Winter gloves

[Ent]

Hi All

Though winter may seem many months away it will come and I am interested in getting a set of winter gloves. Trouble is most are for skiing and are way too hot when walking. I have tried them including the Gore-tex ones but quickly get sweaty hands. I quite like the light weight Gore-tex silk ones but with walking poles they in one overnight trip can be worn through. Tried a slightly heavier duty pair with re-enforced pads but they wanted to die just as quick. Anyone struck something they can recommend, especially if using poles as this kills gloves.

Cheers Brett

[Son of a Beach]

I have some (VERY old) goretex over-mittens. So they have no real warmth at all, but allow you to wear whatever warmth of gloves you like underneath them, and your warm layer gloves don't need to be waterproof then... just warm.

They were given to me second-hand so I don't know brand name, or where they came from, but this sort of thing might be suitable.

[Ent]

I have some (VERY old) goretex over-mittens. So they have no real warmth at all, but allow you to wear whatever warmth of gloves you like underneath them, and your warm layer gloves don't need to be waterproof then... just warm.

They were given to me second-hand so I don't know brand name, or where they came from, but this sort of thing might be suitable.

Hi Nik

I have spotted something similar but never thought much more about them but they might do the trick as all I am after is wind blocking not warmth as a hill soon gets that effect on me. Also heavy insulation material gets quickly wet in our snow and is a nightmare to get on and off when using a camera. Now to find the left handed screw driver. Problem is yours are probably made out of the ultra tough Gore-tex that has now fallen out of favour, must have lasted too long

Cheers Brett

[photohiker]

I've come across a few of these.

Mountain Laurel Designs seem to have the best reputation in the Northern Hemisphere for these Event Mitts I'm thinking of getting some, so if you want to share freight, sing out.

There are some others I've noticed at Backpacking Light in the UK, also look ok Link Slightly cheaper, but not a lot of information regarding the fabric listed. Taped seams though, so seam sealing not required.

[Ent]

Hi Photohiker

Looks good the Event ones given that they appear holding a pole so happy to share in freight. Actually will be good to try Event material as if it works with my hands it should work as other clothing. PM when you are ready to roll. I have a need for the largest size.

Cheers Brett

[blacksheep]

those eVent mitts appear to be unsealed- just a heads up..

[corvus]

those eVent mitts appear to be unsealed- just a heads up..

Cam seem to be or are ? , appear is an an assumption which as a manufacturer should be avoided
corvus

[photohiker]

those eVent mitts appear to be unsealed- just a heads up..

Sorry Cam, what do you mean by this?

Are you talking about the seams or something else?

If the seams, then yes. They ship with a tube of seam sealer that the user applies themselves:

Included: Tube McNett Seam Grip seam sealer

[blacksheep]

those eVent mitts appear to be unsealed- just a heads up..

Cam seem to be or are ? , appear is an an assumption which as a manufacturer should be avoided
corvus

I mean appear to be unsealed- one look at how the seams are sitting tells me this..they woul sit flatter if taped. . and from the next post from photohiker, it "seems" I was correct. Not an assumption, an educated guess.
just trying to avoid confusion- most of us buying Gore or eVent products would expect they are constructed to be waterproof (and I am surprised these aren't).
still a great way to trial event fabric though, I hope more people buy these!

[photohiker]

Just so we are under no illusions, these mitts are not seam sealed from the factory, but they do come with a tube of seam sealer and instructions on how to do it yourself:

Seam Sealing
It is STRONGLY recommended you use the supplied seam sealer to seal and strengthen the seams. To do this, use paper towels or some other soft stuffable cloth or paper to fill out the inside of mitt to press the seams out nearly flat. You are filling the inside of the mitt and sealing the outside seam. Stuff the thumb first and then the rest of the mitt until full. It takes about a half roll of paper towels per mitt. The paper towels will be clean and useable after un-stuffing - so no waste. Stuff the mitt fairly tight so all the seams are not kinked. Keep it stuffed tight as you are filling it. DO NOT stuff it half full and then start cramming it down---Too much pressure will stress the seams. Once it is stuffed, it is easy to apply a bead of sealer on all seams. Then use you finger to gently press the bead of sealer flat onto the seam. DO NOT go back and forth and back and forth with your finger to spread the sealer---It will start to gum up and look bad. Try to do it in one smooth pass of the finger. Hang the mitt from the bungee and let dry overnight. User seam sealed mitts can not be returned except for evil and significant manufacturing defects. Inspect before sealing.

