Mittens

“My usuall winter strategy is to wear three layers: liner, insulation and outer shell.

For my hands, this means liner gloves, insulating mittens or gloves, and mittens for the outer layer.

I had some outer mittens I loved that I picked up from an REI gear sale, cheap. But they were destroyed. I used some cheapos I had as back-up last winter and made generous use of chemical hand warmers. What Over-Mitts do you use? Anyone use different winter strategies.”

“same, though I find the liner gloves still remove some dexterity.

I use silk liners, fleece insulating mitts - I have two pair, single layer and double layer fleece, but the doubles are usually too warm, and an EMS shell mitt which has been repaired many times.

When hiking I normally only wear the liners and shells.”

“Well, down here in the South, the most I've ever needed was two layers. And that was just at night around the campfire. I have some poly liners, and some ski gloves I found on sale. The liners are usually enough for hiking during the day unless it's really cold, like 15F. Yes, it does get that cold down here during the day sometimes. The ski gloves are really nice, they are long enough to go over the cuffs of my jacket, plus they cinch in two places.”

“aren't mittens supposedly better at keeping your hands warmer than gloves? Never saw an over the mittens product.”

“I'm usually not getting 3 layers on unless I'm gaining a lot of altitude, but this past winter I had all three layers - plus chemical warmers on when I hit around 4,000 feet on several occaisions.

I agree about losing some dexterity with liners. I've tought about getting some of those gloves that leave your finger tips free (or the mitten/gloves with a removable top that exposes your fingers).

I like Dachsteins for insultating mitts, but my son "borrowed " mine and lost one.”

“I agre Ewker. Mittens are much better insulators, but they don't allow for much dexterity. The liner gloves will provide some insulation while allowing me to adjust zippers, pull things out of my pack, tie or untie straps, adjust snow-shoes, etc. When it is zero or below and windy, you don't want to have to use your bare hands for anything. Even when I curl my hands into fists around a fresh chemical heat pack inside well insulated mitts - it still takes a while to warm them up after completing a task that requires finger dexterity - and thus mittenless hands. I'll be windmilling my arms and moving at a rapid pace to try to get warm blood back in my hands.

(this is worse now, as I've lost some of my natural fatty insulation in my hands)”

“I carry a pair of gloves and a pair of mittens. Each has a waterproof shell with insulating layer. I also carry a pair of liner gloves which I wear under both.

This way I have various options depending on what I'm doing and how my hands feel.”

“I wish there was a nice fleece mitten ( for layer number two) with the flip top/fingerless gloves feature like hunting mittens have. I've only ever found that in wool though.
Most department stores have poly driving gloves w/out that annoying vinyl grip stuff sewn all over them, in sizes that'll fit perfectly. I got a pair at the GAP that I can light a lighter with, etc. They rock. Very rarely do I have to take them off.”

“How about these?
http://www.altrec.com/shop/detail/18063/?USPar&market=1”

“I use the military glove inserts a lot. They are wool and warm, great at night in the sleeping bag. While hiking I slip them into my leather work gloves. Wearing work gloves, while backpacking, helps to protect my hands from all sorts of things. For real cold weather I use some thicker, fleece gloves from Walmart, mostly around the campfire and for sleeping.
last edited: 11/17/05 9:13:32 PM”

“I use polypropeline/mylar liners and with wool glomitts as an outside layer.I also keep some different weight fleece gloves on hand as either a middle layer or outer depending on conditions. I know Sass can get the mittens she wants, we carry them at Dicks ( I work there), and I'm sure other stores carry them too.”

“it surprises me how many people talk about wearing mittens for sleeping. I have been in some very cold places and never needed mittens or gloves to sleep. I always wear a hat and sometimes a pair of clean dry socks.”

“it surprises me how many people talk about wearing mittens for sleeping. I have been in some very cold places and never needed mittens or gloves to sleep. I always wear a hat and sometimes a pair of clean dry socks.”

“sorry about the double entry. oops”

“I'm with you hiking. Socks and a hat but never mittens. Once I used a turtlefur earband around my nose too.

Adventurist, those are some nice mittens!”

“Been hiking a long, long time & don't wear mittens. They probably are warmer but I don't like them. Don't wear gloves in a sleeping bag, but I have a very warm winter sleeping bag. 90% of the time, I wear half-fingered gripping (construction)gloves. Don't like fleece gloves as they collect a lot of moisture & are slippery or freeze. I run hot. Usually don't wear a hat either,(I do bring them & hoods)but wear a sweatband.(replaced often) I'll throw my hood up or don an insulated parka at breaks. I'll bring face shields & wrap-a-round sun glasses. I'll occasionally wear shell pants. I usually wear gaiters. I'll use crampons & snowshoes. I'm OK with cold hands/upper fingers. If it gets too cold, I'll use down goretex gloves. I've had a pair of gauntlet shell mittens for many years but never used them. Most of the time, I'm hot hiking & unzip my jacket. I don't use chemical warmers except as an extreme occasional backup. Never use the sm boot/glove type, but will drop a 4x6" chem heater in extreme cold (-20 for days +windchill) down my shirt. (they don't work wet)I'll put one in my sleeping bag after 3-4 days in that cold too.”

“Glad I could help!”

“If you really want to help you could buy me a pair. =) Small please.”

“Cats continues the move into other kinds of winte layering. I have three layers or more for just about everything.

For the head, a bandana, a liner balaclava, an insulating balaclava and a wind rain proof hood (usually from a liner jacket)... sometimes I'll add a face/mout mask and/or regular hat - but the balaclavas can be bunched up to use a simple hat.”

“oh sure, anything else I can buy while I am at it? How about a titanium spoon?”

“I need to take layers off....not on. I usually just have a 300 wgt un-zipped fleece jacket. Even with this, I burn up. I only freeze at break time & then I'll throw on another fleece jacket & my solstice parka. Other times I'll throw on my Marmot (hooded) down parka. Most of my winter hiking is in just a long sleeve shirt, no hat, fingerless gloves, cotton/syn long pants.

I like turtle fur sweat bands (3)MUCH better than bandana's (they soak up sweat better) I switch head bands, wring the old one out & leave it hanging off my pack.

I bring a balaclava (fleece) for emergencies.If the weather really turns to s^&% or I have to spend a night. I've often just curled into a ball with a chem heat pack because I didn't feel like setting up a tent & bag. I usually sleep for 2 hours & go again. Ten years ago, I stopped bringing a tent or bag. After 35+ years of hiking, I'm kinda set in my ways & know what works for me.”