Gloves for winter photography (Help required please)

[Harry.G]

Hi Guys

As this will be my first season shooting Autumn and Winter scenes plus hopefully some birds I`d like some advice from you guys as to what type of Gloves you would recommend for shooting in Winter conditions ?

I suffer very cold fingertips when the temperatures drop even a little in Winter so I`d like to be prepared as I wouldn`t want a simple thing like cold fingers to spoil a day out.... Being in Northern Ireland (UK) we dont get down to minus 20`s or 30`s in fact not that often below minus 10 either however a Winters day with wet windy weather and it can be sore on the hands with the wind chill factored in ..

I suppose I am stating the obvious here but I`d like something with a good grip thats not to bulky - Cost is not an issue - as long as they are good and do what they say then I dont mind shelling out extra $$ ££ .......

Thanks in advance


Harry.G

 

[Replytoken]

I have Raynaud's Syndrome in my hands, and after 8 years of searching, have yet to find a reliable solution. You will probably need to try out a number of gloves and accessories until you get something that works. The combination that works best for me start with wrist gators (an absolute must). Marmot used to make them, but they are a hit or miss item with them. I also like a pair of thin Smartwool glove liners that allow enough circulation in my fingers and allow me to handle equipment. Too much insulation came easily become too much isolation and your fingers will continue to stay cold.

For really cold days, I have glove mitts from Simms. These have "poptop" mitts over semi-fingerless gloves, and they have a space for disposable hand warmers near the wrist. But rather than use those, I have a pair of USB chargeable handwarmers the I keep in my pockets and use them as needed. You can add a very thin liner under the Simms, but I do not have any specific recommendations.

Then again, YMMV as to what does or does not work for your hands. I wish you well in your search.

Good luck,

--Ken

 

[gordon_g]

Really the only solution I have found that works is a football / Hunting style hand warmer, and a couple hot hands heat packs... it keeps your hand warm between opportunities to take photos. That and a very thin set of gloves (so you can actually feel the buttons) for when you are actually shooting.

 

[Roaring 40s]

A great review of photographer's gloves - https://shuttermuse.com/photography-gloves/

 

[Viathelens]

Hand and foot warmers and layers of gloves, starting with thin ones. I find it difficult to wear thick gloves and manage the camera, it just does not work well for me.

 

[Deleted member 115]

I personally like the "Mechanix Wear" winter gloves. They are pretty comfortable and not too bulky. Available in different styles for different weather.
I admit I don't have too much problems with cold. I have spent winters in North Dakota and da Iron Range of Northern Minnesota so I do know what really cold weather is like. Hand warmers is the best advice for freezing digits. I buy them for my wife in a big box at Costco
I always wore mitts when I was doing backcountry snowboarding much warmer when your fingers are in the same space.

But unless you are in extreme temps these are perfect imo

 

[MartyD]

The gloves I wear usually come from my fly fishing or running glove collection. Fly fishing manufacturers like Simms have foldover gloves which work well and layering works well for gloves. Quality wool glove liners are great to add that additional warmth on really cold days. I also like to carry a supply of HotHands hand warmers.

 

[Oztours]

You can now buy electrically (battery) heated gloves. Maybe do an internet search and see if there is something in that range that might work. Wished they had these years ago when I was doing long winter rides on my motorbike.

 

[ssheipel]

I use layers on my hands (like everywhere else. It gets extremely cold here (minus 20 to minus 40 C or worse for much of the winter): Thin gloves (feel the buttons) against the skin, fleece mittens as second layer and then water/windproof outer layer (either shell if not 'too' cold or also insulated). I then pull off the top two layers on my right hand when I need to shoot. There are systems out there that have 'dummy' strings that attach to your coat or wrist so you can drop the outer layers and not lose them. There are also systems that have fold back outer layers to reveal your finger and thumb when needed -- I struggle to keep my hands warm even when exercising in above freezing 'cold', so I find those foldable systems result in a cold hand in real cold. I'd also highly recommend the chemical hand warmers (tho I always tend to run out or forget them!). There are also 'electric' mittens (and socks) out there....

