Glove technology advancement is a battle of increments: there are only so many things companies can do to improve upon standard formulas. But this year’s crop is lighter, warmer, and more dexterous than any before thanks to liner upgrades, sophisticated stitching, and enhanced tech.

Mammut Astro Guide Glove ($99)

The Astro Guide’s palm is made from ­goatskin leather, which contains a wax called lanolin that keeps the mitts pliable when they dry out after wet backcountry adventures. Polyester on the backs of the hands lets paws breathe, a Gore-Tex Infinium liner blocks wind, and articulated fingers yield outstanding dexterity. The result? Warm but not clammy hands in a range of conditions. 

Black Diamond Mercury Mitt ($120)

It’s hard to beat the warmth of a mitt, especially one with 170 grams of insulation on the back of the hand (133 on the front). Goatskin leather in the palm boosts durability, and a recycled, ­four-way-stretch soft shell keeps the back flexible. One thing BD left out: PFCs. The brand’s proprietary water repellent kept our hands moisture-free without the toxic chemicals that stay in the environment when our skin tracks melt away. 

Hestra Ergo Grip Glove ($125)

Hestra is renowned for comfort, durability, and pick-up-a-dime dexterity, and it delivers in spades here. The palm provides a natural curve ideal for gripping a ski pole or climbing rope. Gore-­Tex Infinium layered between the shell and the liner blocks wind and breathes at the expense of some waterproofing, though the glove is still plenty capable of fending off strong winds and light snow showers.

Outdoor Research RadiantX Mitt ($115)

Nobody wants cold hands, but skiing in an overstuffed gauntlet can feel like playing the piano with claws. Enter the waterproof RadiantX, which has an interior aluminum coating that reflects body heat with minimal bulk—and without compromising breathability. The result is more pliable but retains all the warmth of gloves in the next weight class up—and it still sheds deep powder thanks to a waterproof outer shell.

Seirus Heated Atlas Glove ($200)

Heated gloves usually involve clunky batteries lashed to your wrists within the cuffs and wire heating elements you can feel when clenching your poles. The Atlas loses weight by using one small lithium-ion battery and just over two inches of wire per hand. The lowest of the three settings offers six hours of moderate warmth. On a subzero day, we relied on the Atlas’s polyester insulation for a few runs before deploying the nuclear option, which lasted us over two hours of sweet supplemental heat.

Truck MX Master Glove ($40)

The MX Master has a full goatskin hull, making it warmer than the Astro Guide. This means it’s not quite as breathable, but the waterproof membrane between shell and fleece liner more than made up for it on mild lift-served spring days. Credit Truck’s direct-to-consumer business model for the serious bargain here.

The post The Best Gloves of 2022 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Outdoor Research Carbide Sensor ($115)

The warmest glove of the test, the Carbide deploys a Gore-Tex membrane beneath supple goat leather on the palm and back of the hand, and has a long cinchable cuff with an adjustable wristband to keep snow out. Toasty, stretchy VerticalX fill is knitted to resist compression and wick moisture. A mitten version is available for the same price.

Black Diamond MidWeight ScreenTap ($40)

Our favorite for uphill skiing or wearing under a large mitten, this glove has fleece on the back of the hand for warmth and a combination of polyester and goatskin in the palm for durabil­ity. A conductive polymer in the palm provides the best touchscreen sensitivity we’ve ever tested.

Vermont Glove Uphill Skier ($140)

This American-made glove relies on waxable goat leather to keep the removable merino-wool liner—and your hands—dry. (Ski up sans liner and deploy it for the downhill.) Designers placed the durable, double-stitched seams on the outside for improved finger sensitivity and grip. After just a few wears, the leather becomes supple. Meanwhile, the canvas cuff allows outstanding wrist movement from the get-go.

Dakine Team Excursion Gore-Tex Louif Paradis ($110)

Developed with the help of Canadian rider Louif Paradis, the Excursion is the perfect solution for days when no glove is warm enough. Using Gore Active technology, ­which increases the breathability of the waterproof laminate, plus cozy PrimaLoft Gold batting and a wicking wool-blend lining, these goatskin and nylon mittens keep hands exceptionally toasty and are quick to dry after a big powder day.

Hestra Freeride CZone ($165)

This short-cuffed glove is ideally suited for skiers and riders in cold, wet climates. The reason? The cowhide leather outer is treated to be simultaneously water- and ­abrasion-resistant yet breathable, and a waterproof membrane locks out moisture, keeping the proprietary foam insulation and polyester lining dry. The ribbing across the knuckles lends outstanding articulation for such a highly insulated glove.

Smith x Kinco ($50)

Smith and Kinco’s collab puts a new spin on the old ski-patrol favorite: the finger mitt. This glove-mitten hybrid tested warmer than Kinco’s classic insulated glove, and the combination of porous pigskin on the palm, fingertips, and knuckles and cotton-blend canvas on the back of the hand lends dexterity. Skiers and snowboarders will appreciate the free index finger for adjusting equipment or unzipping pockets.

The post The Best Gloves of 2021 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Dakine Team Baron Gore-Tex ($115)

Designed with input from Chris Benchetler, the Team Baron’s looks reference the freeskiing phenom’s love of some obscure psyche band from San Francisco. The exterior is a mix of stretchy soft shell and supple goatskin, making it the nimblest mitten we tested. Gore-Tex inserts lend waterproofing, and PrimaLoft Gold insulation boosts warmth.

Flylow Maine Line ($65)

Mittens are great, until you need to fish something out of your pack. That’s why we’re fans of the Maine Line, with its separate index finger for improved dexterity and no loss of warmth. Nylon on the back of the hand lends flexibility, too.

Leki Griffin Tune S Boa ($189)

Skiers sick of constricting pole straps will rejoice: a D-loop between the thumb and index finger connects the Griffin to the pole. (Note: it works only with Leki’s Trigger sticks.) The supple combo of goatskin and soft shell facilitates movement.

Helly Hansen Odin ($140)

With its removable lining, this two-for-one glove is great for multi-season use. That soft-shell liner has a tacky palm for extra grip, and it’s warm enough to serve as a spring-skiing glove. Deploy the waterproof-breathable outer, with its goatskin palm, when the weather turns.

Hestra Wakayama ($145)

Don’t let the styling fool you: the Wakayama is less retro than nowtro. The cowhide outer is treated with aniline oil for water resistance, and the wool lining is woven into loops like terry cloth, forming air pockets that trap warmth. The benefit: it doesn’t break down the way some synthetics do.

Seirus Range LX ($120)

Stuff too much insulation into a glove and you can kiss dexterity goodbye. So while the Range has a bit of pillow to it (thanks to comfy fleece and some PrimaLoft), Seirus uses a lining that reflects the warmth of your skin, similar to the emergency blankets found in first-aid kits.

The post The Best Gloves of 2020 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Hot pockets—nuking not required (unless we’re talking about snow)

Oyuki Haika ($150)

This Japanese import has two features we always look for in a touring glove: a removable liner, and external seams on the fingers for maximum dexterity. The Haika’s liner is made from highly breathable Lycra and has durable goatskin leather in the palm. A  suppler goatskin makes up the glove’s shell, with comfy tricot inside.

The North Face Etip Grip ($55)

This light single-layer glove is perfect for cool-weather cycling, nordic skiing, or simply having in your pack when the weather turns foul. It’s knit from stretchy fleece, and the palms and fingertips are coated in a tacky elastic that dutifully grips cold, slick surfaces like a phone or water bottle.

Hestra Army Leather Patrol Three-Finger ($130)

Many skiers shy away from mittens, despite their superior warmth, because they lack the versatility of gloves. The Patrol’s free index finger addresses this issue. Hestra put polyester on the back, because it’s more breathable than the goat leather in the palm and fingertips, where dexterity is key.

Leki Xplore XT S ($130)

Combined with the Leki trigger pole, the Xplore XT S is the warmest glove we tried. The reason: rather than a circulation-restricting strap that you wrap around your wrist, Leki’s pole clips to a Dyneema loop between the glove’s thumb and index finger. PrimaLoft Gold insulation doesn’t hurt either.

Astis Long-Cuff ($195)

Riding chairlifts on a powder day calls for a stylish mitten that sets you apart from the crowd. This suede gauntlet comes in dozens of combinations of beadwork and fur trim, but there’s tech under all that bling. High-loft Polartec lends toasty warmth, and the ­leather is injected with hydrophobic silicone, which adds waterproofing.

Outdoor Research Bitterblaze ($135)

The Bitterblaze is lined with aerogel, the überwarm, porous silica insulation used by NASA in its space suits. That 1.5-­millimeter layer of gel also deserves credit for ­making this glove, which was created for ice climbing, remarkably warm while maintaining dex­terity. Plus, it won’t break down or thin out over time.

The post The Best Gloves of 2019 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Care for your digits.

Arc’teryx Rush SV ($275)

Arc’teryx debuted the Alpha glove a couple of years ago, with a revolutionary build: it sealed the membrane stitches with waterproof tape, making the Alpha the most weatherproof glove we’ve ever tested. The Alpha has now been upgraded to the Rush, with a removable quick-drying liner. Think of it as hard-shell armor for your hands.

Black Diamond Helio ($200)

Versatility was on full display during a ski tour in Crested Butte, where the three-in-one Helio proved to be our best friend. We skinned up in the fleecy liner, then broke out the light outer with goat-leather palm and ripstop backing for the way down. That shell uses Gore’s new Active fabric, sacrificing some durability for breathability.

686 Linear ($55)

The name of the insulation says it all: Gore-Tex Warm. 686’s Linear has a layer of thick, lofty pile to keep hands toasty on long chairlift rides. That, coupled with a proprietary micro-liner, made this the warmest glove of the test—it was comfortable down into the single digits. Another nice feature: a cuff cord for keeping the hem where it should be.

Helly Hansen Ullr Leather HT ($140) 

Consider the Ullr a boxing glove for skiers who like to fight their way through the trees. Durable leather construction and compression foam running across the back of the hand and fingers provide ample protection. Yet it’s surprisingly articulate for such a heavy glove, due to the supple goatskin and sheer Pittards on the palm, thumb, and index finger.

Seirus Heat Touch Hellfire Mitt ($425) 

Tried all the options and your hands still get cold? Time to go nuclear. Take a mitten stuffed with 280 grams of lofted polyester insulation, add a battery-operated heater, and you get the Hellfire. Softshell fabric interrupts the sheepskin leather across the back of the knuckles for dexterity while pawing ski poles.

Rab Vengeance ($140)

The lightest glove here, at 6.4 ounces, the Vengeance hits harder than your average bantamweight. Credit for the feathery but capable punch goes to the OutDry weatherproof insert, which prevents snow and wind from chilling your fingers. Thick high-pile insulation inside breathable nylon-polyester swaddles the back of the hand, while more durable Bemberg yarn lines the palm.

The post The Best Gloves of 2018 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Your paws deserve the best.

Outdoor Research Capstone Heated

Why spend five bills on electric gloves? To play longer when the mercury drops. A heating surface covers 70 percent of the Capstone (twice the area of most other models), and the lithium-ion batteries deliver up to eight hours of cook time on low. When the juice runs out and it’s above freezing, the soft-shell material is all you need. 

Price $500

Give’r 4-Season

Think ski-patrol glove straight from DARPA. Originally tested by crews deicing planes at the Jackson Hole airport, the Give’r lets you do everything from grab a burning log to handle dry ice. The burly leather will endure an absolute beating, while Thinsulate insulation and a 100 percent waterproof membrane keep fingers warm and dry during long days in the gnarliest conditions.

