POW
POW Gloves is a Pacific Northwest specialty handwear brand founded in 2002 that designs, tests, and sells premium winter sports gloves, mitts, headwear, and performance socks via DTC, US dealers, and international distributors in 43+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What POW does
POW Gloves is a Pacific Northwest-based specialty handwear brand founded in 2002 that designs, tests, and sells high-performance gloves, mitts, liners, headwear, and performance socks for winter sports and year-round outdoor use. The company organizes its catalog into nine product series — Cascade (premium GORE-TEX deep-winter), Storm (all-day dependability), Seasons (lightweight transitional), Utility (work/play functional), Liner (touch-enabled lightweight), Headwear (beanies, balaclavas, neck gaiters), Women's (tailored fits), Youth (kids), and Merino Socks — with retail prices ranging from $25 for accessories to $220 for premium Cascade GORE-TEX gloves. Underlying technology is anchored by GORE-TEX waterproof breathable membranes (including the new PFC-free ePE membrane), HIPORA and SoDry waterproof inserts, Primaloft Gold and 3M Thinsulate insulation systems, Grade A goatskin leather from top tanneries, and Pittards Oiltac leather grip technology, with most styles built on a proprietary Pre-Curve pattern construction and offered in multiple fit profiles.
POW sells through a hybrid go-to-market model: direct-to-consumer e-commerce at powgloves.com (with free shipping over $100 and a Pro Deals discount program), an authorized US dealer network of 100+ ski/snowboard and outdoor retailers, and international distribution partners covering 43+ countries across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and South America. The company maintains design and product testing operations in Washington State (Mt. Baker Ski Area as a core product partner), with returns processing handled via a third-party logistics partner in Montana. Cause-marketing collaborations (notably Boarding for Breast Cancer) and artist collaboration drops (Schoph, Alina Carbello) supplement the core technical assortment.
POW operates as a privately held, founder/CEO-led (Greg Danielson) company. It has raised a single disclosed funding round of $2.5M in September 2014 from Alliance of Angels, Columbia Pacific Advisors, Comerica Incorporated, and Intel Capital, with no subsequent disclosed funding, M&A, or institutional ownership events. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the company employs 11-50 people and is registered as a Washington-state entity.
POW firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- POW
- Legal name
- POW Gloves
- Website
- https://powgloves.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- POW Gloves is a Pacific Northwest specialty handwear brand founded in 2002 that designs, tests, and sells premium winter sports gloves, mitts, headwear, and performance socks via DTC, US dealers, and international distributors in 43+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
POW industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Winter Sports Handwear and Outdoor Gloves
- NAICS
- Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911)
- SIC
- Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ski & Snowboard Apparel Retail (Outerwear, Base Layers, Gloves, Socks) (CRAMAJAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sports & Outdoor Accessories Manufacturing (Performance Gloves/Headwear) (IMAOAFAI), Ski & Snowboard Protective Gear Retail (Helmets, Goggles, Pads, Back Protectors) (CRAMAJAC)
Keywords
Where POW is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
POW business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Personnel
Revenue model
- Direct Product Sales: POW generates revenue through direct-to-consumer sales of gloves, mitts, triggers, liners, headwear, and performance socks via their e-commerce website powgloves.com. Products are sold at various price points ranging from $25 for basic accessories to $220 for premium GORE-TEX gloves.
- Dealer/Retail Network: POW distributes through authorized retail dealers across the United States and internationally. Dealers include ski/snowboard shops, outdoor retailers, and resort shops. Store locator shows over 100 US dealer locations.
- International Distribution: POW sells through international distributors covering over 43 countries worldwide, including Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, European countries, and others.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Youth Series - Entry level gloves and mitts |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Headwear and Accessories |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Performance Socks |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Seasons Series - Lightweight mid-range |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Storm Series - Mid-winter performance |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cascade Series - Premium high-performance |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Women's Series - Women-specific styles |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Utility Series - Work/play functional |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Clearance/Discounted Products |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
POW product offering
Product offeringCore offering
POW Gloves designs, manufactures, and sells premium handwear and related accessories for skiing, snowboarding, and year-round outdoor use. The portfolio includes men's, women's, and youth gloves and mitts across multiple performance tiers, complemented by liners, headwear, and performance socks, sold globally under the "Built to Last" brand with premium materials such as Grade A leather and GORE-TEX technology.
Product overview
POW is a handwear brand specializing in winter sports gloves, mitts, and accessories. The product portfolio includes nine distinct product series organized by use case: Cascade Series (premium deep winter performance), Storm Series (all-day dependability), Seasons Series (lightweight transitional use), Utility Series (work and play outdoor), Liner Series (technical lightweight), Headwear Series (beanies, balaclavas), Women's Series (women-specific fits), Youth Series (kids), and Merino Sock Series (performance socks). Additionally, POW offers specialty collections including B4BC (breast cancer awareness), Artist Series (collaboration designs), and GORE-TEX Technology integration across premium products. The company was founded in 2002 and is designed and tested in Washington State, with global distribution in over 43 countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cascade Series Premium deep-winter performance glove and mitt collection priced from approximately $110 to $220, featuring top-tier GORE-TEX technology and Grade A leather for uncompromising warmth and performance in the harshest winter conditions. Targeted at serious skiers and snowboarders seeking the brand's highest-performing handwear.
