Handwear
Loading...
Staff Picks 2025
Our staff selects their favorite hiking, backpacking, and other backcountry gear that they’ve used over the past year – the next edition of our infamous Staff Picks!
Details
Episode 141 | Hiking at Night in a Blizzard
Critical winter layering, handwear, footwear, lighting, and navigation systems for safely hiking out through a sub-freezing blizzard at night.
Details
Cottage Gear Guide: Ultralight Hiking & Backpacking Gear from Small, Startup, and Cottage Brands
Discover the most unique, innovative, and ultralight backpacking gear from small, startup, and cottage brands in our Cottage Gear Guide.
Details
Episode 138 | Plan-Focus-Trust
Learn the Plan–Focus–Trust framework and discover how preparation removes fear, presence builds clarity, and trust turns small wins into lasting confidence – a mindset for wilderness travel and life goals.
Details
Handwear Systems for Backcountry Travel: Protecting Your Hands in Sun, Cold, Rain, Snow, and Wind
Learn how to build a lightweight, versatile handwear system for backpacking that protects your hands from sun, wind, rain, snow, and cold. This guide covers layering strategies, material science, field-tested tips, and real-world lessons to keep your hands functional and protected on the trail.
Details
Episode 96 | Building Resilience for Backcountry Adversity
Listen Summary In episode 96 of the Backpacking Light podcast we’re going to learn how to build resilience in the backcountry. In this Episode: What’s New at Backpacking Light? Thriving…
Details
Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Glove Review (Updated)
The Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Glove (2.5 oz / 71 g, $40) is the warmest glove I’ve found that I can use effectively with a smartphone.
Details
Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex Mitts
Gear reviews from our staff and members, buy/sell used, shopping tools, and more about the Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex Mitts.
Details
Publisher’s Gear Guide Update (Nov ’23)
The Publisher’s Gear Guide has been updated. This gear guide contains recommendations in various categories by Backpacking Light Publisher and Founder Ryan Jordan. This is the gear he actually chooses to use on his own trips.
Details
Episode 89 | Fall Layering Systems
In episode 89 of the Backpacking Light Podcast, we are going to talk about fall layering systems.
Details
2022 Backpacking Light Members Choice Awards
First annual Members Choice Awards – what gear do our members use and love as we near the end of 2022?
Details
Zpacks PossumDown Gloves
Gear reviews from our staff and members, buy/sell used, shopping tools, and more about the Zpacks PossumDown Gloves.
Details
Outdoor Research ActiveIce Chroma Sun Gloves
Gear reviews from our staff and members, buy/sell used, shopping tools, and more about the Outdoor Research ActiveIce Chroma Sun Gloves.
Details
Ultralight Rain Mitts for Backpacking: Reviews & Gear Guide
In this gear guide, we review 16 models of waterproof mitten shells (“rain mitts”) weighing less than 4 ounces (113 g) within the primary context of 3-season backpacking.
Details
Columbia Fast Trek Fleece Glove
Gear reviews from our staff and members, buy/sell used, shopping tools, and more about the Columbia Fast Trek Glove.
Details
YAMA Mountain Gear Rain Pogies
Gear reviews from our staff and members, buy/sell used, shopping tools, and more about the YAMA Mountain Gear Rain Pogies.
Details
Enlightened Equipment Visp Rain Mitts
The Enlightened Equipment Visp Rain Mitt is the lightest rain mitt we’ve used with single-hand adjustable closures at both the wrist and cuff.
Details
Black Diamond Waterproof Overmitts
The Black Diamond Waterproof Overmitt is a long-gauntlet snow/rain mitt with highly breathable fabric, sealed seams, and superb quality.
Details
Outdoor Research Revel Shell Mitt
The Outdoor Research Revel Shell Mitt is a durable and full-featured rain mitt – long gauntlet, wrist and cuff adjusters, and grippy palm.
Details
REI Minimalist GTX Rain Mitts
The REI Minimalist GTX shell mitten is a waterproof-breathable shell mitt intended to be layered over a light insulating glove or mitten for rain and wind protection.
DetailsJoin Our Community
Become a Backpacking Light Member
Forum Access
Unrestricted access to all forums, plus the ability to post and start new threads.
Premium Content
Unrestricted access to all 2,300+ articles, gear reviews, skills, stories, and more.
Community Posts
Post new content to the community including gear swaps, reviews, trip reports and more!
Online Education
Get unlimited access to all our online education (*Unlimited membership required).
Pack less. Be more. Become a member today!
