Hestra Mittens

Hestra Mittens at Behind The Pines Amsterdam

Hestra has been making gloves in the village of Hestra in Sweden since 1936, still family-run, still tanning much of its own leather. The mittens are the warmest thing they make, and the reason is simple physics: four fingers sharing one chamber keep each other warm, where four fingers in separate tubes each lose heat independently.

If your hands get cold and gloves have not solved it, a mitten will. What you trade is dexterity, and how much you trade depends on which model you choose.

Why a mitten instead of a glove

Shared warmth

A mitten is meaningfully warmer than a glove of the same construction and insulation. Not slightly — noticeably. For anyone who runs cold, for very low temperatures, or for long days on a lift, it is the single most effective change you can make.

The dexterity cost

You cannot easily do up a buckle, work a zip pull or handle a phone in a mitten. Hestra's three-finger models — with the index finger separated — recover most of that at a small cost in warmth, and are the sensible middle ground for a lot of people.

Leather and liners

Hestra's proprietary leather is what makes the range last. It is supple, grips well, and can be re-treated when it dries out. Many models use a removable wool liner, which means you can dry the liner overnight separately, swap it for a warmer one, or wear it alone indoors. That is worth more over a season than it sounds.

How to choose

Start with how cold your hands actually get. Very cold: a five-finger mitten with a wool liner. Cold but you need to work: a three-finger model. Warm hands: you probably do not need a mitten at all, and a leather glove will be better.

Then decide about the liner. A removable liner is more versatile and easier to dry; a fixed-lining glove is simpler and slightly warmer for its bulk. On sizing, Hestra uses its own numeric scale — measure around your knuckles in centimetres and read that against the chart rather than guessing from a letter size.

What to expect

• Warmer than an equivalent glove, and less dexterous. That is the trade in both directions.
• Removable wool liners on many models — dry them separately overnight.
• Leather needs re-treating occasionally with a leather balm; Hestra sells the right product for it.
• Hestra uses its own numeric sizing. Measure your hand rather than assuming your usual size.

Why buy from Behind The Pines

We stock the Hestra range properly in Amsterdam, mittens and gloves together, so we can compare a three-finger against a five-finger for you rather than guessing. Orders ship from Amsterdam, and we will tell you when a glove is the better buy.

Frequently asked questions

Are mittens warmer than gloves?

Yes, clearly. Fingers in one chamber warm each other; fingers in separate tubes do not. For cold hands this is the most effective single change you can make.

What is a three-finger mitten?

A hybrid — the index finger is separated and the remaining three share a chamber. It recovers most of the dexterity of a glove while keeping much of the warmth of a mitten.

How do I size Hestra?

Measure the circumference of your hand around the knuckles in centimetres and match it to Hestra's numeric chart. Their sizing does not map cleanly onto S/M/L.

How do I look after the leather?

Let them dry away from direct heat, never on a radiator, and treat the leather with a balm once or twice a season. Dried-out leather stiffens and cracks; treated leather lasts years.

Can I wear them for anything besides snowboarding?

Yes — they are excellent for cold cycling, winter walking and anything else where your hands are exposed and still. Dexterity is the only limit.

Shop Hestra Mittens at Behind The Pines Amsterdam

See the full Hestra gloves range, or compare across brands in Snowboard gloves & mitts.