I will be placing an order next week if anyone is interested, so far we have:

Photohiker 1x (L)
Brett 1x (L)

[Ent]

The interesting thing I have found with gloves to-date is my hands sweat so much that it is not so much the water coming in it is the sweat not getting out. Even without gloves beads of water pour of my hands on a step hill climb regardless of snow being on the ground but when I get up to an exposed spot my hands freeze. Insulation is a nuisance when walking as it makes getting the gloves on and off near impossible when soaked. I found that the best for me is the silk weight Windproof ones as it is the wind that blast freezes my hands but the trouble is they wear through in one or two walks with poles.

I have noted that most gloves (ultra expensive ski ones excluded) are not seam sealed. I assume cost is one reason but could another be that the flat seams needed so they can be tape means that the resulting glove is uncomfortable? As for me it is more about stopping wind than water. I found my ultra expensive seamed sealed ski gloves great for doing the ski bunny thing but walk with them with a pack and they are just too much. Me think FF might have found the same thing with his matching pair.

Cheers Brett

[Taurë-rana]

Did you end up getting gloves, Brett?
I missed this thread, but it's something I'm trying to work out myself after my last pair of waterproof gloves disappeared at the scout hut. I wasn't impressed with them anyway, they were falling apart after one trip. I don't seem to be able to find bushwalking overgloves for sale in Devonport. I love my possum fur gloves, but they aren't waterproof, but seem to be warm when damp. I haven't tried them actually wet yet though.

[jcr_au]

I'm not sure how these would stand up to Tassy conditions, but I've been looking for a waterproof, but not too warm pair of gloves before I tackle another section of the Heysen trail.

http://www.rei.com/product/787289

They're on special and I've ordered a house brand event waterproof shell on special for $210 US as well which should be here shortly

[stu]

And choice of interpretation is with the reader/listener

Agreed, I think there was some "wilful mis-interpretation" going on there. I guess if you sit down and interpret everything in the worst light you could spend all day whining about how terrible and unfair people are.

In short, I think corvus just loves to be offended... I can assist if needed.

As far as winter gloves go, I found I ripped the Repel gloves I had last year to shreds. They ended up looking like old crayfish diving gloves after about 6 months. I've gone over to polypro gloves under riggers gloves (about $10-12). Looks like the riggers gloves only lasted about 3 months though, as the fingertips wore out on one before last weekend. I guess my theory is you don't get cold if you don't stop moving.

Agreed Oll, especially for winter off track walking / scrub bashing.
Polypro under leather riggers gloves seems to work very well even on very cold / wet days (& cheap as mentioned, <$20 for both).
I always carry a dry set of merino or similar light weight gloves as well for lunch / camp etc.

[Taurë-rana]

I always carry a dry set of merino or similar light weight gloves as well for lunch / camp etc.

Now that seems like a good alternative - I usually don't get cold hands walking so putting up with wet possum fur gloves probably isn't a problem, then dry ones for camp. I take it the riggers gloves are for scrub? I presume they wouldn't keep you dry.

[stu]

No, definitely don't keep your hands dry, but nothing does as eventually everything succumbs to water.
The polypro seems to adequatley keep your hands warm, even when wet & the riggers gloves then block the wind (tho yes, become saturated).
Yes, this is my preferred glove combo for scrub, sans polypro on warmer days or then I use those lightweight stretchy / rubber palmed ones.
The riggers gloves don't last all that long, as mentioned by Oll, tho at 10 bucks a pair if they last 1 long trip or a handful of day walks then I'm ok with that.
I usually tuck them / cinch them in to the top of my gaiters so they are in reach, rancher style

[ollster]

I usually tuck them / cinch them in to the top of my gaiters so they are in reach, rancher style

Now you just need the chaps, cowboy boots and a stetson 10-gallon hat... actually, just the chaps...

[stu]

After seeing Nick turn his pants back to front due to scrub damage on Leillateah I'd have to say no to the chaps, s'not a good look.
I'd happily take a horsie along tho - refer to your other post on approaching morraines A or K - in fact any $h1+ boring approach walk really.

[abowen]

Riggers are great, but I do carry spare dry fleece gloves for breaks and around camp. And if it is really cold and wet I go for the three layer approach - like clothing - liner glove, warm mid layer and wind/waterproof over mitten. I have used this approach with poles in very extreme conditions and it works reasonably well.
Has anyone tried waterproofing riggers? Being leather, I usually don the riggers when cleaning my boots and I get them waterproof as well. Snowsealing them might work as well. Usually helps for a while until they are completely saturated and water starts coming in through the seams.
Cheers
Andrew

[Nuts]

yes, well er....

