Gloves and mittens

simonov · Post by **simonov** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 12:56 pm

I need to get something warmer for my hands, which are subject to pain and numbing from something called Reynauld's Phenomenon. I have been thinking about getting a nice pair of mittens, but don't see how these can be used when walking with an ice axe.

Does anyone use mittens with an ice axe?

406 · Post by **406** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:07 pm

You might like OR oven mitts or what ever they call them now:
http://www.backcountry.com/store/ODR000 ... itten.html

Unless you are ice climbing, I think a good fitting mitt with a good sticky paw should work. I have gripped many a ski pole and ice axe just fine in mine. And they are insanely warm. Way to warm for me in California, 99% of the time.

Make sure the shells have taped seems and goretex. You can pick the thickness of the removable liners.

Rick M · Post by **Rick M** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 9:22 pm

This is an example of minimum clothing needed for snow/ice climbing in Southern California with mittens, ice axe, & crampons.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2475 ... 3760vRVbeq

Photo taken near the top of Baldy Bowl above the Ski Hut.

Does this answer your question?

406 · Post by **406** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 8:15 am

wow you must work out.

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:34 pm

406 wrote:You might like OR oven mitts or what ever they call them now:
http://www.backcountry.com/store/ODR000 ... itten.html

Unless you are ice climbing, I think a good fitting mitt with a good sticky paw should work. I have gripped many a ski pole and ice axe just fine in mine. And they are insanely warm. Way to warm for me in California, 99% of the time.

Make sure the shells have taped seems and goretex. You can pick the thickness of the removable liners.

I bought a set of the OR overmitts with fleece liners some years ago for my trips to Canada. They're really good for when it's seriously cold, wet, or windy. I've had no problems using them on ski poles in terms of grip.

Typically, I find the Gortex mitts too warm. I use a thinner pair of gloves as my primary gloves and carry the Goretex mitts as backup/survival gear. For you, they might work great.

One note: if you intend to do anything (e.g. snow camping) with a snow shovel, get the "D" shaped handle grip not the "T" shaped handle grip. A "T" style grip and mittens don't play well together.