Winter gloves

I thought it would be interesting to find out which gloves are been used for winter in the berg, as i suffer from cold hands ,and am now on my third pair, first i tried a pair of first accent velocities then black diamond glissade rated to -7 now i just bought a pair of black diamond soloist rated -26 hope they will do the trick now for those early mornings when packing away that frozen tent.

Hey Anthony

I used to work in the high Rockies in the States through their winters... there guys that suffered normally used a very thin pair or knitted gloves, dakine gortex gloves and then when they had finnished with taking down tents etc, even a pair of mittens on top of everything...

not really hike efficient but at -14 everyday you rather just take it...

I remember 1 guy used to use those hand warmers (a little "goo bag') which you snap to activate the chemical heating reaction... you slip those ontop of your hands inside your gloves... they heat up the blood running over the back ov your hands where the skin is thinnest. He was a fellow sufferer, but swore by those things.. he used them every morning out there.

I use a pair of inner cotton gloves and a pair of thinsulate padded gloves(both at least 10 years old technology), keeps my hands nice and warm. When using the camera controls, i take off the outer gloves and then still have some protection from the elements.

We just completed a trip to the Berg wearing a combination of Black Diamond midweight inners (R215)and BD Glissade outers (R575). Our hands were warm all the time (if we kept the gloves on) even when temp's hit -6 (with wind of 50-odd kph). And the Glissades are waterproof too, which helps when filling up bottles from freezing streams adn falling in the snow/ice.

Great question, i'm also sick of cold hands when the weather turns.. and i've found the answer!!! YAY!! just tried it this weekend.. Fleece gloves with an outer pair of a wind and water proof mitten (R80), its crazy how much warmer the hands are.. however i also have a pair of black diamond gloves when i need the dexteritory

Interesting topic and my solution appeals to science and practice. I renewed my Berg acquaintance in winter conditions during the recent “very cold warnings” spell in early July, wearing my well-served usual attire. Hands should not be attended to in isolation but comprise one element of overall body warmth, nutrition and protection. Thus, dressed appropriately, my hands are wrapped with an inner liner glove and covered with . . . ta daa . . . gardening gloves. Retail price approximately R5 (see photo). Who can do anything wearing thick winter gloves anyway such as pull a zipper, cook a meal, take photos, pack a rucksack, conduct normal hiking business, you name it? Who can suffer overheating since even in winter the days are overwhelmingly mild and sunny? Not me on both accounts. By sunset when temps plunge I am in my bag and don’t need thick gloves. What with all the rocks, grit, dust, stove flames, and abuse that expensive clothing can suffer up there; my gloves encourage an active and tactile involvement. They practically cry out to be roughed and soiled because, well, after all, they are gardening gloves. The rubber dots even helped me climb the chain ladder like a suction cupped gecko. Plus, in the interests of holistic heat management, the best way to keep hands (and toes) warm is to invest in a good, warm hat (and keep your upper torso warm). Over 65% of your body’s blood (and heat) goes to your noodle and anyone who has tried to stay warm in a sleeping bag without covering the head will realize that fact quickly (plus a high kJ dinner will help maintain heat). More enlightening is hypothermia when all extremities and non-essential organs are sacrificed for the heart and brain; long after your limbs are frozen you can still see, hear and somewhat think. Hand warmth for me is a product of overall body function, care and what befits the applicable environment (I wear thick gloves when skiing, e.g.).

I do not have the Drakensburg experience with really cold weather, but skiing in Whistler Canada at -40 celsius and massive wind chill my hands were always warm. Everyone in these conditions wears an inner material glove and an outer glove. Nothing fancy. But you must have an inner and outer.

Resurrecting an old thread here: Has anyone tried the first Ascent soft shell gloves?

www.firstascent.co.za/shop/soft-shell-glove/

I've got a pair water proof gloves that are unfortunately NOT windproof. I only found this out during a rather cold spell in the 'berg. The gloves are definitely water proof - I tested them. Waterproof but not windproof makes for extremely cold hands!

Personally I use K-Way Innsbruck gloves - during the GT last year when it was snowing they performed amazingly well. When its raining I have waterproof mits to put over the top. They are definitely windproof and even without the mits they take a while before the inside gets wet.

I don't follow how gloves can be waterproof but not windproof?