Gloves and Mittens

Featured review by Andrew F.

An unusually durable shoulder to winter season glove. These gloves are well-finished, have a moderate amount of insulation, and arrive pre-waxed so they resist wetting out. Sizing can be an issue, so be careful when you order. Also, there are less-expensive alternatives.

SUMMARY I purchased these gloves after reading a review on Trailspace and because finding a good glove for cooler but not freezing weather has been challenging. In my experience, gloves that give you reasonable use of your hands and a fair amount of resistance to abrasion aren't that warm...or aren't as durable as one might want. Back of the glove Palm—note the clip by the wrist and my initials branded on them BASIC INFO Give'r Classic gloves are all leather cowhide with a light fuzzy insulating layer inside.

Read more: Give'r Classic Give'r Gloves reviews (2)

Reviewed by BigRed

The SealSkinz Waterproof Extreme Cold Weather Gauntlet is a well-constructed, warm and waterproof glove for getting out and about in the cold. Ideal for downhill skiing and backcountry ski descents when temperature fall below -10˚C / teens F, and as a camp glove in somewhat higher temperatures.

Preliminary Review Sealskinz has provided me with two pairs of gloves to put to the test, these and the All Weather Glove. Sealskinz specializes in waterproof/breathable socks, gloves, mittens, and hats, with nearly 50 options just in the gloves and mitten department. In most garments, waterproofness and breathability are a tradeoff, but Sealskinz claims its products offer “100% waterproof protection whilst being incredibly breathable and dexterous”. Depending on conditions and activity, these two characteristics may be more or less desirable—to have both in abundance could be a dream come true.

Read more: SealSkinz Waterproof Extreme Cold Weather Gauntlet review (1)

Reviewed by Sean Van Cleve

Black Diamond's Dirt Bag Mitts are a very warm, durable product at a spectacular price-point ($44.95 USD). These highly water resistant mittens are made with a goat leather outer which is built to last. Ideal for temperatures well under freezing (30°F or less), the Dirt Bag Mitts are designed for snowsports, hiking/backpacking, or general outdoor activities and chores. Note: Black Diamond also offers a Dirt Bag Glove counterpart.

When warmth is a necessity, quality hand-wear is absolutely indispensable. Black Diamond’s new Dirt Bag Mitt falls under the ‘WOW’ category, especially when considering the quality-to-price point ratio. Black Diamond has shown to be a frontrunner in apparel for quite some time, and their gear can be seen everywhere from the trail to the climbing gym since 1957. Although designed as a ski mitt, the Dirt Bag excels as a durable, general-use outdoor mitten.   Specifications: Price: $44.95 USD Size: XS-XL Gender: Unisex Material: Goat leather shell; thermal foam & 100g fleece lining; acrylic knit cuff Color availability: Natural only Weight: 154g/5.5oz (pair) Temperature range: 20-35°F (Black Diamond’s spec)  Note: The Dirt Bag...

Read more: Black Diamond Dirt Bag Mitts review (1)

Reviewed by Sheila Bergin Goss

The Outdoor Research Inception Aerogel Gloves are warm, flexible, and comfortable gloves. They have become go-to gloves that I use on my daily snowshoeing and winter hiking outings. I have used these gloves for more than 60 days, in temperatures ranging from minus 4 (f) to 33 degrees, and in both dry and wet and snowy conditions. As the winter has progressed, in addition to use during my daily snowshoeing and winter hiking outings, I have used them while kick-sledding and shoveling snow. They are not bulky, permit dexterity, and work well with poles. The Inception Aerogel Gloves are well made, and are comfortable for my winter activities.

Introduction I began testing a pair of these Inception Aerogel Gloves in early November, in Northern Vermont, and have used them for more than 60 days of snowshoeing and winter hiking. While engaged in these activities, I actively use poles, so my hands are moving almost all the time. My needs for suitable gloves for my winter activities require that the gloves be comfortable, warm enough in a variety of conditions, large enough to permit use of a glove liner and to accommodate an arthritic thumb, yet not too bulky to easily use with poles.  Sizing and Color Options The gloves are available in two colors options, all black, and a black and saddle (dark tan) combination.

Read more: Outdoor Research Inception Aerogel Gloves review (1)

Reviewed by BigRed

A simple, lightweight glove with a hide-away finger cover that can be used for a boost during warm up, lunch breaks, or windy conditions. Breathable and fast-drying. Warm enough for moderate to high activity in circum-freezing temperatures, and great for around camp in shoulder seasons.

