When one of the members of my Facebook group asked me to help him find mittens on sale for his upcoming A.T. thru hiker, I was excited to take on the challenge of finding him something that would keep his hands warm and his wallet still (mostly) full.
Outdoor Research High Camp Mitts
The Outdoor Research Highcamp Mitts are a great choice to consider. They are constructed of a nylon shell with waterproof and breathable Venetia Dry inserts, water-resistant Primaloft Gold Insulation, and durable water-resistant goat leather on the palms. The removable Radiant Fleece liners also have touch-screen compatibility.
Right now on Amazon, they are currently in the $47-$60 range, depending on the size. This is a great deal, considering they retail at full price for $95.
Black Diamond Mercury Mitts
Gordini Gore-Tex Gauntlet Mitts
Outdoor Research Versaliner Mitts
Finally, these are my own personal favorites for winter hiking. I heard about them from a PCT thru hiker who raved about them. I was dubious that they would keep my hands very warm, given the challenges I face with poor circulation in my fingers. I was pleasantly surprised that they did the trick very well in temperatures as low as the upper teens/lower 20s. These mitts come with an optional shell that stores away nicely in a zippered pouch on the top of the mitten (which can also conveniently hold a chemical hand warmer). The shell layer is claimed to be “highly water resistant,” but I found that they worked quite well in keeping the rain out nicely during a 9-day, very rainy hike on the Wonderland Trail.
If I need something warmer than these mittens, I pair them with my Versaliner Gloves underneath, which I typically reserve for days that I don’t need something as warm as my mittens. The gloves also come with an optional exterior shell and a hand warmer fits perfectly inside the pocket where the shell is stored.
The Versaliner Mitts and Gloves are on sale at Amazon currently, but the mitts are tricky to find these days…I’m beginning to wonder if they’re being discontinued.
Want to find out about hiking and camping gear deals the quickest way? I invite you to join my Facebook group, Hiking and Camping Deals, where I post the best deals and sales in the industry as soon as I find them.