The Story Behind HMK

Similar to most kids growing up in Prescott, Wisconsin, HMK owner and founder Kirk L. Zack's first mode of transportation was his Suzuki Snowmobile.

He spent numerous weekend's out riding with friends as a kid, and it was while running the Brat stand during the local snowmobile drags at UW Stout in Menomonie, Wisconsin, that he decided his love for snow sports would eventually send him full throttle into the sporting goods industry.

Kirk started to snowboard in '86, and the only boots available to most snowboarders at the time was a pair of snowmobile boots.

It only took a few years for the snowboard industry to explode with popularity, thus the arrival of high performance boots for riders that needed stability and warmth while out on the hill.

Kirk followed his interest for snowboarding out to the west coast in '90, where he began working with Kemper Snowboards. He then moved to Oregon in '94 to work with Nitro Snowboards as the Sales and Marketing Manager. It was here in Oregon that a core group of friends would gather every weekend, fire up their sleds with snowboards loaded, and search out untracked powder in the Pacific Northwest backcountry.

While at the X Games in Mt Snow, Vermont, Kirk noticed most of the Snocross riders were wearing snowboard boots. After talking with a few of the top guys about what their dream boot would consist of, he went home and created the first HMK Highmark prototype. This innovative boot had the look of a snowboard boot, but was technically superior to the current snowmobile footwear out on the market.

A lightweight boot with great heel hold, forward lean, aggressive tread pattern, and an extra toasty Thermal Foam liner, the HMK Highmark series boots were born. Top competitive riders, as well as weekend enthusiasts quickly discovered that the Highmark Boot really added to their overall riding performance, and it didn't take long for the boot to get noticed amongst the snowmobile industry.

Today...

After years of producing top of the line footwear, HMK has stepped into producing outerwear following the same standards of quality and innovation that the original Highmark boot encompassed. Now offering a full line of head to toe aggressive outdoor gear for all cold weather andrenaline enthusiasts HMK is proud to support and help develop the sports we love!