 

[bsinc1962]

I have a pair of Black Diamond fleece gloves as a first layer. Then a pair of Outdoor Research alti-mitts as a shell between shots. I've been comfortable at -20f for extended periods of time. The shells have no dexterity so you have to remove them to do anything. I've gotten good at quickly taking them off and quickly putting them back on.

 

[Woody Meristem]

Back in the olden days I worked outdoors for a company that continued working until it hit -40F. I rapidly learned that a very thin pair of woolen gloves under what are called "chopper mitts" was the only way to keep my hands even moderately warm. Chopper mitts are leather mittens with a thick wool (now fleece) liner. Now I'm old and use disposable handwarmers inside the chopper mitts' liners. The disposable handwarmers won't warm my hands if they really get cold, but they keep them warm if I only take the mitts off long enough to take a photo or two.

If you have a tendency to cold hands, by all means keep your bare hands off the cold camera. It's really, really hard to get cold hands warm until you either get indoors or exercise vigorously. As other have said, there's no perfect solution to keeping hands warm in cold weather.

 

[Cristobal]

I found a very polyvalent winter glove for photographing in very cold climate, as here in Quebec, composed of a mitten outside and of an inner glove inside; also, very convenient lock down zipper allowing only a small part of the hand outside, just the time to take a photo.
The company: Swany America corp.; the product: norse mitten.
In less cold weather, I use only the inner glove (compatible with touchscreen).

 

[LL4D500]

I have Reynaud's Syndrome in my hands, and after 8 years of searching, have yet to find a reliable solution. You will probably need to try out a number of gloves and accessories until you get something that works. The combination that works best for me start with wrist gators (an absolute must). Marmot used to make them, but they are a hit or miss item with them. I also like a pair of thin Smartwool glove liners that allow enough circulation in my fingers and allow me to handle equipment. Too much insulation came easily become too much isolation and your fingers will continue to stay cold.

For really cold days, I have glove mitts from Simms. These have "poptop" mitts over semi-fingerless gloves, and they have a space for disposable hand warmers near the wrist. But rather than use those, I have a pair of USB chargeable handwarmers the I keep in my pockets and use them as needed. You can add a very thin liner under the Simms, but I do not have any specific recommendations.

Then again, YMMV as to what does or does not work for your hands. I wish you well in your search.

Good luck,

--Ken

I do quite a bit of flyfishing and would suggest checking out Simms, Orvis and any other the other major flyfishing resources - tiny knots/COLD Water require warm/nimble gloves!

 

[Strodav]

I wear 2 layers. The inner gloves are lighter weight and cover the palm, back of the hand and fingers up to the middle joint. The finger tips are uncovered, so they allow me to grip things and press buttons without much restriction. The outer glove is a colder weather skiing glove. I do keep Coghlan's hand warmers in my pockets (or slip into my gloves) on really cold days.

 

[Harry.G]

I use gloves, liners and handwarmers from the The Heat Company.
Have used them above the Polarcircle with the three layer system, but normally the winters don’t get that cold overhere (guess the same like Ireland) so I use only the glove with a merino liner.
Quality is topnotch and the system is adaptable to your needs
Glove wo liner, glove with liner, glove liner and polar hood but also liner plus polarhood or just the liner.
Highly recommended.

I like the idea of that system Thern ...

This may seem a strange question But , how do you measure your hands ? They sell the polar pro by size - 6,7,8,9 etc etc ... I would say I have medium size hands . Not bulky or thick fingers etc


Harry.G

 

[Deleted member 115]

I like the idea of that system Thern ...

This may seem a strange question But , how do you measure your hands ? They sell the polar pro by size - 6,7,8,9 etc etc ... I would say I have medium size hands . Not bulky or thick fingers etc


Harry.G

That is not strange. The way to size a glove is to measure around the center of your strong hand leaving out the thumb. Then try them on and see how you like them. For instance I measure a 9 (medium) but a large glove or size 10 fits much better. Leather gloves stretch out so I always start a bit tight with those and they form to my hands.

Hope this helps

 

[Deleted member 115]

Here is a website for sizing that shows how to measure 2 directions for glove fitment.

