What 45NRTH does

45NRTH is a winter cycling gear brand that designs and distributes cold-weather equipment targeted at fat-bike riders, winter commuters, and cold-climate trail cyclists. The brand's core catalog spans studded tires (Wrathchild, Dillinger, Gravdal, Kahva, Vanhelga, Latkat and others), sub-zero cycling boots (Wölvhammer, Wølfgar, Ragnarök, Öland), pogies (Cobrafist, Draugenklaw), gloves (Sturmfist), merino wool socks, apparel (Naughtvind line and lifestyle pieces), and accessories (pedals, replacement studs, bottles). Differentiating technology includes proprietary concave carbide studs for ice traction, NASA-derived aerogel insulation in footwear, Schoeller softshell fabrics, Primaloft insulation, tubeless-ready tire construction, and siping patterns on tread surfaces. Pricing spans roughly $9–$165 for accessories, $28–$250 for studded tires, $50–$199 for apparel, $70–$140 for gloves, and $195–$495 for premium boots.

The company operates under parent Quality Bicycle Products (QBP), a bicycle-industry conglomerate based in Bloomington, Minnesota, leveraging QBP's sourcing, logistics, and dealer-relationship infrastructure. Distribution is dual-channel: a DTC e-commerce site at 45nrth.com with free shipping over $75, and an independent bicycle dealer network. Shipping is restricted to the 48 contiguous US states, limiting geographic reach. 45NRTH is B Corp certified, signaling an explicit social/environmental positioning, and in 2025 deepened its climate advocacy through a $10,000 partnership with Protect Our Winters. The brand maintains a 7-athlete sponsorship program for 2025, oriented around fat-bike racing and winter cycling content.

Revenue mechanics are predominantly unit-based direct-to-consumer and dealer wholesale at specialty price points. No enterprise contracts, named B2B customers, or subscription model were disclosed; the model relies on long-tail individual consumers and a focused specialty channel. Strategic activity in 2025 — including three new pogie launches, lifestyle apparel extension, athlete team buildout, and an advocacy partnership — points to incremental category and brand-surface expansion rather than wholesale platform pivots.

Name

45NRTH

Legal name

Quality Bicycle Products, GBC

Website

https://45nrth.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

45NRTH is a winter cycling gear brand selling studded tires, sub-zero boots, pogies, gloves, and apparel to fat-bike riders and cold-climate cyclists via DTC e-commerce and an independent dealer network in the contiguous US.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Winter Cycling Gear

NAICS

Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)

SIC

Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600), Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)

akta.pro primary industry

Bike Parts & Components Retail (CRAMAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bike Apparel, Helmets & Protective Gear Retail (CRAMAHAC), Cycling & Bike Retail (Sales, Service & Accessories) (CRAMABAH)

Keywords

• Winter cycling gear
• Studded bike tires
• Winter cycling apparel
• Fat bike tires
• Insulated cycling boots

Headquarters

HQ city

Bloomington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: 45NRTH operates direct-to-consumer sales through their e-commerce website (45nrth.com), selling tires, footwear, apparel, accessories, pogies, and parts & gear. Orders ship within 2 business days via ground shipping.
2. Dealer/Retailer Network: Products are distributed through independent bicycle retailers across the United States, accessible via the Shop Finder dealer locator on the website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

45NRTH designs, sells, and distributes specialized winter cycling hardware and apparel, including studded and non-studded tires, insulated cycling boots, outerwear, gloves, pogies, merino wool socks, pedals, and replacement studs. Products are sold direct-to-consumer through the 45nrth.com e-commerce site and through an independent bicycle dealer network in the 48 contiguous United States. The portfolio centers on cold-weather performance, leveraging proprietary tread, insulation, and material technologies.

