Looking for some warm wool mittens.

Macchina

Macchina

Gold Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2006
Messages
5,212
As the title states, I'm a dude looking for a pair of mittens. I wear gloves most of the time, but sometimes they just don't cut it. I'd like to pick up a nice pair of wool mittens. I almost went with a pair of Fox River Double Ragg Mitts, but like most of my wool gear they are knitted. Can anyone recommend me a good pair of felted (boiled) wool mittens? My had is 7.5" long (Medium for most mittens, large for gloves).
Thanks,
Michaelmcgo
 
Dachstein Mitts are the answer.

These boiled-wool mitts had been the "go-to" mitts for mountaineer's for decades until poly insulated mitts started winning the market. I'd still buy a pair if i was looking.

http://www.sweatersintl.com/woolmittens.html

This place has them and i think the price is pretty indicative of anywhere.
 
My favorites for the past two year have been Canadian milsurp mittens. The outer shells are canvas and leather with very long gauntlets, and they have wool inserts. The shells and inserts both have a trigger finger feature, which is useful. I think I paid ten bucks for them from a vendor at a military vehicle show.
 
Yeah I use USA mil-surplus trigger mits. Super cheap for what they are and I LOVE the trigger mit design because of the extra dexterity they afford. Keep all your fingers in the mitten part until you need the extra dexterity, then slip your index finger into the trigger finger of the mitten. Funny how the only folks other than national militaries that seem to make a decent trigger mit or "lobster mit" are super-spendy skiing outfitters. And then instead of spending $15 for 2 pairs you're spending $150 for one! :eek:
 
fmajor007 said:
Dachstein Mitts are the answer.

These boiled-wool mitts had been the "go-to" mitts for mountaineer's for decades until poly insulated mitts started winning the market. I'd still buy a pair if i was looking.

http://www.sweatersintl.com/woolmittens.html

This place has them and i think the price is pretty indicative of anywhere.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I was looking for! While reading around, several sources said that Dachstein Mitts were out of production. I ordered a pair in my size (free shipping at sweaters international actually makes it quite a good deal comparatively) and can't wait to try them out. I use mitts exclusively when I ice fish, because even with gloves you have to take them off to do all of the high dexterity tasks (handling 1.5 lbs. line etc.) required.

I will post a review on here later this winter if anyone is interested...

Dachstein%20Uber%20Mitts.jpg
 
I believe you're going to LOVE 'em!!!

What you read about the Dachstein's being 'discontinued' is partially true. The original company that made them went out of business, but another group/company re-started making them and from all reports the quality is the same.

If i had some spare jingle in my pocket, i'd pick some up also. They could fit beautifully in my *huge* Outdoor Research (OR) G-Tex mitt shells. I have the (also amazing!) fleece inserts for them, but the Dachsteins are just that good and are easy to dry out over a fire if need be - the fleece wouldn't fare as well close to a fire....

Enjoy!
 
All this talk about boiled/felted wool got me thinking: I have a pair of Ibex merino wool gloves that are annoyingly large for me. I would have tried them on and returned them, but the way they were packaged forced me to completely remove all tags in order to even try them on (someone's stupid idea). I've tried shrinking them in the dryer, but to no avail. So after reading some tutorials online, I'm giving them a go at felting. Not only will this hopefully shrink them a bit, it should also create a more windproof glove. The washing machine is on high spin as I type...
 
michaelmcgo said:
All this talk about boiled/felted wool got me thinking: I have a pair of Ibex merino wool gloves that are annoyingly large for me. I would have tried them on and returned them, but the way they were packaged forced me to completely remove all tags in order to even try them on (someone's stupid idea). I've tried shrinking them in the dryer, but to no avail. So after reading some tutorials online, I'm giving them a go at felting. Not only will this hopefully shrink them a bit, it should also create a more windproof glove. The washing machine is on high spin as I type...
Click to expand...

I would worry that the mitts would end up several sizes smaller, but let us know how it goes.
 
michaelmcgo said:
All this talk about boiled/felted wool got me thinking: I have a pair of Ibex merino wool gloves that are annoyingly large for me. I would have tried them on and returned them, but the way they were packaged forced me to completely remove all tags in order to even try them on (someone's stupid idea). I've tried shrinking them in the dryer, but to no avail. So after reading some tutorials online, I'm giving them a go at felting. Not only will this hopefully shrink them a bit, it should also create a more windproof glove. The washing machine is on high spin as I type...
Click to expand...

Since you're not wearing 'em anyway it's a low-cost experiment. I'm sure there's some skill involved though, but the Internet is your friend! I hope they turn out well for you - maybe start a new thread for your experiment?
 
What worked for me was both
Dachstein Mitts and USA mil-surplus trigger mitts

The warmth of the Dachstein and the protection of the long sleeved leather and canvas over-mitt work wonders
The over-mits had a string round my neck, so I could take them off and not be worried about loosing (G-d forbid!!)
The overmitts kept the Dachstein dry
I also had a pair of wool gloves (army suplus) for around camp
 
neeman said:
What worked for me was both
Dachstein Mitts and USA mil-surplus trigger mitts

The warmth of the Dachstein and the protection of the long sleeved leather and canvas over-mitt work wonders
The over-mits had a string round my neck, so I could take them off and not be worried about loosing (G-d forbid!!)
The overmitts kept the Dachstein dry
I also had a pair of wool gloves (army suplus) for around camp
Click to expand...

May I ask how you used the trigger finger mitts with the Dachstein Mittens which do not have the trigger finger cuttout?
 
I also did not have a gun so I was not shooting anyone.......

The price and availiblity of the over-mitt was the overriding factor
 
My mother inlaw is a feverish knitting machine. A couple yrs ago had her knit a 100% merino wool toque and my wife accidentally washed and dried it. Now it is a bulletproof skull cap that just fits and sheds wind/water.
I asked her to knit me one this xmas that is 1.5in wider and 4inches longer than the first, really looking forward to shrinking that one down.
Might have to get her to make me some 1 finger mitts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top