What do we think of hand warmers?

Hi all,

I was out at Castle Peak in CA last weekend with a partner training for some more serious climbing in the coming weeks.  I was wearing Marmot BTU gloves, which I bought last year and took to Shasta twice.  These gloves look like they should be warm, but last season they always seemed to be either too warm when it wasn't that cold, or not warm enough when it was *that cold*.  Anyways, long story short, I ended up getting some frost nip on my pinky finger on Castle Peak. So, I'm re-thinking my glove game before I go back out.  I was going to go ahead and order up some Altis.  Then I thought, well, what if I just re-apply waterproofing to the Marmots and carry a few hand warmers (like 8 hour Yaktraks) with me, and used those to supplement the gloves I already have?  I've always been sort of anit-hand-warmer, but just as I was thinking about it, I can't remember why I have that opinion.  

Anyway, I'm curious if anyone uses hand-warmer packets while climbing/mountaineering, and if there is any downside to that.  Or is it safer to try a new pair of gloves?

Throw one in your chalk bag on a cold day. 

it's aid

but seriously as a boulderer who climbs in the cold very often, handwarmers are great, though not having the option of taking your hands out of them may cause overheating

Tristan Burnham wrote: Throw one in your chalk bag on a cold day. 

X2

I used to feel the same way, I think because they weigh a lot and you throw them away, but boy do they make a difference. When you use them make sure you put them on the back of the hand, not the palm. 

David S wrote: Zippo's got you.  Also recharges your gadgets.

Do you use one? Just curious how well it works. Zippo also makes one that burns lighter fluid. Works fairly well but you have to replace the catalytic piece every so often. 

Zach Anatta wrote:   I've always been sort of anit-hand-warmer, but just as I was thinking about it, I can't remember why I have that opinion.  

 What??

Is this a serious question.
Yes i use them climbing and yes there is a downside,  you cant wear them while you climb rock.
If its cold do what it takes to be warm. Or else
Use hand warmers.
I use hot hands all the time when its real cold boarding or at work or climbing below 45 degrees.
They are clutch.
Had to bust out the toe warmers the other day at work...

We give you permission to use them. 

Try it and put it on the back of your hands.

If you like it, Costco sells boxes of them.

Actually you can wear them rock climbing. Hot Hands makes a wrist band that you slip the warmer into. Keeps it against the underside of your wrist. In theory the heat dilates the vessels in the wrist supplying blood to your hands. However it works, it definitely keeps your hands warmer. 

Ernest W wrote: Actually you can wear them rock climbing. Hot Hands makes a wrist band that you slip the warmer into. Keeps it against the underside of your wrist. In theory the heat dilates the vessels in the wrist supplying blood to your hands. However it works, it definitely keeps your hands warmer. 

this i need to try!

Dan Knisell wrote:

Do you use one (Zippo rechargeable hand warmer)? Just curious how well it works. Zippo also makes one that burns lighter fluid. Works fairly well but you have to replace the catalytic piece every so often. 

I just started using one, an off-brand $25 unit I found on Amazon, and these things get WAY hot. Loads warmer than the chemical, disposable hand warmers. They are much heavier than disposable chemical warmers but if you're bouldering or sport climbing, these things are sweet. I've stashed it in my puffy jacket pocket to use while resting or belaying and I'm impressed. The brand I got has a little wrist leash so I'm going to try putting in my chalk bag, with the leash attached to the chalk bag waist belt so it doesn't fall out. 

Another vote for handwarmers. I use them in my gloves on the back of the hands, and in my climbing shoes in between climbs.

The refillable zippo handwarmers are an option, I know some people who like them, and they would work for inside my climbing shoes, but I haven't bought them, because it seems a hassle, and expensive, for the number of uses vs disposable ones. And they wouldn't work inside the gloves (too bulky), unless you have really oversized gloves, but in that case, i'm not sure you can belay while wearing them.

all i know is when my wife opens that big ass box of handwarmers for christmas, she is very happy.

It negates the send ... its aid climbing

Black Diamond’s heated chalk bag is a game changer! Stop wasting your money on disposable hand warmers!!

I picked up extra batteries too that are sold for their heated gloves (same battery pack for both items), plus you get 2 batteries. I literally leave my chalk bag on high heat all day.. keep it tucked under my jacket while belaying too for added heat! After 6 hours of leaving it on i have only ever went through 2 batteries out at the crag. Definitely worth the investment if you plan on climbing in the cold for long periods of time. No more numbing out completely?! Wha??!

Chris Hatzai wrote: Black Diamond’s heated chalk bag is a game changer! Stop wasting your money on disposable hand warmers!!

I picked up extra batteries too that are sold for their heated gloves (same battery pack for both items), plus you get 2 batteries. I literally leave my chalk bag on high heat all day.. keep it tucked under my jacket while belaying too for added heat! After 6 hours of leaving it on i have only ever went through 2 batteries out at the crag. Definitely worth the investment if you plan on climbing in the cold for long periods of time. No more numbing out completely?! Wha??!

I was wondering if the glove batteries were interchangeable. It's nice to have a confirmation. Where do you get the spare batteries from?

Andrew Krajnik wrote:

I was wondering if the glove batteries were interchangeable. It's nice to have a confirmation. Where do you get the spare batteries from?

https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/skiing%2Fspare-parts/solano-battery-set-BD8015910000ALL1.html !!

Chris Hatzai wrote: Black Diamond’s heated chalk bag is a game changer! Stop wasting your money on disposable hand warmers!!

I do really like my BD heated chalk bag as well, but, alas, it's not currently available. 

it's aid.