While gloves are believed to have been invented in prehistoric times, the oldest physical examples are those found in 1922 by archeologists exploring King Tutankhamun's Egyptian tomb, estimated from 1300 BC. It wouldn’t be until the late 1980s that humankind would start designing gloves specifically suited to the discerning needs of snowboarders. Now, 2024 marks another milestone in man’s mission to protect their paws with the launch of DEATHGRIP GLOVE CO.

Jake Sullivan, Jonny Murdock, Dan Rhoades, and Matt Patti are the brain trust behind DEATHGRIP. These four shred industry stalwarts have more than half a century of riding know-how under their collective belts, bringing a unique blend of creative influence, product development, and pure vision to their efforts to upend the glove industry.

Jake Sullivan’s tenure in snowboarding began in the Wasatch at Snowbird. In 2003, at age 15, Jake started working at Celtek Gloves making die-cut stickers and quickly moved up the ranks, eventually earning the title of Operations Manager. A decade later, Jake made the leap into entrepreneurship by founding Hand Out Gloves with his partner Don Wildman, which soon led to an appearance on the ABC TV show Shark Tank. And while Don has passed away his spirit and know-how is embedded in the Death Grip DNA.

University of Utah graduate Jonny Murdock spent two years as a financial analyst for Goldman Sachs, yet it’s his experience in the cannabis industry that gives him a firsthand perspective on how inconvenient conventional gloves can be when doing seemingly mundane tasks. In turn, his stint with Backcountry.com similarly helped inform his perspectives of the current glove market. Now an integral part of the DEATHGRIP team, Jonny’s job is to keep an eye on the bottom line so the rest of the staff can focus on the line to the bottom.

With a Bachelor of Fine Arts from UCLA, SoCal-born and bred design guru Dan Rhoades has been the aesthetic alchemist behind leading labels like KR3W, Supra, Billabong, Vans, and now Arbor Snowboarding. Dan's passion for products and design is what makes him a natural fit for the DEATHGRIP family.

From his humble beginnings in the early 2000s packing boxes in the Arbor warehouse, Matt Patti’s ascent within the snowboarding industry proves what happens when hard work, curiosity, and integrity are brought to bear in pursuit of a passion. After seven years leading design and development at Vans Snow, Matt has returned to Arbor as their General Manager. It was on a trip to Baldface Lodge that Matt first used Hand Ou​t Technology™ in the field, and from that moment on, he was hooked, not just for use on his board but also on his bike.

While most snowboarding mitts are considered a commodity, where good enough seems to be the mindset of most buyers, Matt, Jake, Jonny, and Dan know that whether you are buckling in, riding a rope tow, or tweaking a method grab, gloves are one of the most integral garments in your kit. In other words, when gloves are working great, they are taken for granted, but when they fail, your fingers feel it, and ultimately, your day of riding is ruined.

Best-in-class materials for every price point, considered cuts, and handsome styles are all hallmarks of DEATHGRIP's debut collection, but the Hand Ou​t Technology™ is what truly distinguishes their offerings. With a proprietary zipper application, each pair of DEATHGRIPs includes the added function of freeing your fingers without the hassle of removing the glove itself. Hand Out Technology™ allows wearers to tie laces, take photos, and flick lighters without fearing frostbite! And while the ancient pharaohs didn’t have to worry much about freezing temps, the spooky styling of each DEATHGRIP glove would be right up their alley, dare we say, they would make every Mummy proud.