So I get to buy new gloves...thoughts?

So my roommate took my BD Specialist gloves to the Steelers / Broncos game, and got his jacket and all his stuff (including my gloves) stolen.

Unaware he borrowed a pair of $100 plus gloves I find myself in the unusual position to get some "free" new gloves.

I already have a set of punishers, but before I pick up the BD enforcers which seem the to be the current equivalent anyone have any thoughts?

Been a while since I needed new ice / mountaineering gloves.

Gracias!!

Scott McMahon wrote:So my roommate took my BD Specialist gloves to the Steelers / Broncos game, and got his jacket and all his stuff (including my gloves) stolen. Unaware he borrowed a pair of $100 plus gloves I find myself in the unusual position to get some "free" new gloves. I already have a set of punishers, but before I pick up the BD enforcers which seem the to be the current equivalent anyone have any thoughts? Been a while since I needed new ice / mountaineering gloves. Gracias!!

If it were me I would replace with the enforcers, they are the closest replacement to the Specialist gloves.

Steelers fans stealing stuff, such a surprise!

The glove of 100 uses so they say...

DrRockso wrote:Steelers fans stealing stuff, such a surprise!

haha it might have been a broncos fan!!! He's a steelers fan so unless they wanted his towel and scarf!

Josh Kornish wrote: The glove of 100 uses so they say...

Not that I want to make him spend extra I have pretty much about 130 to spend.

As for those give'r gloves, they are pretty fantastic. I have a pair and know one of the give'r founders. Super super warm and tough. for the price , they cant be beat. BUT if you need them for anything technical, they don't give you a ton of dexterity, especially before theyre broken in. Mine aren't very broken in though so I can't speak for that. Worth getting a pair at the price!

If Rab's fingers lengths work for you (they're perfect for me) I'm a big fan of my Rab Baltoro gloves. I get lots of dexterity, and they've kept my fingers decently warm. That being said, they're a medium weight glove, and are only $70, so you might aim higher to get your money's worth from your friend.

OR Contact Gloves. And spend another $12 and pick up a pair of Kinko's cold weather work gloves for belay / rappel utility gloves.

I use the BD Punisher, BD Impulse, OR Contacts, etc for climbing whatever the temp (bring couple pairs in jacket).

Bulky &warm gloves for belay/rappel.

Ive got a pair of Enforcer, I'm yet to use them because they feel bulky I I normally run pretty warm. They were a replacement from specialist too.

Tacoma wrote:OR Contact Gloves

+1! Best general purpose ice climbing gloves I've had (and I've had many!). Note however that they do not have a clip loop on the finger (only a minor negative in my book).

How warm are the contact? Also I was thinking that a gauntlet would be good if possible as a back up glove, but not necessary.

Actually forgot to say that those gloves I posted are more for straight up ice, I haven't done any alpine ice in a while and that would probably fall upon the Alpine Alibi or my BD Torrent glove.
Many ice gloves have a limited amount of insulation on the palm which is great for dexterity when handling the tools (where wrapped/padded) but you get cold if you hold on to metal like the head.

haha lesson learned. Tell your friends to stay out of your stuff.

I like the OR Alibi for temps above -10C. The Contacts are nice gloves as well. I've got a pair of the BD Punisher gloves, but haven't climbed in them much yet. I think they're warmer than the Contacts.

OR Alpine Alibi is probably the closest. I had a pair for 4 seasons that were awesome, but finally split the seam connecting the palm and the thumb up in Banff a few weeks ago. Since I loved the gloves, I asked OR if they could sew it back together for me, but they just sent me a brand new pair of the updated version instead (nice!) So kudos to OR for crazy customer service. So far so good; I like the updates they've made.

I swap between the alpine alibi and the warrant in the mtns and they're both awesomely warm and dexterous. Either would be a good choice along with the contact.

What do people like for really cold weather gloves? Or does nothing really work so just stick some hand warmers in there?

I don't climb when it goes below zero Farenheit, unless it's in the sun. I might end up swapping gloves from inside my fleece mid pitch. And carry thick mitts & my DAS in my 18L for belays.

Tacoma wrote:OR Contact Gloves. And spend another $12 and pick up a pair of Kinko's cold weather work gloves for belay / rappel utility gloves.

That's a great combination.

If you want one glove that's "in between" the light, dexterity climbing glove (i.e. Contact) and heavy belay gloves, consider the OR Warrant Glove. I got mine as a replacement from OR after my (first generation... they've since improved the thumb seam) OR Alpine Alibi gloves split open after <10 days.

Alpine alibi have the forever warranty so just send them back and get a new pair when something blows out. I am on my third pair. I really like them for ice climbing in Ouray or alpine climbing in AK. Warm and pretty good dexterity.

Optimistic wrote:What do people like for really cold weather gloves? Or does nothing really work so just stick some hand warmers in there?

I like OR Alti Gloves, but I don't think they're dexterous enough for ice climbing.