The North Face Etip Gloves

www.thenorthface.com
If there is one piece of gear that I have fallen in love with this winter it is The North Face Etip Gloves. I try not to let the cold stop me from being outside, so I needed something where I wouldn’t have to take off my gloves to type, read, or take pictures on my iPad mini. With cost in mind, I first tried a pair that were knit and had a tiny sensor ball in the index finger… it worked maybe 50% of the time and typing a message was nearly impossible. So after some extensive research, I bit the bullet and spent the money to get something that most claimed worked. The stretch knit gloves are comfortable, keep my hands warm, AND the X-Static finger caps work every time I want to flip a page on my Kindle app, type an email, or take a photo. I also really like the silicone pattern on the palm as it allows me to feel that I have a comfortable grip on my iPad. Trust me, these gloves are worth the price.
-Jennifer Seabolt

$45

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Mammut Extreme Siam Gloves

www.mammut.ch, nine ounces
We talk a lot here at Gearzilla about one’s relationship to gear. How one item in our arsenal suddenly becomes our go-to must-have, the one that you describe to anyone who will listen. For one intrepid, snow-obsessed tester that had been his pair of Mammut ski gloves, which were stolen last year (or…left behind after après). This season we arranged for him to test a pair of the Extreme Siams, and all of his prior allegiance is like dust in the wind. These two-chamber gloves are a worthy partner for all high-alpine applications. The “upper” chamber (read: wearing the glove with the full use of insulation) provides hearty protection against the cold, cold winter. Then, in warmer conditions or when more dexterity is needed, you slip into the lower chamber, which pushes the insulation to the back of the hand and gives you solid tactility. The palms are lined with tough sheep leather, while the outer shell keeps things dry thanks to a Gore-Tex XCR three-layer waterproof/breathable insert. The glove has been pre-curved for optimal fit, with reinforced knuckles, a wicking liner, Velcro straps at the wrist, and easy pull cords on the gauntlet-style cuffs. Pull loops make it easy to get ‘em on (even if your hand is wet), but we do wish they also had interior wrist leashes. That would make us feel safer about yanking them off while on the lift—or keep us from leaving ‘em behind after one too many.

$159

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Winter OR Round-Up: Mountain Hardwear

www.mountainhardwear.com
When Mountain Hardwear was acquired by Columbia Sportswear a decade ago, loyalists were worried that the brand would lose some of its top-of-the pyramid functionality. But, if the product evidenced at Winter Outdoor Retailer is any indication, MH seems to be getting better and better. And in fall 2013 they’ve renewed their focus on gear for skiing and snowboarding.

Products like the new men’s and women’s Thermostatic Jacket ($200, oictured left) make use of their new Thermal.Q technology, a proprietary, synthetic insulation that uses a down-inspired matrix of rigid stems and soft fibers to create a ridiculously light, ten-ounce jacket that’s very packable. Once for ounce, Termal.Q is 20 percent warmer than other synthetic insulation, it dries fast, and the jacket itself has a sly street-friendly fashion sense which makes it a good go-to for traveling in colder climes. The Snowtastic 3L Jacket ($550, pictured right), meanwhile, ups the ante for female skiers, with waterproof-breathable fabric treated with Dry.Q Elite technology to help vent excess heat when skinning while still keeping you dry and warm when riding the lift. The men’s Compulsion 3L Jacket ($650) stands as the male counterpart to the Snowtastic, with a soft, comfortable three-layer face with Dry.Q waterproof breathability, pack-compatible pockets, and a removable powder skirt. Mountain Hardwear will also start working with merino wool in fall 2013 with base layers like the Integral LS Zip T ($88), made of a wool/polypropylene blend that wicks, dries quickly, and keeps you warm when you’re wet or dry—and it’s machine washable.

OutDry waterproofing (a technology MH shares with Columbia) pairs with Q.Shield insulation in the Snowrilla Glove ($110), a warm, fashion-forward everyday ski/winter glove made of hybrid leather and a cordura palm. MH is also stepping up their game with winter-specific packs. The Snowtastic 18 ($100) fulfills the need for short back- and sidecountry trips, with 1,100 cubic inches of storage for safety gear, a hydration sleeve, and a single piece of connected weaving to carry your skis diagonally—one of the most secure ski-carrying systems we’ve seen. For all-day backcountry tours, step up to the Powzilla 30 ($190). This ABS Base Unit-compatible pack (the “avalanche airbag” made by various third-party vendors) has a zip-off back panel so can access the pack interior without removing your skis or board from the pack, the same continuous webbing found in the Snowtastic, a hydration sleeve, big compression wings, and plenty of room for your shovel, probe, extra layers, and food.

Prices vary.

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Kombi Downy Gloves

kombisports.com
Ever sit on a chair lift, hands freezing, fingers numb, only to look up at a flock of extraordinarily comfortable geese, flapping overhead. Question: Why are you so cold when you’re bundle up with multiple layers, and they don’t have a care in the world? Answer: Down. Thankfully, Kombi’s new Downy Gloves level the difference between man and animal. They sport toasty-warm goose down insulation, encased in a waterproof/breathable layer and goatskin leather shell for day-long comfort in the most frigid of temps. Inside, a soft wicking lining with an antimicrobial finish keeps the gloves from getting sweaty and sticky once you push off the cornice and start warming up. During a frigid winter weekend, one tester was stuck on a broken chair in 15-degree temps for nearly an hour. Her cold companions had to be treated for frostbite, but she (and her fingers) emerged unscathed, thanks to the Downy Gloves. For super-cold conditions or people who just need a little extra warmth, the Downy’s also come in luxe puffy mittens. Wrist straps are adjustable, with cuffs that fit nicely under most jacket sleeves.
Available in men’s and women’s sizes in a glove or mitten

$95

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Black Diamond Equipment Legend Glove

blackdiamond.com
Over the past few years, gear technology and design have catapulted the simple ski glove into sci-fi realm. Lightweight insulation keeps hands warm without bulk, allowing for unprecedented dexterity and comforting fit, even in wet, soggy conditions. Waterproof/breathable fabric technologies make things forever dry and not the least bit clammy. Some even come with electric heater controls or Bluetooth iWhatever interactivity. To take advantage of both the new and old worlds, go for Black Diamond’s Legend Glove. Designed for skiers, alpinists, and ice climbers, these gloves are built to last. The motocross style has an under-the-cuff design to seal out the elements. Inside, PrimaLoft One insulation warms the hand, while a breathable Gore-Tex XCR insert keeps water out without sweat build-up. The shell is a woven four-way stretch, with protective molded EVA pads over the knuckles. Ultra-soft, flexible goat leather gives you pickpocket-like dexterity and sensitivity. While we flinched slightly at the price, our tester logged 80 days of skiing and mountaineering in the Legends last season, and the gloves still thwart snow and water like when they were new, promising seasons of hardcore future use.

$120

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