Winter gloves

[chiselbit]

I searched and read several old threads regarding gloves figured might as well start a new one to see if anybody has something new to add. I’m specifically looking for warm gloves to wear while I’m falling timber in the snow. Something that’s not bulky but warm and somewhat waterproof. Atlas thermals are so-so until they get wet which usually happens quickly. Temps here are not as low as a lot of you guys get, twenties and upper teens but it’s still unpleasant to run the saw for 6 or 7 hrs with aching hands.
What are you using?

 

[southsoundtree]

Have you considered heated handles?

My employee is slight and easily cold. She is going to try neoprene diving gloves, as recommended by Tree Lady.

 

[chiselbit]

I have never tried heated handles and doubt I will just due to cost, I run ported saws and I don’t think I could justify adding another saw to the lineup nor would I care to change one of the current saws but I’m interested in what you guys find with the diving gloves. I’ve never even seen a pair but the first thing that comes to mind is: do they breath? @Tree Lady can you advise? Do your hands get sweaty?

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Read up on Vapor Barrier Liners/VBL

For hands start with a waterproof glove. Like you'd use for cleaning. Then add your insulation layer. Your skin stays dry, ignoring the negligible amount of sweat inside the VBLs

 

[Shadowscape]

Mine sweat in neoprene gloves and end up being colder than if I take them off. They do not breath unless you get some with mesh panels. And don't get them near your muffler. Did that and it melted to my skin, which caused a few moments of excruciating pain as I tried to peel the glove off my hand. Not a fan of neoprene gloves for tree work, or for anything else for that matter. Might be okay for picking up duck decoys from the water after a hunt.

On another note, I work in sub zero weather quite often. And I am one of those people who was born with cold hands and feet. I also have Raynaud's syndrome where the circulation shuts off to my hands and feet in weather below about 65 degrees. Sucks! During the winter I climb and run chainsaws with chopper mitts with a heat pack inside. I have cut a slot for my trigger finger in the mitts so I can get it out and in when needed. Not what most of you have in mind, but it works for me.

I have one large saw with heated handles. From my perspective it is not worth it. I don't have it in my hands long enough for it to be of much value in terms of warmth.

 

[Shadowscape]

Read up on Vapor Barrier Liners/VBL

For hands start with a waterproof glove. Like you'd use for cleaning. Then add your insulation layer. Your skin stays dry, ignoring the negligible amount of sweat inside the VBLs

I will argue this point with you, Tom. In cold weather this method works absolutely against keeping you warm, even though this idea has been around for 75 years. The VB keeps your sweat from evaporating and holds it against your skin. The idea it keeps moisture out is great in the summer when the humidity is high outside, but wintertime with low humidity in the air it is working totally against you for warmth.
But if you feel warmer doing that, then go for it. I want something that wicks the moisture away from my skin and then lets it make its way to the outside where it can evaporate in the low humidity winter air. Gore-Tex was supposed to do that, but it really doesn't work all that well, despite the ads.

 

[ghostice]

I find when it's really cold I just default to a pair of ice climbing gloves - there's lots of them available from Swiss Hestra gloves (their gauntlet gloves will break the bank but you will be warm) to more practically perhaps, some of the stuff available in Canada at MEC or in the US at REI. Glove-wise, using a saw in the winter and climbing in real cold is sorta like ice climbing without the running water drips, to me anyway. The old Black Diamond gloves I have came with a kind of pebbly finish on the grip side (great for saw handles and iced up ice axes both) and removable liners. And therein lies the success factor in combatting cold hands or the screaming barfies - keeping your liners dry - so we used to bring along 2 or 3 pairs of liners if we did anything over Grade 4 ice where you'd be getting a real workout (and sometimes praying). Esp for women (who tend to have lesser finger circulation than men and therefore are maybe more prone to the screaming barfies as we all age) good gloves make a world of difference. But ya gotta stay dry. Cheers

 

[GregManning]

I have a couple pair of leather (only) over-mittens. I put silicone liquid water proofing on them.
The Right has a trigger finger.
The Left has chain-resistant padding on the back.

Any glove fits inside; the 2 layers are surprisingly warm.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

I will argue this point with you, Tom. In cold weather this method works absolutely against keeping you warm,

VBLs always create divisions. There are Skeptics and True Believers. I'm a TB here.

I don't have the patience or inclination to explain the concept of VBLs. The topic has been covered better and more in depth than I could ever do.

The basic concept of VBLs is to restrict the sweat to the skin layer. Contrary to perception this layer between skin and VBL becomes 'saturated' thenyour body stops sweating. Water vapor doesn't become damp or wet injsde the VBL.

Here's the way to give VBLs a test and see what you think.

On one hand, or foot, use a lightweight synthetic liner then the VBL glove/Sock. On the other use what you've always used.

While you're on morning shift note how each appendage is warm/cold.

Now, go to work. At lunch the first thing you do, while you're warm, is to change out and change systems, right and left. Take off the VBL system, dry your foot...but I've never had 'wet feet' under VBLs anyway...and put on a fresh typical setup. The VBL goes on the other.

