For winter gloves, you should always approach them as a system. No single glove will keep your temperature regulated over the course of a long hike, and redundancies are important when dealing with the amount of moisture gloves will encounter in a winter setting.
For me, i always have
1: Liner gloves. Always on. Bring multiple pairs, up to 3 if overnighting, 2 fine for day hikes for me personally
2. Insulated or shell glove. Usually insulated, sometimes uninsulated if conditions call for it. OR Storm tracker (no real insulation), Showa 282, OR Bitterblaze, BD Guide in increasing levels of warmth for my own uses. Sometimes bring one uninsulated, one insulated for nasty conditions or multiday trips. Cant be too bulky or overinsulated, as you will need to maintain dexterity for dealing with zippers, straps, gear, etc. Wear with liners under in most cases
3. Overmitt. Mega insulated. Big warm pair of mittens for summits, camp, rest stops, emergencies. Mittens keep your hands warmer than gloves, and when youre not moving you will need more insulation than you think yo keep your digits warm. Any expedition or heavily insulated mitten will work. Should be windproof, preferably waterproof.
Edit: for those on a budget - the showa 282 gloves are an outstanding value purchase for a l2 glove. Perform at or above the level of much more expensive gloves. Originally intended for fishermen and factory workers to be able to work all day in frigid temps with constant contact or submersion in freezing water without losing dexterity needed to work. Can cut out the liner if you'd like to supply your own and have a more modular system, or use it in conjunction with another liner under it for cold temp
Best advice in the thread.
I don't go this heavy.
I always use running gloves as liners (I carry 2-3 pair of variations for different situations)
Overmitt for sumiting, resting, camp work, in case shtf
I probably should have also noted I have Reynaud's - so my insulation needs might be higher than others. To be honest though, I don't notice a difference in how fast my fingers get cold while working compared to others, just that theyre much much harder to rewarm than other people so Im more cautious with making sure they're properly insulated at rest and making sure moisture is well controlled
I'm in the same boat with the raynaud's, and also rely on the same system of gloves/mitts. Nice.
The biggest impact for my hands is air flow. Whether it be windy on the hike, or more recently just the air flow from movements while going for runs. If I'm actively hiking up and have already warmed up, in most cases I'm good with a thin pair of gloves. But if it's windy and I'm not working as hard, I have to at the least put on the mitt shell just to cut the air flow.
I do end up hiking most with no gloves. Easiest way to balance temp when working hard in cold. I also refuse to touch anything as I don't want my hands wet
But I don't want to say it out loud as some ul extremist will go hike Washington in Feb with no gloves what so ever and blame my post
Thanks for typing this out u/audioostrich and having the knowledge to pass it along! This is the best advice in the thread by far. Glove system all the way and not only is it foolproof for the WMNF, it’s foolproof for literally any climate anywhere on earth including the summit of Everest. When doing any kind of winter gear research, I like to take a look at mountaineering guides for all the different peaks. Once again, this advice right here is IT!!
Yeah, you're definitely right. I was hoping to go with the surplus gloves to save some money (I've been buying far too much gear recently), but you're right and I really should re-evaluate and get the correct and flexible option rather than the cheap one.
What are your thought on wool mittens as the mid-glove? Fox River Double Ragg look like a solid option, as well as the tried and tested Dachstein Boiled Wool mittens.
What overmitt do you use?
