Glove Layering options.

[John Sheridan]

Just wondering whats best for this, lets go to the extreme and say its -20c, what kind of layering would you use, wool on the skin or Polypropylene on the skin with a big glove to cover them both if it really gets cold.

I am not planing to go anywhere that cold, so maybe I only need a few layers, I might even need one layer, but it would be nice to know what to do if temps go LOW.

I was thinking this may be all I need, but not sure if wool would be better on the bottom, then the sherpa on the top for some water resistance

I do like te thinness of the sherpa gloves, though being thin, I think if it gets really cold Ill need to add some more, but if not that would be a nice light option.

http://www.thesnowroom.net/index.php?productID=159

Cheers.

[Moondog55]

Well at minus 20C I would NOT be wearing gloves for a start, except as an underlayer, even for skiing I would be wearing mittens, perhaps lobsterclaws but certainly not five fingered gloves. With any sort of breeze; negative 20 is where you really do need to change from gloves to mittens.
Polyester silk weight liner gloves, with a lightweight fingerless mitt and woollen or pile or fleece mittens on top of that and a windproof layer over that.
Or you can combine the windproof layer with the insulation as Outdoor Research do on their top-of-the-line Arctic mitts.
Minus 20 is cold for Australia but I have seen -15 here and on that occasion I was wearing Peter Storm thermolactyl gloves, HellyHansen pile mittens and a Scottish style canvas windproof.
Although a reasonable compromise is to wear thin liners and a wool glove with a windproof mitten shell I don't think that is quite enough for -20C if you are not moving vigorously.

I have a huge selection of gloves and mittens ( and only one pair of mitts left ) and the one set I wear the most is my old Katmandu windfleece with a shell mitten on top.
Although I do always carry a spare pair somewhere in the bottom of my pack I hardly ever need them.
Those liner gloves in your link are a good start, buy 2 or 3 pair

by the way I personally don't consider -20C anywhere near extreme, for me that starts around -40, YMMV

[icemancometh]

Ninja Ice Gloves and Lobster Claws...for walking where you dont really need that much dexterity then go mitts! BD and MHW make some good ones

[nq111]

Yep - definately mitts. Depends on activity, but for just insulation a thin vapour barrier glove followed by insulating layer mitt than a windproof/waterproof shell mitt.

For slightly less extreme cold and most activities a flip-tip mitt in windstopper is perfect.

[John Sheridan]

Can you buy a thin waterproof shell to put over the base then the wool outer, just to keep the gloves dry, not really going to go anywhere that will be over -5 at most.

Maybe some fingerless gloves will be only needed, I guess take some gloves and use them as needed.

Cheers.

[Moondog55]

Gloves will ALWAYS get wet, always.
Just carry enough spares.
in really wet weather I have resorted to nitrile dishwashing gloves over the top of my ski gloves but for walking I usually just use a liner or the cheap windblock gloves.

I always have the windproof mitten shell with me for the odd occasion tho, which reminds me I need to make some more.

[Bluegum Mic]

John a glove that may interest you (its certainly on my wishlist) is this
http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/or-ge ... 23528.html
I've bought a couple of OR things recently and I really like their designs and fabrics etc.

[slparker]

I just use tight polypro liners. I carry a windstopper outer if it's really cold (this is for x-country skiing in oz alps. Have been carrying a pair of goretex mittens for 15 years in the bottom of my pack... I can't wait to use them. -20 would probably give me an opportunity to do so.

[icemancometh]

for my liners they have to be really thin, like silkweight

helly hansen make the best ones I've used to date

but for when it's really cold, the Ninja's are so good I don't bother with liners
and like Moondog says, they always get wet and about the only thing you should definitely carry spares for!

[gayet]

I want waterproof overmitts. Something that will keep my fingers dry. Easy on and off for those winter photo ops when walking with pack, able to accommodate some fingerless gloves under them.... Not asking the world but.

http://www.rain-off.com/shopping/pgm-mo ... n.php?id=1

motorcyclists suffer more than walkers so these sound good. Not sure about the one finger, or lobsterclaw although I can see its use when riding.

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/acces ... mitts.html

cheaper than rain-off but are they waterproof?

Ninja Ice appear to be water resistant rather than proof........

[Moondog55]

Lobster claw or trigger finger mitts are very functional

I can send you a good mitten pattern, I can trace it off onto greaseproof paper and have it in the mail tomorrow, it is XL so may need to change the size to suit, i can include some WPB fabric a cost if you want.

[gayet]

I had wondered about making something from some Tyvek I have but thought it may take some time to soften sufficiently. I still have some of the camo silnylon I got from you last year - it would need a coating to 'waterproof' it tho I guess. The pattern isn't a drama, I think I may have something suitable somewhere but thanks for the offer, it is appreciated.......

