Cashmere – this natural fiber stands for pure luxury, incomparable softness, and warmth. Cashmere hats and headbands are not just a fashion highlight, but a tribute to the harsh winter months. That's why we decided years ago to create winter accessories with this precious fiber . Our Shepherd line, with beanies and headbands made from 50% recycled cashmere and 50% ultrafine Merino wool ( Both GRS-certified) are our most expensive and luxurious products. They are also only branded on the inside to allow enough space for this precious textile fiber on the outside. Today, we'd like to not only share with you the extraordinary benefits of cashmere, but also explain why this wool is so valuable to us, who are rooted in the Alps—especially in an environment that challenges us every day. Shepherd headband without eye-catching branding. Cashmere – The fiber of extremes Cashmere wool is known not only for its incredible softness but also for its ability to protect us from extreme weather conditions. This precious fiber comes from the cashmere goat, native to the harsh regions of the Himalayas. There, where temperatures fluctuate dramatically and nature is unforgiving, the cashmere goat develops its particularly fine undercoat – the precious cashmere. It's precisely this wool that makes cashmere a treasure for us, who face the conditions in the Alps. Even here in the mountains, we know the cold that cuts through our bones. But just like the cashmere goat in the Himalayas, cashmere protects us in the Alps: With its unique ability to retain heat while remaining breathable, cashmere offers perfect protection in subzero temperatures—whether you're on the slopes in a blizzard or leisurely strolling through a snow-covered village. The wool is combed out of the cashmere goats, resulting in only 150 grams of wool per goat. Why cashmere is perfect for our headbands and hats Cashmere's exceptional fineness, created by its small fiber diameter, is unparalleled. When you wear a cashmere headband or hat, you'll immediately notice how soft and comfortable the fiber feels—even on sensitive skin. The material is perfect for alpine winters: It keeps you warm without breaking a sweat, while also protecting you from the icy cold. But cashmere isn't just practical. It's a fiber that exudes elegance and is timeless. Our cashmere headbands and hats are a statement for those who feel a connection to nature while appreciating subtle elegance. The advantages of our cashmere headbands and hats at a glance: Incomparable softness that pampers even sensitive skin High wearing comfort – ideal for long winter days in the mountains Odorless – perfect for active outdoor adventures Temperature and humidity regulating – ideal for extreme alpine conditions Luxurious and durable – a companion for many winter adventures A collection inspired by the mountains Our The Shepherd line represents a fusion of nature, tradition, and elegance. We deliberately chose a limited edition to emphasize the uniqueness of this material. Each headband and hat is unique, crafted with dedication to offer you the best possible protection from the winter elements. Care – How to keep your cashmere beautiful for a lifetime Cashmere is a natural wonder that, with proper care, will last a lifetime. The natural lanolin in the fiber has a self-cleaning effect, so it's often sufficient to air your cashmere headbands and hats out in the fresh air. Should washing be necessary, we recommend a gentle hand wash with lukewarm water and a special wool detergent. Our care tips: Ventilate regularly – this way your cashmere products stay fresh longer. Gentle hand wash – without wringing or rubbing. Dry on a towel to maintain the shape. Moth protection in the closet – cedar wood keeps your treasures safe. Sustainable luxury for winter Our headbands and hats are not only made of pure cashmere, but also combine 50% recycled cashmere with 50% ultra-fine merino wool – both GRS-certified. The Global Recycle Standard guarantees that our products are manufactured in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible manner. Thus, each piece reflects the respectful treatment of nature that is so central to us in the Alps. Conclusion: Cashmere – your protective shield against winter Cashmere headbands and hats aren't just accessories—they're a feeling. A feeling of warmth, comfort, and elegance that will accompany you through the winter. In a world that can sometimes be as harsh and unpredictable as our beloved Alps, cashmere offers you the gentle protection you need. Discover our Cashmere line and hats that let you experience winter in a new, luxurious way – and feel the difference that only cashmere can make.