Glove Sizing

An optimal fit is key for maximizing the performance and comfort of work gloves. Learn more about glove sizing today to find the best fit for your needs!

www.palmflex.com

 

[Charles]

This company makes gloves specifically for photographers. A friend recommended them to me praising them highly. I have not used them but they look good. I live in the Colorado mountains, so I have an array of various gloves that work for me. You just have to find which ones work best for you and in what conditions. You get to begin a pile that goes to the local thrift store that didn't work. https://us.photographygloves.com/?us

 

[Replytoken]

I do quite a bit of flyfishing and would suggest checking out Simms, Orvis and any other the other major flyfishing resources - tiny knots/COLD Water require warm/nimble gloves!

I really like my Simms glove/mitts. They are my go to outer layer when it is really cold.

--Ken

 

[Nextlife1]

My Raynaud’s has worsened significantly in recent years, and often makes photography in even cool weather challenging. I have many different gloves and use them in different combinations with varying success. In 2019 I was planning a trip to Grimséy Island in the Arctic Circle and knew nothing I had would be adequate. So I started a search for an electric glove liner that was thin enough to combine with an overglove and still be functional for photography. After a lot of researching and trying several different ones I settled on the heated glove liners from Power in Motion, a Canadian company that originally developed these for use with snowmobiles.

Power In Motion | Electric and Folding Bike Specialists | Canada

We specialize in selling high quality, entry level electric, and folding bikes. We offer a wide catalog to choose from and provide Canada wide shipping, and local pickup in Calgary. We operate as a bike repair shop specializing in repairing electric bikes, we also provide warranty services for...

powerinmotion.ca

Once I got these I experimented with many, many different “overgloves” including Goretex ones that would fit and still allow me to operate camera controls. I ended up keeping 3 of these—one waterproof and two not. I then spent some time practicing with these combinations to get comfortable for photography including BIF.

This system proved to be an absolute lifesaver in Iceland! I got an extra set of batteries as well as the optional wiring harness that allows the batteries to be kept in your pocket instead of on the gloves. I would shoot all morning and then come in for lunch, at which time I would change the batteries and plug the used ones in to charge while I was out for the afternoon. Only on one particularly long morning did my batteries run out—my fingers were virtually useless within 15 minutes! Also, one morning I shot for hours in steady rain using the Goretex overglove s and the system worked flawlessly. No doubt this system is overkill for many/most but for me this trip would not have been possible without them!

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[Replytoken]

My Raynaud’s has worsened significantly in recent years, and often makes photography in even cool weather challenging. I have many different gloves and use them in different combinations with varying success. In 2019 I was planning a trip to Grimséy Island in the Arctic Circle and knew nothing I had would be adequate. So I started a search for an electric glove liner that was thin enough to combine with an overglove and still be functional for photography. After a lot of researching and trying several different ones I settled on the heated glove liners from Power in Motion, a Canadian company that originally developed these for use with snowmobiles.

Power In Motion | Electric and Folding Bike Specialists | Canada

We specialize in selling high quality, entry level electric, and folding bikes. We offer a wide catalog to choose from and provide Canada wide shipping, and local pickup in Calgary. We operate as a bike repair shop specializing in repairing electric bikes, we also provide warranty services for...

powerinmotion.ca

Once I got these I experimented with many, many different “overgloves” including Goretex ones that would fit and still allow me to operate camera controls. I ended up keeping 3 of these—one waterproof and two not. I then spent some time practicing with these combinations to get comfortable for photography including BIF.

This system proved to be an absolute lifesaver in Iceland! I got an extra set of batteries as well as the optional wiring harness that allows the batteries to be kept in your pocket instead of on the gloves. I would shoot all morning and then come in for lunch, at which time I would change the batteries and plug the used ones in to charge while I was out for the afternoon. Only on one particularly long morning did my batteries run out—my fingers were virtually useless within 15 minutes! Also, one morning I shot for hours in steady rain using the Goretex overglove s and the system worked flawlessly. No doubt this system is overkill for many/most but for me this trip would not have been possible without them!