The good thing about the motorcycle gloves is that they also have insultation so if really WP then they would also be warm. But at significant cost.

[Moondog55]

Even in good weatherproof mittens you hands are going to get wet in foul ( WET ) weather, so don't spend too much time or money, spending less will allow you to buy and carry the spare liners, LOL> but even if not waterproof they will still keep the wind off, which can be much more important. I think I have posted before about lightweight liners and the fingerless mitt combination and the mitten shell over the top if things get really grungy. If you do get insulated mittens then for what we get here having the insulation only on the back does make sense.

[Moondog55]

Just looking at all the new stuff on the OR website
I like these.

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/revel ... tts-1.html

[gayet]

I have a pair of insulated gloves - can't remember the brand but even when wet they are warm - provided I don't squeeze the warm air/water out of them. Trouble is they are almost impossible to get on when hands are damp so not much use for the stopping mid track and taking a pic. Too thick to operate the camera and by the time I have struggled back into them there is no warmth left and fingers freeze until I can get enough warmth built up again. Those Revels look better.

Thanks for the link. I shall continue pondering..

[forest]

Insulation - Possum Merino blended Gloves, Warm when wet, Not hugely durable but OK for walking poles etc. (Sometimes called possum down gloves)
Weight only 30 grams for a pair.

Shell - MLD eVent rain mitts, These things are great and with the possum gloves under them it's suprising how way your hands stay. Finger dexterity is actually okay even through the shells.
Weight only 28 grams for the pair after seam sealing.

I've used this system down to -7°C and was fine.

[gayet]

Certainly looking lighter. I have possum fingerless gloves and fleece gloves. So a selection of liners. Just need the outers. But I do suffer cold hands.....

[Bluegum Mic]

Well I bit the bullet and bought a pair of the versa liner gloves from outdoor research. They are fantastic. They are the same fabric as the OR radiant jumpers (which I now have two of I like them so much). Rubber dots on finger tips. Then zips on the top back of the hand that conceals the pertex waterproof over gloves. They are 83g, lovely and warm and the pertex covers are very easy to grab and put on. I think I've officially become an OR fan girl I've now got the two fleeces, a brilliant goretex jacket, a lightweight helium jacket and these gloves. Im finding their stuff extremely well made and I've picked all of it up at great prices. Happy camper

[RSD]

I think you have sold me on the Versa Liner gloves. Are they available in Australia or did you order them from the U.S.?

[hikingoz]

On a snowshoe trip in KNP last winter it was -4 during the day and much colder at night for a couple of days. I used some thinsulate fleece gloves from big W and put a pair of Hestra Shell mits over the top. This worked just fine. The Hestra brand turned to be a good quality (but expensive) solution I picked up from a ski shop at the last minute for about $100.

I have also used Ninja Ice gloves working outdoors and would recommend them. They are far more tactile than any other insulated glove I've seen. I bought mine for less than $10. I will probably use these next time coupled with the shell mits. They aren't the least bit waterproof on thier own.

The MLD Event rain mits are nice and light but expensive (including shipping) and don't seem like a durable option IMO. I don't think breathable gloves are necassary either. Particularly when there isn't much blood flow to the extremities. Maybe Evan from TRG could make me a tough canvas set to suit my preference.

[redrock]

Hi,

For those who've got these, do you have them in the FC (fully coated) version?

And if so, where did you get them???

I'm trying to hunt down a pair or 2 but nowhere in Australia seems to sell them, and the few places overseas charge an arm and 2 legs to ship them! I've tried adding additional items in the shopping cart, but doesn't make a difference really to the cost.

Cheers,
Redrock

[sim1oz]

My hands tend to stay warm when I'm walking especially if they are dry, but they get cold pretty quickly once I stop. I got a pair of Extremities Tuff Bag (Goretex) Mitts from the UK which are waterproof and very lightweight at around 80g mainly for not-so-extreme winter walking. Perfect if you aren't going to need to wear gloves the whole time as they don't add much to your pack weight. I wore them through 2 days of rain on the Overland Track, and put synthetic or wool liner gloves underneath when it got colder and started snowing. My hands were very happy! If it gets really cold I can fit 2 pairs of liner gloves on underneath - wool first, then synthetic which is just personal preference. For really, really cold <<0C weather, there are probably better options but the Tuff Bags are great.

Here's one person's comparison of them against MLD mitts: http://maceachain.blogspot.com.au/2010/11/extremities-tuff-bags-pack-lite-mitts.html

[roysta]

You've sorted your problem, but OR have some good gloves, the Arete in particular.
In the Mitts, the Alti should do it down to -25 to -30C.