View Full Version : Gloves
I'm after a pair of gloves, or maybe a system of gloves that is: very very warm, grippy, dextrous, windproof, definitely durable, and must either be waterproof or just as warm when wet. Obviously one pair of gloves isn't going to do all that, so I'm guessing a layering system of some description is going to be the best way to go. What are your ideas?
As I'm veggie, I do feel that I should avoid buying leather if possible, so solutions without leather would be appreciated... :)
I have read the shooting gloves thread, but it hasn't helped much.
My problem is (probably) Raynauds syndrome/disease/phenomenon, which for anyone who doesn't know about it, is damn annoying. Basically as soon as the weather starts getting slightly chilly, no matter how warm I think it is, the arteries (or is it veins?) to my fingers spasm and close. This obviously cuts off blood supply to my hands and is not good at all.
To give you an idea how bad it's affecting me now, I gave a friend a lift earlier, so I was in my car for half an hour, wearing whatever gloves it is that are current army issue. On me, I was wearing a t-shirt, two jumpers and a decent fleece. During that time, I lost circulation to all my fingers, right down to my knuckles. I've been inside for 45 minutes now (still wearing the jumpers and fleece and boiling under them), and I still haven't got any of my fingers back to normal yet.
The first time I lost circulation to my finges in autumn was after being outside for 10 minutes in September with no gloves on... it's absolutely ridiculous.
I do have some nice neoprene gloves, but they have no grip so I can't do too much with them on, and they're a bit thick so I lose a lot of dexterity. I'm planning to get some fleece shooter's fold-back mittens as well, but they'll be more for autumn and spring than winter.
Emma,
you could try seal skins, I've got a lot of friends who swear by them, I'm currently looking at getting some for myself to try them out. At the moment I'm using fleece inners that fit in a gore tex glove but they are a bit cumbersome although they are toasty warm.
Brian
It's a miserable condition to suffer.
Has your doctor not offered any help? I have a friend who has Raynauds and she has been given heated gloves....basically fine knitted gloves with a heating wire knitted in, she wears them like the 'glubs' little kids wear with the string through their sleeves, but in her case it goes to a small battery pack in her pocket. E. said it was a real footer at first but she found them to be so effective that it's very simple now.
Failing that, I think you're right about the layers :( Silk, fine wool and then maybe something like Sealskinz
http://www.sealskinz.com/cgi-bin/psProdDet.cgi/KJ581||~@c~@b|0|user|1,0,0,1|1 9|
If you're more vegan than veggie I think you'll only really have modern fleece as a suitable inner glove. Brushed cotton maybe ? Some of the ladies riding gloves might be good too, they aren't all leather.
Cheers,
Toddy
Hi there Emma,
I was due to be heading off to Nepal in couple of days and bought a superb set of gloves for the winter trek to the Himilaya. Bound to work for you here !
Like you I suffer with the cold, I have long thin fingers and feel the cold badly - so I wanted something that would keep my hands and fingers warm while still alowing me to grip trekking poles and fiddle withrucksacks, camerasand binocluars etc.
For Liners I chose a pair of Black Diamond Power Stretch Glove. These are made of a polartech fleece and have served me well this winter here in the UK. These were £20 from Peglers in Arundul
Then I decided to get a pair of Mitts which are better for insulating fingers against extreme cold since you are not isolating each didgit. I chose a pair of Outdoor Designs Summittpro Mits. These were £38 from Towerridge in scotland. These are windproof and waterproof gloves that provide insulation from snow wind and rain. The summittpro consists of an inner polartec mitt which goes over your liner gloves and the robust wind/waterproof outer mitt.
Three layers to keep your fingers toasty in even the most extreme temperature.
'Gucci' kit.
Have a word withthe guys at www.towerridge.co.uk (http://) - they provided me with great advice and quality kit cheaper than most other places. The usual disclaimer applies, I have no vested interest in the shop - just found them great value and great service.
The palm outers may be lined with leather but it might be artificial I can't recall.
Kind regards
Paul
There was a feature on "the 5'o'clock show tonight about battery heated kit, they had a heated pair of gloves priced at £19.99, and a gilet for 39.99(I think!).
