Buffalo Systems DP Mitts

The natural accompaniment to the Buffalo Mountain Shirt. The completely reliable hand warmer, which every outdoorsperson needs.

If you've already been convinced to buy a Mountain Shirt or Special Six (the longer version), you won't need much further persuasion that the venerable Pertex and Pile system (the Double P) is still a great choice for outdoor adventures. The Pertex outer layer is windproof to 60mph, the  "Aquatherm'" pile lining wicks perspiration better than most alternatives whilst continuing to keep you warm, even if you fall out of your boat or get caught in a rainstorm.

Buffalo have expanded their range considerably since the 1980s, but the Mitts were amongst the earliest designs. A simple, two-layer bag, slightly shaped, across the palm, with a long cuff, a thumb section added, and a velcro tape, to cinch the fabric to your wrist. Sizes range from small to xx large, measured around the circumference of the knuckles (15cm to 30cm).

There is no extra padding nor reinforcement on the palm or thumb.  The mitt is not really intended for heavy rope or tool work, although the Pertex fabric is astonishingly durable, for its weight and texture. I used to think a kayak paddle, bicycle handlebar, ski pole, or walking stick would quickly abrade and ruin one of these mitts, but it's been a rare occurrence.  The functionality of the product, is in its warmth-to-weight ratio and lack of bulk, in your pack or pocket.

I've often  found myself reaching for the cozy Buffalos, after my allegedly tougher alternatives became inundated and started to freeze. Should you find yourself totally immersed in water, as I have done, if you wring out and shake your shirt or mitts, your body heat will quickly complete the drying process and you will feel warm the whole time...

A lot of technical mountain gloves are huge gauntlets, with lots of seams to fail and lots of extra "features," which add weight and little else. A Buffalo mitt is feather light—75g per pair—a quarter the bulk of some of my old ski gloves and just as warm. Unless you intend to build a stone shelter on your journey, you would be better served by carrying two pairs of Buffalos and wear one pair, on top of the other, when temperatures drop beyond -15 degrees, or so.   Or maybe, wearing Buffalos for the journey and switching to specialist industrial gloves for the tough stuff?

There are situations, in cold winter conditions, where dexterity is required.  This will be a problem for most forms of hand protection. I would rather try to operate a GPS, or light my stove, wearing a Pertex covered mitten, than a ski glove, and I recommend this option to anyone who gets cold digits and has never tried this approach. The mitts work best when next to the skin. I've used thin polypropylene or wool inners, but that approach, which is usually fine, doesn't work as well with Buffalos. Wool gloves, in particular, trap moisture, which is noticeable and less efficient than the intended method. 

If you have been used to wearing a breathable shell and layers, some of this mountain lore sounds counterintuitive. It's a mature technology—mimicking the action of animal fur—and much copied by bigger companies but never, with the design simplicity and purity, of the original. A pair of these wonderfully functional hand protectors might be the introduction you need to a more efficient way to keep warm.

Background

I've been carrying, wearing, and loaning out pairs of Buffalo Mitts for more than 30 years. The design has never needed a serious upgrade.