Following on from our Trekmates Silk Liner Gloves review we turn our attention to the Trekmates Matterhorn GTX Mitts, writes Mike Gormley.
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I have often said that to keep your hands warm, mitts are the way to go. Clearly, they do not allow for the better dexterity of a glove, where the fingers are still able to be used, but if it’s really cold, mitts are better for comfort. They share the warmth of your entire hand and you are able to wriggle your fingers to keep them mobile and your blood circulating and so improve the overall warmth of your hand.
Good mitts teamed with suitable inner liner gloves, such as the Trekmates Silk Liners, are a really good combination in cold weather. These aptly named Matterhorn GTX Mitts offer significant protection and warmth, aided by Gore Tex waterproof insulation. Soft flexible leather is used on the front of the glove, where the real action takes place, and this is extended over the top of the fingers and along the front of the thumb.
There is a ‘flocking panel’ along the back of the thumbs so allowing the wearer to effectively wipe goggles. Other features of these well thought out mitts include an elasticated wrist which is backed up by an adjustable webbing strap and all this is topped up by an adjustable cord as the mitts cover the forearm. If snow and wet gets into these it is down to the user. So you do not lose your valuable mitts in the storm when you remove them to do something, each mitt has an elasticated wrist tether. To keep the mitts as a pair when not in use they can be clipped together with the convenient clip fasteners.
I have to say I have not had the opportunity to fully try these mitts and have relied on previous experience and a brief try out ~ by Jean on Dartmoor on a chilly day, as the review pair was not my extra-large size. Judging by her immediate comments these, along with the Silk Liners, really do what they are expected to. This is all just as well, because I will soon pass these on to a pal our ours who is heading off to trek to Everest Base Camp. Perhaps not such a remarkable exped on the face of it, as many others do this nowadays, including me and my family, but John has MND and no use at all of his arms! It is therefore critical for him to keep his hands warm. John is part of a Pilgrim Bandits team (of ex-military and former blue light services personnel) who are going to EBC in support of one of their members, former Gurkha Hari Buddha Magar, a double leg amputee, who will be attempting to summit Mt. Everest. If Hari makes it, and he has a good a chance as any, it will be a world first. So keep an eye open for this.
[images © Mike Gormley]
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