Don't know how good they are but seemed a lot cheaper than I thought.
Emma,
I think I also have a problem with my circulation both to my hands and feet, howeverI, haven't been officially diagnosed with anything.
I need gloves for my work which offer all the same qualities as you require; the upshot of this is that I have tried:
Leather- not warm,
fleece-ok, probably the most practical, thick and windproof ones are ok.
sheepskin gloves- ok
down to about chilly,
Silk inners with wool outer gloves-warm, not windproof but the air circulation helps with insulation,
Wool mittens (Dachstein) which I take off when I need to do something- very warm but little dexterity and again not windproof but with silk inners they are very warm as long as you don't want to handle anything more than a small stick!
Silk inners with cheap acrylic outer gloves, warm but not waterproof.
Whatever you get don't get them too tight.
By the way the Dachstein mitts i mentioned are cheap, thick and they do gloves as well. Wool, when wet is still warm as opposed to man made fleece/acrylic.
Most of my options are limited owing to the price.
I still haven't found a pair of perfect all-rounders, I'd love to know were they are though.
If anything this may help you save money trying to go through each type. :)
Abbe Osram
27-01-2006, 20:22
Hi Emma,
the swedish "Lovikkavantar" are the warmest I know. The are woolen mittens and very very warm. I am using them and over them I use leather. If you dont want to use leather you could try to buy a big other kind of windbreaker. The warmth you will get from the wool, only get yourself a fitting bigger windbreaker for them if you dont want to use leather.
good luck
Abbe
Grooveski
27-01-2006, 20:42
A few of weeks ago I got a pair of Glo Mitts (http://www.outdoorcode.co.uk/Merchant2/4.13/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=dw009&Category_Code=ArticShield) and they're pretty useful.
If I were to nit-pick I'd say that the thumb flap doesn't close very well and the rubber palm pad could have done with a few stitch lines to make it feel more secure. Neither of the above is noticable when you're actualy doing anything though, with the mit open or closed.
They're light, perhaps too light for what your after, but they do a good job for what they are. There's another pair with full fingers (http://www.outdoorcode.co.uk/Merchant2/4.13/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=dw008&Category_Code=ArticShield) that look cosier.
It's just a thought, they're not moutaineering standard but they're alright, perhaps with an underglove as well....
What Abbe is describing sounds like what I know as Dashtines(sp) and they are what you put on when you don't want your hands to get cold. :)
I have problems with my feet when biking in winter, too. After 45min they are white and numb, no matter what I am wearing. When one toe began to tickle for several days after a long ride I knew I had to do something.
My solution were heatable insoles (www.hotronic.com), because when circulation shuts down you need an additional source of warmth.
The best € 135,- I ever spend on this subject and I did spend lots more on winterboots, thick socks, neoprene overshoes etc. Which were all expensive and useless.
You can find something similar, for example:
http://www.motshop.de/shop/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/4_52/products_id/1411/language/en
Apart from this forget anything synthetik, its no good for feet and hands.
These products are the very best as an baselayer for frozen digits:
http://www.icebreaker.com/our-clothing/DisplayProduct.aspx?p=102
http://www.icebreaker.com/our-clothing/DisplayProduct.aspx?p=103
Together with a set of these, as Burt mentions, this is all you can do whitouth getting heatable gloves:
http://www.ortovox.com/typo7/index.php?id=63&L=1
Extremeties make some fantastic gloves, same company that makes the Terra Nova and the Wild County tents etc.
Have a look at Extremeties (http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/extremities/gloves2.shtml)
something like the Ice Gauntlet Climbing gloves or the multisport GTX gloves are good, they also do dedicated winter and waterproof gloves in another section of the website.
Topcat02
28-01-2006, 15:30
Hi Emma,
Have you considered seeing an Acupuncturist/Reflexologist with respect to your Reynauds Syndrome, sounds like you have an imbalance in your parasympathetic system / Chi.
Regards
TC
BorderReiver
28-01-2006, 16:51
I have a touch of Raynauds (in the family) and the only thing that's any good to me is down.Down mitts help in the coldest weather.
Seal skinz actually make my hands feel colder,as do a lot of knitted,fleece or lined leather gloves.
Try a pair of down mitts under a wind and waterproof pair.If it's really bad try a couple of those chemical or charcoal powered hand warmers.
Good luck,hope you find something that suits. :)
Thank you so much to everyone who's replied so far. :You_Rock_
I've been looking at SealSkinz, but keep shying away on a "too good to be true??" basis. Border Reiver, any idea why they made your hands cold? Was it the gloves themselves, or the fact that they weren't mittens? Did you wear liners with them?
About silk liners, where can I get them from? I've found the Patra website from some of Toddy's previous posts, but I was wondering if any shops do them so I can try some on? I'm currently in Southampton, if anyone knows of any local shops.
Toddy, did your friend get her heated gloves from the NHS?? I also found a reference you made in a past thread about linen glove liners - what were they like and have you ever found any more?
P Wren and Lithril, thanks for those links, looks like I'm going to have to start saving up!
Burt, thanks loads for that list! :) That's great, money is also a huge issue for me (poor starving student etc). What do you wear for windproofing?
Abbe, I've been trying to find a website for Lovikkavantar in English and there don't seem to be any, so how easily could I get hold of any? Do they do mittens or gloves or both?
Grooveski, those glo-mitts are fairly similar to the ones I'm planning to get for autumn and spring.
Oetzi, thanks for your links as well! :) I only lose the soles of my feet so far, but if they start getting worse I know who to ask.
Topcat- I know nothing about that. I've got to look at it from a financial viewpoint (starving student etc), so how expensive is that likely to be, and how likely is it to work, given that I don't believe it would?
Hi Emma,
Eliz. got hers on the NHS, so they are available. The silk gloves are very good as are the socks if worn inside an outer pair of gloves or socks. Lambswool or cashmere works very well. I cut up an old lambswool sweater and made mitten and boot liners for my toddlers many years ago...if money is really tight find a bargain in a charity shop and make your own. If you wash the jumper in too hot water it will felt and that felt will make excellent mitts/gloves and the felted fabric won't fray either. :D
I can send you copies of my glove & mitten patterns if you do decide to make your own.
Cheers,
Toddy
Toddy, you're a genius! :You_Rock_ I bought a cheap wool jumper in a charity shop yesterday! I'd love your patterns, will PM. :D
I will try my luck with my doctor, but the last time I saw him he said it wasn't worth going through the bother of actually disgnosing me because he couldn't do anything about it except prescribe some drug or other which I don't want. It's got a lot worse since I last saw him though.
hawsome34
28-01-2006, 19:33
Hi Emma,
I have worked with a few people who suffer from Raynauds.
Mittens are much better than gloves as your hand shares its own warmth, as opposed to gloves where each finger has to generate its own heat inside its own section of the glove.
This in mind, there are several great brands out there. But the one I have sworn by myself is a combination of a thick merino wool mitten, worn inside a buffalo mitten (waterproofed with nikwak spray on). The buffalo are good on there own, but using with a nice thick merino mitt inside very snug.
Also as I sure your aware, wherever possible try to keep your hands moving, and contrary to popular belief, they dont get any warmer in your pockets when walking. It is better to have your hands well wrapped and gently swinging as you walk to promote the blood to circulate, at the same time you can gently clench your hands to give a little more help.
Hope this helps. :)
anthonyyy
28-01-2006, 20:30
This is probably a REALLY stupid idea; but I know, when Im kayaking in cold weather, that it helps a lot if i have a jacket very long and tight latex cuffs. There are a lot of veins and arteries on your wrist where heat can be lost and the latex cuffs cover these.
If your condition is very extreme a kayaking or sailing jacket might help, as well as gloves of course.
Some of these look just like normal anaracks (that is if an anarack ever can look normal).
anthonyyy
28-01-2006, 20:32
Something like this:
http://www.knoydart.co.uk/display.php?category=7&sub=semi-dry%20tops&id=766
Alchemist
28-01-2006, 20:38
Hi there, Im the guy who started the other glove thread.
I went with a pair of hatch leather sureshot shooting gloves. I know leather is out of the question but to let you know, they are great for dexterity but not warm.
