Rain mitts/ gloves: ideas?

Go down to the post office and pick up a few large priority mail envelopes. They are free (at least they are supposed to be free if you are going to use them for mailing). They are made of tyvek. They should be fairly waterproof, or very rain resistant. They might also be slightly breathable. You can sew the material or probably even glue it.

Dan

Bread bags for just when you need it. Waterproof but not breathable. Cheap. Covers.

Newspaper bags work just like bread bags (some are more durable than others) – not only for hands, but for feet in bad cold, too.

I swear I saw a link for using the Propore 3m Material to make mitts out of them somewhere — maybe at some ultralight fabric web site. One can buy the DriDucks rain gear sometimes at $10 (I bought a complete jacket/pants for $10 at latest sports show). That material could be used to make many such breathable, waterproof, ultralight mitts. Does anyone else know the link for the pattern for making your own rain mitts?

I think the link might be here:

http://www.questoutfitters.com/patterns-hat,sock,glove.htm#HAT,%20SOCKS,%20GLOVE%20PATTERNS

The pattern for SHELL OVERMITTS.

http://www.ula-equipment.com/mist.htm

ULA makes some that look like they are made from the propore material or something similar. They are only $20, seems like a good deal.

I reviewed the ULA Rain Mitts for BackpackGearTest.org. I (and the other testers) thought they were great – breathe well, keep the bugs off, waterproof, lightweight, and only $20.

The ULA link was the one I was originally trying to remember. Thanks for the link. I just ordered a pair from ULA this morning.

1. silnylon rain mitts at thepacka.com
2. ula propore mitts mentioned above
3. bread sacks or newspaper sacks
4. tubular silnylon stuff sacks like the ones for thermarest
5. food server gloves at dollar tree
6. latex/rubber gloves at dollar stores

If you want to make it really simple, do what the Tibetans have done for centuries… elongate the sleeves of your rain jack and pull your hands inside. When not using the elongated ends of the sleeves, fold them over. Simple and effective.

That seems like a great method Miguel. If the sleeves were shaped correctly I bet you could still use trekking poles as well. I have an older Arc Teryx paclite shell with super baggy sleeves and it increase the overall breathability of the jkt tremendously.

New Wish List item: sub 10oz eVent anorak with a sleeve design like this.

John,

thanks for the pretty much exhaustive list.
Yet another reason why I always bring at least 5 various sized plastic bags when camping. Whether for feet or hands or garbage or repairs, they really do come in handy.

thanks.

Do not skimp on this very important piece of gear. Even on the AT in NC this month, my hands were almost useless for small motor tasks around camp in the rain and not even very cold. Any thin waterproof covering can do wonders to keeping the hands warm and nimble.

Here’s my choice.
Tough,cheap,and light. The copy says water resistant but I would say at least highly water resistant. I’ve worn these through several rain and snow squalls without my liner gloves getting the least bit wet. 1.4 oz. for the pair.