Big Puffy Mitts

I don't have them, but I like the look (and price) of these at MEC. If you are not a member of MEC, it is probably worth joining, since they have good products and good prices.

http://tinyurl.com/ykk843

Beauty! This is exactly what I was looking for. I have a membership too (although it may have lapsed). Thank you very much.

I noticed these weigh in at 180g/6.34oz. While that's light, I can't help but hope that there's something even lighter to go inside of my sexy–well, as sexy as something that shade of yellow can be–new eVent shells from Ron Bell and Co. Is this a Primaloft MYOG project just waiting to happen?

These might be lighter.

http://www.rei.com/product/48044611.htm

Miles, what's your first impression of the mitts from MLD? The description seemed to imply 3 season use, not 4. What do you think?

Douglas,
Thanks for the link.

Eric,
I haven't actually gotten the MLD mitts yet. As soon as I do, I'll let you know what I think. Although the implied use certainly seems to be 3 season, I'm hoping that, when coupled with a very warm and simple insulation mitt, they'll serve as a nice wind/waterproof shell for light duty around camp on non-mountaineering winter trips.

I've been eyeing those mitts on the MLD website. Wow, talk about an awesome stocking stuffer…

If Ron Bell is watching this thread, I'd be curious to know why he chose a double layer of 2-layer eVent for the palms. Why not a single 3-layer eVent palm, or an uncoated nylon liner?

EDIT: …just checked MLD.com. It looks like they're sold out for the season. :-(

I’m not surprised that they are sold out of the mitts. There is a lot of pent up demand for something like this (the price might have deterred some people, but not during the holidays). Personally, I wish someone would make a pair of mitts out of the O2 material. It would be even lighter. Maybe that would be too fragile. Plus, it would probably be just as expensive as I assume most of the cost is in the stitching.

Funny you mentioned the fleece REI mitts. Those are the mittens my wife initially brought back from the store. These were the backup plan (if my search failed). I wish I would have weighed them, since I can’t find the weight on the REI site. They are fine (and probably lighter) but I wanted something warmer for her.

I have a feeling that unless you can create mitts with no cover, I don’t think that you can beat the warmth per weight of the BMW Vapor Mitts. Then again, those are vapor mitts, so they don’t breathe. Plus, using a layering system adds more flexibility. So, yes, it would be nice to have a really light insulated mitten to put under the eVent mitts (I hope MLD is listening).

Back to the original post (and first reply): I ordered the mitts from MEC and will let people know what I think when they arrive. Keep in mind if you are ordering from the U.S. you will be charged quite a bundle in shipping charges ($18 CAN). This looks to be a generic charge, as I live in Seattle and MEC is headquarted in Vancouver.

One last note: A good alternative (I found out later) is the OR Stratus. They seem to have more of a shell than is needed though. That being said, their listed weight is actually lower. I’m not sure why this is unless there is a lot less insulation or the MEC ones have heavy fleece inside (the outside of the MEC should be lighter). Again, I may know more when the MEC mittens arrive.

Hey All,

Yep, the intitial production run of the MLD rain mitts sold out in a couple days. Shipping via USPS First Class started on Mon of this week. Everyone who ordered a pair should have them by the first/middle of next week.

They are not intened as primary all day cold weather gear, but I suppose folks will use liners of some kind to push the limits down to maybe low double digits for shorter trips…

Primary design goal was a light waterproof mitt(.8oz for sm/med and .9 for lg/xlg p/pair), minimum seams, OK comfort on a trek pole and intended for inter'mitt'ent use in morning cool weather, sleeping and occasional rain. Used this way, I think they will have a service life that will warrant the price/value.

Truthfully, the use of 2layer eVENT was primarily that I already had that lightest eVENT fabric (about 2 oz/sq/yd)for use in bivy and bag tops, so I used that and it seemed to work well. -Doubled the palm to extend the life of the mitts in the 'business' area while keeping the rest single (lightest) layer and still keeping the vapor trans rate good in the palm area I hope… Also since that area will get the mosty sweat/dirt, turing it inside out alows an easier cleaning of that part without abrabing/clogging the membrane as quick. (Palm is membrane to membrane w/ nylon DWR side facing out and the other in toward the hand.) Perhaps some day in the future I may look at a tougher 3 layer w/ possible insualtion, but this type of fabric dye lot investment is quite huge! It would just get heavier anyway…

So, if you are looking for a light winter mitt for all day really cold use, the MLD Mitts are not really that product. Check out the BMW's.

Also, Look for a black color option in 2007.

The MEC mittens arrived and I weighed them at 6.1 oz. or 173 grams (medium). Though they are listed on the women's page, they came with a sticker saying unisex sizing. They are rather large for a medium, as I could probably use them (I usually wear a men's large). I wasn't thrilled with MEC's delivery policy, as they required written confirmation on delivery (which meant a trip to the post office). I've ordered a bunch of stuff lately and they are the only place that did that. That is my only complaint though, as they look to be well built, big puffy mittens with most of the weight put into insulation.

Hi Ross,

The postal lady just leaves my MEC shipments on the front porch and that was as recent as Thursday. Maybe talk to the person who delivers the mail to your home or leave a note on the door just to leave it.

I just bought the OR Stratus mitts. They are 5.8oz in size XL. They have a durable looking shell and a grippy palm. They are fleece-lined, and they don't have high-loft insulation on the palm size.

I'm guessing the MEC mitts are warmer, but less durable and dextrous (although your dexterity in mitts may be low enough to begin with that this doesn't matter). I'm hoping to get the MEC mitts as well at some point, and they look better overall but I found the Stratus for half price and couldn't resist ;)

Laurie,
Are you in Canada? I should have mentioned that the one thing I don't like is their shipping options to the U.S. (expensive and requires pickup). On the U.S.P.S. note it said that I must sign for pickup (either at home when they deliver or at the post office). I imagine things are nicer in Canada.

Dane,
I've seen the Stratus (almost bought them) and I think your comparison is correct.