At Leif Nelson®, we believe that style, comfort, and quality should go hand in hand. That’s why we specialize in creating premium sweaters, pullovers, cardigans, and other cozy clothing for men who value exceptional craftsmanship and materials.
Our Story
It all started in 2015 when our founder, Leif Nelson, grew frustrated with the lack of options for men’s knitwear. As an avid hiker and outdoorsman, Leif wanted sweaters and pullovers that could transition seamlessly from the trails to the town. But most options were either bulky and outdoorsy or too refined and delicate for adventuring.
Determined to make the perfect sweater for his lifestyle, Leif taught himself to knit and began experimenting with different yarns, stitches, and designs. After months of trial and error, he finally created a pullover that was both rugged and stylish.
When Leif began wearing his creations around town, he received so many compliments and inquiries about where to buy them that he decided to turn his hobby into a business. In November 2015, Leif Nelson® was born.
We started off small, selling at local fairs and markets in Leif’s hometown of Portland, Oregon. But word about our high-quality, comfortable sweaters for men spread quickly. Within a year, our products were being sold in boutiques and specialty stores across the country.
Our Product Philosophy
At Leif Nelson®, we don’t just make sweaters – we make heirloom-quality knitwear designed to last a lifetime and become a beloved part of your wardrobe.
Our products are defined by three key characteristics:
Premium Materials
We only use luxuriously soft, durable yarns like merino wool, cashmere, and alpaca. These natural fibers have an unbeatable warmth-to-weight ratio to keep you cozy and comfortable in any weather.
Timeless, Versatile Style
Our sweaters feature classic silhouettes and patterns that pair perfectly with jeans, chinos, dress pants, and more. We avoid fleeting fashion trends, focusing instead on versatile designs you’ll reach for again and again.
Impeccable Craftsmanship
From the first stitch to the finishing touches, our sweaters showcase expert craftsmanship and attention to detail. We use fine gauge knitting machines and conduct strict quality control inspections so you can feel the love in every piece.
Our Values
Despite growing from a one-man operation into a popular lifestyle brand, Leif Nelson® stays true to the core values upon which we were founded:
Honoring Traditional Craft
Knitting is an ancient craft that deserves to be supported and celebrated. That’s why we blend heritage techniques with modern designs to create relevant, enduring pieces that honor this tradition.
Sustainability
We strive to make sustainably-produced clothing that doesn’t harm the environment. Our alpaca and merino wool are ethically sourced, and our factory is solar-powered. We also use minimal plastic packaging.
Accessibility
Premium quality clothing should be available to all, regardless of income. While our products aren’t cheap, we price them fairly so more men can enjoy heirloom-quality knitwear.
Ethical Production
We oversee production closely to ensure our suppliers provide safe, ethical working conditions where artisans are paid fair wages. This guarantees you can feel good about our products.
Giving Back
We are committed to donating a portion of profits to organizations that align with our values like the ACLU, Sierra Club Foundation, and Save the Children.
Our Commitment to You
At Leif Nelson®, our passion is creating timeless, durable knitwear you’ll love wearing for years to come. But even more importantly, we strive to provide an exceptional customer experience built on:
Superior Customer Service
We offer fast, friendly support across phone, email, chat, and social media. Our team will quickly resolve any issues so you can enjoy your purchase.
Free Shipping & Returns
We provide complimentary shipping on all U.S. orders with no minimum purchase required. We also offer free, easy returns within 30 days so you can buy with confidence.
Secure Shopping
Our store features SSL encryption and routinely audited security protocols to protect your data. You can shop with us worry-free.
Product Guarantee
If any manufacturing flaws or defects emerge, we will provide free repairs for the life of your sweater. Our quality guarantee has you covered.
At the end of the day, our goal is to help you look great, feel your best, and get the most enjoyment out of our products. Please reach out anytime with questions or feedback – we’d love to hear from you!
Meet Our Founder
Leif Nelson started Leif Nelson® to share his love for knitting and the outdoors with the world. Despite growing the company into a recognizable brand, Leif remains deeply involved in product design and operations.
