I’d like to pick the collective brain of BackpackingLight. I’m looking for something warm and hopefully versatile that I can use across multiple activities, willing to spend to find the right item.
I live in Colorado, currently tackling all the Colorado 14ers, do some backpacking in between/in conjunction with my other activities, and just learned how to ski last year. Even outside of the Colorado 14ers I’d like to continue to pursue mountaineering and other cold weather back country (and backpacking) activities such as cross country skiing, and snow shoeing, etc..
The warmest gloves I have are currently the Gordini Swagger II, which have been absolutely terrible as a cold weather option for me. There hasn’t been a single time I’ve been in cold (below 35F) weather that I haven’t needed hand warmers.
So my hands get cold easily and I was thinking a mitten would be a better option than a glove. So far, it seems like Black Diamond has the best options for what I’m looking for. These 2 have caught my eyes –
Spark Johnny Mitt
https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product/spark-johnny-mitts/
This one is durable and has wrist attachments. In colder temps I have a pair of OR Versaliner Sensor gloves I was thinking I could use as a liner, I would just size up the mittens to accommodate.
Recon Access Mitts
https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product/recon-access-mitts/
These are the warmer option, come with liners already, and the zip to slide your hands out and use them is pretty appealing. Also has a zip pocket near the wrist for warmers.
Looking for feedback on these two options as well as any suggestions that others have found successful, especially if you’re like me and your hands get cold quite easily! Thanks.
