is touchscreen compatible on the thumb and index finger. We’ve talked about merino wool and its benefits once or twice (😉) and it works fantastically well here. When I travel in winter, these live on my hands any time I’m outside. Thick enough to provide comfortable warmth, but thin enough to slip under a bigger glove. These are the Goldilocks gloves for winter activities.

Hestra stands as a prime example of what happens when heritage meets innovation in the world of performance gear. The brand’s relentless commitment to craftsmanship, quality materials, and functional design has made it a favorite at Carry HQ–and much further afield too! Whether you’re navigating the harshest conditions or simply seeking to upgrade your gloves, Hestra’s gloves deliver on all fronts. What truly sets Hestra apart is their understanding that comfort and performance go hand-in-hand. From the thoughtful selection of materials to the precision stitching and ergonomic fits, each pair tells a story of meticulous attention to detail. We love problem solving products here at Carry HQ, and when you’ve been crafting excellence since 1936 and people keep coming back for more, you must be providing the right solutions. For those Carryologists who subscribe to the “buy it nice or buy it twice” philosophy, Hestra is more than a brand; it’s a legacy of unparalleled quality, making it a true standout in the outdoor gear space.