[Bushcraft Bob]

Hey everyone! As the chilly winds whip around us and the mountains start calling our names, I’ve been on a quest to find the best mountaineering gloves that won’t leave my fingers frostbitten during those epic climbs. Let’s be honest—finding the right gloves can be just as tricky as scaling a steep face! So, I’ve decided to share my top picks, along with a little buyer’s guide to help you make those layers of freedom a bit warmer.

Today, I’ll be diving into three of my favorite gloves that have proven themselves in the icy business of mountaineering. Whether you’re battling it out in a snowstorm or just trying to look cool on the slopes, these bad boys have got your back. So, without further ado, here are my top contenders:

• 🧤 Black Diamond Guide Gloves
• 🧤 Outdoor Research Alti Mitts
• 🧤 Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves

Stay tuned for the mini reviews and some tips to help you find your next pair of trusty hand companions!

[Bushcraft Bob]

Black Diamond Guide Gloves

Oh, the tales these gloves could tell if they had mouths…and possibly hands to type their own reviews! First things first, let’s dive into the vortex of excitement that the Black Diamond Guide Gloves have brought into my climbing and mountaineering life. Spoiler alert: it involves warmth, dexterity, and a sprinkle of hilarity.

• Warmth Level: Imagine wrapping your fingers in tiny, cozy sleeping bags snuggled with electric blankets on a cold winter night. That’s how these gloves feel. I’ve taken them up to some lofty altitudes, where the air is brisk enough to freeze my ability to make rational decisions (who needs functioning brain cells when you’ve got epic views, right?). But my hands? Toaster oven levels of warm.
• Durability: Let’s say these gloves have seen everything from gnarly ice waterfalls to rocky outcrops that feel like they’re made of adamantium. I’m convinced they are part-goat from the way they cling onto surfaces and part-tank in durability. After several months of abuse, you’d think they would look like they’d been through a blender. Nah. They just shake it off and say, “Is that all you’ve got?”
• Dexterity: You know that feeling when you put on gloves, and suddenly your hands feel like they’re packed in marshmallows? Not a problem here. I can still easily tie knots, adjust my gear, and do finger guns (very important on the summit) with impressive ease. Black Diamond nailed it here.

“What happens in the mountains, stays in the gloves.”

If there’s one tiny complaint, I wish the gloves did my taxes as well. But since we can’t have it all, let’s just settle for them being brilliant at being gloves.

In conclusion, if you’re looking to keep your hands warm and dry while scaling icy cliffs or just need a really good excuse to wave your arms gloriously from a mountaintop like a possessive penguin, then the Black Diamond Guide Gloves are where your search ends. They’re not just gloves; they’re the unsung hero of my climbing adventures.

[Bushcraft Bob]

Outdoor Research Alti Mitts

Oh boy, let me tell you about the time I became one with the Arctic—alright, not literally, but it sure felt like it when I slipped on my trusty Outdoor Research Alti Mitts. Seriously, these mitts? They’re like cozy sleeping bags for your hands, and let me tell you, the warmth is real.

First off, let’s talk warmth. Picture this: I’m about 15,000 feet up, and the wind chill is trying its hardest to turn me into an ice sculpture. Yet, there I am, casually handling carabiners without my hands going numb. Magic? No. Just some stellar insulation; they’ve got this PrimaLoft stuff that sounds way fancier than it is, but hey, it works wonders.

• Durability: These mitts are like the tanks of handwear—though I’m not suggesting you toss them under a tank to check. I’ve been on rough ice climbs, jammed them against rocks, and they’ve held up like champs. A little roughed up? Sure. Torn apart? Not a chance.
• Dexterity: Look, mitts aren’t going to turn you into a pianist up there, but the Alti Mitts strike a fine balance. I managed to zip up my jacket with minimal glove-flailing.
• Weight: Featherweights! You’d think something this warm would weigh your arms down like a lead balloon, but nope. They’re lighter than my ambitions to summit without snacks. And they compress well in my backpack, which is perfect because snacks.
• Water Resistance: Three words: zero soggy mitts. They laughed in the face of summit snowstorms. Well, I laughed while they protected my hands.

Adventure tip: If you’re like me and have a knack for losing gear (once left a set of gloves at a mountain base camp—whoops), you’ll appreciate the idiot-proof wrist leash. Thanks to this divine invention, my hands remained swaddled in mitten joy throughout the trek.

