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Warmest Mittnes?

Original Post
Chris90 · · Unity, Maine · Joined May 2010 · Points: 10

I am looking for some warm mittens for this winter(camping, ice climbing, mountaineering). I have tried a few out, but am looking to buy some of my own. Requirements: durable, waterproof,REALLY warm, reasonable price. What works for you all?

DannyUncanny · · Vancouver · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 100

The warmest mitten is the OR Alti, but unfortunately it is not reasonably priced. I don't think you will find a cheap mitten that has all of the characteristics you want. A lot of people like the Black Diamond Mercury which is about half the price of the Alti but not waterproof. Also keep in mind that when you get a really warm mitten, you are trading that for bulk and dexterity. I think that you will find that you have to compromise somewhere.

Wyatt H · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 6

I don't think OR has anything on the Rab expedion mitts.

Kevin Fox · · parker · Joined Apr 2003 · Points: 970

try kitten mittens. think you can get them the always sunny website.
youtu.be/HLq0Vouqh6o

Josh Brown · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 20
DannyUncanny wrote:The warmest mitten is the OR Alti, but unfortunately it is not reasonably priced. I don't think you will find a cheap mitten that has all of the characteristics you want. A lot of people like the Black Diamond Mercury which is about half the price of the Alti but not waterproof. Also keep in mind that when you get a really warm mitten, you are trading that for bulk and dexterity. I think that you will find that you have to compromise somewhere.
I'd agree with Danny on the OR mitts. My buddy had a pair on an ice trip when it was about 40 below with WC and all all of us where scrambling for them when the owner was climbing.
Steve Williams · · The state of confusion · Joined Jul 2005 · Points: 235

I don't know if they're still available, but Dachstein mittens
with a pair of glove liners will do the trick. They aren't the
same as down, but I used them in 0 degrees covered with snow
and they kept my digits warm. Of course gripping smooth ice
tools with them is a challenge. . .

Josh Allred · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 161

OR has an awesome replacement policy for wear and tear. I had a friend who even lost one of his gloves, he called to buy just one glove and they sent him a whole new pair for free!

climbskihike · · New Mexico · Joined May 2011 · Points: 250

I believe the BD mercury is waterproof, it has a BDry membrane.
The Alti seems warmer but the Mercury seems like it would be plenty warm for all but the coldest conditions. Haven't used either though, just tried them on.

Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180

Seams to me that if you need the warmest mittens you can find then waterproof probably isn't a priority.

DannyUncanny · · Vancouver · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 100
Allen C wrote:I believe the BD mercury is waterproof, it has a BDry membrane. The Alti seems warmer but the Mercury seems like it would be plenty warm for all but the coldest conditions. Haven't used either though, just tried them on.
I've messed around with them, and the inside liner is waterproof, but not the outer mitt. I imagine that it would be no fun and not very warm if the outer mitt gets soaked through.
Alicia Sokolowski · · Brooklyn, NY · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 1,781

I have the lady version of the OR alti mitts, and I think they are worth every penny (though I got then half off - watch for sales). You have no dexterity in them, though. For actual ice climbing, I have some BD punishers I wear with a liner. They work fine, but the second I'm back on the ground, I'm back in the altis. My husband also got his Alti mitts half off, so it is possible to score a deal.

climbskihike · · New Mexico · Joined May 2011 · Points: 250

Danny, thanks for the clarification. That does make a difference and I didn't realize that.

And a +1 for OR's warranty service. I have one of their softshell jackets which I bought last year. One of the hood adjustment cords came out, I called them up to see if they would fix it and they sent me a brand new jacket no questions asked - before I even sent mine back to them. I had it in like 3 days from the day I called them.

Their gloves seem to be well made as well, I'm thinking of getting a pair of stormtrackers this year.

Eli Harry · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 75

+1,000,000 for OR products and their customer service! had a waterproof mitten leaking on me a couple years back, walked into their store in Seattle with them, and the lady took them and said to pick out any gloves or mittens in the store for under a hundred bucks. when I did she took the tag off them and said, "thank you for being a customer." AWESOME!

So my recommendation is ANY mitten from OR!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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