Black Diamond

Product Information

Mittens can have a roomy, high-reaching gauntlet cuff or a leaner undercuff. Choosing between the two designs comes down to the type of protection you prefer and need, which is influenced by your winter activities and the climate where you’ll be most outside.

The glove profile is a huge perception to consider when looking for your next pair of gloves. Some people prefer a sleek, thin profile; others don’t mind a bulky glove if it means they’ll be warm. An under-the-sleeve design provides a lower profile — much like the Hestra Fall Line Gloves or Kinco Pigskin Leather Gloves. Colorado Mountain School Guide, Russell Hunter, says he couldn’t do his job without the Guide Gloves.Mittens have lots of pros — namely, providing a toastier warmth than gloves can — but they do go down a notch in the functionality department, specifically dexterity. Proper maintenance is essential to ensure the longevity and performance of your ski gloves. Here are some maintenance tips: Most often, the sizing chart will have you measure from your wrist to your fingertips as well as the circumference of your palm. You should be able to make a fist without the mitten feeling too tight, and your fingertips should reach almost to the top of the mitt, with about ¼-inch of space left over. Mittens that are too big won’t be able to efficiently keep heat in, while mittens that are too small will be uncomfortable. Leather is a super durable material that can be waterproofed for mittens; (photo/Jason Hummel) Dexterity

But, this ski mitten might be overkill as your daily-driver gloves unless you are highly susceptible to cold or suffer from Raynaud’s. For skiing in well-below-freezing temps, however, these mittens were called “lifesavers.” The same can now be said for hauling wood and walking the dog in super-cold circumstances, according to one Colorado-based, cabin-dwelling tester. We chose the Outdoor Research Alti II Mitts as the Best for Powder Days and Raynaud’s because, well, they’re just warm. (Not to mention their waterproofness, durability, versatility, and comfort.) Aside from polyester and leather, other winter mittens are made from wool, fleece, and cotton, which typically result in a leaner mitten overall. Generally, cotton is not ideal, as it takes a long time to dry and easily tears. Liner materials — whether they are removable or not — most often are made with a soft fleece material that has a bit of stretch. Certain tasks are still achievable with mittens on like tightening a velcro cuff; (photo; Jason Hummel) Connectivity Some standouts of the clim8’s are that they feature a hands off user system once you heat the gloves up with an app to determine your heating preferences. From there, the gloves turn on when you wear them. While you can use regular winter gloves, it's recommended to use specialized ski gloves designed for the specific demands of skiing. Ski gloves provide better insulation, waterproofing, and features like reinforced palms for grip on ski poles. How do I prevent my hands from sweating inside the gloves?Waterproofing: One of the biggest complaints people have about ski gloves is that they wet through. Waterproofing doesn’t last forever, but you can restore the waterproofness of your gloves. To maintain or restore the waterproofing of your gloves, consider using a waterproofing spray or wax designed for gloves. See our section above on Waterproofing gloves for step-by-step instructions and always follow the manufacturer guidelines. The sustainability of a product is a key factor that many consumers appreciate these days when buying gear: And with finite natural resources, the planet also stands to benefit. Fortunately, more outdoor industry companies are pushing the needle regarding eco-friendly materials and sustainable manufacturing practices. Cleaning: Clean leather ski gloves by wiping them with a damp cloth. Avoid using harsh detergents or immersing them in water. If necessary, use a leather cleaner specifically designed for ski gloves. A soft yet durable polyester is incorporated into the palm and offers a slight grip, so you can get a nice grasp on your poles or phone.

Spot cleaning: For minor dirt or stains, use a damp cloth or sponge to gently wipe the affected areas. Avoid abrasive materials that could damage the fabric or insulation. If you can’t guarantee that down for a product is harvested in a cruelty-free way, you can also opt for synthetic down. While they will perform with a little bit of water, if you are skiing in an area prone to wet conditions and wet snow, these might not hold up. In particular, the leather palm has no water resistance, which can lead to it soaking through to your hand, which can hurt the mittens ability to keep your hands warm. The Alternatives Waterproof gloves are usually made of a breathable waterproof material like Gore-Tex (made of nylon or polyester and treated with polyurethane), TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane), or Nanotex (“a type of textile finishing that uses nanotechnology, the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale, to alter the properties of a textile to increase resistance to spills and stains”).

The super warm Mercury Mitt has a trigger finger liner that gives greater dexterity and extra abrasion protection. The removable split-finger liner features a high-loft fleece lining for increased warmth and comfort, and a BDry™ insert adds moisture protection even when you use the liner by itself. Aimed at the shivering hands of high-altitude mountaineers, these mitts do command a higher price, but we’d pay it every time to receive the warmth these mittens pump out.