Our Process:
Quality, simplicity, and functionality are the factors that drive us here at Ely Mitten Project. What’s the point of making (or buying!) gear that will only last one season? What’s the point of complicating designs with features that often go unused? What’s the optimal purpose each product will serve?
These are some of the questions we keep in mind throughout our production process.
Each product starts out as an idea. We love ideas and always welcome them. From there, it moves through a prototyping phase where we seek input from outdoor professionals, guides, and others. As prototypes begin to develop into a finished product, we begin to ramp up production.
Materials are the main component of all our finished products. We acquire our materials through various sources and when possible, we use USA made materials.
Once prototyping is complete, we begin producing batches. Every piece of every product is cut by hand. Each pair of Type One mittens is composed of 12 pieces of fabric along with various tags and a gauntlet binding.
All of these pieces are then sewn together. Our sewists use industrial sewing machines to skillfully join each piece of fabric together with a focus on quality and an attention to detail.
Throughout the production process, seams are inspected and the quality of each product is monitored.
And best of all, every step of this process takes place right here in Ely, Minnesota!
