Snowboard Mitts/Gloves

Should I ride with Mitts or Gloves while snowboarding?

There is no right or wrong to which protection you choose, so long as it’s warm, dry and comfortable. Generally speaking, mitts are warmer than gloves due to your fingers being housed in one area. You fingers will pool their warmth creating a warmer environment, whereas in a glove, you’re fingers are fending for themselves individually to retain heat. The downside to a Mitt is that you will have less dexterity than a glove which can make it more difficult for carrying, grabbing, or strapping into your snowboard.

Insulation:

The ideal resolution to the problem would be to purchase a pair of both that way you have the necessary protection for varied temperatures and conditions. If purchasing two pair is out of your budget, you will still be able to solve your “cold hands” issue with some form of removable liner. Many but not all mitts/gloves of today feature a removable liner with them. If you find yourself with a pair that does not, you can easily convert your mitts/gloves to a 2 in 1 if you purchase micro fiber fleece glove liners which can be found for as little as $15. These will greatly improve the warmth of your mitts/gloves without losing much dexterity. Another factor that will help keep in the warmth is insulation. Proper use of engineered insulation such as Primaloft or Thermacore will definitely improve your dexterity with warmer hands. A direct correlation with warmth will be relevant with how waterproof your mitts/gloves are. Most mitts/gloves are constructed with a Cordura or Nylon shell. Many of which that incorporate waterproof breathable inserts, within the shell. Depending on the construction method used, certain mitts/gloves will be more waterproof than others.

Protection: Waterproofing/Breathability

Much like snowboard outerwear, mitts/gloves have waterproof ratings represented in a scale. Ratings will range from 3,000mm waterproofing up to 20,000mm and Gore-Tex which doesn’t actually have a rating. The higher the number, the better repellency you will have against moisture. A Gore-Tex insert will be the best protection against the wet elements. Breathability plays a huge factor as well. The higher breathability the mitt/glove has the more apt it will be for warmth. If your mitts/gloves don’t breathe well while overheating, you will begin to sweat which in turn will make your hands colder. As the moisture in your gloves begins to cool, so do your fingers.

Many mitt/glove manufacturers offer something for everyone in scale of price, look and comfort. With today’s technologies of light, warm, and comfortable fabrics, the decision is truly up to you.

Shop snowboard mittens/gloves here==>Men’s Gloves, Women’s Gloves, Youth Gloves

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