Ten winters ago, we were sitting in a tiny Copenhagen apartment surrounded by fabric scraps, coffee mugs, and one very mischievous husky pup named Zipko. Between laughter and chaos, Stine managed to stitch together the first version of what would become the Vallerret glove. It wasn’t necessarily pretty. It wasn’t too warm. But it was ours! And it sparked something that still drives us today.
We started Vallerret because we wanted to build a life around the things we love — winter, travel, and photography. And because we were tired of frozen fingers cutting photo sessions short. From photographing snowboarding in the mountains to mushing dogs in Alaska and guiding aurora chasers in Arctic Sweden, we kept running into the same problem: gloves that either looked great but didn’t work, or kinda worked but looked terrible. So we decided: Let’s make our own.
2014–2015 | The Spark
That first prototype, stitched in our apartment while Zipko shredded Carl’s underwear, didn’t exactly scream “product launch.” But it was a start.
In late 2015, we took a leap and launched a Kickstarter campaign. We honestly didn’t know if anyone else cared about “photography gloves.” Turns out, they did. In just 32 days, 610 backers pledged what felt like a fortune to us, to bring our first glove to life. The first 1,000 pairs had to roll out. And there was no going back.
Winter 2015/2016 | The Beginning
Our first glove, The Vallerret Photography Glove, hit the snow. We offered a white palm print version and a black one, but we quickly learned something important: photographers love black. Always have, always will.
Seeing the first community photos come in from all corners of the globe was surreal. Snow-covered city streets, alpine dawns and Northern Lights, photographers were testing our gloves in the wild, and we were pumped.
Winter 2016/2017 | Early Growth
With minimal budget but plenty of enthusiasm, we hosted our first Vallerret Event in Voss, Norway: The Shutter Showdown. Photographers from all over came to join a two-day photo challenge on the local Voss Resort Mountains, judged by snowboard photography legend (and one of our very first backers) Vernon Deck.
It was wild, fun, and chaotic. That weekend, Simon Markhof from Germany walked away with the “grand prize”: the next glove model would be named after him. The Markhof Pro was born and so was the foundation of our ambassador community.
That year brought three new models: the Trigger Mitt, the Markhof Pro, and the Merino Liner. And on top a small but unforgettable “we made it” moment: sitting in our first shared office when Carl received a large order from B&H Photo. We hugged, smiled, and realized we could finally pay ourselves a wage.
Winter 2017–2020 | Building the Range
Over the next few winters, our lineup expanded fast: the Women’s Nordic, the deep-winter Ipsoot, the Markhof 2.0, and the Arctic-ready musher glove inspired Alta Over-Mitt. We set up tiny booths at photo shows, opened a U.S. warehouse, and started shipping worldwide.
Each new glove tailored to a different creative challenge: from city photographers to mountain guides, filmmakers to drone pilots. We weren’t just making gloves anymore; we were building tools for storytellers.
As we grew, so did our awareness of our environmental responsibility: Taking care of the places that inspire us. In 2019, we joined 1% for the Planet, committing a share of every sale to environmental causes that protect the wild spaces we all love to shoot in.
Winter 2020/2021 | Tested by the World
Then came COVID. No new launches, no trade shows, just a quiet pause. But even in lockdown, creativity didn’t stop, it simply shifted. Photographers turned to backyards, empty streets, and local forests and inspired others to do so too. It was emotional and amazing to see what our community could do.
We wanted to help, so we shared free presets, tutorials, and stories that celebrated the art of shooting close to home.
And since warm hands start with a warm body core, we introduced Merino base layers. The same fabric we wear daily ourselves. They weren’t a move away from gloves, but a way to make them work even better.
Winter 2021–2024 | Beyond Hands
These years were about refinement and expansion. We launched new gloves like the Milford, Tinden, Hatchet and Skadi.
Each model was refined together with our amazing community, thanks to your feedback, stories, and countless hours testing them out in the wild. Every update, every new feature, came from real-world use and shared experience out there in the cold. At the same time, we added new layers to our system: Apparel, Beanies, and our beloved Merino Socks.
At the same time were able to expand our Ambassadors, showcasing how our gear fits different creative worlds. From Arctic expeditions to architectural photography, wildlife to conservation. They’re not just names on a roster; they’re role models inspiring us and a next generation of winter shooters.
Winter 2025/2026 | 10 Years of Vallerret 🎉
This winter marks our 10th anniversary, and we’re celebrating with a bang: a refreshed website and an all-new lineup including the Saga Women’s Glove, the Senja Mitt & Liner System, an insulated Vest, Mountain Shirt, Camera Strap, Caps and more…
We’ve also pushed our sustainability efforts further, improving materials, refining packaging, and focusing on durability over fast fashion. For us, sustainability means building gear that lasts. Every glove, layer, and beanie is made for years of use and adventure. Because the most responsible product is one that doesn’t need replacing.
Who knows what the next 10 winters will bring? Part of the fun of running a small company is the freedom to evolve. We’ll stay true to our roots: designing great gear for photographers, filmmakers, and creators who brave the cold to tell their stories.
A Decade of Gratitude
From the first stitch in Copenhagen to a global community of creatives: THANK YOU. Whether you’re chasing auroras, filming mountain peaks, or walking your dog with a camera in hand, we’re proud to be part of your kit.
Here’s to the next ten winters and all the stories still waiting to be captured.
And for all of you asking: VALLERRET is also an anagram to TRAVELLER! :)
