Hestra Tactility Heat Liner

WHEN YOU THINK OF AN 86˜YEAR˜OLD GLOVE COMPANY, technology and innovation aren’t usually the first things that come to mind. But Hestra is looking to change that perception with its new Tactility Heat Liner. This lithium-ion battery powered liner uses innovative technology to further show-case Hestra’s philosophy that proper “layering” shouldn’t just be reserved for apparel and outerwear.

“Your hands are your tools when you’re out doing anything, whether it’s skiing, biking or hiking, keeping them warm and in good working condition is going to make your day better,” says Hestra’s Marketing Manager Steve Binns. “The beauty of the Tactility Heat Liner is once you have it, it’s going to work with every glove you own. A glove can break down [over time] but you can still use this liner with your next set of gloves.”

Hestra partnered with Inuheat in Sweden to manufacture the liners, dexterous and incredibly thin, and packed with sophisticated heating electronics. Unlike other heated gloves, the heating technology is laminated into the inside of the elastane/polyester liner, allowing for a stretchable material that moves freely with the hand.

“Other heated gloves and liners feature wires; those break down over time, they pull and they don’t always stay in place,” Binns said. “The heat source in the Tactility Liner is interwoven into the actual fibers so it is a long-lasting liner that also stretches with the movement of your hand.”

The ultra-thin, machine-washable Tactility Liner with smartphone-compatible index fingers is universally useful and compatible with (pretty much) any glove or mitten on the market. The lightweight rechargeable batteries that sit in Lycra pockets on the backhand wrist are practically unnoticeable from a weight perspective, and take about four-to-six hours to juice up. With three different settings, the batteries last anywhere from two hours on high heat to over eight hours on low heat, and there is even a boost mode to provide instant warmth when you need it.

“The low setting is perfect for me,” Binns said. “It is just enough to keep your hands warm but not toasty—which is what I like about it.”

You can either regulate the heat manually or using a smartphone app. When paired with the app, motion-based controls know when you are active, helping to adjust heat as needed. An optional feature allows the batteries to vibrate when receiving a phone call.

“A lot of the heated gloves out there are bulky, and you lose a ton of dexterity,” Binns said. “The beauty of the Tactility Heat Liner is you can throw it into pretty much any glove and have really good dexterity, warm hands and not look like you’re wearing boxing gloves on the mountain.”

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