Black Diamond Waterproof Overmitts

I’m on my second pair of these. I wore out the first ones on winter alpine scrambles, using them for Class 2-3 rock in very cold weather. I recommend something more durable if that’s your use case.

I’d love to see these made with a more durable palm material (for scrambling and ice axe/tool use) and would happily accept an additional half ounce of weight here. That said, these are a LOT more durable than so-called ultralight rain mitt shells, and I would expect them to last for a very long time in an “ultralight backpacking context”.

Caveat: I do not use these for rainy weather – these are winter mitt shells for me.

How I use them: Most often, they are layered over Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor gloves while hiking in very cold or very windy or blizzard conditions. I also use them when “working” with snow – building snow shelters, digging avalanche pits, etc. In “emergency” cold, I try to stuff my puffy mittens under them (Enlightened Equipment Torrid Mitts) but this is not my normal use case – I sized them on the smaller side so they would layer over my Flurry sensor gloves, not my Torrid Mitts. If you want to size them large for layering over a puffy mitt, then you’ll end up with an oversized mitt that doesn’t layer well over gloves. So, consider your dominant use case and size accordingly.

Waterproofing: no issues – these are seam-sealed and highly resistant to water pressure; I’ve occasionally used them for scrambling on wet rock during winter scrambles, but they aren’t durable enough to survive much of this type of use, so beware.

Weight: These are the lightest, WPB, full-gauntlet mitt on the market that still offers some palm grip and made with fabric that is reasonably durable, unlike the (very poorly durable) shells from the likes of MLD, ZPacks, EE, etc.

Strengths:

• full-length gauntlet, hem closure, wrist elastic, low bulk fabric (can be layered under a jacket hem OR above lots of layers), palm grip, light and packable, much more durable than so-called “ultralight” mitt shells with little additional weight

Limitations:

• not durable enough for alpine scrambling

More: These scored very high in our most recent market report on Ultralight Rain Mitts for Backpacking.

I use these shells in North Idaho and North Washington during early spring, fall and winter. The temps are usually 15F-55F. Snow, sleet, rain.

What works is these keep my hands and shell mitts or gloves dry. They also work excellent as heat traps. They breathe just enough to keep my hand from being clammy on all but the highest humidity, warmer days.

I have nothing negative to say about them. They have held up to constant trekking pole use without any signs of wear. The cinch cord is very nice and easy to manipulate.  It’s possible the DWR will eventually wear off from heavy use, but if that happens I will reapply some waterproofing agent.

Before these I had the REI Minimalist Gore-tex shells. They main reason I moved away from the REI shells were how short they were. They barely covered the wrist, which allowed water to run off the jacket sleeve into the shell and glove. The long, cinchable gauntlet of the Black Diamond prevents this.  Also, the Black Diamond have a generous fit allowing liner gloves and mitts with a higher loft. The increased volume does not interfere with what dexterity is expected with a over mitt.

I would highly recommend this waterproof shell to anyone who hikes/backpacks in cold or wet climates like the PNW.