Q.}
Kristin, can you recommend a good glove system for colder hikes? Should I bring one pair or two? What should they be made of? Oh, and with longer gloves that bungee up my wrist, should that portion go over or under my jacket sleeve?
Submitted by: Aaron, New Town, PA
Submitted by: Aaron, New Town, PA
A.}
The key word here is “system.” There are tons of them out there, but what you want to look for is two-part system that consists of:
1. An inner glove that provides good warmth when used with the shell, but can also be worn alone when it’s warmer or you’re on the move.
2. A waterproof or water-resistant /breathable shell with good dexterity and grip. Here are a couple staff favorites:
Black Diamond Pursuit Gloves
Mountain Hardwear Medusa Gloves
Outdoor Research Alti Mitts (top left)
As for those long cuffs, a.k.a. gauntlets, they’re designed to be worn outside the cuff of your jacket to prevent water, spindrift snow, and cold drafts from attacking your wrists.
Oh, and here’s a tip: On a multiday trip, handwear inevitably gets damp, and that sucks. Bring your gloves/mitts inside your bag with you each night and place them near your torso (the warmest part of your body) to dry out. Often things that you stuff down at the bottom of your bag just get stay damp—and infest your bag with dampness. —KRISTIN
1. An inner glove that provides good warmth when used with the shell, but can also be worn alone when it’s warmer or you’re on the move.
2. A waterproof or water-resistant /breathable shell with good dexterity and grip. Here are a couple staff favorites:
Black Diamond Pursuit Gloves
Mountain Hardwear Medusa Gloves
Outdoor Research Alti Mitts (top left)
As for those long cuffs, a.k.a. gauntlets, they’re designed to be worn outside the cuff of your jacket to prevent water, spindrift snow, and cold drafts from attacking your wrists.
Oh, and here’s a tip: On a multiday trip, handwear inevitably gets damp, and that sucks. Bring your gloves/mitts inside your bag with you each night and place them near your torso (the warmest part of your body) to dry out. Often things that you stuff down at the bottom of your bag just get stay damp—and infest your bag with dampness. —KRISTIN
