Gloves

Autumn has come and with it comes an inevitable question in many photog circles. That question of course is "What gloves are best for fall/winter/Vermont Winter/ etc?"
Honestly, there isn't a solid answer to that question. I spent last year buying and returning pair after pair of gloves until I found one that worked for me. Then the temp dropped even more and that glove became damn near useless.


This is a general breakdown of gloves/mittens in relation to TEMPERATURE. I touch on rain/snow/etc a little bit but the main focus is on temp. I offer this advice as a photog who works outside in Vermont during the coldest days of the year. Last year I saw temps in the -20 range while holding a camera. That said, if you take this advice do so with a grain of salt. What works best for me, may not work at all for you.

Glove/ Mitten Combo aka "Glomitts": 
More often than not I see photogs wearing Glomitts. Some people swear by them because of their ability to convert from a warm mitten into a finger-less glove. The lack of fingers provides the wearer with greater dexterity than if they wore traditional gloves. These gloves are often made of wool or a synthetic material that provide a range of temperature protection down into the sub-zero range.
The down side to these gloves is the built in flaw of no fingers. This leaves your digits exposed to all sorts of weather and temperatures which can cause you discomfort or physical harm. They also tend to be a bulkier glove due to the fold down mitten and that can get in the way of some minor tasks.
While some people swear by these gloves, I refuse to wear them. In the Northern USA you need your gloves to have fingers or you may actually loose them to frostbite.

Biking Gloves:
I tried a pair of cold weather road biking gloves last year. They provided amazing finger dexterity and as they were form fitting I was able to feel just about every switch and knob on my camera. They were slightly weather resistant and got me through a night shooting in heavy rain without too much discomfort. Alas these gloves failed me when it came to the temperature. As soon as the temps dipped into the 30's I dreaded putting the gloves on. The form fitting gloves left no room for air between your skin and the glove. When the exterior of the glove became cold, you had just minutes until your skin began to sting. I returned these gloves after a couple weeks use and got myself some new gloves.

EMS Work Gloves:
The only reason I'm putting this exact brand glove in here is because these are what I use 70% of the time. A thin leather palmed, synthetic back, insulated "work glove." These gloves offer terrific finger dexterity and the leather palm makes gripping gear a breeze. They are weather resistant, not proof, so if it's raining hard enough, you will get wet.
I found they are comfortable gloves in temperatures down to 0 degrees(f). I've used them in colder temps but they don't offer much warmth unless you are being very physically active below zero. The fit is snug but not tight so finding switches and buttons is fairly easy once you become used to the wear.

Ski Gloves:
When the temperature really takes a dive into the down right deadly cold, you need to make some sacrifices and that usually is in the dexterity department. Heavily insulated gloves should always be in your kit. I wear mine when I know I will be in the cold for a prolonged period of time or when the mercury drops below 5(ish). These gloves tend to be waterproof and windproof, if they're not don't buy them as they're junk. When it comes to cold temps, it's worth spending the money to get a pair of gloves you like and that come with a good reputation. At this point you aren't concerned about being able to easily find or even use switches or buttons. If you have to wear these gloves you're in the "I need to prevent my hands from falling off" type of weather so stay safe!

Heavy Mittens:
I'm not a fan of mittens for work purposes. In fact I don't think I've ever seen anyone wear mittens and operate a camera. Though they offer superior warmth and comfort they are pretty much useless if you need to use your fingers. You can try them for yourself but I plan on sticking to gloves for work. The only place I see these being useful is in the Arctic/Antarctic.



Mechanix Gloves:
Yes this is another brand but I'll use it to cover the general gamut of similar gloves. They are form fitting and come in different levels of insulation for various temperatures. I know a lot of people that swear by these gloves because of their excellent finger dexterity and comfort. They're a fairly inexpensive glove so they would probably be worth the investment as a main glove if you live in warmer climates.


These are the main gloves most people will choose from. I have two pairs of gloves(light and heavy insulation) in my bag all winter. You never know when you need a different pair of gloves. I recommend you do the same.
If none of these gloves appeal to you, you can look into the following;
Boating/Kayaking Gloves
Paintball gloves
Motorcycle Gloves
Shooting(firearm) Gloves
Diving gloves
Sports Gloves(Football etc.)

Whatever you decide to wear have a great winter, it'll be here soon.