Hestra

For serious cold-weather use, most skiers say yes. Hestra has been designing and making gloves since 1936 and the craft shows in the materials and construction, which is why a well-cared-for pair can last for many seasons. You are paying for durable leather, considered fit and a family company that has done one thing for generations — and that focus is exactly the point.

It depends on how you ski. The Heli is the warm, roomy all-day favourite many reach for first; the Fall Line is loved as a comfortable, dexterous all-rounder; and the Pointer series is the friendliest way into Hestra quality. Try to match the warmth and fit to your conditions rather than simply buying the most expensive pair.

Hestra sizes by hand circumference using a number system rather than S–M–L, so it pays to measure your hand before ordering. Reviewers often note the fit runs a touch wider than some rivals, which suits layering a liner underneath but can feel loose if you have slim hands. When in doubt, check Hestra's own size chart against your measurement.

Hestra leans on heritage leatherwork and refined fit, with handmade construction on many models, while rivals such as Black Diamond often emphasise built-in waterproof membranes and maximum insulation. Neither is simply better — Hestra tends to win on dexterity and feel, others on outright warmth or weatherproofing. Choose for your terrain and how much finger sensitivity you want.

Hestra was founded in 1936 by Martin Magnusson, who began manufacturing gloves in the village of Hestra in Småland, Sweden — the place that gave the company its name. It is still family-owned, now run by the third and fourth generations of Magnussons, with its flagship store in Stockholm. That continuity is rare in the glove world.

Not skiing, but forestry. The first Hestra gloves were work gloves for lumberjacks, cut from strong leather and reinforced with rivets to survive hard labour in the forest. That rugged, leather-first heritage still underpins the brand's reputation for toughness today.

A local slope made the difference. In 1937 a slalom run was established at the nearby mountain Isaberg in Hestra, and skiers arrived by train to try the new sport, which increased demand for ski gloves. From those forestry roots the company grew into the alpine and freeski specialist it is known as now.

Treat the leather like good boots. Let damp gloves dry slowly and naturally, away from direct heat that can crack the hide, and condition the leather periodically to keep it supple. With this kind of care, Hestra's durable construction is built to give you many winters out of a single pair.