In 2017, the story of Broad gloves did not start with the intention to create a new product, but with a very specific challenge. Mountaineers Misha Fomin and Slava Polezhayko were preparing for an expedition in the Karakoram. As Slava once put it so precisely: “Alpinism is when you climb with your hands.”

That means your hands must work at all times. In freezing cold, at altitude, in strong wind, and at the moment when your strength is already near its limit.

Misha formulated a request that quickly defined the entire direction of the project. The gloves needed to both keep warmth and allow full functionality. In a condensed form, it looked like this:

  • fingers together to preserve warmth
  • ability to operate with one hand
  • handling gear without removing gloves
  • minimal weight and wind protection
  • warm even when wet
  • capable of withstanding up to 15 days of continuous rope work

This list became the starting point — not for design, but for solving a problem.

Early prototypes quickly showed that the challenge was not so much about materials as it was about shape. Yes, the final version used Thinsulate insulation — lightweight and stable even in wet conditions. But the real breakthrough came when the correct geometry was found.

A glove should not simply “fit” the hand — it should support how the hand works. The resulting shape can be described simply: the hand inside feels as if it is holding a glass. This position reduces fatigue, improves rope control, and allows longer work without overload.

At the same time, some conventional solutions had to be reconsidered. For example, the idea of using leather on the palm. Instead, the focus shifted toward softness and carefully selected synthetic materials. The result was unexpectedly practical:

  • you can rappel for kilometers
  • you can belay for hours
  • the gloves stay warm even when wet

The final design did not emerge at once, but through dozens of small decisions. This is where details truly matter:

  • a small toggle on the elastic allows tightening the cuff with one hand
  • slight material adjustments improve durability in high-wear zones
  • the balance of softness and density affects rope control

These details are barely visible, but they define how the gloves behave in real conditions.

In the end, the result was not just a piece of clothing, but a tool. Broad gloves allow fine motor work, long rope handling, and warmth retention even in harsh environments. Importantly, they remain lightweight and compact — easily packed into an XS-sized pouch and kept in a backpack as a reliable backup.

The real test happened exactly where it was planned. The expedition went to Broad Peak, where Misha and Slava successfully reached the summit. According to them, these were the only gloves that did not require constant fighting against the cold.

Afterwards, we received many messages from people who used Broad in the mountains. Most often, they all repeated the same idea — that these gloves saved their hands. And in a few cases — even their feet.

And perhaps this is the most accurate summary of the entire journey from sketch to final product.