Gloves & Mittens

Outdoor gloves & mittens at eXXpozed

What is the role of gloves in outdoor activities?

Everyone knows it: cold hands during a stay in the fresh air. Absolutely unpleasant - in any situation. And we all know that cold fingers can take the joy out of outdoor adventures. Yet gloves are probably one of the most underrated pieces of equipment around. When skiing, hiking, at the Christmas market or traveling - gloves are indispensable. They protect our hands from cold, moisture and injuries. Gloves weigh almost nothing, take up hardly any space in the backpack and provide excellent warmth. That is why it is extremely useful to always have a pair of gloves in your luggage. With the right fit and sufficient mobility, movements can be carried out as usual. Grasping or holding objects works just as well as fine motor movements in the cold - an all-purpose weapon against icy temperatures.

Finger gloves or mittens?

Basically, you can distinguish between two glove models: finger gloves and mittens. Finger gloves offer more precise hand grips and significantly greater freedom of movement. You need every single finger, especially for locking your bike, taking pictures or operating the touchscreen. Particularly for this, separate fingers in the glove are advantageous. However, many seams mean increased potential for cold and moisture gaps. Mittens, on the other hand, offer better thermal performance because the fingers can warm each other. So if you're one of those people who gets cold hands quickly, mittens are your first choice for maximum warm hands. Glove heaters can additionally support heat retention and are a useful extra for one or the other. Depending on priorities and intended use, the variants just presented have their advantages. A good compromise between protection & warmth for the palm of the hand without restricting fingertip feeling is offered by hybrid models such as three-finger and folding gloves. The three-finger gloves are also called "Lobster" gloves, because their shape is very similar to a lobster. The separately sewn thumb and index fingers improve gripping movements, while the remaining fingers are warmed together in the large chamber. The folding gloves follow a simple concept. Short finger gloves provide the necessary freedom of movement, and a mitten cap can be slipped over in an instant to protect against the cold. This can usually be fixed to the back of the hand using velcro. Especially for lighter leisure gloves, this principle is used. The right companion for the next Christmas market visit.

Gloves made of what material?

As with all other items of clothing, the processing, fit and material properties of gloves determine their wearing comfort. In addition, high-quality materials are more robust and convince with special functions. A wide variety of materials are used in gloves. For example, you can find:

• Hardshell gloves: Consist of three layers and are based on the typical layer principle. The inner lining, an insulating layer and a robust outer glove. Here, the outer layer usually consists of a waterproof, breathable Gore-Tex membrane, which ensures that moisture is kept outside during activities in the snow. With increasing coating, the sensitivity of the fingers is limited. It should also be noted that for more ambitious sports, breathable materials and gloves with a snug-fitting cut should be chosen. In this case, less material is sewn to the inside of the hand in terms of insulation thickness, thus counteracting continuous sweating.


• Softshell gloves: These gloves score without a thick insulating layer. Often, the models with integrated membrane are windproof and water repellent. This is the optimal glove for slightly damp conditions, moderately cold temperatures and mountain athletes in ascent mode. The softshell material is elastic and much more breathable than hardshell materials. The palm of the softshell gloves is equipped with good grip and the glove itself is relatively resilient.


• Fleece gloves: Cozy and cult status. In everyday life and sports, fleece gloves keep you warm in moderate temperatures and make your hands feel good. The soft fleece material dries relatively quickly and the fingers are easy to move. Already as a baselayer, fleece gloves provide climate comfort and protection from slightly sharp edges. In multi-layer gloves, fleece is used as an inner lining.


• Leather gloves: Leather is used either completely or partially for reinforcement as an outer material. Goatskin is most often used for this purpose, and its quality can be used to make durable and sturdy gloves. The goatskin is water repellent, windproof and its tear resistance makes it ideal for use in outdoor clothing.


• Wool gloves: Come in two styles. First, as thin, tight-fitting wool gloves made of merino wool, which are ideal for wearing underneath, and second, thicker, winter gloves made of rolled wool. Wool warms pleasantly and effectively and convinces with appealing Norwegian look.