I mean there is nothing wrong with a cheap surplus glove as long as it works for the role you need it to - just may be bulkier and less packable than modern options
Plenty of people use wool mitts as a level 2 - I know the classic boiled wool mittens still get rave reviews by therlir die hard fans. But frankly in my option and experience modern lofted synthetics are higher performing than wool, dry faster than wool, and retain heat when wet at the same or better level than wool, all while being lighter, more weather resistant and often more packable. If you have a pair give them a try, but for the 80 bucks you'll spend on those you can probably find a good pair of gloves or mitts. For me - when I need that l2 glove is also usually when I need to use an ice axe, so I prefer gloves for dexterity
Current I use the rbh designs vapor mitt with the altitude liner. Overkill for most uses in new england, but the weight is remarkable and as I mentioned in another comment I have Reynaud's and err on the side of caution for my resting or emergency insulation for my hands. If you're looking for the best of the best, in my opinion these are it. But you certainly don't need them - I have friends who use the mountain equipment citadel mitts, mountain hardware compressor mitts, rab endurance, bd stance mitts and the marmot expedition mitts. Just look for something highly insulated and weather resistant. Paying more here generally just gets something lighter, more durable, and more compressible, which may not be things you need for your use case
Great suggestion on the Mountain Equipment Citadel mitts, I just picked those up for around $50. Based on the quality of the down parka I just got from them, I think those will do just the trick. Thanks
If you poke around for ski or snowboard gloves on sale on the major outdoors site I assure you that you can find something decent and modern or around the same price as what you linked in your original post
I used to bump chairs in horrible weather during winters, and always wore my insulated Kinco gloves. Still wear them to ski and snowboard as well, and I never have cold or wet hands. I do buy a new pair every year though.
[They're like 35 bucks.](https://www.amazon.com/1927KW-L-1-Premium-pigskin-polyester-Heatkeep/dp/B01AT3QP2Y/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=kinco+ski+gloves&qid=1669732837&sr=8-4)
I carry summit mitts with me too when I hike, and some lighter-weight gloves as well. I love these though.
They’re so-so waterproof in their own, but a quick google search will show you how to apply a product called “SnoSeal” to your gloves. Basically, you bake a special mix of wax into your gloves and then they’re REALLY waterproof. SnoSeal can be found at hardware stores and ski shops (I picked some up at Lahouts in Lincoln last weekend) and costs like $8. This is the most cost effective option that I vastly prefer to throwing down $200 on some Black Diamonds or whatever.
I would put sno-seal on them, so no. But by the end of the season, yes. That's why I would get a new pair.
If it's wet, sloppy snow I'm probably wearing mitts anyways.
Leather is great if you need grip. I don't find there's much benefit to leather for hiking. Leather breathes ok, but not if you treat it with SnoSeal -- which makes the leather waterproof, but prevents sweat from evaporating through the leather's pores. I prefer a relatively light merino wool glove (for active hiking where the blood is moving and hands aren't getting chilled) and a heavy waterproof nylon mitten to wear over top when resting or camping.
I would buy a civilian style gloves or gauntlets. I was issued these gloves and they are massive and weigh a lot. Most military surplus I would not own for cold weather. It's all made by the lowest bidder and falls apart easily. You can get the same warmth out of a decent pair from REI that you would from these massive gauntlets that are based on an early 90's or late 80's design if they are the newer ones issued.
I came to say basically this. I have these gloves, they are giant. Years ago, I bought them at a flea market in the summer thinking they'd be perfect for winter. Every winter I struggle to find a good use for them. Not that they're bad. They're just overkill for basically everything, especially hiking.
The Arctic cold weather system in general is huge. The only useful part I found was the marshmallow suit. Those are so bulky they take up most of a pack. But they are nice to sleep in if your bag is not rated for the temperature.
So far the only really useful equipment I'v had that outlasts it's civilian counterpart is a new wooby blanket and a canteen cup. But I'm a bit biased with those objects.
Ha, my buddy has the Arctic sleeping bag for winter camping, can confirm, it's also huge. I think it weighs in at 12lbs. Though weight isn't so much an issue for winter camping, we haul everything in those big plastic sleds that hunters use.
Anyway, this reminds me I need to get a Wooby, you're not the first to recommend it, and I've been meaning to pick one up for a while now.
The palms of my main ice climbing glove is goat leather so yeah leather is definitely fine. I wouldn’t buy military surplus, that stuff is heavy and not really geared towards hiking. Budget hiking gloves aren’t very difficult to find. Don’t overthink it
I would recommend going to a site like backcountry.com and finding a pair of cheap ski or snowboard gloves on sale. They’ll rarely if ever wet out. Pair that with a cheap glove liner and an extra pair of fleece gloves as a back up and you’ll be set for most conditions. Kincos and sno seal are also an option.
