Best Ice Climbing Glove?

I'll tell you its not the OR Alibi glove. Unless it's really warm out, but then if it's warm your hands can't sweat cause you will never get them off.

I do like the OR Vert gloves. They are thin enough to actually do stuff but still plenty warm for climbing. I put on a heavy glove for belaying naturaly, my hands get cold.

I agree that it has to be really warm for the OR Alibi... and thats why they have developed the Alpine Alibi. Incredible fit, much warmer, and has a special pocket on the back side of the hand for a bio-degradable chemical heater. Its the bomb.

What type of ice climbing? If you are doing pure WI ice then my favorite has to be the latest model of the Punisher, (although I hear the Enforcer is a slightly beefier model of this and it might be a good choice too.) A nice amount of dexterity while still keeping your fingers warm.

For colder temperatures and mayber higher elevation expeditions, I would recommend the Mercury mitt. An awesome mit that is great to have on while belaying or while climbing in really cold weather. Hands down awesome.

If you are doing mixed and ice, I have to throw in a vote for the OR Alibi. Definately not so good if it is really cold, but the extra grip and dexterity are a must for me if things get a little more technical.

Thanks

I would also add not Cloudveil Ice Floe gloves. They have great dexterity, but they get wet pretty easy and take a long while to dry out.

Black Diamond Punisher. Great for all seasons.

Honestly I have found that it all about the fit of the glove. For example, BD gloves (Punisher, Torque, etc.) I have found just do not fit my hand comfortably, where OR gloves fit my hands very well. I would agree that different gloves are called for in different circumstances. I generally carry 3 pairs; Some older Marmot warm, but not heavy or thick gloves for climbing ice. I always carry warm, heavy mittens, for cold-cold belaying or well, just in case. Lastly I carry the OR Alibi for hard ice, mixed, or dry tooling. I have even started to carry a second pair of mid weight gloves, if there is a long hard approach and a chance my hands will get wet from snow. My personal favorite is the Alibi, however I think it has been discontinued, and is not much better for warmth than wearing no gloves at all. I have a friend who simply climbs in batting gloves, when he needs a light glove. I am thinking of pulling some strings and trying to get a pair of Grivel Monster gloves. Just my .02!

EDIT: The Alibi is not dct'd they have just re-vamped it a little.

I go for a pair of insulated leather work gloves covered with a few layers of Sno-Seal. Cow hide is alright, but deer skin seems to be a little more durable and water resistant. You can get them with a fabric cuff, or not, the ones sans cuff are easier to get on and off with one hand. You can also buy them with Thinsulate insulation. They are cheap and expendable. After you Sno-Seal them they are kind of sticky and the grip is awesome. I have an older pair of BD soft shell gloves that fit great and work well for mixed climbing, but as soon as they get wet they are worthless. It's leathers for me.

I have used the Alibi for mixed (great!). Used the Cloudveil Ice Flow for ice. Both are not durable IMO.
Ryan, I couldn’t agree with you more. I just try not to get wet.
I checked out those new OR Alpine Alibi gloves online.
170 bones! Does anyone have any experience with them?

How is the dexterity with the Punisher?

This will be my third season with the 1st gen BD Punishers - Great glove - dexterity, warmth and durability - put 20 days in last year and they are still holding up even after belaying and rappelling in them...but just like everything else in climbing; if it doesn't fit - it don't mean sh*t.

Fit is key of course. That said...

I don't care much for the newest incarnation of the BD Punisher. The padding on the outside of the pinky a) doesn't serve any useful purpose and b) adds too much bulk for my hand to seat well into the hook on the bottom of my leashless tools. The older model Punisher was just fine and they shouldn't have changed it.

I agree with all that's been said regarding the Cloudveil Icefloe and the OR Alibi i.e. not waterproof at all (though great dexterity) and too cold, respectively.

Lately I've been using the BD Torque even in pretty cold conditions. I find that I normally finish a pitch before my hands have a chance to get seriously cold. Also, climbing leashless it's easier to shake out.

For seriously cold conditions, I used to like the BD Samurai, but I believe they've discontinued this glove - which is a shame.

I have to second the BD punisher. Great all around glove. Now that it has that cool space age gel... it is even better.

You should really check out the RAB Latok glove. I used them in Cody last year, kept my hands dry in some really wet climbing, warm at 9 degrees and also dry from sweating them out. They are very dexterous, aren't bulky at all, and have a really gripy palm for holding those tools. I also have a pair of the Samurai gloves from BD and they are perfect also!

"If the glove fits, you must............." BUY IT!

The BD Punisher has worked for me for three seasons. Kept my hands warm and dry.
The Mammut Comet is the best fitting glove I've worn but it isn't waterproof.

The Cloudveil Ice Flow gloves works damn good on leashless axes as does the OR Alibi.............BUT, I had but $90 and could only buy one pair it would have to be the BD Punisher.....