Eddie Bauer First Ascent Lightweight Softshell Gloves

The Lightweight Softshell Gloves from First Ascent are one of two glove models they introduced with their new product line this fall.

I've been using these gloves since August in mild and cold weather. Generally, I always have a pair of lightweight fleece or softshell gloves along, even when the weather is very cold. In cool weather I like them to be lightweight but also have some warming value. In cold weather, I like them to give me some dexterity and have a least a little insulating value.

Since I like fleece gloves and have a few pair from OR and North Face that I've been using for years, I'm using them as a comparison for this review. I also have a pair of Black Diamond two piece softshells I like for ice climbing.

The First Ascent gloves don't seem to measure up in my use in the field compared to my other gloves. They are very very comfortable and I especially like the tight fit around the wrists which make it easy to put under a shell or fleece. And the gloves look very good as well.

On the other hand, they seem to have very little to no insulating capacity at all, especially in damp weather. The gloves are made out of a stretchy nylon material that doesn't have much wind resistance and is lacking the little bit of fuzzy insulation lining that makes these types of gloves feel a little warm.

So overall, these are useful in very mild weather, or might be good if your hands stay pretty warm. Otherwise, I'm going to stick with my fleece style light gloves.

-g