- Storm Series Mid-winter glove and mitt line priced from $60 to $150 offering all-day dependability with technical materials, over/under-cuff options, and ventilation systems across a wide temperature range, including GORE-TEX-equipped premium models such as the Tormenta GTX.
Quantifiable outcome
- Products sold in over 43 countries worldwide
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use POW
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
POW technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature10 records
POW partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Mt. Baker Ski AreacoreMt. Baker Ski Area is both a Product Partner and Event Partner. Products are designed and tested at Mt. Baker, and the resort hosts POW events. Strong Pacific Northwest heritage connection.
- Boarding 4 Breast Cancer (B4BC)coreB4BC is POW's Cause Partner. POW creates a dedicated B4BC collection with special designs, with proceeds supporting breast cancer awareness and research.
- Summit ParksminorResort Partner collaborating with POW on various mountain activities and events.
- Points North (Alaska Heliski)minorResort Partner for POW's Alaskan operations and heliskiing activities.
- Mt. SpokaneminorResort Partner in Washington state, supporting local mountain community partnerships.
- Mint ToursminorBrand Partner for snowboarding tours and travel experiences.
- Hotham BoardridersminorAustralian Brand Partner supporting snowboard community and events.
- Dragon Lodge SnowboardingminorBrand Partner for snowboarding experiences and community events.
- GORE-TEXcorePremium brand partnership providing GORE-TEX waterproof breathable technology in POW gloves. Includes new ePE membrane technology with reduced environmental impact. POW's highest-performing products feature GORE-TEX technology.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
POW competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Dakine: Established snow and outdoor accessories brand owned by Marquee Brands; offers gloves, mittens, and handwear that directly compete with POW's Storm and Cascade series across ski/snowboard and resort retail channels.
- Outdoor Research: Seattle-based outdoor accessories maker specializing in technical gloves and gloves for ski, snowboard, and climbing; directly comparable in PNW heritage and performance handwear positioning.
- Gordini: Family-owned winter gloves and mittens specialist with long heritage in ski and snowboard handwear; competes in similar price tiers with technical waterproof and insulated constructions.
- Hestra: Swedish family-owned premium glove specialist with deep ski/snowboard heritage; competes head-to-head with POW in performance handwear, particularly in GORE-TEX-equipped gloves at premium price points.
- Reusch: German specialty glove maker with deep alpine and ski racing heritage; competes at the premium technical end of the market with proprietary insulation and membrane technologies.
- Level ( gloves brand): Italian premium ski and snowboard glove brand with GORE-TEX-equipped lines; directly competes with POW's Cascade and Storm series in international markets.
- Swany: Heritage ski glove manufacturer known for leather and insulated winter gloves; directly comparable handwear-only brand competing for similar specialty ski shop distribution channels.
Broad incumbents
- Burton: Dominant snowboard hardgoods and outerwear brand with deep athlete sponsorship; competes with POW across ski/snowboard gloves and accessories while offering a much broader category portfolio and marketing scale.
- The North Face: Global outerwear and outdoor brand with ski/snowboard glove offerings; competes for premium winter consumer spend and dealer shelf space with significantly larger marketing budgets and product breadth.
Emerging players
- Black Diamond Equipment: Climbing and ski touring brand with growing winter glove and mitten line; overlaps with POW in technical insulation, dexterity, and backcountry performance segments.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
POW social profiles
Digital presencePOW financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
POW leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
POW funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
POW M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about POW
What does POW do?
POW Gloves designs, manufactures, and sells premium handwear and related accessories for skiing, snowboarding, and year-round outdoor use. The portfolio includes men's, women's, and youth gloves and mitts across multiple performance tiers, complemented by liners, headwear, and performance socks, sold globally under the "Built to Last" brand with premium materials such as Grade A leather and GORE-TEX technology.
Is POW a public or private company?
POW is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was POW founded?
POW was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is POW based?
POW is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does POW make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Direct Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are dealer/Retail Network and international Distribution.
Who are POW's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Dakine, Outdoor Research, Gordini, Hestra, Reusch, Level ( gloves brand) and Swany. Broad incumbents are Burton and The North Face. Black Diamond Equipment is listed as an emerging player.
Does POW have an API?
No public API is recorded for POW.
What industry is POW in?
POW's product category is Winter Sports Handwear and Outdoor Gloves. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAJAB, Ski & Snowboard Apparel Retail (Outerwear, Base Layers, Gloves, Socks), with a secondary code of IMAOAFAI, Sports & Outdoor Accessories Manufacturing (Performance Gloves/Headwear). Its NAICS code is 3159 and its SIC code is 3949.