Thumb loops on climbing layers...worst trend ever?

no the worst tend ever is the cordalette,

I have one garment with thumb loops. On a cold day, that sure seals out the cold air and helps warm muh hands. When I'm climbing, sure, thumb comes out.

It's like a bolt, bro, just don't clip it.

"no the worst tend ever is the cordalette,"

Jeez. First you make me give up my daisy chain and now my cordalette. What's next, my ice tool leashes?

No, daiseys are fine..it's just the cordalette I fucking hate

clint helander wrote:Also I strongly believe that the Patagonia R1 is the best of those types of layers and they don't have thumb loops. BD gear is too boxy for my taste. (Patagonia clothing is boxy once you step up from the underlayers)

My Patagonia R1 hoody has thumb loops. I love them though, its nice for those days when I don't want gloves but the morning approach is still chilly. I have climbed countless days in it and never once had the thumb loop become an issue.

Those are THUMB loops!? Wow, I have a lot to think about now...

Another vote for thumb loops, I use them all of the time and won't wear a baselayer that doesn't have 'em.

For mixed and ice, I wear them under my gloves to prevent a cold draft on my wrists.

On really cold days, I'll tape a handwarmer directly to my wrist and then pull the thumb loop over the top. Constant heat directly to my artery.

If I forget my handjammies and have to climb a sharp handcrack, I pull on my thumb loops and jam away in comfort.

I can climb moderate stuff just fine, crimps, jugs, big handjams, etc. Obviously if I get to a hard sloper section or tight hands cracks, I'll roll up my sleeves and bear cold wrists for a few minutes.

So, if you like warmth and comfort, I'd recommend giving thumb loops a try.
-Scott

I have long arms and thumb loops give me a little extra sleeve length. Stop being an Oompa Loompa if you don't like the thumb loops.

Ok, I got it. The reason companies make layers with thumb loops is because everyone and there dog loves them. I need to stop being a whiny little beeotch, get my ass over to TJ Max and get me some alpine layers.

But really, this thread has been helpful. I guess I will embrace the revolution and smile at the little holes on my wrists that always seem to smile right back at me. Why are you always so happy little hole? Little piece of #$%! hole.

john strand wrote:no the worst tend ever is the cordalette,

This is a complete tangent of course, but since the original question seems to have been resolved to the OP's satisfaction, I'll bite. Why?

Or more importantly, what to do you use instead, for trad anchors with 3 or more pieces?

Mikey Schaefer wrote:I'm a big fan of thumbloops as well as most other Patagonia ambassadors. So when you see thumbloops on Patagonia products the ambassadors and most likely the alpine ambassadors are to be blamed as we bitch anytime a base layer product is made without them. I use them all the time while rock climbing. But maybe a lot of the rock climbing I do is in cold weather.

Mikey, I appreciate your input, It's great to hear opinions from professionals so keep on posting! Congratulations for your 2nd free ascent of the Compressor Route this year.

I think the thumb loops are great. I agree that its not so useful for purely rock climbing, but when I wear that piece for snowboarding or a cold night at camp it helps keep my hand and arms warmer. I don't see how it has any negative effects if you don't use the loops either.

john strand wrote:No, daiseys are fine..it's just the cordalette I fucking hate

Noobalette I believe is the proper spelling.

Dan Africk wrote:...what to do you use instead, for trad anchors with 3 or more pieces?

Not speaking for john strand, but for me.....
The rope, possibly supplemented with a sling or two, depending. IOW, using stuff already with me and not carrying a special purpose sling.

Marc801 wrote: Not speaking for john strand, but for me..... The rope, possibly supplemented with a sling or two, depending. IOW, using stuff already with me and not carrying a special purpose sling.

And if you aren't swapping leads?

yesrodcire wrote: And if you aren't swapping leads?

Second duplicates rope tie-in when they arrive, going under existing arrangement, puts leader on belay, leader breaks down his/her anchor.
Me and my partners have repeatedly done this faster than other parties farting around with gimpolettes.
Yes, it requires efficiency and knowing what you're doing.

Marc801 wrote: Second duplicates rope tie-in when they arrive, going under existing arrangement, puts leader on belay, leader breaks down his/her anchor. Me and my partners have repeatedly done this faster than other parties farting around with gimpolettes. Yes, it requires efficiency and knowing what you're doing.

Sounds like that could turn into a bit of a cluster and considering a "gimpolette" weighs a half pound maybe this is just a personal preference thing? Why do you need to talk down to people who do choose to use them?

that guy named seb wrote:Thumb loops are so the sleeves stay in your gloves, that's it, they aren't to make it warmer or to wear for chilly approaches pure function. Similar to why climbing specific jackets are cut allot longer, so they stay in your harness, does this add a bit of warmth and protection? Yes, but it's not the reason why it was cut long.

Actually, like with a guantlet glove, the thumb loop assures your wrist are coveted. And like your neck, you lose a lot of heat through the vessels that are close to the surface.

Exposing your wrist might seem like a benign idea, but it's a lot like wearing shorts with double mountaineering boots, you'll probably still have cold feet.

In short, want warmer hands, keep your core warm and wrist covered.

Marc801 wrote: Second duplicates rope tie-in when they arrive, going under existing arrangement, puts leader on belay, leader breaks down his/her anchor. Me and my partners have repeatedly done this faster than other parties farting around with gimpolettes. Yes, it requires efficiency and knowing what you're doing.

Or you could just use a cordelette. What do you leave on the rappels? The slings or do you just cut up that lovely expensive rope? I would rather leave 60/90p worth of cordellete behind than my slings or rope.

yesrodcire wrote: Sounds like that could turn into a bit of a cluster and considering a "gimpolette" weighs a half pound maybe this is just a personal preference thing? Why do you need to talk down to people who do choose to use them?

+1

Love em, R1 style.