Episode 76 | Vapor Barrier Gloves and Socks

Curious to know how others are incorporating VB layers in their hand and footwear. It’s been a cold winter in the Rockies this year, and I’ve been living in my RBH Vapor Mitts!

My wife and I use vapor barrier socks between our liner socks and heavy wool socks. That way, our heavy wool socks and boot linings stay dry (since perspirations is blocked from getting to them). For winter backpacking (i.e., over nights in winter) that’s how we roll. It keeps our boot linings from freezing, and keeps our heavy socks from freezing (Because they can only freeze if they get wet). But it does mean that our liner socks get more damp than they would in the summer. So, before bed we take off the vapor barriers, and the liner socks, and put on dry socks that we only use for sleeping. Our damp liner socks get hung to dry in our tent..but they typically don’t dry much, if at all. So, in the AM, when we wake-up we put the liner socks in a jacket pocket, and by the time we have breakfast, coffee, and more coffee(!), and pack-up our camp the liner socks are dry and ready to wear.

Our vapor  barrier liners are actually just 18′ long plastic bags that our multi-grain english muffins are packaged in!  :-)

A drawback is that our feet smell very badly (way worse than normal) when we take off the VBL’s and liner socks before bed.

I am not doing extreme cold anymore, but when I was I found what Ryan advocated highly effective. Originally used polypro or coolmax liners, mylar bags, and then insulation. for hands, liners, dishwashing gloves, insulated gloves. Later switched to RBH mitts and socks which were awesome. My only differences is that they triggers sweating at freezing.  I didn’t switch to vapor barriers until it was <20f.

For hands, I use Harbor Freight 9mil Nitrile gloves. They come in different sizes and it’s easy to achieve a loose fit. They are rather durable compared to thinner options, inexpensive and lighter than dishwashing gloves.

For the feet, someone in the forums years ago suggested oven roast bags, and I have been very happy with those.

FWIW,  I use a pair of gore tex infinium stretch gloves and an over glove. If I need more, I’ll use a pair of merino liners in between

I have worn vapor barrier gloves for years to prevent insulation degradation of mittens and gloves.  What I have found work best for me are 2mm neoprene gloves .  I wear these as liners beneath RBH vapor barrier mittens.  My hands are sensitive to cold temperatures, so although the RBH mittens are the warmest practical solution I have found, I still benefit from the additional warmth of the neoprene liner gloves.  RBH does make several liners with different levels of insulation.  I use their Altitude liners for most of the winter but will substitute their fleece liners at warmer temperatures.

Any vapor barrier glove or mitten will get wet on the interior from perspiration.    When neoprene gets wet, it retains its warmth.  Without the underlying vapor barrier, my RBH mittens will start to stink in short order, and although the RBH liners can be washed, drying them takes some time.  My neoprene gloves are easily washed daily.

Wearing neoprene liner gloves permits me to remove the RBH mittens for short periods to perform tasks that require dexterity.

Before this combination, I wore electric gloves all winter. I had to carry extra batteries and shell mittens for high wind periods.  Fortunately, the electric gloves are now retired.

anyone with experience using tyvek for gloves as a VBL?

I have a pair of Sealskinz Waterproof Extreme Cold Weather Mid Length Socks.  In their description it says they offer “state-of-the-art thermal and waterproof protection… for the extreme cold. An Aquasealz™ membrane releases internal heat and moisture (emphasis mine), while denying the entry of water” — so this seems to be the opposite vapor barrier socks that don’t let the vapor and heat out.  I’m looking for the best set-up for thru-hiking in the cold and snow and, maybe, an occasional water crossing.