Price $99

POC Wrist Glove Big

This gauntlet is the perfect choice for cold, deep days at the resort. A robust waterproof-breathable outer will keep your paws dry even if it’s been nuking nonstop, while goat leather on the palm prevents shredding when you grab an edge. And it’s surprisingly nimble for such a big package. We had no problems eating candy bars on the lift.

Price $140

Hestra Army Leather Patrol

A leather front mated with airy synthetic fabric on back (and no waterproof membrane) means these gloves breathe much better than most. Add a quick-dry wool liner and you get shields that shine at everything from chopping wood to dawn patrol. Live somewhere wet? Apply a wax-based balm.

Price $130

686 Raw Leather Mitt

Don’t be fooled by the retro-schoolyard styling. These are bombproof mitts with a DWR-coated leather shell and a large patch of Cordura across most of the palm that ensures they don’t tear when you grab your board or skis off a kicker. Nice: the waterproof-breathable liners have individual finger slots for better grip on poles.

Price $90

Black Diamond Heavyweight Waterproof

These sleek gloves were made for spring couloir season. They’re dexterous enough for rope work or handling ice axes, offer just enough PrimaLoft insulation for bitter early-morning starts, and have an impenetrable liner, so they won’t wet out when afternoon sun turns the snow to slush.

Price $80

The post The Best Gloves of 2017 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

It's simple: better mitts equal happier hands. The engineering and tech that went into these six warmers—which deliver on warmth, breathability, and fit—is not. 

Hestra Narvik Wool Terry

Like most of the leather gloves here, the  is made from goatskin, but unlike some of them, it’s tanned with plant tannins. Like Flylow, Hestra utilizes a wax coating rather than laminating its fabrics. It’s a touch less breathable but still adequately water resistant, provided it’s waxed periodically. The removable wool liner is exceptionally fast drying. 

Price $185

Seirus HeatTouch Torche

Seirus upgrades the typical battery-heated glove, adding a poly-fleece liner that slips into a leather-and-soft-shell outer with a heat reflective layer. Choose from three settings: warm, medium, and toasty (the last seriously diminishes battery life). Unlike most heated gloves, the works well when switched off, even without the liner. 

Price $395

Eddie Bauer First Ascent Guide Trigger

Mittens are notorious for compromising dexterity, but the pointer finger and notched leather at your knuckles make it easy to grasp ski poles while letting your index finger freelance. Like the Extravert, is built with goatskin palms and a nylon shell but also includes a blanket of PrimaLoft batting. 

Price $179

Flylow Gear Blaster 

Other than the cuff, is completely leather. Between all that hide and the fluted lines along the outsides of the fingers, you’ve got a glove that wants to wrap around a ski pole like an anaconda around a hog. Credit the warmth to Prima-Loft Gold insulation and the waterproofing to triple-oven-baked leather and a coat of beeswax. 

Price $99

Outdoor Research Extravert

The for skin up, ski down mornings. The nylon on the outside of the hand breathes extremely well, while the wool lining wicks away moisture. Goat leather in the palms is durable yet oh so supple. Easy-to-snug Velcro cuffs cozily swaddle the wrists, and the handy nylon loop makes slipping them on a snap. 

Price $75

Arc’teryx Lithic 

The eschews leather in the palm for polyurethane patches laminated to Gore-Tex. And while our friends at Arc’teryx may be vegan, they say they do it to improve waterproofness. Leather, they insist, absorbs moisture no matter how diligently you apply a DWR treatment. Add seam-taped Gore-Tex and you’ve got the driest hands on the hill.

Price $249

The post The Best Gloves of 2016 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Outdoor Research Luminary Gloves

Unlike most gloves with removable liners, thehas a fleecy interior layer and a lined exterior layer, and both function independently as finished gloves. The result is the perfect adaptable solution for ski touring.

