Editors’ Choice: Truck Pro Mitten
$60, truckgloves.com
The Truck Pro Mitten isn’t fancy, but our testers say it’s all you need. “Sometimes I think I’m turning into a White Walker when my hands get cold,” remarked one tester who suffers from waxy digits. “But I don’t have that problem with these.” Layered beneath the supple goatskin outer are Thinsulate and 3M poly filling, with a generous helping atop the hand. A Polar Fleece inner offers extra comfort and warmth. Despite its trim profile, the Pro Mitten gives your feelers space to breathe. “I can wiggle my fingers to keep them warm on a frigid morning,” said a female tester used to below-zero starts in the Tetons, “and still work my backpack zippers, too.”
Black Diamond Equipment Legend Gloves John Jackson Edition
$150, blackdiamondequipment.com
Our tester was effusive about his favorite part of the Legend Gloves. “Too many gloves have these thicc boi cuffs,” he said. “These cuffs are Goldilocks—just right.” With a Gore-Tex membrane, goat leather upper, Pertex Shield lower and Primaloft insulation, the Legend provides the right level of warmth and waterproofness for all but the warmest spring laps and coldest storm tours, according to our tester. Although the Legend comes in standard colors like yellow and black, he recommended the collaboration with rider John Jackson, again referencing his favorite feature: “Cuffs are sexyyyyyy—and I’m not just talking about the fit. The stitched mountains are really beautiful.”
Leki Lightning 3D Spring Gloves
$90, leki.com
“One word describes these—svelte,” our tester said of the pliable goatskin spring gloves. For days when the sun is shining, the Lightning 3D is as comfy as they come, he said, particularly noting the micro Bemberg polyester lining that “felt like baby rabbit fur against my hands” and the neoprene Flex Cuff that locks them in place and slides seamlessly under the sleeves of almost any jacket. Judiciously placed Thinsulate insulation makes them warm enough for chilly spring morning skinning or a windy skintrack, though too hot for hiking in full sun. Because they are spring gloves, our tester said, they lack stormproofness for when unexpected flurries roll in.
Swany Hudsen Skylar
$140, swanyamerica.com
Swany brings vintage style to the backcountry in its Hudsen series, which includes the low-profile Skylar glove. “The inside is cozy like a fleece blanket and wicks away sweat,” said a tester who found the Skylar great for descents on all but the coldest days. On those frigid outings, she still kept it in her pack as what she called her “arctic skinning glove.” The Skylar’s exterior has a combination of softshell and leather, with leather covering everything from the palm to the fingers. Inside are two Primaloft weights—100 grams on the palm and 170 on the back—which our tester found provided dexterity without sacrificing warmth.
Gordini Elias Gauntlet Mitt
$140, gordini.com
“These give massive warmth without feeling like a boxing glove,” a cold-handed tester said. “Still a bit of dexterity—enough to get a zipper, buckle boots, adjust a pack.” Gordini’s Elias Gauntlet Mitt achieves this by using Thindown, a down fabric made from sustainably sourced goose feathers. This ecoconscious fiber packs all the warmth from lofted down into a more breathable, thin fabric. Other features include a long cuff, a 10K Ripstop and polyester shell on the back of the hand and a synthetic leather palm. “Easy to pull on over my jacket, easy to adjust the cuff and wrist strap and easy to pack in my bag on the skintrack,” a tester confirmed.
This article was originally published in Issue No. 148. To read more, pick up a copy at BackcountryMagazine.com/148 or subscribe to read gear reviews earlier when they are published in print.
truck pro mitt is great warm value mitt. simple, fingers together. would prefer to have a knit cuff for under jacket use. the velcro and cuff attempting to be both workable over and under is only grip. going strong for a few seasons.