Glove technology advancement is a battle of increments: there are only so many things companies can do to improve upon standard formulas. But this year鈥檚 crop is lighter, warmer, and more dexterous than any before thanks to liner upgrades, sophisticated stitching, and enhanced tech.
Mammut Astro Guide Glove ($99)
The Astro Guide鈥檚 palm is made from 颅goatskin leather, which contains a wax called lanolin that keeps the mitts pliable when they dry out after wet backcountry adventures. Polyester on the backs of the hands lets paws breathe, a Gore-Tex Infinium liner blocks wind, and articulated fingers yield outstanding dexterity. The result? Warm but not clammy hands in a range of conditions.聽
Black Diamond Mercury Mitt ($120)
It鈥檚 hard to beat the warmth of a mitt, especially one with 170 grams of insulation on the back of the hand (133 on the front). Goatskin leather in the palm boosts durability, and a recycled, 颅four-way-stretch soft shell keeps the back flexible. One thing BD left out: PFCs. The brand鈥檚 proprietary water repellent kept our hands moisture-free without the toxic chemicals that stay in the environment when our skin tracks melt away.聽
Hestra Ergo Grip Glove ($125)
Hestra is renowned for comfort, durability, and pick-up-a-dime dexterity, and it delivers in spades here. The palm provides a natural curve ideal for gripping a ski pole or climbing rope. Gore-颅Tex Infinium layered between the shell and the liner blocks wind and breathes at the expense of some waterproofing, though the glove is still plenty capable of fending off strong winds and light snow showers.
Outdoor Research RadiantX Mitt ($115)
Nobody wants cold hands, but skiing in an overstuffed gauntlet can feel like playing the piano with claws. Enter the waterproof RadiantX, which has an interior aluminum coating that reflects body heat with minimal bulk鈥攁nd without compromising breathability. The result is more pliable but retains all the warmth of gloves in the next weight class up鈥攁nd it still sheds deep powder thanks to a waterproof outer shell.
Seirus Heated Atlas Glove ($200)
Heated gloves usually involve clunky batteries lashed to your wrists within the cuffs and wire heating elements you can feel when clenching your poles. The Atlas loses weight by using one small lithium-ion battery and just over two inches of wire per hand. The lowest of the three settings offers six hours of moderate warmth. On a subzero day, we relied on the Atlas鈥檚 polyester insulation for a few runs before deploying the nuclear option, which lasted us over two hours of sweet supplemental heat.
Truck MX Master Glove ($40)
The MX Master has a full goatskin hull, making it warmer than the Astro Guide. This means it鈥檚 not quite as breathable, but the waterproof membrane between shell and fleece liner more than made up for it on mild lift-served spring days. Credit Truck鈥檚 direct-to-consumer business model for the serious bargain here.