HEAD TO HEAD

Mountain gloves

DEXTERITY

It’s annoying if wearing gloves renders your hands useless for basic tasks such as unzipping a jacket or grabbing a water bottle. Instead you need a snug, close-fitting pair that enable you to retain nimble, supple movement of your fingers and full functioning of the hand.

ADJUSTMENT

To lock in heat and ensure a fine-tuned fit tailored to the shape of your hands, look for a cinch strap around the wrist and a drawcord at the hem. Heavierduty pairs will feature both; some lighter options only include one. Velcro is sometimes used too.

FIT

As with all outdoor gear, you can get too bogged down with geeky details. Equally important is the fit, so it’s always best to choose gloves that feel comfortable to you. Aim for gloves that are snug enough for good dexterity, but not too tight as to be restrictive.

WATERPROOFING

Wet hands are cold hands, so priority number one is to keep them dry. For adventures in rainy or snowy conditions, your winter gloves need some kind of waterproofing material or membrane. Some brands use Gore-Tex, while others have their own in-house waterproof fabrics.

INSULATION

Insulation inside your gloves – be it down, fleece or synthetic – will trap heat and keep your fingers toasty. More insulation equals more warmth, but thicker gloves can feel bulky and unwieldy with poor dexterity.

FEATURES

Good features to look out for include wrist leashes (for attaching the gloves to your wrist), nose wipes (a soft patch on the thumb for, well, wiping your nose) and a pre-curved palm and ergonomic fingers for a more natural fit. Some gloves have in-built liners too.

BREATHABILITY

Your hands can easily get sweaty in warm and waterproof gloves. Ideally, you need a pair that is warm and waterproof when required, yet airy and breathable when you start to overheat.

DURABILITY

Gloves can take a battering, particularly if you’re scrambling with your hands or using trekking poles. To stave off wear and tear, a tough outer fabric (such as leather), a reinforced palm and rolled fingertips are all good.

TECHNOLOGY

Innovative new tech includes touchscreen compatible fingertips, meaning you can use your phone without taking off your gloves, and thermal reflective technology that bounces your body heat back for added warmth.