An alpine adventure: The Breithorn Traverse in Zermatt At the end of September, my colleague and I had the chance to explore the entire Breithorn traverse in Zermatt. Although the Breithorn West Summit is known as one of the easiest 4000m peaks in the Alps, we deliberately decided to do the entire traverse - a route that promised us more variety and a little adventure. With perfect conditions and an impressive backdrop, the tour was a special experience that we will remember for a long time. ( Text & photos: Levi Luggen ) The morning – start of the day Our day began with the first gondola from Zermatt up to the Klein Matterhorn. The autumnal mood was omnipresent, the sky was turning soft colors, and the fresh mountain air let us breathe deeply. We felt ready for what lay ahead - a mixture of challenge and enjoyment in the middle of the Alps. > The Breithorn Plateau – A place of peace The Breithorn plateau presented itself to us in all its vastness. Cirrus clouds drifted by, but soon the sky opened up and gave us a view of the surrounding peaks. The crossing of the plateau was calm and we headed towards the Roccia Nera - the anticipation of the upcoming climb grew with every step. Ascent to Roccia Nera – rock and ice The climb to the Roccia Nera was a mixture of rock and ice passages, where we were able to witness the retreat of the ice first hand. A silent reminder of the change that cannot be stopped even here in the Alps. The view from the summit was impressive: Castor and Pollux in the distance, their majestic silhouettes clearly standing out. Between the Breithorn twins The next section took us over the snow ridge and rugged rocks to the Breithorn twins. It was a bit of a balancing act between snow and rock, but never too difficult - just the right amount of challenge for a leisurely tour. We mastered the abseiling sections without any problems and enjoyed the peace and quiet, as there were only a few other mountaineers around. The middle peak – a short climbing fun The highlight of our tour was the short rock climb to the middle summit. After a short break, we set about overcoming the climbing sections - not too difficult, but still exciting. Once at the top, we were treated to a fantastic view of the surrounding panorama. A perfect place to pause for a moment and take in the beauty of the Alps. A feeling like being on top of the world Standing on the rocky peak, aware of our exposure, was a feeling that is difficult to put into words. It was a moment of pure awe and joy that we will treasure deep in our hearts. The West Summit – The crowning conclusion With a little time to spare, we decided to climb over the western summit. The view of the Matterhorn, towering majestically in front of us, was the perfect end to an all-round successful tour. Even though the last few meters to the station took a while, we reached our destination on time and satisfied - knowing that we had spent a wonderful day in the mountains. Review – A day in the Alps It was surprising how quiet it was on the Breithorn Traverse that day. For us, it was a tour full of impressive views, pleasant climbing passages and, above all, a lot of peace and quiet. A day that showed us once again why the Alps play such an important role for us - they give us the opportunity to switch off and experience the adventure in nature.

After 2 years of hard snowboarding, filming, editing, making music and writing, our Hä? buddies Gregor Betschon and Levi Luggen have finally released their film "GALE". The original soundtrack was composed and recorded by Andreas Achermann and even performed live at the premieres!

Merino is on everyone's lips, and there's good reason for that. At HAE, we carry a wide variety of merino wool products in our range. From hats , headbands , and neck warmers to our own wool for crocheting, you'll find so much made from merino wool in the HAE online shop .

This year we have made some headbands and hats from baby alpaca wool for our strictly limited special edition . In this article we want to tell you more about the origin, care and properties of baby alpaca wool.

For the second time, we at HAE , together with the guys from nnim clothing and the White Rabbit Bar, organized THE HOME-RUN invitational banked slalom in Bellwald (VS). The primary goal of this event is to bring the entire Swiss snowboarding scene together at the end of the season to have a beer, reflect on the past season, and have fun. 87 riders took part in the second HOME-RUN Invitational Banked Slalom and enjoyed the class festival of Swiss snowboarders to the fullest. The crowd was led by speaker Phil Bucher, who opened the games. The first twenty riders after the two qualifying runs qualified directly for the final. Five more joined in after a short drinking game. Nicolas Wolken set the fastest time in both qualifying runs. However, he was unable to match this performance in the final run, as four riders managed to beat him. Last year's winner Thomas Wyden came fourth, just behind the two legends of the scene Fredi Kalbermatten and Reto Kestenholz . They ultimately finished third and second. It was Fredi who invited the American gang to the event. Freeride Vice World Champion Sammy Luebke was one of them. He didn't need to be asked twice, and after his victory in Haines and third place in Verbier on the 2015 Freeride World Tour, he also won the banked slalom in Bellwald. The fact that such an accomplished American isn't above coming to Bellwald reflects the atmosphere at HOME-RUN. HAE friend Andreas Arn gives it his all! The focus was on togetherness and the pure joy of snowboarding – even if good old Phil couldn't stop cursing by the time the results were announced. After the official competition, the course was still mastered in switch. Reto Kestenholz took home another win. Somehow, no one was surprised, considering his 3.5-meter-high switch backside airs in the Zermatt pipe. Alexander Rufibach and Julian Fürsinger rounded out the podium in the switch competition. bankers What followed were what felt like ten rapid-fire runs and a 15-meter transfer by David Lambert between two banks. He crashed three times, and some are still surprised that he was even able to stand up afterward. David was also the one who embellished his run with a flawless frontside 360. Mike " Aemka " Knobel will likely be honored with the best backside air at this corner. Photographer Claudio Casanova celebrated his 30th birthday on Sunday and was also honored at the awards ceremony. Happy birthday! The podium with the winner Sammy Luebke Give the kids a playground and let them snowboard. It was the picture-perfect end-of-season celebration they'd always dreamed of. A celebration like no other! Final 1. Sammy Luebcke 45:11 2. Reto Kestenholz 45:34 3. Fredi Kalbermatten 45:51 4. Thomas Wyden 46:07 5. Nicholas Wolken 46:19 Switch 1. Reto Kestenholz 49:12 2. Alexander Rufibach 49:88 3. Julian Fürsinger 52:23 4. Forrest Burkie 52:40 5. Roger Schuler 52:87 Fastest Run Nicholas Wolken 44:17