Climbing on ice is one of the coolest sports – but it’s also extremely cold. One of the first things you hear when you start ice climbing is about the “screaming barfies,” a painful sensation you experience when your hands warm up after being exposed to extreme cold. You may be able to avoid this condition by wearing gloves designed for ice climbing. We can assist you in choosing the right ice climbing gloves for you, so you can maintain your confidence holding your ice axe and placing ice screws while your hands remain warm enough so you don’t have screaming barfies.
Check out our top ice climbing gear recommendations here in this article!
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THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING ICE CLIMBING GLOVES
Though you may think of ice axes, ice screws, and climbing gloves first when thinking of ice climbing equipment, gloves are an essential part of the gear for ice climbing. You won’t be able to use other ice tools properly if your fingers are too cold. Additionally, you might end up with the screaming barfies if your fingers are too cold. Therefore, we higly recommend you to wear gloves designed for ice climbing.
We will be providing some pointers which you should consider before choosing an ice climbing gloves. Let’s check them out
INSULATION
You might assume that you would want to choose gloves that were as warm as possible when out in cold weather. However, in order to be dexterous and warm at the same time, you must balance warmth and dexterity. Insulation that is too thick will make it difficult for you to feel your ice tools, which might lead you to fumble with your equipment, which is not something you want to worry about when you’re on a pitch.
You should think about how cold your hands tend to get and what type of conditions you usually ice climb in when choosing the right level of insulation.
WEATHER RESISTANCE
The majority of ice climbing gloves feature some level of weather resistance, but not all are completely windproof and watertight. For ice climbing, you are likely to be exposed to extreme weather conditions, so it is advisable to choose gloves that are waterproof and windproof. However, if you climb on ice in more moderate conditions, this won’t be as big an issue.
Some Best Ice Climbing Gloves :
CAMP USA GEKO ICE
CAMP USA GEKO ICE
Specifications:
- CLOSURE: Velcro
- CUFF TYPE: Undercuff
- PALM GRIP: Goat Leather
Features:
- The layers are bonded together for better control and grip
- Hands stay dry with waterproof membrane
- Mobility and Dexterity Are Ensured by Articulated Fingers
BEST FOR: DEXTERITY PLUS WARMTH
Geko Ice gloves from CAMP USA combine dexterity with warmth thanks to their proprietary No-Slip construction, which binds layers of insulation and palm leather together so that you can feel and grip your ice tools accurately and securely. In spite of keeping moisture out, a waterproof membrane still allows your hands to breathe when sweaty.
Geko Ice gloves have articulated fingers with gusseted knuckles to allow for an improved range of motion. Also included are elastic wrist leashes to keep the gloves in place without restricting circulation.
BLACK DIAMOND PUNISHER
BLACK DIAMOND PUNISHER
Specifications:
- CLOSURE: Velcro
- CUFF TYPE: Gauntlet (fits over sleeve)
- PALM GRIP: Goat Leather
Features:
- Protect yourself from the elements with a waterproof liner
- Keeps hands warm with a soft fleece lining
- Specially curved fingers for holding ice tools
BEST FOR: WET CONDITIONS
Black Diamond’s Punisher Gloves will keep your hands dry and warm while ice climbing in the cold and wet weather. No matter what the conditions, you can stay warm with a fleece lining, and you don’t have to worry about wetting your hands with a waterproof inner liner.
The fingers of the Black Diamond Punisher Gloves are pre-curved which in turn helps in gripping the ice tools easily, and goat leather in the palm all the way through to the fingers gives you a good grip on all your gear. Knuckle padding provides additional safety when you bang your hands around accidentally.
ARC’TERYX ALPHA SL
ARC’TERYX ALPHA SL
Specifications:
- CLOSURE: Adjustable Pulley
- CUFF TYPE: Undercuff
- PALM GRIP: Leather
Features:
- The material completely blocks the passage of wind through the hands
- Designed to maximize dexterity by fitting closely to the skin
- With the pulley adjustment system, you can customize the fit and the closure is easy
BEST FOR: CUSTOM FIT
These gloves from Arc’teryx offer excellent dexterity and allow you easy handling of ropes and ice tools. They are form-fitting to provide optimal performance. Leather on the palms and fingers provides traction so that you can hold on tightly. Pulleys customize the fit for a perfect grip as well.
The Arc’teryx Alpha SL gloves have windproof and water-resistant materials to keep your fingers warm and dry. You will feel super soft next to your skin and an additional layer of insulation will help keep you warm. Thin gloves offer the dexterity needed for high-level performance, but they are not the most insulating, so if you are prone to running cold you might want to look elsewhere.
