Winter Gloves?

I’m looking for some ideas for some gloves that offer dexterity and warmth for capturing images in cold temperatures. Has anyone found a solution that they are really fond of?

Stay warm!

Mike, this is a pair of mitten/glove I have used for years now. I like the fact that you can uncover both the fingers and the thumb for working the camera in cold weather.

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=20516&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&from=SR&feat=sr

I've found great happiness using thin polypro liners under "fingerless mittens" or whatever you would call them. They're basically fingerless gloves with foldover mitten flaps. Put a set of disposable hand warmers in your palms between the two sets of gloves, and you've found nirvana.

I like the Kenai Glacier Gloves/Mitts. A search on the web will locate many retailers..Bass Pro, ebay etc. They have neoprene palms which help grip the camera better. Sharon

Mike, I use a pair of those thin cheapo synthetic one-size-fits-all knit gloves you can buy at the dollar store. They go inside heavier flipover mittens. In the finger compartment on each mitten, I use an adhesive dry-chemical handwarmer, the kind sold as toe warmers. The adhesive keeps them from falling out when I flip the gloves open or closed. Generally the left-hand mitten stays closed because I'm right-handed, and my right-hand mitten stays closed when I'm not shooting, as well as being there to flip back over if my fingers get cold shooting.

This has served me well down to about -30.

I'm actually waiting on my new pair of trial winter gloves to arrive in the mail. Ordered a set (size: large) from Danalco - the U.S. distributor for SealSkinz.
www.danalco.com
I ordered the "Chillblocker Gloves". They are a "wrist high waterproof glove, lined with expedition-weight velour Polartec Power Stretch fleece. There is a gripping pattern on the palm and fingers, and a waterproof membrane throughout. I got them because they are supposed to be somewhat thin, but still warm to -30F... we'll see. Originally I ordered the Large size, and sent them back as soon as I got them to trade for a medium set. As with any waterproof membrane type glove, they seem a bit "rubbery/neoprene...y", but if sized correctly, they should leave my fingers much more dextrous than using a standard pair of winter gloves. What I have done in the past (living in Alaska), is to wear an expedition weight REI climbing mitten with a heat pack inside. But I usually shoot bear handed or with a set of lowepro lightweight gloves (the black ones with the grippy dots that always rub off). I hate not "feeling" my controls, and not having a tactile feel for my shutter... a carry over from my competitive shooting days I guess. Anyway, hope this helps. If you're looking for more info on these gloves, I'll put a review up on my "Blog" page (I call it a Journal) that is linked below, in my signature. I'm going back down to Homer for more Bald Eagles on the 30th and I won't get a chance to use them till the end of the month, so the review will probably wait until then. Hope this helps.

Mike: Another vote for glove liners and flip over mittens. I have some mittens from Outdoor Research that work great. My only nit with these is that they utilize small magnets in the back of the mitten and at the wrist to keep them from flopping around when opened. The magnets wreak havoc on a compass and on analog watches. I tried to use a compass with them on one time before I realized what was happening and nearly spun myself into the ground. Good luck

LOL!!!!!!

Bill, I can just picture that! Glad you figured the reason before falling down!

I've used Black Diamond Powerstetch gloves in a standard windproof/waterproof Venturi shell glove (Outdoor Research). These give great tactile response. I am not a fan of unfingered gloves, but that is a personal thing for me. The heaters are a good idea. I've been using those liquid fueled heaters (Available at Sportsman's Guide) and they are my favorite. They are too bulky to fit in a glove comfortably, but they burn hotter and can last all day. I keep two in my pockets and just stuff my hands in there when needed. Helps keep the body warm, too!

Boy after reading the reviews of SealSkinz gloves and socks on the REI website I'm surprised they're still in business. Down here with our mild winters I wear Kenai polartec gloves without the tips. They have a nice rubberized palm that really grips. I bought them originally for fly fishing but find them great for photography in winter--Larry

Mike,

I wear a pair of thin neoprene gloves that are designed for law enforcement. They have velcro on the wrists and all but the index & thumbs finger tips have a small piece of leather on them. Without the leather on the index (trigger / shutter release) & thumbs you have more feelings.

Then I have a pair of heavier polartec fleece gloves that I wear over them when moving around. I hope this helps some.

Mike:
We're going to Yellowstone in a couple of weeks and we bought Outdoor Research Ascent Meteor (style 71136). They're a mitten with a 300 weight removable fleece liner that flips back to expose the finger and thumb. Sounds like the same gloves Bill was referring too. They're $59.00 at REI.

Kelly

My solution has been to use hand warmers. I put a couple in each pocket. When my hands get cold, these warm them up pretty fast.

- Dan.