Cold Weather is an animal independent of all others! If you live in Chicago, you are quite acquainted and you know that it pays no attention to us humans. Last week’s temperatures were a brisk reminder that we are susceptible to the arctic cold. The cold requires that you protect your extremities to avoid frost bite that can result in the loss of a finger, ear, or toe(s) and or nose damage. It’s not something you want to encounter. Frost bites are like a cold burn. Ice actually burns the inner tissue of your body and can destroy it, leaving you with no function of that damaged portion of your body. Because of such danger, take a moment and note the importance of dressing your hands properly.
Choosing the right pair of gloves or mittens for snow sports can be the difference between a fun-filled, comfortable outing and a miserable trip with frigid fingers. As you shop for gloves and mittens, consider the activity. Will you be walking, snowboarding, or skating? I if you’re planning a ski trip then you should know that most downhill ski and snowboard gloves and mittens are made with synthetic exteriors, often nylon, combined with a waterproof, breathable barrier, and some type of insulation to keep your hands warm in cold, wet conditions. Abrasion-resistant patches on the fingers, knuckles and palms improve durability for activities like skiing and snowboarding.
Cross-country skiing on the other hand is a highly aerobic activity where you’re likely to work up a sweat. These gloves are flexible, breathable and allow moisture from sweat to escape more easily. Once you identify your activities you will have to shop for your gloves or mittens, factoring in such features as insulation, waterproofness, dexterity, and touchscreen compatibility.
GLOVES OR MITTENS?
Gloves, offer better dexterity than mittens because of their individual fingers, and are ideal for activities where you need to frequently handle gear, adjust boot buckles, and zip zippers. Lightweight gloves are an excellent choice for aerobic activities, such as cross-country skiing, during which your body generates lots of heat.
Mittens are warmer than gloves (made with the same materials) because your fingers touch skin to skin, therefore, share warmth. Mittens also have less total surface area for body heat to escape. Where they lack in dexterity, they can still serve you well when you’re holding ski poles, carving down the mountain on a snowboard or heading out for a hike in frigid temperatures.
Lobster: Today you can find protective hand-covering which is a blend of a glove and mitten, joining your index and middle fingers together and your ring and pinky fingers together. These are a great solution if you’ve found gloves aren’t warm enough and mittens feel too clumsy.
3-in-1: Many manufacturers offer 3-in-1 gloves and mittens, which consist of a shell glove or mitten and a removable liner glove or mitten. These 3-in-1 systems are versatile, allowing you to combine the shell and liner for maximum warmth, or wear either one individually in warmer weather. Liner gloves offer excellent dexterity for handling gear without exposing your skin to the cold. You can purchase a 3-in-1 glove or mitten system as a unit or assemble your own by buying separate shells and liners.
Insulation
Down and synthetic are two basic insulation types commonly used in gloves and mittens.
Down is the preferred choice between the two because it’s not man made and is an exceptional insulator. is coveted for its lightness, easy to compress, longevity and breathable. Down is more expensive than synthetic, but it maintains its worth longer than synthetic, making it a good value over time. Because down loses its ability to insulate well when it gets wet, it is not used in gloves and mittens as frequently as synthetic insulation. When it is used, it’s typically protected by a waterproof shell that helps keep it dry. Down gloves and mittens are an excellent choice for skiing and snowboarding in cold, dry climates.
Synthetic insulation is the least expensive and it insulates when wet and dries a lot faster. It is a desirable choice for use while skiing, snowboarding, and playing in the snow, especially in damp climates. The downsides of synthetic insulation are that it offers a little less warmth, its heavier and bulkier than down. Most its insulating power gets reduced each time it is compressed. Most downhill ski, cross-country ski and snowboard gloves use synthetic insulation.
Waterproof
Fortunately, most gloves and mittens designed for downhill skiing and snowboarding include a waterproof, breathable barrier to prevent moisture from snow and rain from getting in inside allowing water vapor from sweat to escape. The barrier can be in the form of a membrane that is laminated to the fabric, an insert that is placed between the outer shell and the insulation or a coating that is applied to the fabric.
Tip: Even the most expensive waterproof gloves and mittens can get wet, usually from the inside out. Take care to keep snow from getting inside your gloves or mittens and try to limit sweating with them on. If your hands are dry, they’ll be more likely to stay warm.
Heated
It’s true -- battery-powered heating systems make for heated gloves and mittens that boost warmth on the coldest of winter days. Typically, they include rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and can operate on various levels of heat output. The batteries and heating technology make the gloves more expensive, heavier, and slightly bulkier than non-heated gloves, but those tradeoffs can be worth it. Expect to spend $200 or more on heated gloves and mittens.
Touch Screen Capability
It’s too cold to take your gloves off, but you must make a call or send a text. So, technology has developed touchscreen-compatible fingers and palms, allowing you to operate your smartphone or tablet without exposing your skin to the cold. Touchscreen compatibility is typically found in lightweight to mid-weight gloves offering enough dexterity to control your smartphone. If you plan to use your phone frequently while outside, look for gloves with full finger and palm compatibility.
PERFECT FIT
Gloves and mittens that are too big won’t keep your hands warm and can make it difficult to hold ski poles, operate zippers and do other tasks. When they’re too small, they will restrict movement and leave skin exposed at your wrists.
Try on before purchasing to get a properly fitting glove or mitten.
MODERN FEATURES
Leather palms provide excellent grip and stand up to abrasion better than synthetic palms.
Long gauntlet cuffs extend over the sleeves of your jacket and cinch closed to keep snow and frigid air from getting in.
Wrist cinches snug the gloves or mittens at the wrists for a comfortable, secure fit on your hands.
Zippered pockets, often on the back of the hand, are sized to fit disposable hand warmer packets and can double as vents on warmer days.
Thumb wipes: Updated modern gloves designed for winter feature soft material on the thumbs specifically for wiping your nose when it begins to drip.
Leashes, or wrist cords, are not just for kids. Secure your gloves or mittens to your wrists so you won’t drop one from the chairlift on your way up the mountain.