I’m on my second pair of these gloves. I picked up the first pair in a sale bin at a local retailer early last season and used them for not-too-cold xc skiing, some backcountry ski ascents for the rest of the season, and as needed on some autumn day and overnight hiking trips. The puppy partially shredded one of them in the autumn, so my daughter got me another pair for Christmas, which are now in ski-season use. Craft describes them as a “2-in-1 bike glove”, but they don’t have the tough, padded palms found on most bike gloves and they aren't really warm enough for my morning, downhill commute in any kind of cold weather.

Read more: Craft Hybrid Weather Glove review (1)

Reviewed by Andrew F.

This is a lightweight shoulder season glove, or it’s also useful as a liner glove. I like the larger-than-normal "grab loops" because they’re easy to snap into a light carabiner. The swirlies on the palm look funky, but don’t expect them to provide much grippiness. The pointer fingers are touchscreen compatible. Pricy, but very useful.

 BACKGROUND The gloves. They clip together, nice for such a light glove. out for a walk, mid-30s.  backhand view Sized from XS to XL, the R1 Daily gloves are a successor to gloves Patagonia used to sell as capilene liner gloves. The polyester fabric feels like relatively substantial stretch fleece. It’s smooth on the inside, no grid like some of Patagonia’s other R1-named products.  inside surface; cuffs are finished inside and out. Some basic features/upgrades from basic liners: large loops are easy to clip to a small carabiner.

Read more: Patagonia R1 Daily Gloves review (1)

Featured review by Phil Smith

Warm, lightweight, wind and water-resistant gloves. The e-tips work every time, and for me at least they’re warm at temps much lower than most reviewers report.

i bought my TNF Denali Etip gloves this past winter for use in warmer winter temps, and they worked great while hiking and snowshoeing in those temps maybe 5 degrees either side of 32°F that seem to be so hard to keep hands warm in.  What I found out this winter, however, is that the Denali Etips keep my hands nice and warm snowshoeing in temps in the mid single digits Fahrenheit and wind chills about 10-15 degrees colder. It’s nice not having to pull off heavier gloves to take pics, at least until the cold kills the battery.  The Denali Etips are mostly fleece, with nylon reinforcement over the backs of the hands and a synthetic suede palm with silicone gripper dots.  On the hood of my trusty Jeep after a bit of snowshoeing today.

Read more: The North Face Denali Etip Glove reviews (2)

Featured review by Andrew F.

A very good winter glove for all but the coldest weather. A nice combination of warmth and freedom of movement. Very nice leather palms. Not waterproof, and leather needs to be treated periodically. Also, no gauntlet or leashes.

For me, this is the glove that bridges between cold (30 degrees) and very cold (zero degrees) for most pursuits.  The gloves are insulated with Primaloft, with twice as much insulation on the back of the hands as the palm.  Regular price $129; purchased at one of their 40% off sales for just under 80 bucks. At that price, a great deal.  Back of the hand. Note that leather covers backs of fingers, but the back of most of the glove is nylon. Note the loop on the second finger for hooking with a carabiner if needed.Palm—leather covers fingers and a double layer of leather at the palm.  Another view of the palm, note how part of the palm is doubled up.

Read more: Eddie Bauer First Ascent Guide Gloves reviews (2)

Featured review by Moondog55

Good but not perfect. A compromise between warmth and dexterity that works reasonably well in most situations.

I had a pair of the original Mutant and wanted to replicate the functionality of the original, the military version being too heavy and stiff by comparison. Going by the OR website sizing guide I ordered a pair of XL but they were too big, I then ordered a pair of Large but they turned out to be a tad small and tight. Luckilly I had in my stash a pair of early OR liner glioves in a very LW single sided fleece that were less than a third the thickness of the supplied liners and this changed the fit from slightly tight to superb.

Read more: Outdoor Research Highcamp 3-Finger Gloves reviews (2)

Featured review by Tom Schmit

My new go-to gloves for cold weather!

Well these are now the gloves against which I compare all other gloves and mittens. They are extremely warm and have proven to be very durable so far (I've not had them very long, though). I've used them in -20°F windchill with gusts up to 30 mph and in warmer, wetter weather. They've been bullet proof so far. In fact, these are the first pair of gloves that I've owned that allow my fingers to warm up in sub-zero weather. What I mean is this: usually in sub-zero temperatures, if my bare fingers are exposed it's pretty much game over.

Read more: Outdoor Research Alti Gloves reviews (3)