First Ascent Guide Lite Gloves

A relatively thin poly-wool-lined glove with superb dexterity, the is ideal for spring skiing or aerobic activities like alpine touring or cold-weather mountain biking. It’s a bit gossamer to be a season-long resort glove, though.

Rab Baltoro Gloves

With a soft-shell exterior and a leather palm, the moderately insulated, water-resistant is the most breathable glove here. It’s great for drier climes and going uphill.

Columbia Outbacker Gloves

Gloves this warm can feel like galoshes. But thanks to a combination of fleece insulation, heat-reflective lining, and high-tech waterproof-breathable coating, the moves like a welterweight but brings the heat like a heavyweight.

We’re big fans of gloves, like Columbia’s Outbacker, made with outdry technology. The membrane is laminated to the exterior so water can’t penetrate. It’s the best way to make a glove waterproof.

Dakine Ranger Mitt Gloves

The waterproof-breathable is one of the toastiest mitts we’ve tested. Thick fleecy pile and insulation on the back of the hand provide warmth, while a thinner merino-wool layer on the palm wicks moisture and helps preserve a bit of dexterity.

Stoic Forge Gloves

Made primarily from goat leather, with a tight-cinching soft-shell cuff and wool insulation, the is impressively warm and tough. Though not technically waterproof, it can handle wet snow when treated with a wax sealant.

The post The 6 Best Winter Gloves of 2013 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Danner Crater Rim

One size does not fit all in clothing, and that includes shoes, too. Which is why still cobbles boots in its Oregon shop in half sizes and a range of widths to ensure a precise fit—which can be a revelation. (Turns out one of our testers wears a size 9½ E, not the 10 he’d always believed.) The Crater Rim is based on a Danner-made boot popular with U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and it’s easy to see why: the nubuck upper is durable but supple; the high-cut, full-wrap rand provides protection against rocks, cactus, and puddles; and the aggressively lugged Vibram sole sloughs off pebbles, slop, and snow. We took the Crater Rims straight from the box on a taxing scramble up a creek (the Gore-Tex lining had no trouble with the soaking), then over a steep, eroded anaconda of switchbacks. We had nary a hot spot or blister that day, nor in all the miles in the months after, proving once and for all that size—and materials and construction—does matter. 1.9 lbs

COMFORT: 4
SUPPORT: 5 (OUT OF 5)

Adidas Terrex Fast R

BEST FOR: Rocky trails. THE TEST: “Wet, dry, hard or soft trail—they never lost traction,” one tester raved. How? teamed up with Continental (the tire company) and essentially slapped a mountain-bike tire to the bottom of its first trail shoe, with diamond-shaped knobbies for exceptional grip. But the real tech is supposedly in the high-tech heel pad, which hides two overlapping plates in the midsole, a design Adidas says adds stability by slowing the transition from the initial heel strike to the toe-off. We don’t know about all that, but the Fast R did have a nice balance and stride, even in steep, rutted terrain. THE VERDICT: A three-season shoe up for just about anything. 13 oz

COMFORT: 4
SUPPORT: 4.5

Ecco Colorado

BEST FOR: Desert dwellers. THE TEST: With lots of cooling mesh and a one-hand speed toggle for the laces, the lightweight Colorado is a sport-sandal-running-shoe mashup. The minimalist upper is all about heat dispersal, but it’s mated to a moderately lugged sole that we found plenty grippy and a deep heel cup that kept our ankles from rolling. While the airy mesh made for cool feet on sweaty hikes, it let in some grit on sandy trails. And the soft toe box means you either have to tread carefully in rocky terrain or risk jamming your toes. These minor gripes aside, testers loved the for moving fast in hot weather. THE VERDICT: This summertime day hiker can double as a runner in a pinch. 14 oz

