Soft Shell Gloves and Mittens

Reviewed by Rick-Pittsburgh

An excellent softshell glove that provides great dexterity, comfort, and protection from the elements. I would most certainly purchase these gloves again without a second thought.

Glove Model: OR Storm Tracker Glove Type: Softshell (Windstopper) Target Comfort Range: 15/35 degrees Fahrenheit (-9/2 degrees Celsius) Size: XL (S, M, L, and XL available) Gender: Mens (Womens also available in S, M & L (black/charcoal only) Color: Black/Charcoal(Chili/Charcoal also available) Weight: 5.9oz. / 168g. Warranty: OR's Infinite Guarantee (lifetime) Date of initial purchase: December 3, 2011 As some of you may already be aware I really enjoy being on trail during the winter seasons.

Read more: Outdoor Research Stormtracker Gloves review (1)

Featured review by Andrew F.

Thick wool mittens for winter weather. The key distinguishing factor is that boiled wool is thick and more resistant to wind and moisture than most other wool mitts. Because the weave is so tight, there is limited room for layering underneath them, but layering a shell over them, they’re a good option for cold weather. Durability is another plus.

Introduction Old but good. Made in Austria of boiled wool. Breaking down the science behind this, washing some kinds of woven wool in hot water causes it to shrink, making the wool thicker and the weave tighter and more compact. They feel a bit like the thick felt liner you might find in an old pair of winter pac boots.  Back of the mitt, cuff rolled up Boiled wool is an excellent material for warm winter gear because the wool is thick, the tighter weave resists a decent amount of wind, and snow and ice might be caking the outside of the mitt but doesn’t soak in.  The cuffs on these mitts are tight.

Read more: Dachstein 4 Ply Boiled Wool Alpine Mittens reviews (2)

Reviewed by Bob Withrow

A Good Idea

I have used a pair of gym gloves before on long hikes to avoid getting blisters from the trekking poles. Hiking without them isn't an option for me now. Andrew Skurka had mentioned sun gloves on a post, and I realized they are a great idea. They have an extended cuff that pairs well with a long-sleeve shirt and gives you 100% sun protection. No need to re-apply sunscreen. The palms are a thin suede material and really do help you get a better grip on the pole, and because the gloves breathe well, no sweaty palms.

Read more: REI Active Pursuits Sun Gloves review (1)

Reviewed by D Mizelle

A great glove, but a bit on the small size because it's a fitted size for dexterity. Leather palms and fleece lined. A bit tough to slide on, but good once on.

Good winter gloves for hiking or X-country skiing. I used them on trail about a dozen times last year and they became my all purpose glove for all except dirty work last year. Even used them for a day while cutting up a downed tree with the chainsaw and all the times I cleared snow. I took the picture with my 40-year-old downhill Aris gloves. I have 6 pairs of winter gloves and the Mountain Equipment ones have become my favorites. They are slim cut and would also be good for runners. I can tie boot laces with them on.

Read more: Mountain Equipment Tour Glove review (1)

Reviewed by LoneStranger

Great hand protection for most any active cold weather pursuit. Contoured design provides comfortable grip and dexterity to perform tasks without removing the glove. Ventilates well for high activity applications in cold, dry environments.

Soft, articulated, goat leather palm and finger with Polartec PowerShield covering the back of the hand. Note the extended cuff length giving them a gauntlet sort of feel. Outdoor Research has put a lot of thought into the redesign of their Lodestar Sensor gloves and combined that with high quality materials and construction. This is an updated version of a great glove that made it even better. I hate to give away spoilers, but these gloves were a real joy to test. No product is perfect, always something that could be better, but I was really impressed with how well these performed.

Read more: Outdoor Research Lodestar Sensor Gloves review (1)

Reviewed by Phil Smith

The Seirus Windstopper Cyclone gloves are warm, lightweight, and allow for amazing dexterity. They wick away moisture like crazy and are very quick-drying.

I was looking for a more technical, slimmer profile glove to replace my very warm but bulky wool gloves for snowshoeing, and saw the Seirus Windstopper Cyclone at a trading post in Greenville, Maine. I wore them today while snowshoeing in temps around 10°F, with wind chills of around -10°F, and my hands weren't even thinking of getting cold. I fully expect these to be useful at least down to -10°F air temps judging from how warm and dry my hands were today.  The lining is called "brushed Bemburg" and appears to be a type of polyester fiber pile about 1/4" thick.

Read more: Seirus Windstopper Cyclone Gloves review (1)

Reviewed by G00se

The Pearl Izumi Lobster Glove is an insulated, wind and waterproof split-fingered glove that combines the warmth of a mitt with the dexterity of a glove. After many years of use, primarily as a cyclist, I've found them to be a great piece of clothing for other uses.

Fourteen years ago I was an avid road biker, riding in all four seasons, as long as roads were passable. This caused me to ride many days in sub-freezing temperatures. Enter the Pearl Izumi Lobster Gloves. I would regularly ride using these gloves in temperatures in the low 20's. My self-made windchill would be anywhere from 11°F to 3°F. Cold hands were never an issue on these rides. Kids and a career pretty much reduced my cycling to short family trips in nice weather. The Lobster Gloves have spent a lot of time in storage...until this winter.

Read more: Pearl Izumi PRO Softshell Lobster Glove review (1)

Reviewed by Jmbk

Even with the weird, bright color, I love these gloves. My favorite after years of searching.

I've worn these gloves for 2 very snowy and wet months on Mt. Hood. When I first got them, I thought they were a bit stiff, but they broke in nicely. The fit and comfort level are great and the wrist cinching system — though basic — locks out cold and snow. I don't agree with other reviews that they aren't very warm. I think the wool liner, though not removable, is toasty, and they dry well after use. The other gloves I've used are usually "dryer bound" at the end of a ski session on Mt.

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Reviewed by Nirotem

I got the Hardface Gloves last winter as an all around glove - something for the daily day and for using outside...Perfect fit, great attention for the details, they look like they will last for ever. I have Marmot Work Gloves that serve as my cold weather gloves so the Hardface make a good lite glove for the rest of the year but I would think they are going to be warmer and they are not...at around 0 C my fingers were cold...very cold. and I could feel the wind - they keep the wind out if it's a mild wind but mid to strong winds just go through them and keep my finger cold...I like them a lot because they are so far away from being bulky and I can do anything wearing them.

Read more: Arc'teryx Hardface Glove review (1)