I find mitts are a good option in icy weather. I have a pair of Outdoor Research paclites. The outers are large enough to give a bit of airflow. They come with a fleece liner (with removable finger part) that is usually kept for camp when its really cold.

[climberman]

I love my possum fur gloves, but they aren't waterproof, but seem to be warm when damp. .

t-r - where did you purchase your possum fur gloves ? Am interested in pricing a pair.

[Son of a Beach]

*sigh* warning ignored... topic locked.

[Son of a Beach]

I've removed the many offending posts from this topic, and have now unlocked it. Please keep it polite and friendly.

[Taurë-rana]

Original possum fur gloves were bought at the Backpackers' Barn in Devonport, next pair after I lost the first were bought from a fellow on eBay from Hobart way who was selling them. I like them a lot.
I dropped into Bogong in Melbourne today very briefly and looked at waterproof gloves but couldn't come at the $80 price tag so bought a pair of polypro gloves - I'll go with the one set getting wet and the other staying dry. Surely it shouldn't be that hard to get a pair of waterproof overmitts that don't cost the earth?

[alliecat]

Jolly Swagman in Hobart have cheap overmitts. I'm not sure what they are made of (they look a bit like "japara" type of material), but they work well enough - they are light and as waterproof as other more expensive mitts I've had. I had to seam-seal them, but that was easy enough. They were around $20 from memory. I'll have a look tonight and see if there's a brand name or any other details on them.

Cheers,
Alliecat

[Taurë-rana]

Thanks alliecat, that's exactly what I was looking for. Do you know what time the Jolly Swagman closes on Saturdays?

[alliecat]

According to the campingworld.com.au website they should be open 9-4 on Saturday.

I'm at home now and I just looked at the mitts. They are 'torpeako' brand polyester 'japara' overmitts. I've never heard of the brand either... but they have an online catalogue at their distrbutor's web site.

Hope that helps!

Alliecat

[photohiker]

Mountain Laurel Designs seem to have the best reputation in the Northern Hemisphere for these Event Mitts I'm thinking of getting some, so if you want to share freight, sing out.

Just following this up after a little nudge from Brett.

The gloves arrived and were duly seam sealed. I didn't manage 100% success applying the seam sealer as it was a bit fiddly and looking at them now, I can see that the sealing has lifted in places. Bugga.

I used them a few times in Scotland, especially the first day when the weather turned to rubbish while I climbed to the top of Sgurr na Feartaig 862m. Basically on the way up (I came from the SW) the weather chucked down rain hail sleet snow and high winds. It was the sort of weather that you don't have to worry about wiping your nose because the wind has already done that for you. The mitts worked very well and my hands were warm and not sweaty or wet. Some moisture made its way in, probably past the wrists but no way of knowing. They are a bit funny to wear, sort of like a plastic bag really but they do insulate from the wind and rain quite well when you need it, and you can grip things like walking poles and operate your GPS etc - always easier with bare hands, but do-able.

The weather calmed down as I reached the summit and the gloves are stowed, so no action shots sorry:

[Ent]

Hi

Using the same eVent mittens headed up to Pelion Hut with the idea to bag East Pelion after seam sealing them. Err? the final job did not look pretty and the seam sealer is lifting in a few places so loocks like I mucked up. More tempted to go with taped seams next time. Weather was cold and icey with snow on the ground. It is generally the wind that encourages me to wear gloves as cold alone is not an issue for me. Had both. The natural grip anagle of the mitten meant it was a natural for a pole use but yes the overall impression was wearing plastic bags on the hands as far as feel. They worked as expected in blocking the wind but there was very little rain or snow to test the waterproof aspect. Given the sweet buildup waterproofness is rather a moot point, do you hands get wet from water coming in or from sweat not getting out? Was curious on the claims of the performance of eVent but not having used Gore-tex mittens can not really compare but it is not the wonder fabric that some people convey but still it is a worthwhile improvement over homebrand specific materials used in some gloves that claim breathability. No better and no worse than the Silk weight Gore-tex gloves that I normally wear.

The light weight and compact size means no hassle to carry so now have found a permanent place in my pack. This was their first outing so yet to establish long term performance.

Cheers Brett

[Liamy77]

i just use a pair of black leather thinsulate cheapies from big W with a bit of snowseal.... sweat and use will get em wet eventually but they are still fairly warm - would like to pair em up with an overmit in the snow/scrub though....
i find the leather and wax finish great for grippin a camera, etc...
i know there are more expensive gloves around.....

On the waterproof overmits/ overgloves you folk use - what sorta cost and what do you use / look for in them? - how do they go - can ya stick your hands in a bucket or just shed a bit more rain ? still have spiky scrub issues?