COMFORT: 4
SUPPORT: 4

Vasque Velocity

BEST FOR: Lightweight protection. THE TEST: Ankle turners, rejoice! has stitched the platform of a beefier boot onto the body of a lightweight, breathable hiker. The result is a shoe that’s stout and stable but, at just 13 ounces, hardly hefty. “This is no jacked-up SUV,” one tester commented. “And you don’t feel any rocks through the sole.” Credit the molded TPU plate that runs three-quarters the length of the shoe. Yet this isn’t some boardlike Frankenshoe. The plate is as flexible front-to-rear as it is torsionally rigid, so while our feet tracked solidly with each strike, we could still open up a comfortable stride. THE VERDICT: Punches above its weight. 13 oz

COMFORT: 3
SUPPORT: 5

Chaco Bulloo Vade

BEST FOR: The performance- and fashion-conscious. THE TEST: Drawing on its experience making high-traction sandals, has built a trail shoe that grips the rough with the tenacity of a pit bull. The low-volume Vibram sole might look wimpy, but on northern New Mexico trails it stuck to sandstone slickrock—wet or dry—like a rock shoe. We worried that all the suede in the upper might be hot, but the mesh underlay vented well on searing hikes. Best of all, you can easily wear the low-key styling from trail to town without feeling like some high-zoot adventure racer. Bonus: the square shoelaces really work; they never came undone. THE VERDICT: A hot-weather hiker that can double as your adventure travel shoe. 15 oz

COMFORT: 4.5
SUPPORT: 3

Scarpa Moraine Mid GTX

BEST FOR: The . THE TEST: “They just fit me,” was a common refrain, with testers exclaiming how secure the instep felt. That snug feel comes from the suede rib cage that wraps from the sole to the eyelets to enclose your foot like a clamshell. The result, we found, was ankle stability for rough trails rivaled only by the Salewas and the Vasque Velocity. With Gore-Tex lining and rugged metal upper eyelets that lace fast like the ferrules on a fly rod, this shoe is packed with features—especially for the price. If you have paddles for feet, though, you should look elsewhere; the fit is narrow. THE VERDICT: Meet the mid-hiker that feels like a slipper. 15 oz

COMFORT: 5
SUPPORT: 4

Salewa MTN Trainer GTX

BEST FOR: Scrambling and alpine climbing. THE TEST: Born out of the Italian discipline of via ferrata—climbing routes equipped with cables and ladders—the is at its best on actual rock. The heavy-duty suede was plenty protective in scree fields, and the full-wrap rand even allowed for passable toe jamming. The combination of a stiff midsole (some will find it too firm for everyday trail use), laces that run clear down the toe box (to ensure a tight fit), and the crisp corner of the sticky Vibram sole (front lugs are recessed) makes for great support and edging on micro-lips and fins of rock. THE VERDICT: Deft enough to tempt adventure climbers away from bringing rock shoes on semitechnical routes. 1 lb

COMFORT: 3.5
SUPPORT: 5

Much like a climbing shoe with a “slingshot” heel rand, the MTN Trainer and Beartooth keep your foot from slipping inside the shoe with bands on both sides of the foot that pull the laces and your instep down and back toward the shoe’s heel.

Oboz Beartooth

BEST FOR: Backpacking. THE TEST: If you’ve got big plans and a fancy new multi-day backpack, you’d be wise to complete the package with a burly, high-cut, waterproof-breathable boot like the . With reinforced nubuck uppers, stainless-steel hardware for the laces, and a meaty, self-cleaning lugged sole, the Beartooth is a monster truck of a boot. Our favorite feature was the webbing strap that connects the heel cup to the laces, which cinched our heels into the back of the boot for a locked-in feel and zero blisters. THE VERDICT: It’s hard to imagine needing beefier boots than these. Likewise, it’s hard to imagine them ever wearing out. 2 lbs