Product overview

45NRTH is a specialized winter cycling gear company offering a comprehensive portfolio of products engineered for cold weather performance. The product lineup centers on three core categories: studded and non-studded tires (including Wrathchild, Dillinger, Gravdal, Kahva, Vanhelga, Latkat, Xerxes, Husker Du, Wrathlorde, Dunderbeist, and Flowbeist models) featuring proprietary concave carbide studs, siping, and tubeless-ready technologies; cycling boots (Wölvhammer, Wølfgar, Ragnarök, Öland) incorporating BOA closure systems, aerogel insulation, and Primaloft insulation; and performance apparel including Naughtvind jackets, pants, and vests made with Schoeller softshell fabrics. Supporting product lines include pogies (Cobrafist, Draugenklaw), gloves (Sturmfist series), merino wool socks, pedals (Helva, Heiruspecs), and tire studs/accessories. All products are designed and tested in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wrathchild Trail Tire Studded trail tire with deep center lugs, tall side lugs, and concave carbide studs for aggressive traction in loose snow and icy trail conditions; tubeless ready with folding bead, sold to winter trail cyclists.
• Wrathchild Fat Tire Fat bike tire for extreme conditions with deep center lugs, super tall side lugs, XL concave carbide studs, and a tubeless-ready casing for aggressive snow and ice traction.
• Dillinger 5 Tire Studded fat bike tire with over 250 studs, braced side lugs for cornering, and tightly spaced directional center tread for railing icy off-camber singletrack; fits rims with 70-100mm width.
• Dillinger 4 Tire Fast traction studded fat bike tire with tightly spaced center tread, taller braced side lugs, and carefully positioned studs for railing icy off-camber singletrack.
• Wrathlorde Tire Extreme-conditions fat bike tire with 300 XL concave studs, 120 TPI tubeless-ready casing, aggressive tightly-spaced center lugs, and tall side lugs for ultimate ice traction.
• Gravdal Tire Versatile studded tire with concave carbide studs, siping for conforming lugs, and a reflective sidewall strip for low-light visibility; compatible with cantilever or disc brakes.
• Kahva Tire Trail-to-commuting tire with concave carbide studs and single, double, and triple-siped lugs; 252 carbide aluminum studs with directional lugs for low rolling resistance.
• Vanhelga Tire Fat bike tire for loose snow trail riding with dual-compound rubber, triple-siped shoulder knobs, open tread pattern that sheds snow, and ramped center lugs for rolling efficiency.
• Latkat Tire Grip-focused winter road tire with Gripkraft rubber compound for wet-weather braking and cornering; 60 TPI tubeless-ready casing, siped tread, and bead-to-bead puncture protection.
• Xerxes Tire 700c commuter tire with 140 carbide steel studs for control on black ice; ultra-narrow profile slices through snow to reach ice underneath with a fast-rolling center tread.
• Husker Du 4.8 Tire Fat bike tire with 4.8-inch wide casing for maximum float, reduced lug count for rolling efficiency, tall shoulder lugs for cornering traction, and tubeless-ready bead.
• Dunderbeist Tire Aggressive rear tire for groomed single track with 4.6-inch footprint, dual compound rubber, and aggressive side lugs with soft compound; designed to pair with the Flowbeist front tire.
• Flowbeist Tire Ultra-aggressive front tire for groomed single track with 4.6-inch footprint, wide profile for float, and tall side lugs with softer compound rubber for berms and cornering; pairs with Dunderbeist rear.
• Wölvhammer BOA Cycling Boot Winter cycling boot rated 0°F to 25°F with BOA Fit System micro-adjustable closure, 200g Primaloft insulation, aerogel underfoot insulation, waterproof breathable membrane, and removable synthetic liner boot; compatible with flat and clipless pedals.
• Wølfgar BOA Cycling Boot Premium winter cycling boot with BOA closure system and wool felt inner boot option; positioned as the highest-priced footwear in the 45NRTH lineup at $495.
• Ragnarök Tall Cycling Boot Tall winter cycling boot with BOA closure system and waterproof construction for deep snow and slippery ice conditions.
• Ragnarök BOA Cycling Boot Cycling boot with BOA closure system designed for winter conditions.
• Öland Cycling Boot Cycling boot featuring waterproof full-grain leather construction, designed and tested in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• Naughtvind Jacket Men's and women's winter cycling jacket from the Naughtvind line with weather-resistant construction for harsh winter conditions.
• Naughtvind Pants Men's and women's winter cycling pants from the Naughtvind line designed for cold weather riding with insulation and weather protection.
• Naughtvind Bib Knickers Men's bib knickers from the Naughtvind line for winter cycling.
• Naughtvind Vest Men's insulated vest from the Naughtvind line for winter cycling.
• Sturmfist 5 Gloves Winter cycling gloves with advanced insulation for cold weather riding; highest warmth rating in the Sturmfist line.
• Sturmfist 4 Gloves Winter cycling gloves with wind-resistant and water-resistant properties; available in multiple colors including black, grey, and slate.
• Sturmfist 3 Gloves Winter cycling gloves with warm insulation for cold conditions.
• Nokken Gloves Cycling gloves designed for winter conditions.
• Risor Liner Gloves Lightweight liner gloves designed for layering under main gloves in extreme cold.
• Cobrafist Pogies Winter cycling pogie for expedition in sub-zero conditions (0°F to 15°F); 400g synthetic insulation, two zippered vents, inner pockets, bar-end plug attachment, and tear-resistant nylon shell.
• Draugenklaw Flat-Bar Pogies Wind-blocking pogie for flat bar handlebars with zippered handlebar closure, hook-and-loop strap, bar-end plug attachment, and reflective wrist cuff; fits flat bars 640mm and wider.
• Draugenklaw Drop-Bar Pogies Drop bar pogie with weather-resistant softshell fabric and far-infrared yarn for body heat collection; compatible with flared drop bars and rated 15°F to 35°F.
• Snow Band Midweight Wool Sock Merino wool midweight sock with 65% Merino Wool, 25% Nylon, 8% Polyester, 2% Elastane; 7-inch cuff with moisture-wicking for warm dry feet.
• Dazzle Midweight Knee High Wool Sock Knee-high midweight sock with 53% Merino Wool, 37% Nylon, 9% Polyester, 1% Lycra; 11-inch cuff height for eliminating gaps in layering.
• Adventure Crew Lightweight Wool Sock Lightweight Merino wool sock with 59% Merino Wool, 29% Nylon, 10% Polyester, 2% Lycra; 9-inch cuff height for versatile wear.
• Snow Band Midweight Knee High Wool Sock Knee-high midweight sock with 61% Merino Wool, 28% Nylon, 9% Polyester, 2% Elastane; eliminates gaps in layers when paired with bibs and boots.
• Speck Heavyweight Knee High Wool Sock Heavyweight knee-high sock with 65% Merino Wool, 26% Nylon, 7% Polyester, 2% Lycra; warmest option for the coldest days.
• Helva Pedal Bike pedal designed for winter cycling conditions.
• Heiruspecs Pedal Flat pedal optimized for cold weather use in winter cycling.
• Tire Stud Insertion Tool Tool for inserting tire studs into compatible studdable tires.
• XL Concave Studs Extra-large concave carbide aluminum replacement studs for enhanced traction on studded tires.
• Large Concave Studs Large concave carbide aluminum replacement studs for studded tires.
• Concave Studs Standard concave carbide aluminum replacement studs for studded tires.
• Decade Insulated Water Bottle Insulated water bottle designed for winter cycling to prevent freezing.
• Winter We're Here For It Long Sleeve T-Shirt Long sleeve t-shirt featuring Comfort Colors 6014 heavyweight design, garment-dyed for reduced shrinkage, 100% ring-spun U.S. cotton, made with OEKO-TEX certified low-impact dyes; unisex relaxed fit.
• Winter We're Here For It Hat Corduroy five-panel unstructured hat with flat bill, plastic snap-back closure, and 45NRTH logo.

