Winter gloves

prana360

prana360

Location
Northern burbs of Chicago, IL
I'm sure this topic has been posted a lot but a search didn't give me much feedback. So with the Chicagoland temps in the single digits or low teens, what is everyone else using to keep warm? I usually use the Atlas Thermal-fit gloves, they seem good to a point. My problem is with climbing and rope dexterity, I'd like something that will keep myself and the guys warm but still be able to grip the ropes and work the tools. Any thoughts or what are you guys using?
 
Keeping your extremities warm starts at keeping your core warm.

Cold weather comfort

Chicago-like temps are balmy compared to Twin Cities-type temps :)

Do some reading on 'vapor barrier liners'

They do work wonderfully! If the physiology of VBLs isn't understood everyone dismisses the concept.

A good friend, and mentor, of mine was skeptical until he ran some experiments using VBL sock liners. Actually, just bread bags ;) He would put on synthetic liner sox then VBL then insulating sox then his pac boots/Sorels. But only on one foot. The other was the control. At morning break he'd change out liner all three layers. After doing this twice he as convinced...VBLs became SOP in the winter.

The same thing works on your hands. Use latex or disposable shop gloves under your gloves or mitts. Keeping your skin dry is the start.

Insulation is next. NEVER cotton in even the smallest percentage!!! Polyester fleece is your best bet.

Winter weight 'grippy gloves' are out there. I haven't used enough in true winter [meaning single digit or lower] weather to say one brand is better than another.
 
I wear the yellow gripper gloves you can get at Baileys and when it gets cold wear a pair of cotton liners under them. When it gets really cold I bust out a pack of the hand warmers. If its too cold for that I drink beer.
 
Wondergrip glove are alright. tough to start with cause your hands are still cold but once you get going their enough to keep yours hands warm and dont ruin your dexterity. i dont like climbing with gloves, but i can settle for these. same as any other glove tho used for climbing, you'll kinda burn thru em quick.
consider the fact i may not see temps as cold as you often where i live too. works for me tho
 
One trick i learned about cold hands and feet is to keep your elbows/knees warm. Your blood needs to travel a good distance to get into your fingers and toes, and as a result has time to cool down as well, a way to combat this is to keep your legs and arms insulated well, but especially your knees and elbows as these two spots are where there is the least amount of insulating fat and muscle. even something as simple as a thermal compression wrap like athletes wear can bring a noticeable difference. I have poor circulation in my hands therefore they are always cold, but it is noticeably better when i wear the right under layer with just blue atlas grip gloves compared to say just a sweatshirt or two and winter gloves.

If your blood is warmer by the time it gets to your hands, it will do a better job keeping your hands warm.

-Steven
 
The blood vessels aren't insulated with muscle and tissues when they go through elbows and knees. Lots of heat loss.

I've worn dancer's leg warmers, doubled up, on my knees. There are neoprene elbow and knee braces that could do the same thing.

An axiom of cold weather comfort is to put a hat on if your hands/feet are cold...or a better one.
 

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Another thing i do is work with 2 pair of gloves. I will wear one pair then the other pair i will stuff into the inner of my sweatshirt/underlayers in the armpit region, this will warm up one pair so that if my hands start getting raw i can switch them out for a little relief. This works great when you are up in a tree waiting on ground operations to finish up before getting back to work. I will also have on a thin climbing glove and when stationary throw on a warmer mitten or glove (which i keep warmed up in the manner mentioned above). its the little things that seem to make a cold day not drag on as much.

-Steven
 
Putting gloves inside my shirt on my chest/tummy dries them.

Putting them under your arms...where more sweat glands are...doesn't work as well...and they'll stink ;)

I'll stash extra gloves or hats inside my shirts. Having at least two thicknesses helps to vent or contain heat.
 
Try the 'honey comb' yellow gloves with a wool liner. This is the only inexpensive glove combo that would keep my hands warm while climbing in Chicagoland. I just wore them yesterday cutting firewood in the snowy conditions.
$8.00 for the combo.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Try the 'honey comb' yellow gloves with a wool liner. This is the only inexpensive glove combo that would keep my hands warm while climbing in Chicagoland. I just wore them yesterday cutting firewood in the snowy conditions.
$8.00 for the combo.

[/ QUOTE ]

Got a link?
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Try the 'honey comb' yellow gloves with a wool liner. This is the only inexpensive glove combo that would keep my hands warm while climbing in Chicagoland. I just wore them yesterday cutting firewood in the snowy conditions.
$8.00 for the combo.

[/ QUOTE ]

Got a link?

[/ QUOTE ]

We have both at the landscape/arborist supply retail store I work at part time.
Honeycomb gloves $1.50 in 4 sizes. (Sm, Md, Lg and XL)
Wool liners $6.00 in 2 sizes. (Sm/Md, Lg/XL)
Prana360 has been there.

Currently working on upgrading the web to include arborist supplies (arlingtonpower.com)
 
When it gets cold cold (very cold), nothing works as good as 3 finger (trigger finger) gauntlets that have a removable wool liner.
 
As far as core heating smart whools. Hands down the warmest thin thermals out there. $200 for shirt and pants. Would love to get them cheaper but still swear by them. As for gloves...been rocking the gray blizzard gloves (marked with FG is all i can read now) from either home depot or lowes...40 gram thinsulate. They dont always have them, and the summer ones look identicle. Not water proof but keep you warmer than "waterproof" gloves. Those make you hands cold after they sweat a little in very cold temps. Might try these ninjas though...im sneaky and like weapons too.
 
Could add this to motivation to quit smoking. It's a big factor on getting circulation to the extremities. Keeping the head warm helps with the hands and feet. If it's cold enough to be dry can't beat leather and a liner. Have some warm mitts for as much work as you can get away with. Then stick em in your coat and go to something more dextrious (if that's a word) for the knot tying etc. I switch from synthetic to cotton shirts in the winter because it feels warmer against the skin. Just don't sweat it up. If I'm sweating I slow down a bit, vent it off and monitor my temp.
 
Been in the single digits recently here. -10f just a few days ago. We use kinkos lathered with sno seal and heated to soak it in, process repeated twice. They are leather, and Open gauntlet allows one handed removal and reentry. There are a few varietys with respect to color and gauntlet style. I don't think they are $30 most hardware stores have them here. Bought the crew each a pair...right your name on them. A buddy told me about them when I joined ski patrol 10years ago. They put most any $100+ ski/alpine glove to shame with respect to wear, warmth and just plain user ability , patrollers take gloves on and off all day. I have destroyed many $100+ gloves. A pair of kinkos lasts me about two years.

It does take a while to break them in so they work well in a top handle. Once broken in man they are the tits.

A trick on the silly cold days (single digits) is to slip a hand warmer on the back side of the hand, the gloves keep them there nicely while wearing them and the gloves are toasty when they have been off.

Cold weather tricks...right from the start over dress in layers, Over heat the core. Swing relaxed arms to pump blood into hands. My hands never get cold for more then a minute, mainly extended pistol grip use in bucket. Cold hands are for amateurs!
 
along the same line of thought as TD is we have been using
a hand cream actually teet and udder balm it is heavy with lanolin and some antiseptics a few dabs and then worked in real well with hand sanitizer.
Like the greatlake swimmers lather on petroleum jelly for good barrier.
 
[ QUOTE ]
We use kinkos lathered with sno seal and heated to soak it in, process repeated twice. They are leather, and Open gauntlet allows one handed removal and reentry. There are a few varietys with respect to color and gauntlet style.

[/ QUOTE ]

Kinkos have so many models. How about a photo to get a better idea of the ones you are talking about ? Or model number would help :-)
 
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