Longer time readers know I have been searching for a warm, reliable gloves and/or mittens for my winter hikes in the severe cold of Northeastern Minnesota. My approach had been winter gloves inside of large choppers (mittens). While this solution is warm, when I remove my choppers/gloves combination to work on trailcams, or adjust camera settings, it is almost always impossible to warm up my fingers upon putting my gloves/choppers back on my hands.
Right after Christmas I noticed electric gloves were on sale for about $100, and I decided to make the purchase. I had tried heated gloves a few years back, and was underwhelmed. Oh my, the pair I bought from Snow Deer are fantastic! Some of the changes since I first tried a heated gloves a few years back were (make certain you confirm these options if you purchase a pair of electric gloves or mittens):
- Batteries are stronger and last longer (get at least 3,000 mAh batteries).
- Heating elements for some gloves reach into the fingers
- Better gloves have insulation qualities even if NOT turned on
- Get backup batteries! A pair of 3,500 mAh batteries cost $20.
- I paid $105 for my gloves from Snow Deer, on sale via Amazon.
This begs the question, how have I tested these gloves? Twice I used my gloves while photographing Snowy Owls when the temperature was 2F outside. During each “photo session”, I was able to wear my heated gloves while pressing the camera’s shutter. At times I removed my gloves to make camera settings adjustments, but my fingers warmed up immediately upon placing the heated gloves back on my hands. Each photo session lasted about 15 minutes.
My second test was a 70 minute hike up at Greenwood. While the temperature was mild, 28F, my hands did not get cold even when I removed them to work on trailcams. Upon putting gloves back on after trailcam work, my fingers warmed up immediately within 30 seconds. I was using the lowest setting for heat. Thus, I tested my new gloves both while taking photographs, and while hiking.
The Gloves and a Forest Fire Warning (Not!)
Winter Walk in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (video link for email subscribers)
