View Full Version : Gloves for an AT thru-hike
2009ThruHiker
09-28-2008, 19:33
We are shopping for gloves soon for our thru next year, start date now moved up to March 28. We will use trekking poles, and I'd like to keep my hands warm on windy days. There are just too many options and brands out there. Can we get some thoughts on brands of gloves that have worked well for people's thru hikes? thanks in advance for the help....!
dessertrat
09-28-2008, 19:37
With a March 28 start, I would probably just get some cheap poly gloves or mittens at a convenience store and either send them home or (sorry about the wastefulness) throw them away when it warms up.
kayak karl
09-28-2008, 19:45
We are shopping for gloves soon for our thru next year, start date now moved up to March 28. We will use trekking poles, and I'd like to keep my hands warm on windy days. There are just too many options and brands out there. Can we get some thoughts on brands of gloves that have worked well for people's thru hikes? thanks in advance for the help....!
you can get these at your local army surplus store
http://www.rddusa.com/U-S-G-I-Wool-Glove-Insert-Used-Military-Gloves-Army-Gloves-Military-Surplus-Army-Navy-Surplus-Military-Clothing-Military-Accessories-Us-Gi-Retro-Vintage-Urban-Wear-Outerwear-Outdoor.html
take-a-knee
09-28-2008, 19:52
you can get these at your local army surplus store
http://www.rddusa.com/U-S-G-I-Wool-Glove-Insert-Used-Military-Gloves-Army-Gloves-Military-Surplus-Army-Navy-Surplus-Military-Clothing-Military-Accessories-Us-Gi-Retro-Vintage-Urban-Wear-Outerwear-Outdoor.html
Those GI wool liners are great, I would add some thin polypro liners also. Mountain Laurel Design rain mitts are worth the money, IMO.
BookBurner
09-28-2008, 19:52
Ditto the dessertrat. I never had a need for anything more than cheap liners on my thru. I figured if it ever got too cold, spare socks would make a great overlayer. After years of hiking north Georgia in the early spring, I'm still waiting to find out!
canoehead
09-28-2008, 20:32
There are great wind /waterproof light weight gloves and mittens out there check a cross country ski shop, EMS, REI or Walmart for liners....when it's wet & cold, there worth it..
For most days (mornings) these will be all you'll need:
http://www.rei.com/product/696508
I have used the military liner ones but prefer these fingerless ones for base layer for the hands. You can handle all camp chores and pack zippers/cords with these on. My fingers rarely get cold with them on and I'm busy doing morning camp chores.
Then if my hands start to get cold I put these on over top of the fingerless ones:
http://www.rei.com/product/757113
Be sure and size them to fit over the above. I cannot agree with the two low customer feedback ratings on REI's site for these. They are classed as "wind/water-resistant" gloves and are not going to provide satisfactory warmth alone in frigid cold, but combined with the above, should suffice for early Spring AT hiking. I also used these all last winter on my evening walks in the 'hood and my hands never got cold, even when the temp was in upper 20s. They are also great for hiking on those notorious cold, rainy March and April days, and are thin enough to work well with trekking poles! ;)
I will be carrying this combo on my October week-long hike starting in a couple of weeks.
If you want warmer than that, you'd have to go with 'mountaineering' gloves/mittens - more weight, volume, and money!
Check out bicycling gloves - there are lots that have great grip and will keep hands warm enough. I found one set that had a mitten cover, but can't find it now, or I'd send a link.
OK, big help, but there you go. check out a bike shop.
Check out bicycling gloves - there are lots that have great grip and will keep hands warm enough. I found one set that had a mitten cover, but can't find it now, or I'd send a link.
OK, big help, but there you go. check out a bike shop.Are these what you're talking about?
http://www.rei.com/product/769150
mtnkngxt
09-29-2008, 07:41
I just got a pair of polyester gloves from Eddie Bauer. They aren't waterproof, but for just cold mornings or whatever they weigh 1.5 ounces together and they are as warm as it gets.
Ditto on the military ragg wool liner gloves. I pair them with a shell mitten ( http://www.ula-equipment.com/mist.htm ) and they work great in all kinds of conditions.
Used them on various longs hikes, and on local hikes, too.
Also used them this weekend in New Hampshire recently..wet. cold and windy. :)
I essentially use the same setup in winter. The base layer is still the same ragg wool liners; I just use a beefier overmitt.
http://www.altrec.com/outdoor-research/snowline-mitts?cm_mmc=Mercent-_-Froogle-_-Outdoor%20Research-_-25848-177626-B&mr:trackingCode=D53935B2-BA8F-DD11-B9C3-0019B9C2BEFD&mr:referralID=NA
The liner/shell combo has worked very well for me in all kinds of conditions.
Blissful
10-02-2008, 11:18
I got some cheap from Lands End on sale. Probably full price now though. I used them a lot until late April.
Footslogger
10-02-2008, 11:25
We are shopping for gloves soon for our thru next year, start date now moved up to March 28. We will use trekking poles, and I'd like to keep my hands warm on windy days. There are just too many options and brands out there. Can we get some thoughts on brands of gloves that have worked well for people's thru hikes? thanks in advance for the help....!
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I carried the Manzella polypro liners and a set of rain mitts made by OR. It turned out to be a great combination for both the cold and wet conditions.
'Slogger