• Down gloves: Down gloves offer the best thermal insulation of all gloves. Due to their low weight and pack size, they always find a place in the backpack and are particularly suitable for extremely cold temperatures. Caution is advised in precipitation such as rain. Down is designed to warm at temperatures below freezing. It reacts sensitively to precipitation and is no longer able to warm the wearer when wet. Down gloves require intensive care, which must be considered before buying them.


• Primaloft gloves: Primaloft refers to a type of synthetic fiber made from polyester microfibers. The advantage of this material is that Primaloft gloves are warm despite being wet and do not stick to the skin. The care of the gloves is easier in comparison to down gloves, with also light weight and high thermal performance. This type of glove is available in different fill quantities and material thicknesses. Gloves for a glacier excursion require a larger filling quantity than gloves for a ski tour downhill.

What properties do gloves have and how should they fit?

Gloves can have a different purpose depending on the area of use. For example, gloves can serve one of the following purposes or have combined properties.

• Warming
• Windproof
• Waterproof
• Lightweight
• Soft
• Robust

All in all, gloves should simply fit. Without chafing, scratching or pressing. With an optimally fitting glove, the fingertips bump slightly at the front and the hand can still be fully spread. When trying on the glove, it is essential to check for personally disturbing seams on the inner glove. The outer glove should also be checked for the correctness of all seams.

Which gloves for which purpose?

The range of high-quality gloves is as diverse as the various outdoor activities themselves. Gloves come in all kinds of shapes and designs, and the intended use plays an important role. If you know the area of use, you can find the right pair of gloves through clever selection.

• Ski & snowboard gloves: Protect you from snow, wind, moisture, abrasions and edges.


• Cross country gloves: Breathability is the be-all and end-all on the trail. They provide warmth and ensure with a good grip that the cross-country skiing sticks fit perfectly in your hand. Increasingly, materials such as fleece and merino wool are used. But also windstopper material can be found more often to defy the driving wind.


• Cycling gloves (mountain bike & road bike): The task of cycling gloves is not primarily to warm the hands. Rather, the focus here is on a secure grip on the handlebar and protection against injuries. Especially for ambitious mountain bike rides and downhill and enduro adventures, such gloves are mandatory.


• Climbing gloves and via ferrata gloves: If the rock is still cold early in the morning, climbers do themselves a favor with fingerless gloves. The palms are protected and warmed, while the fingertips have unrestricted sensitivity, which is essential when climbing. On a via ferrata, the hands are under constant strain. Therefore, gloves are a helpful addition to survive day tours without major blisters and abrasions on the hands. Via Ferrata gloves provide a secure grip on the steel cables and various iron ladders on a via ferrata.


• Sports & leisure gloves: Leather gloves, insulating fleece gloves or softshell gloves equipped with Windstopper fibers - they are all versatile and offer comprehensive weather protection. Whether for a stroll around town, an evening of mulled wine by the fire bowl or a winter walk in the park, these gloves will keep your hands woolly warm.


• Ski touring gloves: Thin baselayer gloves made of merino wool or fleece are super for the lengthy ascent. Due to breathable properties, moisture is transported away to the right extent and the fingers do not cool down. For downhill skiing, however, we recommend insulated ski or snowboard gloves covered with a Gore-Tex membrane to provide adequate protection against the driving wind.


• Running gloves: Just as ultra-thin and breathable as ski touring gloves, running gloves are indispensable in sub-zero temperatures. Moisture management must be 100% correct, as excessive sport is practiced over a short period of time. Sweating in the gloves would be unpleasant in this case.

How do I determine my glove size?

You can easily measure your glove size at home. The only requirement: You need a measuring tape. The correct size of the gloves depends on your hand circumference without thumb. Measure at the widest point, between the knuckles and the base of the thumb. The tape measure is placed loosely (but not too loosely) around the hand. The determined value is then to be applied to the size tables of the individual manufacturers and classified. NOTE: Glove sizes are not standardized, they are only approximate values. In case of doubt, only a fitting can help.

Our favorite topics: Merino gloves | Gloves for kids | Waterproof gloves | Hestra gloves | Insulating gloves | Gloves for woman