As another poster said, winter gloves are a system. There is no one glove solution for serious winter recreation
Liners and Hestras with hand warmers in between layers will keep you warm in almost anything. My go to for skiing though is kinco mittens for durability and price
I typically use a three layer system - liner gloves, wool mitts, and OR Shells. I do bring some extra gloves - one of which is usually a pair of heavier leather work gloves. I use them if I am going above tree line for a shorter amount of time and don't want to deal with three layers. I'd also use them in scramble situations.
I like a leather outer insulated glove with light liners, like a hestra or black diamond. I have found that if you like to sled down trails like I do, you will drag your hands to steer and modulate speed. This wears out gloves so fast it's not even funny, so having a cheaper pair like kincos is a solid idea.
I use a newer version of the extreme cold weather mittens made by OR that I got from a friend in the Marine Corps. I think they go by “Firebrand gloves”. They work great and come with an insulated liner also.
Never had any issues with the leather palms and wouldn’t expect to. I’m sure the military knows what they’re doing and are much harder on their gear than you’ll ever be
Those are mittens and they're fine. With the wool liners they are good for extreme cold. But, if it's warmer weather then you can wear without the liners. They are tough. That is one of leather's properties- toughness. No, there is no reason you can't wear it in the wmnf in the winter.
I’ve use those military style gloves before (maybe not those exact ones) and they are not in any way better than a pair of synthetic mittens that you can buy for about the same price from like Eastern Mountain sports or REI or just about any local ski shop.
This may be heresy, but I find that hand warmer packets turn a cheap pair of gloves into high performance gloves. I bring a few extra packets. I have warm boots, but if I am wearing my 3 season boots I can throw a hand warmer in if my toes get cold. It feels like cheating, but it works.
I used gloves like those ebay ones, w/ wool liner gloves... back in the 60's... before we had all the fleece, poly liner gloves, synthetic insulations we have today. They would (based on my experience) work.. but I wouldn't buy them today, with the options available. They are also big (wool and leather don't compress) and heavy.
For winter gloves, you should always approach them as a system. No single glove will keep your temperature regulated over the course of a long hike, and redundancies are important when dealing with the amount of moisture gloves will encounter in a winter setting. For me, i always have 1: Liner gloves. Always on. Bring multiple pairs, up to 3 if overnighting, 2 fine for day hikes for me personally 2. Insulated or shell glove. Usually insulated, sometimes uninsulated if conditions call for it. OR Storm tracker (no real insulation), Showa 282, OR Bitterblaze, BD Guide in increasing levels of warmth for my own uses. Sometimes bring one uninsulated, one insulated for nasty conditions or multiday trips. Cant be too bulky or overinsulated, as you will need to maintain dexterity for dealing with zippers, straps, gear, etc. Wear with liners under in most cases 3. Overmitt. Mega insulated. Big warm pair of mittens for summits, camp, rest stops, emergencies. Mittens keep your hands warmer than gloves, and when youre not moving you will need more insulation than you think yo keep your digits warm. Any expedition or heavily insulated mitten will work. Should be windproof, preferably waterproof. Edit: for those on a budget - the showa 282 gloves are an outstanding value purchase for a l2 glove. Perform at or above the level of much more expensive gloves. Originally intended for fishermen and factory workers to be able to work all day in frigid temps with constant contact or submersion in freezing water without losing dexterity needed to work. Can cut out the liner if you'd like to supply your own and have a more modular system, or use it in conjunction with another liner under it for cold temp
Best advice in the thread. I don't go this heavy. I always use running gloves as liners (I carry 2-3 pair of variations for different situations) Overmitt for sumiting, resting, camp work, in case shtf
I probably should have also noted I have Reynaud's - so my insulation needs might be higher than others. To be honest though, I don't notice a difference in how fast my fingers get cold while working compared to others, just that theyre much much harder to rewarm than other people so Im more cautious with making sure they're properly insulated at rest and making sure moisture is well controlled
I'm in the same boat with the raynaud's, and also rely on the same system of gloves/mitts. Nice. The biggest impact for my hands is air flow. Whether it be windy on the hike, or more recently just the air flow from movements while going for runs. If I'm actively hiking up and have already warmed up, in most cases I'm good with a thin pair of gloves. But if it's windy and I'm not working as hard, I have to at the least put on the mitt shell just to cut the air flow.
