Does a waterproof mitt shell have to be breathable?

When dealing with cold rain, I have always had issues with rain mitts made from Gore-Tex never really being waterproof over a few days. I switched to wearing sealed Sil-cordura stuff sacks over powerstretch liners, with a spare pair of liners for camp. The liners did get damp from perspiration, but it was warm and so was hardly and issue.
I would suggest trying that- wear plastic bags/stuff sacks over your liners etc. and hike for a few hours in the rain. Your hands might be better off as mine are.
In colder condistions, I do wear a Gore-Tex mitt (OR Paclite) but they don't need to keep as much water out, just snow.

I was wondering about this too since I have been thinking about getting some silnylon mittens to wear over my Possum Fur liner gloves. If it got too warm while hiking in the rain, I thought I could just take off the PF gloves and not worry about a little sweat since there might be enough of a bellows effect. Around camp I didn't think breathability was much of a problem. Certainly Ray Jardine seems comfortable with them.

Should I go for the micropore type mittens? Does anyone else have experience with these?

Thomas,

I think these are micropore or similar material. I an interested in these myself for at least fall and spring hiking in New England and with wool liners into winter, at least to a point.

Try long sleeves on your rainwear, and just pull your hands up inside. Lighter.

Yeah, you're right about the lightest option of the coat sleeves. I was thinking that silnylon mittens would provide a bit more warmth than tucking inside my sleeves since I use poles. Besides, silnylon mittens are pretty light. I was really comparing these two layers to a heavier single layer (i.e., less flexible and more expensive) for winter use (0-40 deg F conditions).

I don't know if I would go for the micropore as I have a DriDucks suit made out of the stuff and it is not very durable long term. Silnylon and Toughtek would probably be your best bet.

Is there a cheap waterproof, breathable mitt shell out there?

Ask and you shall receive Brett.

ULA Mist Overmitt
Its made out of the same stuff as the DriDucks. But only $20.

You also have the option of the MLD eVent Mitts. Made of eVent, obviously. A little pricey though.

Neither are going to be extraordinarily durable, its all a matter of how you treat your gear.

Adam

I should have edited that post to say durable also. Sorry.

Somebody needs to track down a stuff sack that might be good for waterproof mitts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The thermarest silnylon stuff sacks come to mind since they are long and slender.

Here are some $25 silnylon mitts:

http://www.thepacka.com/index_files/Page429.html