Winter gloves

rangerdanger · Dec 15, 2011

Had a quick question about various winter gloves. Normally I use the atlas winter gloves and liners but either way my hands still get cold. So as I was browsing a local outdoor store I came across some insulated winter gloves that have a latex type grip on them. Not fully coated like atlas, but kinda dispersed in dots or shapes. I think they would work for climbing, I didn't grab a pair today, not enough spare cash, but was wondering if anyone had experience with these. Found a pair by north face and another by marmot or mammut. Typing this from my iPhone so when I get back to my laptop I'll throw some links up here. Thanks

rangerdanger · Dec 15, 2011

The North Face gloves:

http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-g...variationId=JK3

I think these are the Marmot gloves, not for certain though
http://marmot.com/products/windstopper_glove_1816?p=216,204

GibsonTreeCare · Dec 15, 2011

ha ha ha!!!! you southern boys...

Adrian, you don't KNOW cold my young friend.

Come up here in January/Feb. for some work on an island or 2, wind whips down the frozen expanse like a freight train

-20-40c with the windchill, sometimes more.

You come up, we'll get you acclimated to cold.

That being said i keep my insulated atlas gloves inside my pants until I'm ready to climb, I also keep some chemical handwarmers in my pockets, when my hands get cold, I grab them and hold them for a bit, but actually, once you are moving around, it isn't too bad. You have to remember, don't bulk your hands up too much or you can't grip the rope as well.

cold???? pfffftttt, you don't KNOW cold

zale · Dec 15, 2011

I've used those gloves before. I got one winter out of them. They are warm but they are not built for tree work. The stitching did not last on either pair.

banjo · Dec 15, 2011

I use the atlas thermal ones with the hand warmers shoved in on the top of my hand. Only when it's really cold by my standards which would be below 15f, though. It's true that a lot of it is just acclimating to the cold.

rangerdanger · Dec 16, 2011

Yeah, I don't mind the cold. My only problem with it is its always my hands that have trouble staying warm.

caleb · Dec 16, 2011

though I haven't found a way to keep my hands warm per se, one trick I've figured out in rock climbing is to keep a chemical pack in my chalk bag. This could work for trees as well if you carry a ditty bag or something. Also in a pinch, the muffler will take the edge off your fingertips

oceans · Dec 16, 2011

Sometimes warming the tops of your hands (between your knuckles and wrist) can be nice. The Atlas Therma-fits hold a warming pad in there nicely, you just don't want to take the gloves on and off very often. I've found gloves with stitching around the fingers don't hold up very well, and if the fit isn't perfect, the dexterity is terrible. I've stuck with the Atlas for a few years now, but haven't really tried anything that surpasses them. Winter's tough.

boreality · Dec 16, 2011

Leather and wool. Cheap and proven. A frozen finger can effect you for life. I keep a big pair of mitts inside my jacket in case the gloves aren't warm enough. If they're big enough their advantage is they go on and off quickly and you do the percision work with thin gloves already on inside the mitts. I'm talking serious cold here though. You stop moving you die. A trick is to pull your climbline up hand over hand as fast as you can. The increased circulation will warm the whole body. I could go on and on about cold. A belaclava or a knit hat under the helmet will keep the toes and hands warmer. One piece suits, or tuck the jacket into the saddle because it can cause a problem fumbling for a rope under the jacket. And you could change your diet, less fruit and vegtables and more fat. Smoking and drinking slow circulation.