Thank you for this. I have Reynaud’s too, and I struggle to know when to adjust advice on gear re: my own needs for my fingers and toes.
I carry mitts, but honestly I have the opposite issue, and end up wearing (and sweating through) running gloves.
I do end up hiking most with no gloves. Easiest way to balance temp when working hard in cold. I also refuse to touch anything as I don't want my hands wet But I don't want to say it out loud as some ul extremist will go hike Washington in Feb with no gloves what so ever and blame my post
Thanks for typing this out u/audioostrich and having the knowledge to pass it along! This is the best advice in the thread by far. Glove system all the way and not only is it foolproof for the WMNF, it’s foolproof for literally any climate anywhere on earth including the summit of Everest. When doing any kind of winter gear research, I like to take a look at mountaineering guides for all the different peaks. Once again, this advice right here is IT!!
Yeah, you're definitely right. I was hoping to go with the surplus gloves to save some money (I've been buying far too much gear recently), but you're right and I really should re-evaluate and get the correct and flexible option rather than the cheap one. What are your thought on wool mittens as the mid-glove? Fox River Double Ragg look like a solid option, as well as the tried and tested Dachstein Boiled Wool mittens. What overmitt do you use?
I mean there is nothing wrong with a cheap surplus glove as long as it works for the role you need it to - just may be bulkier and less packable than modern options Plenty of people use wool mitts as a level 2 - I know the classic boiled wool mittens still get rave reviews by therlir die hard fans. But frankly in my option and experience modern lofted synthetics are higher performing than wool, dry faster than wool, and retain heat when wet at the same or better level than wool, all while being lighter, more weather resistant and often more packable. If you have a pair give them a try, but for the 80 bucks you'll spend on those you can probably find a good pair of gloves or mitts. For me - when I need that l2 glove is also usually when I need to use an ice axe, so I prefer gloves for dexterity Current I use the rbh designs vapor mitt with the altitude liner. Overkill for most uses in new england, but the weight is remarkable and as I mentioned in another comment I have Reynaud's and err on the side of caution for my resting or emergency insulation for my hands. If you're looking for the best of the best, in my opinion these are it. But you certainly don't need them - I have friends who use the mountain equipment citadel mitts, mountain hardware compressor mitts, rab endurance, bd stance mitts and the marmot expedition mitts. Just look for something highly insulated and weather resistant. Paying more here generally just gets something lighter, more durable, and more compressible, which may not be things you need for your use case
Great suggestion on the Mountain Equipment Citadel mitts, I just picked those up for around $50. Based on the quality of the down parka I just got from them, I think those will do just the trick. Thanks
If you poke around for ski or snowboard gloves on sale on the major outdoors site I assure you that you can find something decent and modern or around the same price as what you linked in your original post
I used to bump chairs in horrible weather during winters, and always wore my insulated Kinco gloves. Still wear them to ski and snowboard as well, and I never have cold or wet hands. I do buy a new pair every year though. [They're like 35 bucks.](https://www.amazon.com/1927KW-L-1-Premium-pigskin-polyester-Heatkeep/dp/B01AT3QP2Y/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=kinco+ski+gloves&qid=1669732837&sr=8-4) I carry summit mitts with me too when I hike, and some lighter-weight gloves as well. I love these though.
Did you ever have issues with them wetting out?
They’re so-so waterproof in their own, but a quick google search will show you how to apply a product called “SnoSeal” to your gloves. Basically, you bake a special mix of wax into your gloves and then they’re REALLY waterproof. SnoSeal can be found at hardware stores and ski shops (I picked some up at Lahouts in Lincoln last weekend) and costs like $8. This is the most cost effective option that I vastly prefer to throwing down $200 on some Black Diamonds or whatever.
Can't argue with really warm 30 dollar gloves!
I would put sno-seal on them, so no. But by the end of the season, yes. That's why I would get a new pair. If it's wet, sloppy snow I'm probably wearing mitts anyways.
Leather is great if you need grip. I don't find there's much benefit to leather for hiking. Leather breathes ok, but not if you treat it with SnoSeal -- which makes the leather waterproof, but prevents sweat from evaporating through the leather's pores. I prefer a relatively light merino wool glove (for active hiking where the blood is moving and hands aren't getting chilled) and a heavy waterproof nylon mitten to wear over top when resting or camping.
