Gloves or mittens for which sports?
To play outside and really have fun, you have to protect yourself from the cold. Here are the types of gloves or mittens to put on for your favorite winter activities.
Gloves or mittens?
The question always comes up. Let's set it up efficiently: the glove is useful when the activity requires a certain degree of precision and agility. The mitten, on the other hand, is particularly useful on freezing days, since the fingers are in a common coat and share their warmth.
The multilayer explained
When shopping for the ideal pair of gloves, consider several factors: the lining, the waterproofness and its construction. To promote the multi-layer system, we put on a membrane, quality insulation and a comfortable glove liner to block wind and bad weather. The waterproof membrane (one of the recognized manufacturers in the field is called Gore-Tex) plays an important role in the multilayer system since it protects the hands from wind and snow.
Depending on the sport practised, the degree of impermeability decreases in favor of the breathability of the chosen product. In other words, a pair of waterproof gloves is not necessary if the activity being performed is intense, since the internal moisture of the glove or mitt must be wicked away for optimal comfort.
Liners: what to know?
There are two main types of lining: synthetic or natural. The advantage of a synthetic material such as Primaloft or Thinsulate (two brands that have proven themselves) is that it keeps the insulating property even when wet. For their part, natural materials such as wool or goose feathers generally retain more heat, but for this they must be kept dry.
What to choose for which sport?
During the cold season, some people go into hibernation mode, others rush outside. For those who prefer the outdoors, know that depending on the sport practiced, certain models of hand guards are more appropriate.
For activities requiring intense effort, such as cross-country skiing, running, touringor snowshoeing, it is better to opt for thin, permeable gloves for better dexterity and greater freedom of movement. This type of accessory allows moisture to be evacuated quickly so as not to have sweaty hands. Avoid warm waterproof mittens which make hands wet and even more vulnerable to the cold if you take a break.
For softer activities such as sliding, downhill skiing, snowboarding, mountain hiking or recreational skating, the priorities are good insulation and a waterproof membrane. A mitt with a waterproof synthetic liner is a good choice. It keeps the heat for several hours. As for the outer material, whether it is leather or imitation leather, polyester or made of another textile has little impact on the insulating properties. Opting for a durable material will simply allow you to maximize your investment.
For people who are more cautious, you can find battery-heated mittens or gloves in some stores and online stores. This kind of expensive gadget can keep the heat up for up to eight hours. Equipped with rechargeable batteries, these electric mittens allow you to choose the temperature of your choice, for diffused warmth. Editor's favourites? The heated liner for gloves from the Quebec brand Ewool that warms each finger individually in a flash without having the feeling of threads. The third generation charges with a simple magnetic contact and is machine washable.
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Traditional single-use heated packs (commonly called Hot Paws) can help, but they are avoided. definitely less ecological than the pair of heated mittens.