Now, put in your afternoon shift. Make a mental note on how your Right and Left feel compared to morning.

Everyone that I know who has doe an objective comparison agree that VBLs work.

Now, adding waterproof/breathable IE Gore-tex type fabrics as shells is not really part of a VBL system. Its meant to keep your whole body, not hands and feet as we're discussing, dry in winter. Completely separate from hands and feet.

To deal with body sweat a good system of venting is needed. Pit zips at a minimum in a shell.

As far as insulation goes I don't think I have any body wear with Thinsulate. Boots and gloves, yes. I rely on fleece, Marmot down and synthetic poof fabrics for insulation.

 

[GregManning]

A new pair of my leather over-mittens. Style # AL-1151
I have at least 3 pairs.
I bought these many years ago; but you see the concept.
Cardinal Glove Co.
Clifton, NJ 07013

 

[Lviv79]

I use 2 or 3 pair in one day.And try to change depends on task

 

[bobs yeruncle]

I wear cheap merino liners (I buy them by the dozen like this, usually wear through two pairs a winter), then my leather insulated work gloves that have either gotten a treatment of huberd's shoe grease, snoseal, or nikwax. Whatever I had at hand when it came time to treat them. I prefer trigger mittens for the combination of warmth and dexterity.

Winters are getting more and more rainy and muddy so on those days I'll put disposable nitrile gloves over the merino liners. I sweat a lot so rubber gloves against the skin in cold weather for extended periods are sufficient to get wrinkly fingers. Wool manages the moisture much more comfortably.

 

[bobs yeruncle]

the screaming barfies

o_o never heard that one before but it sounds similar to what my coworkers with reynaud's deal with when they get blood flow back into their fingers

 

[Shadowscape]

o_o never heard that one before but it sounds similar to what my coworkers with reynaud's deal with when they get blood flow back into their fingers

I know that well. Swinging your arms around trying to force blood down to your white fingers. I am doing that several times a day when the temps get below 70, which is most days around here. Had to be air lifted out of the Boundary Waters Wilderness Canoe Area once because I could not get the circulation going in my feet and it would have been a three day paddle back to civilization. Sucks. Damp days are the worst.

 

[ClimbingTN]

I always used the Wells Lamont HydraHyde working outdoors for the phone company and still do. They have a bunch of styles of gloves and mittens.

 

[Serf Life]

One of the old threads had recommendations on the ice ninja sticky gloves vs atlas thermal but I’ve never tried. Personally like the Kinco winter leather with knit cuff for ground work and, like @Lviv79 mentioned, having multiple pairs/types for a day. The kincos last longer than most of the similar options they stock here, but I pick through the selection… These https://www.grainger.com/product/16...QrbqpL53jIbTu5w-tDxoCvYEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds foam dipped atlas are very warm for wet days, don’t breath, but have been nice to add to the lineup. We’re pretty similar temps but guessing more wet mixed precip. Love my 50cc with heated handle btw.

 

[southsoundtree]

I called my Stihl dealer today, but the knowledgeable guy was busy. Might get a call tomorrow.

 

[southsoundtree]

One of the old threads had recommendations on the ice ninja sticky gloves vs atlas thermal but I’ve never tried. Personally like the Kinco winter leather with knit cuff for ground work and, like @Lviv79 mentioned, having multiple pairs/types for a day. The kincos last longer than most of the similar options they stock here, but I pick through the selection… These https://www.grainger.com/product/16...QrbqpL53jIbTu5w-tDxoCvYEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds foam dipped atlas are very warm for wet days, don’t breath, but have been nice to add to the lineup. We’re pretty similar temps but guessing more wet mixed precip. Love my 50cc with heated handle btw.

Is your handle heater factory- installed?

 

[Tree Lady]

do they breath?

They do not breathe. They work more like the VBL Tom talked about. Water trapped between your hand and the glove acts as an insulating layer.
I got tired of trying different "waterproof" gloves and I can't stand bulky gloves.
I've used them in cold, windy, wet, and snowy weather down to the mid-teens (F). They would not work any colder than that.

 

[ghostice]

o_o never heard that one before but it sounds similar to what my coworkers with reynaud's deal with when they get blood flow back into their fingers

Up until mid fifties, us guys would stand there when we all topped out an ice climb and watch the ladies windmill their arms etc. but usually end up in tears (of agony) anyway. Then once I hit 'bout the mid fifties, it started with me and gotta tell you if childbirth is worse (and the ladies assured me it was) I have new huge huge respect for mothers . . . .
Dry gloves and periodically stopping work with your hands/ arms downwards may help as will dry gloves and maybe heaters but if you're cutting above your head (skinning a spruce), it can happen to the best of us in cold weather, as we get on in years. And Reynauds/ White Finger Disease makes it almost a sure thing sooner or later. Wear those vibration gloves while you're young and don't yet have nerve/ vascular damage (for your buddies with Reynauds, some saws not only have noise ratings but can have specs for vibration, sometimes even with X-Y-Z analysis ). Stay safe out there.