Think about the 'system'. I have warm hands but I would have 3 gloves as a system in this country. But I would very rarely wear them all.
Base- Dextrous, grippy, thin, wind/waterproof, some insulation. this is a lot to ask for in a thin glove and I dont think it is possible. I have seen a good glove in millets recently at a good price. They are stretch fit, thin, grippy, thermal and dont look like they will be useless in the wind and rain (unlike the green Army issue glove contact). They also come in fingerless or full finger. They are called the 'sticky thicky glove'.
Main Glove- The base glove needs to fit inside this. This is the big ski type glove. Goretex, ripstop, thermal. If it is this cold then you wont be too bothered about dexterity.
Mitt- This goes over the whole lot. I have never had to use this layer but I am normally active outside. Stationary nature watchers will need this. Im talking the big things soldiers had in the Falklands.
Because you get cold quickly you probably wont bother with a base glove and go straight for a big boy.
This is just my method and it is based on a wide variety of tasks in the ever changing British climate. I have dexterity, a range of layers and a set of gloves that cover most trips out. You dont have to take them all with you of course!
Oh- neoprene is only good when wet remember. If dry it makes your hands colder. Remember those drink can sleeves used to cool down your beer. I have used sealskins before and I think they are really nasty.
Topcat02
28-01-2006, 21:11
Topcat- I know nothing about that. I've got to look at it from a financial viewpoint (starving student etc), so how expensive is that likely to be, and how likely is it to work, given that I don't believe it would?
The mind is the most powerful healer on the planet. From personal experience with my own clients I would say that 90% of any healing process is belief. Both reflexology and acupuncture work on meridians or channels of energy that encircle the body. Blockages of this energy cause dis-ease. The aim of this and other complementary therapies is to restore the natural balance, and allow the body to recover. However as with conventional medicine, each person reacts differently to treatment.
If I were you, I would try and see whether there are any trainee reflexologists who need Client studies, that way you would get between 6-10 free treatments, and they would benefit from practicing on you under their tutors guidance.
PM me for details of orgs that may be of interest.
TC
Emma,
Long thread! The mitts I bought were Dachstein from www.needlesports.com
They cost about £16.00
Haven't got any windproofs, with silk inners these were ok.
Wouldn't mind knowing where to get those leather mitts Abbe was on about.
Could make some leather outer mitts??
twelveboar
30-01-2006, 18:26
I've had a pair of dachstien mitts for years and I find my hands get too hot sometimes! I would also recomend a pocket hand warmer, the one I have is a small case that takes a charcoal stick that smoulders for hours. If you light both ends of the stick it is twice as hot, but only lasts about 3 hours, it is great for warming numb fingers. It also functions as a good fag lighter in gales. :)
BorderReiver
30-01-2006, 19:18
Emma,sorry to take so long to reply.
I think that seal skinz,with liners or without,seem to restrict circulation even more.
This seems to be worse than with wool or fleece gloves.
There is a paper written by an RAF medical team (I cannot find it again :banghead: )that said that gloves increase the area of the fingers and increase heat loss.THey gave the effect a name but memory fails me.
If anyone recognises the description of the research,I would be grateful for the reference. :)
It's important to establish if it is primary Raynaud's phenomenon, or secondary Raynaud's phenomenon (that is, Raynaud's as a result of another disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.)
The majority of cases are primary. If the patient is young, with no other symptoms, and only get Raynaud's in the winter months, this makes it even more likely to be primary rather than secondary. I still do some blood test investigations before deciding.
There is pretty strong research evidence that nifedipine reduces the frequency and severity of attacks. But this has to be weighed against the possible side effects - headache, flushing and ankle swelling are all quite common.
There is another drug, naftidrofuryl oxalate, that is occasionally used, but the evidence of benefit is weaker.
I'm not aware of any published evidence that reflexology is effective. Mind you, there is no published evidence that keeping your hands warm helps either, even though patients seem to find it helpful and doctors routinely advise it.
Smoking aggravates Raynaud's.
