Outdoor Research Alti Mittens
Outdoor Research Alti Mittens – Well worth the hefty price tag.
I’ve always suffered from cold hands and feet, so having a good pair of mittens when I’m out on the ski slope is an absolute essential. And, while there may not be a huge difference between a pair of $30 gloves and a much more expensive pair when you just need them for cruising around town, there is a huge difference when it comes to keeping your hands toasty on bitterly cold days in the elements.
The Outdoor Research Alti Mittens carry a hefty price tag, but if you are going to spend an extended amount of time in the cold, you will want a pair of these. So, what makes the Outdoor Research Alti Mittens worth almost $200? Lets put it this way, the Outdoor Research Alti Mittens are so warm and offer such good protection that they often make their way to the Artic circle on research trips. If that isn’t a good endorsement of the Outdoor Research Alti Mittens, I don’t know what is.
And, while these may be a little out of my budget, my dad has these mittens and I try to steal them every time I get a chance. They are truly fantastic. I did not know what a great mitten was like til I went skiing on a windy day where it was almost -30 at 12,000 feet. I was freezing, my hands were not.
To keep your hands protected from the elements, the outside of the Outdoor Research Alti Mittens is completely seam sealed and made with tough nylon and Gor-Tex. To make sure your hands stay warm, the Outdoor Research Alti Mittens uses a combination a of materials. These materials include fleece on the palm side of the mitten and Prmiloft insulation on the top and around the thumb.
The quick & dirty:
Where you can get one:
Amazon: $188
Why they rock:
- Fully seamed sealed, the abrasion-resistant nylon and Gore-Tex shells provide waterproof, windproof protection with minimum weight
- Shells are insulated with synthetic PrimaLoft One on the back of the hand and thumb; palms are insulated with fleece
- Mittens feature Pittards Armortan leather palms to maintain grip in wet conditions and guard against wear from ropes and ice tools
- Anatomically curved mittens with 3-panel thumbs ensure a natural, comfortable fit
- DuoCinch gauntlet closures with elasticized wrists keep the mittens in place and seals out debris
- Removable ”idiot” cords keep gloves attached to sleeves when removed
- Removable liner mittens are insulated with synthetic PrimaLoft One on the back of the hand and thumb; palms are insulated with fleece
- Liners are constructed of lightweight ripstop fabric and feature friction tabs on thumbs and tip of mittens to keep them from slipping and bunching inside of mittens
- Liners also feature rip-and-stick anchor points on top and bottom of wrist for securing inside of mittens; rip-and-stick adjustment tab on gauntlet provides a secure fit
Seat-of-the-pants rating: 9 out of 10
If you just go skiing once a year or a are taking a vacation cruise to Alaska, the Outdoor Research Alti Mittens are probably a bit expensive for you needs. If this were the case, you could probably find something that would work for you for far less. But, if you will be spending days ad nights on end in the cold, the Outdoor Research Alti Mittens are a must buy.
Looking to buy? Check out these sites:
Amazon: $188