January 9, 2001


What will keep my hands warm during a long winter trip?

I have a hard time keeping my hands warm when backcountry skiing. Do you have any recommendations for a very warm pair of mittens/gloves? I will be doing an extended ski tour in January and want to be prepared for the worst. Also, are there any advantages to gloves versus mittens as far as keeping warm?

— David Chazin Denver, Colorado

Keeping one's hands warm during a winter trip can be a problem. One habit I have is to carry lots more gloves than might seem necessary -— maybe five to six pairs, between liners and over-gloves. It seems like no matter what I do, one or two pairs get wet and it's good to have dry ones to put on. So that's my first suggestion: Carry multiple pairs.

Otherwise, pay attention to what you're using for materials and how you're layering your gloves. In very cold conditions, I like to wear a pair of silk liners -— they're very light, and give your hands a little bit of protection if you have to remove your shells or other gloves to do some detail work on a camera or a pack strap. REI carries a pair for $10; Lands' End and other apparel companies also sell them.

Over that you want a layer for warmth. One real good choice these days is any pair of gloves made with Outlast, an unusual heat-distributing material originally developed as insulation for electronic components in the space shuttle (OK -— that's the story I've been told, and it sounds appealing so I'm sticking to it). Regardless of its origins, Outlast is great stuff —- it actually stores heat, then re-distributes it to cold spots. Sierus makes a glove liner with it that sells for $13. Polartec gloves also work well and several companies make gloves with Polartec 200 that sell for $15 to $20. Ragg wool also is a reliable alternative; Fox River Ragg gloves are $13.

Over that, you'll want a waterproof shell. One good choice: Outdoor Research's Mount Shuksand Mitt Shells ($49). Gore-Tex, waterproof—a nice basic shell. OR also makes a taped Gore-Tex glove, called the Pro Ice Glove, that sells for $150. Yeah, it's expensive, but gloves are difficult to make and it comes with a warm liner so it's a two-in-one system.

You also can combine insulation and a waterproof shell in a single glove. One excellent choice: Marmot's Randonnee ($99). This glove combines a Gore-Tex liner with Primaloft insulation for a glove that's flexible, gives good dexterity, yet is extremely warm.

One last note: Mittens always are warmer than gloves. That's because in a glove, each finger is on it's own. In a mitten, they can huddle together for warmth. So carry some gloves for use when it's not too cold and it's important to be able to manipulate things easily, such as ski bindings. Mittens are great for down time, sitting around camp, or when it's REALLY cold.