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Kickstarter for All-Leather Ski Mitts

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draco
Posts: 16 - Karma: 98
Hey NS!

Over the last year some mates and I have been designing ski- mittens (eventually we'd like to make gloves as well, but figured that at the start, it would be better to do one thing really well).

Our idea was to create mitts that have the quality nailed (including all the features that seem to get forgotten along the way by other brands, like leashes, stash pockets, nose buffs, easy-to-use clips, reinforcement panels, etc.) but that also have a fresh look (it seems like 90% of the time high-performance mitts/gloves are super boring looking and/or always black or white).

In any case, we spent heaps of time doing research, drafting designs, having samples made, visiting the factory, and testing out the prototypes. We have some retailers lined up to carry the products and we've just launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund our first production run.

Obviously, it would be great to get support/backing for the campaign from people on NS, but I'm also keen to share it here because its the first time we have really presented the product/brand/story in a formal way and it would be awesome to get as much feed-back from the ski community as possible.

here is the link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nivose/nivose-mitts-are-back

super big thanks for checking it out!
May 1 2014 10:50AM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 43,008
Those are actually rad. When I read the thread I was skeptical, I am a pretty big fan of snow sealed Kinko work gloves but yours actually seem pretty neat. I like the wrist straps and I think you nailed the aesthetics. I know that I can't afford to spend that much on gloves but I think you nailed it for your market. Good Luck!
May 1 2014 11:03AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,498
Yeah they look really cool. Good work
May 1 2014 11:59AM
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-SnowSnoli-
Posts: 756 - Karma: 1,703
Those look super sick, cool to see something like this coming out nearby to me.

Will be excited to see what the gloves look like when you get round to them!
May 1 2014 12:03PM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957
Damn! Those look great! Are these made to be snowsealed? Or will the pores get clogged and led to them not breathing? My last NS kickstarter purchase has been awesome! I love my Foresakes! I may have to pick some up soon!
May 1 2014 12:25PM
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IBAM
Posts: 1954 - Karma: 2,351
Those actually look wicked sick, but I can buy a brand new jacket from Saga or FD for less than those mitts.
May 1 2014 2:06PM
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
IamIBAMThose actually look wicked sick, but I can buy a brand new jacket from Saga or FD for less than those mitts.


Saga mitts suck though. I need to replace mine after a season. Good gloves that last are definitely a good investment
May 1 2014 2:50PM
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uyghur
Posts: 993 - Karma: 2,028
I wonder who pledged for the pro model mitt
May 1 2014 3:00PM
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Bennsko
Posts: 39 - Karma: 100
uyghurI wonder who pledged for the pro model mitt


Steve Stepp
May 1 2014 3:07PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 43,008
Also, dang, just watched the video, that was some decent skiing as well, its cool to see this is not just aimed at gapers
May 1 2014 3:26PM
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Caleb.E
Posts: 3556 - Karma: 1,015
Looks sick!
May 1 2014 4:13PM
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PowPirate
Posts: 437 - Karma: 621
the one thing i know to look for in gloves/mittens is a removable liner. so if the insides do get wet then you can take them out to dry. I've had so many gloves where when you pull your hand out, half the liner comes with it and no matter how hard you try you'll never get it back in perfectly. i have a non gore-tex pair of hestra and they're perfect but i know their gore-tex ones have them stitched in.

they look really cool though some really nice features. it will be interesting to see the other colour ways and how they do compared to brands like black diamond and hestra. these two brand in my opinion make the best gloves and kits and the market and its where you should be aiming.

best of luck they look great.
May 1 2014 4:34PM
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draco
Posts: 16 - Karma: 98
japanadaDamn! Those look great! Are these made to be snowsealed? Or will the pores get clogged and led to them not breathing? My last NS kickstarter purchase has been awesome! I love my Foresakes! I may have to pick some up soon!


Thanks for the feedback!

To the question above: we are using a goatskin that is 'proofed' or water-resistant (so its not fully water-proof the way a synthetic like gor-tex might be), but the leather is treated during the tanning process (not with an after-spray) so it stays pretty breathable. The insulation we are using (PrimaLoft) is also one of the best you can get in terms of breathability and warmth-for-loft (as in, you get the same warmth with a lot less bulk). In any case, if you're interested in them, I would say that the "hound" is a better option if you are hot-handed (I pretty much wore it all season and it worked a treat, whereas in the "smitt" I felt like it could get too warm).

Also, cydwhit, glad you like the vid! Its actually just a bunch of our mates and us riding in it.

