Backpacking Hand Protection

[@tomnoyb8301]

Carry 4-pair, 1) White sun-gloves, 2) Merino fleece, 3) Water-resistant finger-gloves, 4) eVent shell mitts. All UL (7oz total). Each pair rolled by a Kam-snapped hair-Scrunchie and all 4 fit in the Left hip-belt pocket with room to spare. Gloves are key to thermal management without stopping or removing pack. Typically start day with only Astroman thin sun-hoodie, even down to 20°F, while piling on as many gloves as needed to compensate for the insufficient torso insulation. Gloves and hoodie make it comfortable. Then shed layers of gloves and hood(s) as hiking warms it up. Same with hoods. In addition to the Astroman hood, carry a merino balaclava and a MYoG'd dcf-wpb shell-hood. Carry a hoodie-fleece and no puffy. Rarely use the 6oz fleece hoodie.

[@packtoter]

@tomnoyb8301 sounds like a lot of good advice. I will have to Google some of these items, but always looking to improve my layer system. Thanks for commenting. Keep Smilin'

[@andymytys]

I pack a dedicated pair of tent/sleeping gloves (liner weight Smartwool), as I sleep with my hands over my head and my hiking gloves can be wet and drying. I also don’t want to transfer dirt from my hiking gloves onto my down quilt. They’re fine in the tent from warm weather down to around 25 F.

[@packtoter]

@andymytys Good point about the dirt. I would love to find a solution for cold hands, but so far, this is as good as it gets for me. Keep Smilin'

[@daven.7685]

And I thought I just had a glove fetish! I constantly struggle with cold hands, and I keep buying gloves, and not finding anything that conclusively solves the problem. I think the best I’ve been able to do is to keep my hands from getting wet and colder. I’m beginning to think, at 63, that it’s a metabolism problem.

[@packtoter]

@@daven.7685 i can assure you it won't get any better in 13 years. I think my blood is running colder. Keep Smilin'

[@davidburchettephotography6513]

Maybe some kitchen gloves that would fit over the fleece? Should be a lot lighter than your blue ones there. Maybe even nitrile?

[@packtoter]

@@davidburchettephotography6513 i have tried dishwasher gloves, but they tear easily. Keep Smilin'

[@steveskidmore1018]

I have a pair of the Showa gloves without insulation. I use them as a waterproof cover over my light gloves. Hard to get them up sized to fit over the fleece or knit ones. Anyone know a US source for unlined Showas? Amazon does not list them

[@packtoter]

Haven't seen them. I'll google around. I'm not sure how much lighter they would be. Thanks. Keep Smilin'

[@daven.7685]

Steve, aren’t unlined Showas a minor step up from your wife’s or mother’s dishwashing gloves? If I couldn’t find unlined Showas anywhere state-side, I be looking at oversized dishwashing gloves. Harbor Freight has something like that.

[@Adam-xv7cd]

Only bad thing walking the trail with hands in ya pocket is if u trip n plant ur face or ur head hits a rock. I get the small hand warmers n put inside my gloves

[@packtoter]

@Adam-xv7cd yes. I've had my share of face plants. Hand warmers can work for short trips but not practical, weightwise, for longer treks. Keep Smilin'