The company Hestra was founded in 1936 in Småland, Sweden by farmer Martin Magnusson, who began producing durable leather gloves for lumberjacks. The following year, by initiative of the railway company, a ski slope was built on Isaberg, a hill next to Hestra. Ski tourism soon grew rapidly and the town of Hestra came to be known as “Småland’s Åre”. Martin Magnusson realized that even skiers need good gloves. Skiing and outdoor activities became increasingly central to both the family and family business. Martin Magnusson’s sons, who took over the company in 1963, were dedicated alpine skiers. A great boost for the company, as well as for skiing in Sweden, came with Ingemar Stenmark’s success. He became famous while wearing Hestra Gloves. Since 1975, the Swedish national ski team has worn gloves from Hestra. We have also equipped the Norwegian national ski team since 1981. Claes and Svante Magnusson, grandchildren to Martin Magnusson, have run the company since 1991. Over the last decade, the company has undergone large growth – partly in economic terms, and partly in the number of glove models. Hestra now makes gloves for a growing number of activities such as biking, water sports, and – our latest addition – mountaineering.