A quick review of the Gloves I have found useful at work.
Over a period of years I have tried and tested and spent a lot of money on various pairs of gloves looking for the shang-ri-la pair to keep my digits warm, dry and working.
I am still looking.....
There have been several pairs from reputable outdoor brands that
have come close over the years.
However,the elusive, dexterous, warm/ cool, dry, on & offable,
affordable piece of kit that will help me perform my job in the
outdoors must still be in the bargain bin somewhere that I haven't located. Yet!
Gloves are part of my PPE (Glove PPE taken from a Canadian document)
and as such need to be useful to me to be able to function safely and with
some degree of comfort.
and as such need to be useful to me to be able to function safely and with
some degree of comfort.
Here are some of the alternatives that I have tried during my work
as an International Mountain Leader,Volunteer Mountain Rescue Team member,
Fell runner and Mountain Marathoner over 20 years in all seasons.
as an International Mountain Leader,Volunteer Mountain Rescue Team member,
Fell runner and Mountain Marathoner over 20 years in all seasons.
Liner Gloves
These are invaluable to keep your fingers warm and help you perform the fiddly
tasks, undoing zippers, tyeing and untying knots, undoing the age old
conundrum of unwrapping a Starburst sweet.
tasks, undoing zippers, tyeing and untying knots, undoing the age old
conundrum of unwrapping a Starburst sweet.
pockets, dry bags and top pockets of rucksacks.
They should, as with all these gloves, be easy to get on and off in all conditions and dry quickly.
My current favourite are from Decathlon and are inexpensive.
They are great when wet, keep hands warm and dry out very quickly.
The dexterity of these are like skin as they are so thin, 26gms in weight means you can carry a few pairs.
Touch screen devices can be used through these also.
This is a wonder fabric, warm when wet, reasonably durable and wind resistant.
Read from the title link what the manufacturer's say.
I just know it works well. Here is a link to the current pair I am using Montane Power- stretch pro pair.
http://www.montane.co.uk/range/accessories/power-stretch-pro-glove
http://www.montane.co.uk/range/accessories/power-stretch-pro-glove
Another great inexpensive option that can be stashed in every pocket.
This is the type that can be seen being used daily in freezer sections of supermarkets.
If it works for them....
This is the type that can be seen being used daily in freezer sections of supermarkets.
If it works for them....
They can be used on either hand so there’s no messing about trying to get them on.
They are not very windproof so maybe an over-glove or mitt maybe useful.
They are not very windproof so maybe an over-glove or mitt maybe useful.
These are great as a waterproof barrier under these liner gloves. When in place they can stay there all day long and I can keep the dexterity I need without removal. They will then work like a vapour barrier, a new sort of education needed for our British climate, but do work very well in colder climates.
This is Andy Kirkpatricks take on Vapour barrier socks. The gloves do turn your fingers into something that look like your granny’s. With a bit of practice and used in
the right conditions they have worked for me.
the right conditions they have worked for me.
Next Layer
This is a standard style of glove used most days where its not to cold for the need of a liner.
As with the liner gloves the applications for me are the same in fit, price and usefulness.
As with the liner gloves the applications for me are the same in fit, price and usefulness.
These have excellent grip on maps and compass etc along with a great fit.
In the wet they just get wet and can be wrung out.
They are again very inexpensive, CE and EN rated for protection.
The only drawback is that when working with ropes the rubber palm is
not as Durable as leather. I have used these gloves on numerous occasions and I can
get a silk liner underneath to add extra warmth.
They are not very wind resistant either but can be covered over.
In the wet they just get wet and can be wrung out.
They are again very inexpensive, CE and EN rated for protection.
The only drawback is that when working with ropes the rubber palm is
not as Durable as leather. I have used these gloves on numerous occasions and I can
get a silk liner underneath to add extra warmth.
They are not very wind resistant either but can be covered over.
These seem to be a staple glove in Europe favored by Mountain Guides and Ski Patrollers alike. They are tough, warm with a fleece pile liner that does not pull out.
When treated with some saddle oil or Nikwax Glove oil they do have some water repellency. 
Here is an overview of the gloves. http://shop.snowshepherd.co.uk/Venitex-Leather-Gloves-size-8
They are slightly heavy as you may expect. But do remain warm when wet and fits a liner well. I have used mine in temperatures down to -25C in Norway with a liner and they have been great.
I have made a couple of elastic leashes to connect to the wrist eyelets to keep in contact with
the gloves when I have to “drop” them and use my liner gloves for greater dexterity.
I have made a couple of elastic leashes to connect to the wrist eyelets to keep in contact with
the gloves when I have to “drop” them and use my liner gloves for greater dexterity.
I have also tried the new version of CE rated Delta FBF50, they have now taken over from Venitex and have a great feel and dexterity for this size of glove. Again a few applications of Nikwax or saddle leather reproofer works brilliantly to keep most of the water off the surface. This glove has a Thinsulate lining which has been much maligned by the outdoor world as a cheap alternative to other insulators. Thinsulate has been around for 40 + years and and here is some info on its heritage and history.
These Gloves are great not only for the novelty value, a lot of folk ask about a
customs style inspections with these on, but they are warm and waterproof,
until water gets down the cuff. If you can get the right jacket sleeve- cuff to fit over the
top they are pretty bombproof. Click on the link for specifications.
customs style inspections with these on, but they are warm and waterproof,
until water gets down the cuff. If you can get the right jacket sleeve- cuff to fit over the
top they are pretty bombproof. Click on the link for specifications.
As above there is a taunting from onlookers when wearing these.
Ask what a window cleaner working all year round outdoors will be wearing and I bet this are on the list.
The faux wool fleece liner will come
Ask what a window cleaner working all year round outdoors will be wearing and I bet this are on the list.
The faux wool fleece liner will come
out and can be replaced with any of the aforementioned liners.
Or an alternative fleece liner can be added.
Or an alternative fleece liner can be added.
They are not very dexterous but work in cold conditions where water, snow, ice are in contact.
Made in Finland where they know a thing or to about the cold.
Another in the style of the above, in that its a fish out of water on the mountains but used extensively by deep sea fishermen the world over.
This the breathable version with a cotton liner. Takes a while to dry and can get a bit clammy.
The fit is a bit tight on the fingers which does not help getting them on and off as easy as the above gloves.
It conversely helps with the smaller fiddly jobs, therefore needs to come off less.
This the breathable version with a cotton liner. Takes a while to dry and can get a bit clammy.
The fit is a bit tight on the fingers which does not help getting them on and off as easy as the above gloves.
It conversely helps with the smaller fiddly jobs, therefore needs to come off less.
There are numerous occasions when I get the wrong glove choice on a day out.
More thought has to go into multi day activities, but with greater glove choice and these being
relatively inexpensive work gloves I can afford to make a better choice.
More thought has to go into multi day activities, but with greater glove choice and these being
relatively inexpensive work gloves I can afford to make a better choice.