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View attachment 7298

Nice shots, especially the first one.

The funny thing about my Raynauds is that when my fingers lose all circulation, and it can be in all types of weather as you have mentioned, it is difficult and painful to get circulation back into them. But, if I am successful, they are often good to go for a long time in the exact same shooting conditions. But getting circulation usually involves lots of warm water, and that is not always available in the field. This is why I prefer my wool liners to many of the fleece glove liners that I have tried. I love fleece as an insulation layer on my upper body, but it does not do me much good when each finger becomes isolated and then starts to get cold. The wool liners are knit, and the heat circulates between my fingers and this is much more helpful even though the wool is not nearly as warm and thick.

--Ken

 

[Nextlife1]

Thanks! I have a similar experience with Raynaud’s—extremely variable and can happen when it is only 60 degrees and at other times I have no problems despite it being much colder. Interesting to hear your experience with wool. I must admit I haven’t used wool gloves for decades but perhaps I will try them. Any particular ones you would recommend?

 

[Paul4707]

I use heated gloves made by Gerbing; most of their heated gear is for motorcylists, but these gloves are stand-alone. They use a 7-volt rechargeable battery in the cuff and have heating elements down the fingers. The batteries last between 3-7 hours, depending on the heat setting. I find that low works well down to about 20 degrees F; below that I raise the setting to medium or high (for a short period). Before I got the gloves, I had to return to my car to warm my numb, painful, tingling, fingers. These gloves have been great, and my hands are no longer an issue. Here's a link to the gloves at the Warming Store: https://www.thewarmingstore.com/gerbing-s4-gloves-gyde-camouflage.html

 

[Replytoken]

Thanks! I have a similar experience with Raynaud’s—extremely variable and can happen when it is only 60 degrees and at other times I have no problems despite it being much colder. Interesting to hear your experience with wool. I must admit I haven’t used wool gloves for decades but perhaps I will try them. Any particular ones you would recommend?

Sometimes it is nice to know that we are not alone. I was out photographing in our backyard last week when the temperature was between 55-60 degrees and for no good reason my fingers started to act up a bit. If I was to recommend a simple base layer for mild weather, I would start with the wrist gaiters that I mentioned. While I do not see them on the Marmot site right now, it appears that The Heat Company has a similar product - https://www.theheatcompany.com/en-us/gloves/polartec-heat-tube-wrist-gaiter (thanks @Thern !). The wool liners that I have found to be effective for me are from Smartwool. They still make a glove called a liner, but I believe that the older model I have is 100% wool and the newer ones are a blend. I am sure that there are many similar glove liners out there, but what I liked was that they were thin and knit. I believe that the knit is what allows heat to easily transmit between the fingers. You will probably need more in colder situations where you are out for longer periods, but this is an affordable start to a good system.

--Ken

 

[Gottshotz]

Hi Guys

As this will be my first season shooting Autumn and Winter scenes plus hopefully some birds I`d like some advice from you guys as to what type of Gloves you would recommend for shooting in Winter conditions ?

I suffer very cold fingertips when the temperatures drop even a little in Winter so I`d like to be prepared as I wouldn`t want a simple thing like cold fingers to spoil a day out.... Being in Northern Ireland (UK) we dont get down to minus 20`s or 30`s in fact not that often below minus 10 either however a Winters day with wet windy weather and it can be sore on the hands with the wind chill factored in ..

I suppose I am stating the obvious here but I`d like something with a good grip thats not to bulky - Cost is not an issue - as long as they are good and do what they say then I dont mind shelling out extra $$ ££ .......

Thanks in advance


Harry.G

Hi Harry, good to see another representative from N. Ireland on this forum--welcome. I bought a pair of VALLERRET gloves for a Polar trip this July, which has had to be postponed for a year. I too, get very cold fingers if out for any length of time in cold weather, and these gloves seem to do the job. They have fold back finger tips on index and thumb to allow for skin contact on the camera controls . If you are interested I can let you try them on to see if they might be suitable (unless, of course you have hands like Pat Jennings--our famous ex-international football goalkeeper !! ). Cheers David.