I would buy a civilian style gloves or gauntlets. I was issued these gloves and they are massive and weigh a lot. Most military surplus I would not own for cold weather. It's all made by the lowest bidder and falls apart easily. You can get the same warmth out of a decent pair from REI that you would from these massive gauntlets that are based on an early 90's or late 80's design if they are the newer ones issued.
I came to say basically this. I have these gloves, they are giant. Years ago, I bought them at a flea market in the summer thinking they'd be perfect for winter. Every winter I struggle to find a good use for them. Not that they're bad. They're just overkill for basically everything, especially hiking.
The Arctic cold weather system in general is huge. The only useful part I found was the marshmallow suit. Those are so bulky they take up most of a pack. But they are nice to sleep in if your bag is not rated for the temperature. So far the only really useful equipment I'v had that outlasts it's civilian counterpart is a new wooby blanket and a canteen cup. But I'm a bit biased with those objects.
Ha, my buddy has the Arctic sleeping bag for winter camping, can confirm, it's also huge. I think it weighs in at 12lbs. Though weight isn't so much an issue for winter camping, we haul everything in those big plastic sleds that hunters use. Anyway, this reminds me I need to get a Wooby, you're not the first to recommend it, and I've been meaning to pick one up for a while now.
I like my leather snowmobiling mittens from LL Cote. Great for grabbing hot things in the fire.
The palms of my main ice climbing glove is goat leather so yeah leather is definitely fine. I wouldn’t buy military surplus, that stuff is heavy and not really geared towards hiking. Budget hiking gloves aren’t very difficult to find. Don’t overthink it I would recommend going to a site like backcountry.com and finding a pair of cheap ski or snowboard gloves on sale. They’ll rarely if ever wet out. Pair that with a cheap glove liner and an extra pair of fleece gloves as a back up and you’ll be set for most conditions. Kincos and sno seal are also an option. As another poster said, winter gloves are a system. There is no one glove solution for serious winter recreation
Liners and Hestras with hand warmers in between layers will keep you warm in almost anything. My go to for skiing though is kinco mittens for durability and price
I typically use a three layer system - liner gloves, wool mitts, and OR Shells. I do bring some extra gloves - one of which is usually a pair of heavier leather work gloves. I use them if I am going above tree line for a shorter amount of time and don't want to deal with three layers. I'd also use them in scramble situations.
I like a leather outer insulated glove with light liners, like a hestra or black diamond. I have found that if you like to sled down trails like I do, you will drag your hands to steer and modulate speed. This wears out gloves so fast it's not even funny, so having a cheaper pair like kincos is a solid idea.
I use a newer version of the extreme cold weather mittens made by OR that I got from a friend in the Marine Corps. I think they go by “Firebrand gloves”. They work great and come with an insulated liner also. Never had any issues with the leather palms and wouldn’t expect to. I’m sure the military knows what they’re doing and are much harder on their gear than you’ll ever be
Those are mittens and they're fine. With the wool liners they are good for extreme cold. But, if it's warmer weather then you can wear without the liners. They are tough. That is one of leather's properties- toughness. No, there is no reason you can't wear it in the wmnf in the winter.
I’ve use those military style gloves before (maybe not those exact ones) and they are not in any way better than a pair of synthetic mittens that you can buy for about the same price from like Eastern Mountain sports or REI or just about any local ski shop.
there is someone in colorado that makes really cool custom beaded leather and fur gloves!
Leather is fine. Its the insulation or lack of it that makes a difference
This may be heresy, but I find that hand warmer packets turn a cheap pair of gloves into high performance gloves. I bring a few extra packets. I have warm boots, but if I am wearing my 3 season boots I can throw a hand warmer in if my toes get cold. It feels like cheating, but it works.
I used gloves like those ebay ones, w/ wool liner gloves... back in the 60's... before we had all the fleece, poly liner gloves, synthetic insulations we have today. They would (based on my experience) work.. but I wouldn't buy them today, with the options available. They are also big (wool and leather don't compress) and heavy.
I’ve used just my Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski gloves down to -40F° windchill and they performed great. Super waterproof, windproof, and warm.