Our Story
Three decades of American sock innovation.
From a single mill in the Blue Ridge foothills to a family of purpose-driven brands, here's how Nester Hosiery has grown — always with an eye on craft, community, and the people who wear our socks.
After 20 years in the industry, Marty Nester founds the business, producing unfinished cotton crew socks on first-generation, belt-driven machinery.
From an old grocery building in Dobson, NC, Nester discovers the advantages of wool and begins making high-performance socks for outdoor enthusiasts.
On its way to becoming a world leader in wool sock innovation, the factory continually adds machinery to craft any type of sock.
Nester's first seamless toe-closure machine — soon the majority of production.
Operations expand and streamline into a larger facility, the heart of the company's growth.
Purchase and refurbishment of the former Ballston Knitting facility — 250% larger and Nester's home to this day.
Kelly Nester sets out to create an all-American sock — US wool, US processing, US knitting, US packaging.
Made with 100% US ingredients by US workers, Farm to Feet® debuts at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market.
Nester becomes the first sock manufacturer to join the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), committing to traceable, responsibly sourced wool from farms with progressive animal-welfare and land-management practices.

Nester becomes the official licensee for Ariat socks, slippers, and throws — bringing its manufacturing expertise to one of the most trusted names in western and outdoor footwear.

Nester acquires Fox River Mills, adding its heritage brands — Pistil and FoxSox — and the Pendleton license to the Nester family of brands.

Nester receives the novation of the U.S. Army Cold Weather Program contract, continuing its commitment to equipping American service members with the highest-performance hosiery made in the USA. See our tactical division →

With deep roots from wool growers to software developers, Nester produces the most innovative socks on the market — always with an eye on community, locally and globally.
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