WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: Rain Mitts?

  1. #1

    Default Rain Mitts?

    Who uses rain mitts and what's been your experience? How about comparisons e.g., MLD eVent vs. Zpacks Cuben? Was thinking about taking a pair them on my upcoming thru.....eVent seems like it would be more durable especially using with trekking poles

  2. #2

    Default

    I used a pair of MLD Rainmitts last weekend. Temps were slightly above freezing with rain. Without them, I would have had to bail on the trip. I use trekking poles and there was a little moisture that built up inside the mitts. I am a big sweater apparently. They dried super quick though when I stopped. I was quite happy with them. Can't comment on the durability but no problems in the 34 miles I did. I would recommend having some sort of rain mitt. Good luck on the trip.

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    03-06-2007
    Location
    Bellevue, WA
    Age
    67
    Posts
    2,000

    Default

    I can comment on durability --- sort of. I've carried MLD eVent mitts on thru-hikes, including of the AT in 2010, though I'm pretty sure (?) that I mailed them home from Pearisburg. But still, I've had them for years and used them on a lot of trips.
    On the one hand, I'm a person who uses two trekking poles all the time. On the other, however, there just aren't that many days that I'm using these, even on more challenging trips. So it's not as if I've used them all day every day for months, or even weeks probably.

    Still, they've held up better than I expected and I continue to use them, so I think that the durability is pretty good given the overall weight (mass).
    Gadget
    PCT: 2008 NOBO, AT: 2010 NOBO, CDT: 2011 SOBO, PNT: 2014+2016

  4. #4
    PCT, Sheltowee, Pinhoti, LT , BMT, AT, SHT, CDT, TRT 10-K's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-30-2007
    Location
    Erwin, TN
    Age
    62
    Posts
    8,492

    Default

    I like mine. They're the best way to keep my hands warm in cold, rainy weather that I've found. They block the wind and I generate enough body heat to keep my fingers from freezing.

    But... they will not keep your hands dry. Just like a rain jacket won't keep you dry.

  5. #5

    Default

    This may be a stupid question, but has anybody just improvised rain mitts using plastic grocery or newspaper-delivery bags? Not the most elegant solution, but quite a bit cheaper.

  6. #6
    Hiker bigcranky's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-22-2002
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Age
    61
    Posts
    7,937
    Images
    296

    Default

    We own both -- I have the MLD and my wife has the Zpacks. The Zpacks are certainly far more convenient, being seam taped. Sealing the MLD mitts was a total PITA and they look pretty bad (but that's likely due to my seam sealing abilities, which are minimal.) The MLD mitts are easy to use and seem like they will be durable, but if I were replacing them I'd get my own pair of the Zpacks mitts.

    I do like using them in cold weather.
    Ken B
    'Big Cranky'
    Our Long Trail journal

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    12-30-2012
    Location
    Kitchener, Canada
    Age
    42
    Posts
    158

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by tiptoe View Post
    This may be a stupid question, but has anybody just improvised rain mitts using plastic grocery or newspaper-delivery bags? Not the most elegant solution, but quite a bit cheaper.
    I've used Subway bags on my feet and hands. They work okay for my needs.
    Follow My Hiking Adventures: http://www.youtube.com/SaraDhooma
    Or if you just like photos: http://instagram.com/scifi_sara

  8. #8
    Registered User mainebob's Avatar
    Join Date
    09-15-2009
    Location
    new gloucester maine
    Age
    60
    Posts
    113

    Default

    I picked up a pair of Etowah gear rain mitts at Mountain Crossings on 3/25/13 (day 4 our our hike) for both Sassafras and myself. I had always used bread bags in the past but it was so cold and rainy last year the mitts were a great buy. We used them every month of our hike. We had cold rainy days in NH and they made a difference. We had to seal seam them twice before they did not leak. Bigcranky is right, they are not pretty put useful. At 1.2oz (with two coats of seam seal) I keep them in the pocket of my rain coat and on any extended trip I would bring the coat the mitts come with. I would have to say they were my favorite new gear we got on our 2013 hike. Kaboose

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    11-11-2004
    Location
    Connecticut
    Age
    56
    Posts
    156
    Images
    57

    Default

    I've used MLD mitts on all of my hikes...great mitts.

  10. #10
    Registered User
    Join Date
    01-13-2012
    Location
    Mid Atlantic
    Posts
    1,047
    Images
    9

    Default

    I just some over mittens I made from tyvek. They work great over a pair of wool liner gloves. They will eventually wet out but my hands stay warm and wet.

  11. #11
    Registered User michaelosborne's Avatar
    Join Date
    08-14-2013
    Location
    Baltimore, MD
    Age
    31
    Posts
    63

    Default

    I use both the Zpacks fleece liner mitts and the cuben fiber rain over mitts as well. I was initially considering the MLD rain mitts but when I saw they didn't come seam sealed standard I went with Zpacks. The rain mitts themselves are great they keep my hands totally dry and when paired with the fleece liners they keep my hands extremely warm, sometimes I have to air out my hands because they begin to sweat a little. I must say for me the rain mitts by themselves are slightly uncomfortable with my bare hands in them so I would definitely consider a liner glove. For durability, I've only had them for about two months but so far they still perform perfectly and look like they'll be able to last a good amount of mileage.

  12. #12

    Default

    MLD Event mitts have worked well for me though I added an elastic cord with small cord lock at the wrist to help them fit and stay in place better. Have no experience with the cuben mitts.
    Find the LIGHT STUFF at QiWiz.net

    The lightest cathole trowels, wood burning stoves, windscreens, spatulas,
    cooking options, titanium and aluminum pots, and buck saws on the planet



  13. #13

    Default

    I've used the MLD mitts.
    No complaints, they work well.
    I can't speak to durability yet. I've used them maybe 6-7 times.

    I turned mine inside out, stuffed with newspaper and applied thinned seam sealer with a syringe. It was easy and looks fine.

    How many monkey butlers will there be?

    One at first. But he'll train others.

  14. #14
    Registered User
    Join Date
    02-07-2014
    Location
    DeBolt, Alberta
    Age
    40
    Posts
    67

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by tiptoe View Post
    This may be a stupid question, but has anybody just improvised rain mitts using plastic grocery or newspaper-delivery bags? Not the most elegant solution, but quite a bit cheaper.
    Yep, works for me. If it's really cold and wet, neoprene paddling gloves are great (though heavier of course.)

  15. #15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by psyenz View Post
    Who uses rain mitts and what's been your experience? How about comparisons e.g., MLD eVent vs. Zpacks Cuben? Was thinking about taking a pair them on my upcoming thru.....eVent seems like it would be more durable especially using with trekking poles
    Here's a pair "Jimmy jam" made outta tyvek, and was kind enough to pay em forward...thanks again "jimmy jam"over mitts 001.jpg

    haven't been able to try em out yet...no rain, only snow.

++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •