gloves / mittens

[kcyanks1]

I've used various pairs of mittens over the years, never ones that are terribly expensive. My current pair ("Level" brand, not sure what model--they have a removable fleece liner and shell) may have been around $50 but that was on mountain at Killington when I had forgotten my mittens, so I know I overpaid. My hands often still get cold so that I have to use those hand warmers and bunch up my fingers on the lift. Anyone have any recommendations on gloves/mittens? I know that mittens are generally warmer, but how good is an expensive pair of gloves (like the Marmot Ultimate Ski Gloves) compared to your average pair of ski mittens?

Edit: Just to add, I think, but could be wrong, that one reason my hands might get cold could be do to my hands sweating and the mittens not breathing enough, but I'm not sure. They do have a vent in the shell, though I don't know if it really works or is a gimmick. I could be totally wrong about this being an issue though.

 

[andyzee]

Stick with Goretex. I normally get mine on sale for $35 or less at places like Sport Authority (on sale), TJMax, Marshalls, Bob's. The big thing with Goretex is that it will keep your hands dry. All the other wanna be materials out there are just that.

 

[kcyanks1]

Stick with Goretex. I normally get mine on sale for $35 or less at places like Sport Authority (on sale), TJMax, Marshalls, Bob's. The big thing with Goretex is that it will keep your hands dry. All the other wanna be materials out there are just that.

The ones I have now are definitely not Goretex. Any particular brands/models you recommend? Do you use mittens or gloves? Ones you get for $35 keep you comfortable even in temperatures, say, around 10 degrees? With or without hand warmers?

 

[andyzee]

The ones I have now are definitely not Goretex. Any particular brands/models you recommend? Do you use mittens or gloves? Ones you get for $35 keep you comfortable even in temperatures, say, around 10 degrees? With or without hand warmers?

Gloves, 10 deg. no problem. Have a few different brands, since I get them cheap, for the most part they're all pretty good. No hand warmers. Now don't get me wrong, I won't say my hands are always roasty warm, but they aren't cold either.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I used to wear EMS gore-tex gloves..which were really nice..and I might order another pair online since the local EMS closed down. My current ski gloves are SWANYs..they were $75 I think..After 100+ days using them..they're a little ripped up from my ski edges..nothing some duct tape can't fix..

 

[ski_resort_observer]

The most popular glove we sell are Scott Lockets. They retail for about $50 bucks and are waterproof and breathable. They have 3 layers for warmth. I have found that most people that use hand warmers put them in the wrong place. They put them on the inside of the hand when they should be on the outside. In general, expensive gloves are pricey cause they have more leather than being any warmer. Most mittens nowadays have fingers inside.

 

[drjeff]

I've used various pairs of mittens over the years, never ones that are terribly expensive. My current pair ("Level" brand, not sure what model--they have a removable fleece liner and shell) may have been around $50 but that was on mountain at Killington when I had forgotten my mittens, so I know I overpaid. My hands often still get cold so that I have to use those hand warmers and bunch up my fingers on the lift. Anyone have any recommendations on gloves/mittens? I know that mittens are generally warmer, but how good is an expensive pair of gloves (like the Marmot Ultimate Ski Gloves) compared to your average pair of ski mittens?

Edit: Just to add, I think, but could be wrong, that one reason my hands might get cold could be do to my hands sweating and the mittens not breathing enough, but I'm not sure. They do have a vent in the shell, though I don't know if it really works or is a gimmick. I could be totally wrong about this being an issue though.

My wife chronically used to get cold hands when we'd be out on the hill. Maybe 3 years ago now she bought a pair of Marmot Ultimate Ski Gloves(mitten style) and hasn't complained about cold hands since. If anything on ALOT of days she's taking them off on the lift for a couple of minutes because her hands are too WARM. The lack of wifey cold hand complaints = worth the price to me

I've got the glove version, and I've found now that I only use them on the really cold days (basically if the air and or wind chill are above zero I don't wear them), usually I just wear my Marmot work gloves.

For me, the entire key is a good set of liners combined with a gore-tex outer shell glove. The liners handle the sweat wicking from your skin and keep your hands dry, and that for most is the biggest key, keeping things dry.

 

[andyzee]

that for most is the biggest key, keeping things dry.

Exactly!

 

[kcyanks1]

The most popular glove we sell are Scott Lockets. They retail for about $50 bucks and are waterproof and breathable. They have 3 layers for warmth. I have found that most people that use hand warmers put them in the wrong place. They put them on the inside of the hand when they should be on the outside. In general, expensive gloves are pricey cause they have more leather than being any warmer. Most mittens nowadays have fingers inside.

I put the hand warmers on top of my fingers, which is what I assume you mean by "outside". My mittens do have fingered glove liners, which I always have found weird -- it seems to defeat the point of mittens. The nice thing about having a liner though is that I can stick in the hand warmer and have it not actually touch my hand. Though I'd rather not have to use the warmers at all.

 

[Greg]

This is what I have:

http://www.backcountry.com/store/MAR0951/Marmot-Piste-Glove-Mens.html

Great glove. Super warm and the leashes really are a nice feature. They run a bit small though. I have an XL (normally wear a large). I went one size up in case I ever wanted to wear thin liners underneath (doubt I'd need to). Plus a little extra "air" doesn't hurt.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

I have the Swany Mittens (glove inside) for $100, they have been excellent, I do have warmers in most of the time...i do keep them in my palms as when i'm on the lift, i can pull my fingers out of the glove part and fully grip the warmer to get feeling back into my hands......I have Renoyds's which is a condition where not enough blood gets into the fingers and toes...my toes freeze on a bike ride even if its 70 out...I have HOTTRONICS in my boots and cant even feel the heat...

 

[kcyanks1]

Thanks for the replies. For those that use gloves and are happy with them even in cold days, have you ever used mittens, and if so, how do they compare? From my preliminary searches on line it just doesn't seem that there are as many mittens available as gloves. So while I've always gone with mittens in the past, I'm thinking about gloves now ... but since the reason I'm looking is that my mittens aren't warm enough, I'm a bit worried about moving to gloves. One way it may help though is that with mittens I have to take my hands out whenever opening a pocket for a tissue or something, whereas maybe with gloves I'll be able to keep them on.

 

[kcyanks1]

I have the Swany Mittens (glove inside) for $100, they have been excellent, I do have warmers in most of the time...i do keep them in my palms as when i'm on the lift, i can pull my fingers out of the glove part and fully grip the warmer to get feeling back into my hands......I have Renoyds's which is a condition where not enough blood gets into the fingers and toes...my toes freeze on a bike ride even if its 70 out...I have HOTTRONICS in my boots and cant even feel the heat...

Is the one you have any of these? http://tinyurl.com/3n35ly [amazon.com].

I generally don't have a problem with my feet and don't use any sort of warmer. I live with my hands getting cold, but it is annoying for sure. Glad you've been able to find gloves and boots the work with your condition.

 

[dropKickMurphy]

I have the Swany Mittens (glove inside) for $100, they have been excellent, I do have warmers in most of the time...i do keep them in my palms as when i'm on the lift, i can pull my fingers out of the glove part and fully grip the warmer to get feeling back into my hands......I have Renoyds's which is a condition where not enough blood gets into the fingers and toes...my toes freeze on a bike ride even if its 70 out...I have HOTTRONICS in my boots and cant even feel the heat...

My daughter (14) was diagnosed with Renaud's this year, which put a damper on her skiing. I was thinking of picking up the Hottronics for her. From what I understand, you're not supposed to actually feel the heat from them. That would cause the feet to sweat. You're just supposed to not feel the cold.

 

[dropKickMurphy]

Thanks for the replies. For those that use gloves and are happy with them even in cold days, have you ever used mittens, and if so, how do they compare? From my preliminary searches on line it just doesn't seem that there are as many mittens available as gloves. So while I've always gone with mittens in the past, I'm thinking about gloves now ... but since the reason I'm looking is that my mittens aren't warm enough, I'm a bit worried about moving to gloves. One way it may help though is that with mittens I have to take my hands out whenever opening a pocket for a tissue or something, whereas maybe with gloves I'll be able to keep them on.

In general, mittens are significantly warmer than similarly constructed gloves.

I picked up a pair of EMS Summit mittens (Gore-tex, leather palms, primaloft) for myself when they were on clearance. I think they I paid $38 for them. They keep my hands way warmer than any ski glove I've used. I also feel I get a more comfortable grip on my ski poles, as the fingers seem to stay in a more natural position than they do in gloves.

Any gloves that would allow you to unfold a tissue wouldn't keep your hands warm on a frigid day. You can always wear thin glove liners to protect your hands when you pull off your ski mitts or gloves. Because Mitts come off/go on easier and quicker than gloves, your hands are exposed for a shorter period of time.

Also, if your hands (and feet) are cold, make sure that your head, neck, and body core are well insulated; and that you are well hydrated. Your body will restrict the flow of blood to the extremities in order to keep the vital areas warm. A balaclava, face mask, or neck gaitor can do more to keep your hands warm than the most expensive pair of gloves or mitts.

 

[kcyanks1]

In general, mittens are significantly warmer than similarly constructed gloves.

I picked up a pair of EMS Summit mittens (Gore-tex, leather palms, primaloft) for myself when they were on clearance. I think they I paid $38 for them. They keep my hands way warmer than any ski glove I've used. I also feel I get a more comfortable grip on my ski poles, as the fingers seem to stay in a more natural position than they do in gloves.

Any gloves that would allow you to unfold a tissue wouldn't keep your hands warm on a frigid day. You can always wear thin glove liners to protect your hands when you pull off your ski mitts or gloves. Because Mitts come off/go on easier and quicker than gloves, your hands are exposed for a shorter period of time.

Also, if your hands (and feet) are cold, make sure that your head, neck, and body core are well insulated; and that you are well hydrated. Your body will restrict the flow of blood to the extremities in order to keep the vital areas warm. A balaclava, face mask, or neck gaitor can do more to keep your hands warm than the most expensive pair of gloves or mitts.

Thanks. Seems like I should stay with mittens, look for something with Goretex, and not necessarily go with something especially expensive. I don't think the issue you described in the last paragraph is my problem, since my feet don't get cold. I also generally wear a neck gaitor. I will admit though that I probably don't do a good enough job keeping myself hydrated, because I want to avoid too frequent bathroom stops

 

[andyzee]

Nice Memorial day sale going on here: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/se...=&N=95301+95651+9000225&exactPhrase=&allWords=


Sample:

SAVE: $28.04
(53%)
Gordini Challenge X Mittens - Waterproof Gore-Tex®, Insulated (For Men)
Our Price: $29.95 Sale Price: $23.96 Retail: $52.00 </SPAN>
(1 review)
Closeouts. Gordini's Challenge X mittens are a top choice for cold-weather wear thanks to Gore-Tex® waterproof breathable t...read more
Sizes Available: S, M, L, XL
Colors Available (3):

 

[kcyanks1]

Nice Memorial day sale going on here: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/se...=&N=95301+95651+9000225&exactPhrase=&allWords=

Thanks. Anyone use these? The 1 review says "Good for basic mitten. Not the warmest but for the money is just fine." It seems they aren't specifically intended for skiing -- I figure mittens intended for skiing would be warmer because it would be known that you'll be outside for hours with them.

 

[andyzee]

Thanks. Anyone use these? The 1 review says "Good for basic mitten. Not the warmest but for the money is just fine." It seems they aren't specifically intended for skiing -- I figure mittens intended for skiing would be warmer because it would be known that you'll be outside for hours with them.

I just put those in to show their discounts, maybe they have something better.

 

[kcyanks1]

I just put those in to show their discounts, maybe they have something better.

Thanks