COMFORT: 3
SUPPORT: 5

Crispi Monaco GTX

BEST FOR: Nasty weather. THE TEST: Like the Danner Crater Rim, this Italian-made hiker has a nubuck upper, a 360-degree rand, and a nearly seamless Gore-Tex lining. Upshot: it’s a boot fit for foul weather. But toasty toes are only half the cold-weather equation. The proprietary Vibram sole has deep-lugged, asymmetrical outer edges for sure feet in snow and muck and fewer, shorter inner knobs for great flexion and sensitivity. On a winter hike up Glorieta Baldy, a steep, loose grunt in northern New Mexico where conditions ran from sun-exposed slop to ice-spackled slickrock to crunchy snow, the never slipped. THE VERDICT: Enough protection to wear well into winter, but they’re a bit warm for quick midsummer jaunts. 1.2 lbs

COMFORT: 4
SUPPORT: 3.5

Unlike conventional rawhide leather or sued, nubuck, as seen here on the Monaco and the Gear of the Year-winning Crater Rim, is sanded to produce a smooth, soft, and pliable surface that holds water-repelling treatments such as Nikwax longer than other leathers.

Timberland Lite Trace Mid

BEST FOR: Getting there first. THE TEST: At a gossamer 13 ounces, the was the lightest midcut shoe in the test. Timberland defies gravity by inserting a lightweight foam in the midsole more commonly found in track flats and by slimming the upper, a seamless construction that laminates the exterior, waterproofing, and interior into one ultrathin layer. Considering how light it is, we were impressed with the Trace’s guts. It locked testers’ ankles as securely as much heavier-duty hikers, even with a 30-pound pack shouldered. The downside? The upper is like a pincushion for thorns, and the flexy toe box caused hot spots for at least one tester. THE VERDICT: The dream shoe for fast packers, just mind the sharp stuff. 13 oz

COMFORT: 3
SUPPORT: 3

The post The 10 Best Hiking Shoes of Summer 2012 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Black Diamond Cayenne Gloves

A three-setting lithium-powered heat coil produces up to ten hours (less if you crank it up) of waterproof-breathable warmth. Even better, the Cayenne is sufficiently insulated to keep your hands reasonably warm even when the juice isn’t flowing.

TAGS: battery-powered, expensive

Sierra Designs Transporter Gloves

Athletically cut but well reinforced (palm, index finger, and knuckles), the midweight Transporters earned this year’s highest marks for dexterity. The water-resistant and fleece-lined leather-and-soft-shell exteriors are good for all but the coldest temps.

TAGS: workhorse, armored

Mountain Hardwear Dragon’s Claw Gloves

Articulated goatskin-and-nylon fingers easily grip ski poles and excel in wet-snow climes like the Northwest, thanks to the waterproof-breathable OutDry shell, which doesn’t allow moisture to penetrate the glove.

TAGS: leather, ergonomic

The waterproof-breathable OutDry mem-brane on the Dragon’s Claw isn’t a separate internal layer like in most gloves. Instead, it’s bonded directly to the outer, which improves dexterity and keeps wet snow from getting inside.

Ibex Kilometer II Gloves

Perfect for nordic skiing or snowshoeing, the Kilometer II relies on a blend of synthetics lined with merino wool to stay lightweight and breathable. The terrycloth nose wipe on the thumb is duvet-soft, and the fabric across the knuckles makes the glove ultrasupple.

TAGS: breathable, merino wool

Outdoor Research Firebrand Gloves

Outdoor Research makes these heavily insulated finger foxholes for the military’s elite forces. The only American-manufactured glove in the test, the Firebrand has removable liners with batted insulation on the back of the hand and thumb, as well as fleece in the palm for dexterity.

TAGS: special ops, removable liner

Stoic Welder Trigger Mitts

Trigger-finger gloves have long been popular with cyclists for their combo of warmth and shifter-friendliness. Turns out the lobster-claw design is great for futzing with buckles, too. The wool liners dried fast, and the waterproof-breathable Welders performed well sans liners on warmer days.

TAGS: claw, multisport

The post The 6 Best Gloves of Winter 2012 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.