OUTDOOR RESEARCH STORMTRACKER SENSOR
OUTDOOR RESEARCH STORMTRACKER SENSOR
Specifications:
- CLOSURE: Zipper & Elastic
- CUFF TYPE: Undercuff
- PALM GRIP: Goat Leather
Features:
- Compatible with any phone or GPS device that has a touchscreen
- Gloves with a zippered wrist make getting them on and off easy
- Hands stay dry with moisture-wicking lining
BEST FOR: VERSATILITY
Ice climbing gloves, the Outdoor Research Stormtracker Sensor gloves are excellent for a variety of conditions, but they can also be used on other winter adventures. In addition to keeping wind and water out, the Gore-Tex fabric also wicks away moisture. With its soft interior lining, these gloves are also comfortable and warm.
Stormtrackers have pre-shaped fingers designed to make it easy to grasp ice axes and ice screws, and the goat leather palm helps you maintain a good grip on these tools. Additionally, the gloves are touchscreen compatible, which is very helpful if you need to use your phone or a GPS during your ice climbing expedition.
RAB M14
RAB M14
Specifications:
- CLOSURE: Velcro
- CUFF TYPE: Undercuff
- PALM GRIP: Leather
Features:
- Breathable yet windproof to prevent sweat from accumulating on hands
- Warmth & Comfort With Fleece Lining
- For protection when using an ice axe, place a pad on the pinkie finger
BEST FOR: DRY TOOLING & MIXED CLIMBING
Despite the lightweight design of these Rab gloves, they deliver an adequate level of warmth for mixed climbing or dry tooling before the ice comes in. The gloves are both wind and water-resistant, so they can withstand fall and spring conditions, but they are not fully windproof or waterproof, so they are not the best choice for ice climbing during the deepest winter.
With a fleece lining, the Rab M14 gloves are lightly insulated and provide plenty of comfort and dexterity. On the palms, you will find that the leather is very grippy and is reinforced for long-lasting durability. Additionally, padding on the pinkie finger protects your little finger when you’re using an ice axe.
ARC’TERYX FISSION SV
ARC’TERYX FISSION SV
Specifications:
- CLOSURE: Cinch Cord
- CUFF TYPE: Gauntlet (fits over sleeve)
- PALM GRIP: Goat Leather
Features:
- The palm & fingers are covered in two layers of goat leather to provide a good grip & increase durability
- Warmth is provided by lots of insulation
- A waterproof yet breathable shell for protection against the elements
BEST FOR: ALL-AROUND PERFORMANCE
With its numerous features, the Arc’teryx Fission SV glove is a superb ice climbing glove. Abrasion-resistant and very stretchy, the glove is made from durable softshell material that can handle the rigors of ice climbing. Furthermore, the gloves are ergonomically designed to provide maximum dexterity when using ice tools.
The Fission SV gloves have a long gauntlet cuff that goes over the sleeves of your jacket to keep snow and ice out, as well as a Gore-Tex insert that makes them waterproof. A particularly useful feature when you’re on a trip or climbing ice for more than one day at a time is that the interior lining is extremely breathable, so your gloves will dry out quickly.
Conclusion
So here are some best gloves for ice climbing. We have sorted all of them for you so that you can choose any one of them by looking at the features and the specifications as well. Make sure to choose wisely as gloves are really important for ice climbing.
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs)
Can you ice climb in mittens?
We would not recommend you to ice climb in mitten because these are super light which won’t be enough to prevent the cold properly and may be you might end up screaming barfies.
What gloves do mountain climbers wear?
Name of some well known mountain climbing gloves are:
Gordini GoreTex Storm Trooper
Mountain Hardwear Route Setter Alpine
REI Co-op Switchback GTX
Outdoor Research Alti
How should ice climbing gloves fit?
Fit the web of the glove so that your fingers can move freely when you stretch them out. Further, you should not have too much space between the glove’s back and the palm. If the material was too tight and the fit was too tight, you might get cold fingers.
Do you need gloves for scrambling?
Gloves are not the best solution for scrambling handwear. Thick fleece gloves are ideal for sensitivity, but even the ones with grippy materials on are not quite there because the continual exposure to rock will cause most to deteriorate quickly and cost you a great deal.
What gloves are best for climbing?
Some best gloves for ice climbing are as follows:
CAMP USA Geko Ice
Black Diamond Punisher
Arc’teryx Alpha SL
Outdoor Research Stormtracker Sensor
Rab M14
Arc’teryx Fission SV
Outdoor Research Bitterblaze
The North Face Summit
Outdoor Research Alibi II
Hestra Ergo Grip Outdry