From Hobbyist to Entrepreneur
Leif first taught himself to knit as a teenager when he couldn’t find any winter gear that suited his tastes. He instantly fell in love with the craft. Though he didn’t set out to start a business, the enthusiastic response to his early creations convinced him to turn his passion into a career.
Blending Form and Function
As an avid hiker and snowboarder, Leif understands the importance of both technical performance and style. This inspired his mission to make rugged but refined knitwear that thrives outdoors but works in the city too. Leif brings this unique perspective into every design.
A Hands-On Approach
Despite his many responsibilities as CEO, Leif still knits prototypes by hand to perfect each new design. This meticulous attention to detail ensures every Leif Nelson® sweater meets his strict standards for quality.
A People-First Leader
Leif prioritizes the well-being of his employees and treats them like family. He also makes sure factory workers are paid and treated fairly. Leif feels that success shouldn’t come at a human cost. This focus on people makes Leif Nelson® a great place to work.
Leif brings passion, creativity, technical skill, and a vision for the brand into his work every day. He is deeply devoted to sharing premium knitwear with the world while making positive change.
Responsible Manufacturing
While Leif Nelson® was born in Portland, Oregon, today our operations span the globe. We work with a few select factories around the world that meet our standards for product quality, working conditions, and sustainability.
Alpaca Yarn from Peru
Our super-soft alpaca wool comes from indigenous herding communities high in the Peruvian Andes. We partner with a fair trade cooperative to source this fiber ethically while supporting local economies.
Merino from New Zealand
We source our merino wool from a family-owned business in New Zealand committed to animal welfare and land preservation. Their premium merino offers unbeatable warmth and softness.
Overseas Production
Our sweaters are produced in a solar-powered factory in Dongguan, China that offers quality craftsmanship and fair working conditions. Taking production overseas allows us to offer more competitive pricing.
LA Distribution Center
We stock all finished products in Los Angeles, California so we can quickly fulfill and ship orders to customers across the U.S. Our domestic distribution center allows for faster, more eco-friendly delivery.
While we’ve grown over the years, we remain committed to maintaining transparent, ethical supply chains that align with our values. If you ever have any questions about how or where our products are made, please get in touch!
Giving Back
At Leif Nelson®, we believe in using business as a force for good. That’s why we donate a portion of our profits each year to causes like:
Protecting the Outdoors
We donate to organizations like the Sierra Club Foundation that fight to conserve and restore America’s natural spaces so future generations can enjoy them.
Advancing Civil Liberties
We support nonprofits like the ACLU that defend the constitutional rights of all Americans and promote justice and equality.
Aiding Refugees
We proudly support Save the Children in their mission to provide food, education, and healthcare to displaced children around the world.
Local Community Projects
We also give back right in our home city of Portland by donating to groups focused on hunger relief, youth programs, and LGBTQ+ support in Oregon.
Leif Nelson® was founded by someone who loved spending time outside – so preserving that opportunity for everyone will always be core to our mission. We’re proud to partner with organizations making a difference worldwide.
Join Our Community
When you buy Leif Nelson®, you become part of a community of people who appreciate craftsmanship, style, and giving back. Here are some ways to get involved:
- Shop our Instagram – Keep up with new product drops, brand news, styling tips, and more. We love engaging with customers in our comments and DMs!
- Subscribe to our newsletter – Get the inside scoop on sales, new products, events, and stories from our founder in your inbox. Don’t miss out on offers exclusive to subscribers.
- Share your photos – Show us how you wear your Leif Nelson® gear using #LeifNelson. We regularly repost and interact with our hashtag community.
- Leave a review – Reviews from fellow knitwear enthusiasts are so helpful to us! Please leave your honest feedback on site or social after purchase.
- Reach out – Email, DM, or chat us anytime with questions, concerns, ideas – we’d love to hear from you and build a relationship.
When you join the Leif Nelson® community, you gain access to special perks, inspiration, connection with like-minded individuals, and the chance to contribute to our shared mission of making a difference in the world. We can’t wait for you to get involved!