time for new mittens

I NEED mittens, gloves do not do it for me. I have long given up on gloves to keep my fingers warm. I have had a pair of Ice Armor Extreme for the last 6-8 years. I like the warmth but they are starting to rip at the seams. The description of these say they are waterproof, and they are right up to the point they come near water. At that point they are no longer waterproof. Who has a pair of mittens they like? Warm and preferably actually waterproof.

https://www.wildthingsfur.com/proddetail.php?prod=Adult+Fur+Mittens

I have a pair of Skunk mittens, amazingly warm. Beaver would probably be the warmest.

Or another pair of Ice Armor. There’s also great handwarmers out there and some that double as phone charges as well.

Eelpoutguy wrote:

Beaver would probably be the warmest.

Giggitty.

Good thing we aren’t playing scrabble because I woulda called you out on that one.

Not only do those skunks look warm, but one really can’t ignore how freaking cool they look as well in person.

I use Jokatherm. They are also sold under the HT brand. More durable than sewn mittens.

Joka Gloves & Mittens

Have you ever tried the fur backed camo military surplus mitts? I had a pair and they were vary warm. I have a pair of Striker gloves that I love and I think they have mitts as well.

40+ years ago (the last time I wore mittens) we had choppers. Leather all around and we had knit wool liners that slid inside. Very warm as I recall. Do they still make those?

I wear deer skin choppers. Every day they always seem to be awesome.

Dutchboy wrote:

40+ years ago (the last time I wore mittens) we had choppers. Leather all around and we had knit wool liners that slid inside. Very warm as I recall. Do they still make those?

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/guide-gear-waterproof-chopper-mittens?a=2230900

I had a pair also Dutchboy. Bought them at FF when I was 13-14, and I wrote them till there was holes in them about 8 years later!

Dutchboy wrote:

40+ years ago (the last time I wore mittens) we had choppers. Leather all around and we had knit wool liners that slid inside. Very warm as I recall. Do they still make those?

I’ve had them in my youth and a pair as an adult. Unfortunately they are not very warm.

I still have a pair I bought at Kaplan Bros from about 30 years ago. Pretty much worn out with holes in them now.

Striker Tundra

Dutchboy wrote:

40+ years ago (the last time I wore mittens) we had choppers. Leather all around and we had knit wool liners that slid inside. Very warm as I recall. Do they still make those?

Yes and choppers are still the best, but real choppers are deerskin or moosehide, which is softer are more flexible in the cold than is leather.

I have worn choppers comfortably down to -42, which is the coldest I have ever been outdoors.

There is a shoe repair place in Ely called Henry’s that still makes proper moosehide and deerskin choppers.

http://www.henrysshoerepair.com/moosehide%20chopper%20mittens.html

I just replaced the liners in my choppers that I got at Henry’s in the 1990s. I bought 2 pairs and I’m still using both.

Grouse

Must be something in the air in Ely. Have a pair of these being shipped now.
https://www.mukluks.com/Steger-Arctic-Mitts/products/37/

Like the OP, my Ice Armors are about done and no interest in another pair. Also read that moosehide/deer skin was the way to go.

What do most of you use for water proofing your deerskin or moosehide choppers.

I was gifted a pair of the Henry Shoe Repair moosehide choppers. Ver good product.
I haven’t waterproofed them but I would go with Norwegian Oil 1st and Mink Oil as my 2nd choice.
I used both products on my working boots. Always a pair of Red Wings.

maddogg wrote:

What do most of you use for water proofing your deerskin or moosehide choppers.

Sno Seal works great. Apply, rub a light coating all over and have someone hit your hands with a hair dryer while you rub them together a little more.

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

Yes and choppers are still the best, but real choppers are deerskin or moosehide, which is softer are more flexible in the cold than is leather.

I got some bison hide choppers last year that are pretty nice, too.

As others have said, nothing beats deer skin chopper mittens with knitted wool liners. The key is to find someone who can knit you custom fit real wool liners.
Through years of winter trapping and ice fishing I’ve found nothing better for keeping damp hands warm.

You may or may not be able to get them, but I have a pair of Give r’ Frontier Mittens. It was a crowd funding project that they hope will go more mainstream. They are waterproof (hipora lining) and you can have them dipped in beeswax then baked as an option, as well. They are on the expensive side, but they claim the mittens will last long enough to pass down to your kids. Will have to see about those claims, but I have never had a nicer pair of mittens and can attest that they are tough, dry and very warm.

Kinco 901T pigskin and treat them with snoseal.

LINED HEAVY DUTY PREMIUM GRAIN & SUEDE PIGSKIN MITT WITH KNIT WRIST

They’re relatively cheap, extremely warm, and durable… they’ll just be getting broken in at 5 years and should last 10+ years no problem. Like all leather they are not 100% waterproof but with yearly snoseal treatments they bead water nicely. I only use them in the harshest conditions and never had cold or wet hands.

Alagnak Pete wrote:

Sno Seal works great. Apply, rub a light coating all over and have someone hit your hands with a hair dryer while you rub them together a little more.

This ^^^. You can also just warm the choppers one at a time and then apply the Sno Seal while the mitt is still warm. It sucks the Sno Seal deep into the leather.

Even damp choppers keep your hands warm if you use 100% wool liners.

Grouse

Found these last night at L&M. Felt great, and quick compared to the Ice Armor which were hanging next to them, I’d pick the Eskimos. I’ll give em a couple weeks to see if there’s a sale. But I shoulda just bought em. Not sure if there’s a warranty.

Attachments:

1. 

   IMG_20201130_185030672.jpg
   

2. 

   IMG_20201130_185025265.jpg
   

.

Attachments:

1. 

   IMG_20201130_185155415.jpg
   

2. 

   IMG_20201130_185039063.jpg