But really, everyone, thank you for checking it out.
May 1 2014 4:37PM
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Shifties4Dayz
Posts: 1657 - Karma: 553
So so so tempted to drop the $500.
May 1 2014 5:12PM
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jca
Posts: 4171 - Karma: 6,311
wow if I didn't just pick up a pair of Hestras I would be all over this. This mitts are exactly what I look for in a pair of mitts.

Good luck! hopefully these will be my next pair.
May 1 2014 7:40PM
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Anchorfilms
Posts: 879 - Karma: 1,888
very sorry to kill the vibe but PIMP HANDS
May 1 2014 11:38PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 43,008
Anchorfilmsvery sorry to kill the vibe but PIMP HANDS


Have a totally different vibe/aesthetic. They seem to be aimed at a very different target marked. Unless I am missing something major?
May 1 2014 11:57PM
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draco
Posts: 16 - Karma: 98
MotivePursesthe one thing i know to look for in gloves/mittens is a removable liner. so if the insides do get wet then you can take them out to dry. I've had so many gloves where when you pull your hand out, half the liner comes with it and no matter how hard you try you'll never get it back in perfectly. i have a non gore-tex pair of hestra and they're perfect but i know their gore-tex ones have them stitched in.

they look really cool though some really nice features. it will be interesting to see the other colour ways and how they do compared to brands like black diamond and hestra. these two brand in my opinion make the best gloves and kits and the market and its where you should be aiming.

best of luck they look great.


Definitely agree that Hestra and Blackdiamond are killing it - I actually wore BD before and one of the other girls wore Hestra, so we when we started doing research, we were really striving to meet them on quality and then go beyond w/ the extra features and more interesting look.

Also, I know what you mean about the liner pulling out with a sweaty hand - so far that hasn't been a problem with ours, but anytime you use a normal membrane (rather than bonded to the shell) it seems like it is a possibility. As far as I understand it, it is tricky to stitch the membrane to the shell b/c you don't want to puncture it, so usually it is taped inside... (which Hestras do you mean w/ the removable liner btw? We are making a thin merino liner that you can wear inside the mitts for extra warmth, but the insulation and microfleece is all built-in/not removable).

Anchorfilmsvery sorry to kill the vibe but PIMP HANDS



hahah- definitely a different angle, but i actually have a pair of the hot pink Pimp Hands - nice shout.
May 2 2014 7:17AM
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HalKK
Posts: 223 - Karma: 367
Anchorfilmsvery sorry to kill the vibe but PIMP HANDS


these are on another level compared to pimp hands!!
May 2 2014 7:17AM
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De-Clan
Posts: 1920 - Karma: 3,696
You girls have a sick idea and the mittens look super sick, love the colors and the options espically the caribener on the side, only issue I'm having is your pricing, personably it's a bit steep where you have them priced and I understand that it takes a ton of money to get started but affordability is an issue that would be a good thing to focus on. I have kinco mittens that were 14.99 that are amazing, leather gets wet but never cold and my hand stays warm and dry in every climate change I go through, but keep up the good work!
May 2 2014 9:36AM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
De-ClanYou girls have a sick idea and the mittens look super sick, love the colors and the options espically the caribener on the side, only issue I'm having is your pricing, personably it's a bit steep where you have them priced and I understand that it takes a ton of money to get started but affordability is an issue that would be a good thing to focus on. I have kinco mittens that were 14.99 that are amazing, leather gets wet but never cold and my hand stays warm and dry in every climate change I go through, but keep up the good work!


Kinco will always be cheaper. Dumb comparison

They're priced pretty damn competitively with comparable mittens.

Mittens looks great.
May 2 2014 11:10AM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,150
Anchorfilmsvery sorry to kill the vibe but PIMP HANDS


I love my pimp hands but I'm sorry, these are nothing alike.... like was your only comparison the fact they're making different mittens? get real. These LOOK far superior, although I'll never really know since I won't get them for free. lol
May 2 2014 11:14AM
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PowPirate
Posts: 437 - Karma: 621
draco(which Hestras do you mean w/ the removable liner btw?


the army leather heli glove. here a link
https://hestragloves.com/en/gloves/alpine-pro/heli-glove/

but note they make the same glove with gore-tex but with out the removable liner. I don't know why. here's a link
https://hestragloves.com/en/gloves/alpine-pro/xcr-glove/

its great to see you guys respond to everyones questions as well as taking on board what they have to say. its clear you really care about making a good product and I wish more companies came to newschools to do the same.
May 2 2014 12:14PM
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c.cirillo
Posts: 227 - Karma: 2,211
These look great. Can't wait to see how you guys grow
Aug 13 2014 5:06PM
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