Reader Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5

Normally I don’t like to review an item until I’ve really put it through its paces, but since this is a new product that’s received a bit of a buzz, I thought I’d provide some initial impressions. If I have any major revelations, I'll edit later.

First off, the fabric was the main selling point for me, based on about 2 years of very positive experience w/ my ID eVent Jacket. This is my first look at a 2-layer eVent fabric, and I am impressed. Compared to my (3-layer) jacket, the difference is noticable, but I am confident that durability will not be an issue for me (even tho I’m a trekking pole user, and I prefer reasonably durable gloves). This fabric has many promising applications.

The wristcord toggles are perfect, being easy to adjust w/ one hand while wearing the mitts.

I’d give these mitts a 4.5 if I could, only because the seam across the palm, combined with the bunching-up of fabric inside the thumb crease, are less than impressive design elements. Mostly this is aesthetic. A more ergonomic 3+ piece design could solve this (I’m not very knowledgable about sewing however), but would no doubt result in a higher cost for a product that is already in the upper tier for rain mitts. If I were hoping to use them as UL winter shell mitts for more continuous use, I might be disappointed. Note: not at all because of fabric durability. Admittedly this is way beyond the intended use! For these reasons I am now less curious about the weight penalty for a more durable 3-layer version, as the lighter choice is perfectly congruent with the design. In wet cold weather (my norm), even when I might wear them as often as not for a few days straight, the ergonomics should be fine.

Sizing: I normally wear a men's small glove, but I found the S/M mitts a bit restrictive for basic tasks, layered over possumdown gloves. Therefore I had to size up to a L/XL. This is my second order from MLD, and as before Ron's customer service was on point.

Nit-picks aside, and even without considering the lack of options in this market niche, MLD has really delivered a good product. They should prove excellent for the needs of the typical early season thru-hiker, and I fully expect to keep these mitts in my kit for a very long time.

EDIT: My size L mitts weigh 0.95 oz, measured on an accurate 5oz-capacity scale.

Edited by PA_Jay on 01/23/2007 19:48:20 MST.

Rating: 5 / 5

I recently used these mitts on the AT in just the conditions they were designed for and I can say they performed as advertised, which is rare! I used these mitts above treeline with no liner gloves in 35-45 degree weather with 10-15 mph winds and my hands were plenty warm enough and at times were starting to sweat, I was using poles at the time. I saw temps in the low to mid 20s in the mornings and evenings. When paired with a ragg wool liner my hands were warm while performing camp chores.

1.2 oz/pair seam sealed size L

Edited by cwitter on 04/10/2007 19:52:19 MDT.

Rating: 4 / 5

Saturday morning it started raining at 9:30 a.m. just as we were headed away from the previous nights campsite onto the trail. I had the mitts on along with my Marmot Precip and my trusty rain hat. I hike with a pair of Black Diamond trekking poles with hard foam grips.

It rained for the next two hours and the mitts kept my hands warm while effectively keeping rain off. At approximately 11:30 a.m. the fabric reached a turning point and I began to feel the moisture from my perspiring hands begin to collect inside. This happened to coincide with the end of the rain so I don't know what the perspiration and rain would have continued to interact within/outside of the mitt.

In terms of durability, yes the fabric is very thin and would not stand up to much more than use only while walking. Any amount of abrasion could easily compromise them. Ron Bell, the proprietor of MLD includes a swatch of repair fabric along with the set of mitts in order to repair the palm in the case of fabric failure.

The shock-cord/cord-lock system by which one cinches the glove around the wrist is adequate along the lines of most all gloves I've seen. The durability here doesn't seem an issue and the cord was easy to cinch with either ones other hand or teeth.

I rate the Mountain Laurel Designs eVent Rain Mitt a "4" as they are effective but lacking slightly in durability.

Rating: 5 / 5

UL eVENT rain mitts. Good fit over my possum down gloves. Seals well at the cuff. Perfect for my needs.

Rating: 4 / 5

After so many positive things having been written about the rain mitts, I confess I have been a bit disappointed with mine.

The good: the 2 layer fabric is ultralight without being impractically fragile. Tiny packed size.

The bad: these are a real pain to seal the seams on, it's a messy, fiddly and slow business to get right. And since the gloves end up flexing a lot, the seal on mine seems to be peeling/lifting slightly, I'm not sure if I can be bothered tackling it again.

Also, worn under a rain shell, the mitts tend to slip down your hands over time, which is very frustrating, especially the process of getting them under your rain jacket can be quite fiddly. The bungee at the bottom end of the mitt doesn't do anything to stop this (it might in fact make it worse since once tightened it wants to slide down to the narrowest part of your arm). What is missing is a bungee or webbing strap just below your hand (eg see the OR Endevour Mitts).

However, there are no other similar gloves anywhere near this weight, and they work ok as an emergency just-in-case item, or if you know there's only a few hours on a high pass where you might need them.

But for trips where I *know* I'll often need shells, I end up taking the much heavier OR Endeavor Mitts, partly because they stay on my hands much better.

Rating: 3 / 5

Have used these a couple of times, in southern California rain. So not really cold, but cold enough that some gloves are helpfull.

Positive:
They go OVER your sleeves, so when used with hiking poles the water doesn't run up your sleeve. For this function they are great.
Seam sealing them was easy. Just use a thin bead of seam sealant from a syringe after stuffing them with something (paper towels, down socks, etc).

Negative:
Fit. The thumb needs to be rotated or something. The glove rotated, leaving lots of slack near my first finger.
Breathability: In 56 degree pouring rain, I hiked up a 1.5mile trail, 800 feet elevation gain. Wore these gloves, old Frogg Toggs jacket over a thin polyester long sleeve shirt, and Dry Ducks pants (nothing underneith) By the top, my hands were as wet as they would have been without gloves. I didn't hike very fast, took about 40 minutes to get to the top.