BorderReiver
31-01-2006, 19:24
As an alternative to the sound medical advice given above,you could try this:
http://www.naturesbest.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=133
I have no idea if it's any good,as I haven't tried it.It does come with "a money back if your hands and feet don't feel warmer" promise,so you've nowt to lose. :D
Topcat02
31-01-2006, 20:07
Hi Doc,
The problem with reflexology, acupuncture, etc, is that there arent any companies pharmaceutical or otherwise who are willing to fund the size of studies that would be statistically significant. This may be because of vested interest but more likely the difficulty in establishing a baseline, being able to exactly replicate a treatment, etc, etc.
Cheers
TC
I also try to avoid leather, I also avoid silk since that to involves boiling the silk worms live :eek:
for thin liner gloves I use some silver looking things which came from a motor bike show some time ago, I'm sure there must be something similar made still. They are thin, warmish and work fairly well when wet. Over these I use a pair of gortex gloves but I guess mittons would be warmer.
Wow, thank you everyone for continuing responses. :D
Hawsome, yes mittens are best for warmth... not so great for dexterity. I reckon I'm going to go with mittens for an outer layer. And my hands naturally close into fists in cold weather now, I've got them trained... ;)
Anthony, that's a very good point, something I hadn't though of before. I'm not going to get a coat, partly because I can't afford it, and partly because sometimes I can be boiling under my normal layers and my fingers will still lose circulation. But you've given me an idea... I might try making some wrist warmers with a little pocket for small handwarmers, if I can find small enough handwarmers to be comfy. So thanks for that! :D
Alchemist, do you use the sticky thicky gloves? I've been having a poke at them in blacks myself and they seem OK. I'd need something under them I think, but they're definitely worth considering.
Topcat - yes, I think it's the mind that makes stuff work as well. Which is why I don't think it would work for me. Because I think I would have to believe it for it to work. However, I may well try it if there's anyone in my area, will PM thanks. :)
Burt, thanks for that link! They look pretty good. :)
Twelveboar, yep, got one of those. :D It just seems silly and wasteful to use them for everyday...
Thanks Border Riever. And the veintain link's interesting... £12 a month though, for maybe six months of the year... that's the same as a really good pair of gloves!
Doc, thank you very much for all that! Being young with as far as I can tell no other symptoms, hopefully I only have primary Raynaud's. I think I shall definitely be going back to my doctor and discussing it...
Andy, thanks for reminding me. I'd completely forgotten where silk came from. D'oh. Any idea what make your silvery gloves are? I've been trying several searches but nothing has come up so far...
Tussah silk does not involve boiling anything alive :eek:
http://www.aurorasilk.com/shop/tussah.shtml
Buy the yarn and knit your own! :D
Cheers,
Toddy
BorderReiver
03-02-2006, 10:49
Tussah silk does not involve boiling anything alive :eek:
http://www.aurorasilk.com/shop/tussah.shtml
Buy the yarn and knit your own! :D
Cheers,
Toddy
I'd have thought that the egress hole would have made it impossible to get a continuous thread. :confused:
Read the page properly,DOH,they spin the silk like wool etc. :rolleyes:
MAPLIN sell self heating gloves here is the advert for them I dont know if they would be any good for you? but it says that it will heat up to 40degrees.
Andrew.
Self Heating Gloves
• Keep your hands warm this winter with these cosy heated mittens!
• The latest in heating technology!
• Constructed using the most advanced heating wire
• Batteries stored in a discrete zip-up pouch
• Heats up to 40 degrees in 5 mins!
• Water resistant
• Uses AAA batteries
These water resistant heated gloves are great for hiking, skiing and hunting. The safely concealed heating element in the gloves is designed to warm the upper palm area and radiate out to the finger area. They have a cosy lining for extra warmth, which also helps to eliminate heat loss. These would make a fabulous gift for the active outdoor person!
Requires 3xAAA batteries in each glove (not supplied) Order Code: L29BJ for high capacity rechargeable batteries
Order Code L52BQ
Last week after posting about the extremeties gloves I thought I'd contact Terra and see if they can offer any advice or better still a trial for a passaround and I'm disappointed in them that there has been no contact from that at all, so I've got to say if thats an example of their customer services I'd probably try avoiding them.
Toddy if I could knit, I would! ;)
Thanks nooky.
Thanks Lithril, that was a really good idea. Shame nothing came of it though...
Emma I know someone that doesn't live to far away who has the same thing, he used to work on the rigs (Oil), I'll ask if he has any pearls of wisdom or if he can suggest anything for you.
Lithril, I am surprised that Terra Nova haven't got back to you, I own some of thier kit and got in touch with reference to spares, they got back to me with an unhelpfull, but pleasant reply.
Any which way I hope you find something that will be suitable Emma:)
I just had a thought, have you tried the contact gloves that the armed forces use when they are in Norway, they are thin to allow dexterity and there to stop the moisture from your hands freezing to metal, but they may be good as inner gloves for your situation.
Emma I spoke to Allan yesterday (he's the chap that used to work on the rigs), sorry to say he is in very much the same boat as you are, he has some skiing gloves that cost him a fair amount of money, but showed me his hands, they had gone grey with cold.
We discussed things for a while and he suggested that the best possible thing would be a thin set of gloves and a set of mittens which are made of fibre pile like the ones made by buffalo, sorry I could not be of more help, I hope that you find something to suite your purpose, Leon:)
anthonyyy
07-02-2006, 18:54
[QUOTE=Emma]
"I might try making some wrist warmers ."
If you go to a charity shop and buy a "fleece" jumper that is much too small for you (say intended for a 9 year old) you could cut off six inch lengths from the sleeves. Main thing is that it fits your wrists very tightly. Of course if you use something like elastic to tighten it, it might reduce circulation and make things worse.
pierre girard
12-02-2006, 07:26
Hi Emma,
the swedish "Lovikkavantar" are the warmest I know. The are woolen mittens and very very warm. I am using them and over them I use leather. If you dont want to use leather you could try to buy a big other kind of windbreaker. The warmth you will get from the wool, only get yourself a fitting bigger windbreaker for them if you dont want to use leather.
good luck
Abbe
Abbe:
Sounds like what we call locally, "choppers." They were used by loggers in our area and hence the name. They may well have a scandianvian source as many loggers were scandianavian.
http://www.henrysshoerepair.com/moosehide%20chopper%20mittens. html
http://www.berlingloveco.com/admitdeercho.html
http://www.berlingloveco.com/admitchopkni.html
For real cold weather I use choppers, or "extreme cold weather" military gauntlets (US or Canadian). The gauntlets are quite cheap and can be purchased on e-bay. The choppers now cost about $40 for wool liner and leather mitten. Sorry to say, both styles of mits use leather.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mitten-Set-Extreme-Cold-Weather_W0QQitemZ7218125211QQc ategoryZ58131QQssPageNameZWDVW QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Surprisingly, the US military gauntlets are better than the Canadian. It is just the opposite with winter mukluks.
For medium cold weather, I use rag wool gloves, but they seem to have gone out of style, and I guard the two pair I still have zealously - even darning them when they get a hole.
Like this, but with fingers (see, you can't get them anymore).
http://www.magla.com/stanley/ProductType.cfm?Type=s_work&Level=Detail&Group=S%5F3742
PG
Ogri the trog
12-02-2006, 08:56
Here's a tip for those of you who have relatives that knit.
When they're next measuring you for a jumper, ask them to add an inch or two to the sleeve length and to knit a big button hole into the cuff area. When thigs get cold, you push the cuffs down over your hands and use the hole to hook over your thumb - hey presto fingerless mittens.
You can of course cut and edge a hole in whatever jumper you like but the inclusion of a big hole as an afterthought can let the draught in where its not wanted.
I'm still an advocate of different gloves for different situations though; neoprene for wet working, aircrew gloves with liners for dry working, wool mixes for just keeping warm.
ATB
Ogri the trog
8thsinner
12-02-2006, 09:48
Emma, I can't offer any more info about this as I think everyone has it pretty much covered, And I hope some of that has worked it self out with you.
I think one of the ways you should tackle this problem is not just to cover up better but fight the symptoms directly.
And I can think of one way to do that, the mods probably wouldn't want me to post this for legal reasons, but I do have an idea which may help, PM me if your interested.
I can think of other things herbal based that would help also in different ways...