So, whether you’re aiming for Everest or just hoping your fingers don’t freeze on a chilly dog walk, these mitts are your pals. They’re like the funny, cozy sidekick in the epic movie that is your mountaineering career—or amateur hike. Ah, the rugged charm of the Alti Mitts: they make winter bearable and my anecdotes more heroic.

[Bushcraft Bob]

Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves

So, let me tell you about a pair of gloves that I think should win an Oscar for Best Supporting Role in the great adventure film that is my life—Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves. Seriously, these gloves have been my trusty sidekick for all my icy escapades.

Why do I love them? Let me count the ways:

• Warmth: These gloves are like a bear hug… for your hands. They keep my fingers toasty even when the wind is huffing and puffing like it’s training for a marathon.
• Durability: The leather palms are pretty much indestructible. I’ve put them through the wringer—rock edges, ice axes, and even a highly suspicious kebab stand in the Alps—and they still look like I just took them out of the box.
• Dexterity: Ever tried tying bootlaces on a mountain while your hands are in gloves? Yeah, me neither… until I got these bad boys. They give me enough dexterity to handle gear without feeling like I’m wearing oven mitts.
• Design: Oh, and the leash system? C’est magnifique! It keeps me from doing that awkward glove-juggle while I try to take pictures of my summit success for Instagram. You’re welcome, universe.

Personal Story: So there I was, perched precariously on a ledge halfway up an ominous peak, when I realized I couldn’t feel my left pointer finger. I slipped on the Hestra gloves and, voilà, warmth like a cozy fireplace emitting through my fingertips. True story—I almost cried… from comfort.

Sure, they’re an investment piece, but think of it as self-care for your extremities. Your fingers deserve the best, darling! If anyone wants a pair of these gems, click here to check them out.

So go on, live your frosty fairytale, and let the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves play their part in keeping the ‘happily ever after’ warm and intact. Spread the love, stay warm!

[Bushcraft Bob]

Best Mountaineering Gloves Buyer’s Guide

So, you’re on the hunt for the best mountaineering gloves, huh? Well, grab a cup of hot cocoa, settle in, and let’s get into it—because your fingers are about to start a journey they won’t soon forget. Trust me, keeping these ten little adventurers toasty is more important than you may think. You don’t want them going numb at 12,000 feet and attempting a rebellion against your climb. Been there, done that, and let’s just say it wasn’t exactly a triumphant Everest moment.

First things first, what kind of environment are you planning to thrust your hands into? If you’re headed for arctic conditions, you’ll need something like a polar bear’s fur—thick, warm, and resilient. For more moderate temperatures, something less bulky but still cozy will do the trick.

What to look for:

• Material: Look for high-quality materials like Gore-Tex or similar waterproof, breathable fabrics. This will help keep your hands dry and warm. Nobody likes a soggy glove.
• Insulation: Consider the level of insulation. From light liner gloves to heavily insulated gauntlet-type gloves, choose based on your specific expedition needs. Remember, this isn’t the time to play “who can get frostbite first.”
• Fit and Dexterity: Try to channel your inner Goldilocks here—seek gloves that fit just right, allowing you to grip your ice axe or adjust your gear without feeling like you’re wearing lobster claws.
• Reinforcement: Areas like the palms and fingers wear out quickly. Look for gloves with reinforced patches, which usually means longer-lasting hand buddies.
• Features: Bonus points if the gloves have nose wipes, wrist leashes, and even smartphone compatibility, since sometimes you need to make that epic summit selfie happen.

Personal Experience:
Let me tell you about the time I thought I could scrimp on gloves. Spoiler alert: I regretted it. Halfway up Mt. Rainier, my budget gloves were about as useful as a chocolate teapot. Lesson learned: always invest in quality gloves. Keep those hands warm, functional, and ready for victory jazz hands at the summit.

Recommendations:
While I don’t want to pinpoint *the* perfect glove—because let’s face it, everyone’s hands are as unique as their choice in mountaineering snacks—here’s a sprinkle of some crowd favorites. Check out the Black Diamond Guide Gloves, if you’re all about that extreme-conditions life. If you’re trudging through less frigid scenarios, Outdoor Research’s Alti Mitts boast superb versatility. And hey, I’m popping in some links to make life easier:

• Black Diamond Guide Gloves
• Outdoor Research Alti Mitts

Your mountaineering gloves can literally make or break your climb, so choose wisely and keep those fingers feeling like the superstars they are. Happy climbing, and may the frostbite never be in your favor!

[Author]

Posts