Quantifiable outcome

• Aerogel insulation provides lowest thermal conductivity of any solid, blocking cold transfer from pedals and ice contact points
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Protect Our Winters (POW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner45NRTH has formed a strategic partnership with Protect Our Winters, a nonprofit founded in 2007 by pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones. The organization brings together athletes, scientists, creatives, and business leaders to advance climate policies. 45NRTH has committed $10,000 to POW in support of their climate action work. The partnership acknowledges that without winter, 45NRTH cannot exist, making climate protection integral to the company's mission.
• Quality Bicycle Products (QBP)coreOthers45NRTH is operated by Quality Bicycle Products (QBP), a larger bicycle components and accessories company based in Minnesota. QBP operates multiple cycling brands including Salsa Cycles, Surly, All-City, MSW, Teravail, and Whisky Parts Co. The privacy policy states that the site is operated by Quality Bicycle Products, GBC, and references shared policies across QBP brands.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Nokian Tyres: Finnish tire maker with a dedicated winter and studded product family (Hakkapeliitta) including bicycle variants. Competes with 45NRTH in studded tire traction technology and benefits from cold-climate brand authority analogous to 45NRTH's Minneapolis positioning.
• Schwalbe: German manufacturer of premium bicycle tires, including a well-known studded winter tire line (Marathon Winter). Directly competes with 45NRTH in studded commuter and ice-traction tires and is the most cited competitor in the winter cycling tire category.
• Salsa Cycles: Adventure and fat bike brand under QBP that frequently co-brands winter riding content and shares dealer relationships with 45NRTH. Comparable as a QBP sibling targeting overlapping enthusiast customers in cold-weather, bikepacking, and fat bike use cases.
• Teravail: QBP-owned premium bicycle tire brand focused on gravel and rough conditions. Sits adjacent to 45NRTH within the same parent portfolio and competes indirectly for tire shelf space at independent bicycle dealers.
• Surly Bikes: Sister brand under QBP and a primary manufacturer of fat bikes (Pugsley, Wednesday, Ice Cream Truck). Co-markets with 45NRTH — Surly builds the fat bikes that 45NRTH's tires are designed to fit — making them a tightly integrated ecosystem partner and internal complementary brand.

Broad incumbents

• Craft Sportswear: Swedish sports apparel brand with deep cold-weather layering and cycling-specific winter gear. Comparable to 45NRTH's merino base layers and insulated tops, particularly for Nordic and cold-climate riders.
• Pearl Izumi: Established cycling apparel brand with dedicated winter cycling jackets, tights, gloves, and shoe covers. Overlaps most directly with 45NRTH's Naughtvind outerwear line and Sturmfist gloves at the premium end of the cold-weather cycling apparel segment.
• Gore Wear: Specialist cycling apparel brand built around Gore-Tex membrane technology. Competes with 45NRTH's Naughtvind softshell and waterproof apparel lines on technical outerwear performance and brand cachet among dedicated cyclists.
• Specialized: Major bicycle and components manufacturer including winter cycling apparel (/toe covers, jackets, gloves) and tires. Represents the largest scale competitor with the resources to expand winter cycling offerings if the category grows.
• Bontrager: Trek's house component and accessories brand offering studded tires (studded commuter) and winter cycling gloves/apparel. A broader incumbent with deeper R&D and global distribution that overlaps with 45NRTH across multiple winter categories.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/45NRTH
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCSiKQnRVUW3bGJrYt1Zkpcg
• Facebookfacebook.com/45NRTH
• Instagraminstagram.com/45nrth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/45nrth

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 45NRTH