Looking for Flip Mitts

[jscott]

“…but the windproof aspect may disqualify them for my use cases.”

Interesting. One reason I like my Rab gloves is their wind-proofnes. But I was Nordic skiing, where I may be fast enough to  create a bit of wind. (Ha! both kinds!)(any kind of forward propulsion helps.)

so, is it condensation that makes wind block gloves inappropriate?

 

[David D]

“so, is it condensation that makes wind block gloves inappropriate?”

That’s what I find.  I try not to stop but wet hands are miserable at gawd awful temps if parking the tookus for a break.

I used to Nordic ski with a Sporthill top that had a wind block front.  Great for crossing open grassy meadows but going through tree cover (low wind) when stupid cold out, sweat would crystalize on the inner lining.  I generate enough heat that I never felt unsafe and had layers in the bag to throw on top if I had to stop, but it was not pleasant

I was on a backpacking trip all last week and it was hot out.  I was dripping wet but didn’t care.  But anything wet below ~ -20C is no fun at all

 

[Bill Budney]

Agree about condensation. My hands sweat a lot, too, regardless of temperature. Mittens with shells need to be dried at night, which is easy on day hikes and difficult or impossible while backpacking.

Mittens without shells still need to be dried, but they are much easier (sleeping bag or under a jacket).

VBLs are an alternative for overnights. I can see why they are semi-popular. Food handling gloves are UL, nitrile gloves are tougher if you carry a couple of pairs and turn them inside-out to dry. Especially thicker gloves, like 5-9 mils. Maybe neoprene (wetsuit) gloves.

An advantage to VBLs is that you only need to carry one set of insulation. I would carry a dry spare of fleece or wool mittens. As usual, YMMV. :)

[Jerry Adams]

“About cold sensitivity, I can’t prove that it’s causal but I cold exposed one hand so bad that I couldn’t use it to take my boots off and its been cold sensitive ever since.”

David, I can’t think of such a specific incident, but I think there were a number of incidents not quite so bad

“youngsters” reading this – don’t let your fingers get so cold they get numb and turn white

[Bill Budney]

Holy Déjà vu, Jerry. Didn’t you just post the same thing this morning, in the same thread? :)

[Jerry Adams]

yes I did, but then David added his specific incident which I then responded to

I am not becoming a demented person.  Or at least it’s just happening slowly.

If I was a real comedian, I would post in a day arguing that David and Jerry are full of it, that couldn’t possibly happen : )

[jscott]

For clarification I’ll just mention that my Nordic skiing was on groomed slopes, which allow for some speed–especially downhill. for me, wind coming through my gloves makes it almost impossible to warm up my hands. Fleece alone is worthless.

My hands don’t sweat much, especially in cold weather,  even when I exert myself pretty highly. different pole strokes for different folks.

[Brad W]

@Jerry I believe something similar happened to me. Repeated freezing of hands-‘I’ll put the gloves on later, once camp is broken down’. Numb, useless fingers taking hours to warm up has made my hands cold indoors, let alone outside. I use to be able to go gloveless into the mid 30’s(F), now low 50s and below I am putting them on. It really takes a bit of hiking and high output to warm them up, but they never get hot like they use to.

[Brad W]

https://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?p_id=1108895

These look decent. Not sure how long the palm would hold up to pole use.

[David D]

Thanks @Brad W.   They look nice but a bit too light for deep cold, but your link led me to an interesting option different than a flip mitt, the Montbell Powder Zip mitt:

https://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=25061&p_id=1118914&gen_cd=1

It’s possible to keep most of the hand covered, exposing just a couple fingers.  It uses WPB Dry-TEC lining that makes sense in deep cold where the vapour pressure differential is high (unlike a rain jacket).   I wonder if it might be too warm?  Can’t find a single opinion online about them

[Brad W]

@David Wow nice find! I like those much better. They would hold up better to trekking pole use as well.

[stenslat .]

I love flip mitts, especially for hunting as they are great for shooting.  I have some Huntworth mittens I got at wal-mart that have these genius little loops sewn between the fingers that make them super easy to pull off.  Those little loops have ruined me and fingerless gloves that don’t have them now drive me crazy.

https://huntworthgear.com/mens/gloves/bradford-midweight-long-pile-fleece-lined-pop-top-hunting-gloves-disruption

 

[David D]

For those that use the torrid mitts, do you find that they breathe well?  There are no in depth reviews on line and I’m reconsidering these but concerned they’ll be sweaty.  Also trying to understand how cold the 4oz and 6oz can go with a medium fleece liner? Thanks!

[dirtbag]

EE torid mitts?  I love mine. I only really need them when lounging inside my tent at camp in Cold winter, or outside. Have not had any sweat issues or complaints about anything.  They just work.

[David D]

Thanks for the answer.  Sorry, ya, the EE.  Adventure Alan’s review mentioned they’re good down to 0F, I’m hoping with fleece liner gloves that they can reach down to -20F on the move.

Are they durable enough for use in repeated long hard snowshoeing days with poles?

[Paul Hatfield]

This is not exactly what the original poster requested, but there’s quite a few models of gloves now that have deployable hoods.

https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product/deploy-wind-hood-gloves/

https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product/gridtech-storm-hood-gloves/

https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us/shop-all/activity-pages/trail-running-c347787/etip-trail-gloves-pNF0A888K

I’ve seen similar gloves from a few other reputable brands too.

[David D]

Just picked up a different option, the Swany Toasters 

They’re half to third the price of other options in Canada but they appear well made, durable, adjustable and with excellent coverage.  They’re used in bulk by the forces out here.  They’re not the thickest but an XL is roomy and fits all my inner liners, even thick ones.

They lack breathability, the design expects the user to open the zipper partway if that’s needed.

Will see how they play out, bring on the deep cold.

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