Make Your Own Warm Winter Mitts
More Articles Related to ClothingIf you are like a lot of people you have a difficult time finding proper winter mittens. Often even top of the line expedition grade winter mittens fail for one reason or another even with limited use.
If you subscribe to the miracle of modern advertising theory of survival gear selection then you probably think you need the latest and best in mountaineering mittens for use in winter conditions. That means expensive brand name high tech shells and inner glove liners that eat up your wallet and perhaps need frequent replacement.
Shelling out a nearly a hundred dollars or more for expensive winter mittens made of synthetic materials doesn’t make sense for a variety of reasons.
First of all these synthetic materials are rarely made of environmentally friendly substances. There is already enough nylon and other synthetic garbage clogging up the landfills and strewn across the outdoors. If you care at all about the wilderness areas you travel through, the people who make their living from the land, and the earth you need for your very survival, then you may want to consider using natural products when you are on the market to buy survival gear.
Secondly, natural materials are often equal to or superior to manmade materials. Don’t let big budget advertising fool you into thinking manmade materials are better. Nature has developed furs, wools, hides and feathers through millions of years of the harshest tests ever conducted on living things. Those that didn’t make the grade perished; those that did continue to survive and prosper to this day.
A fundamental philosophy of Survival Topics that has served us well for many years is that nature’s engineers have already solved most of the problems of outdoor survival. Simply by observing what works for the local animals of the region you find yourself in will show you what you need to survive in that area.
And very importantly, by supporting more natural technologies you help people like yourself; people who work and play in the outdoors as farmers, hunters, and land owners.
How to Make Warm Winter Mitts
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Deer Hide and Wool Mitts This combination rivals even the best mountaineering mitts sold for $US100 or more. |
Putting together your own personalized pair of winter mittens is easy and relatively inexpensive. I believe these mittens are superior to most mountaineering mittens on the market today.
I have used this system for many years in temperatures going down to -30° F (-34° C ) with high winds and heavy snow. Such mittens are used every day by loggers, Forest Service personnel, land surveyors, and others who put them to hard use for extended periods of time in extremely cold weather. These winter mitts will keep your hands warm and are rugged enough to last even with hard use.
Deer hide and Wool Mitts
Many local hardware stores, army-navy stores, or online outdoor related websites sell deer hide mitten outer shells. Sometimes called “Choppers” or "Chopper Mitts", they are often made from hides brought in by deer hunters.
In my area the hunters traditionally receive a free pair of deer hide outer shells in exchange for the hides. The manufacturer can make a number of deer hide shells from each hide that is brought in.
Find a pair of these deer hide outer shells that are big and roomy for your hands. Be sure to obtain the kind that have only a place for your hand and thumb. You do not want five-fingered gloves as these will not be anywhere near as warm.
Then purchase at least two pairs of homemade wool mittens. Wool mittens can often be found at flea markets and yard sales, made by local people using wool taken from their own sheep or alpacas. Buying these products helps to support your local farmers and artisans and sure beats sending your money to overseas manufacturers whose only motive is to make money.
Be sure your wool mittens fit inside the deer hide liners and give a loose fit when your hands are inside. In winter conditions tight clothing cuts off the circulation of warm blood and can lead to frostbite and other cold injuries. You want all clothing to be loose and comfortable.
One pair of wool mittens put inside these deer hide liners should keep your hands very warm down to at least 0° F (-18° C). Adding the second pair of wool mittens allows your hands to stay warm well into the -20° F (-29° C ) range and lower, which is more than enough for most winter environments. This clothing layering system is the basis of the best cold weather clothing systems used for winter survival.
The outer deer hide liner serves a variety of functions. It cuts the wind, can be water-proofed, and wears very well. A major complaint about many synthetic mountaineering gloves is that they do not hold up with rough usage. My deer hide mitts would last an entire winter season or more using them nearly every work day doing axe work for land survey crews in the Great North Woods. Try that with your typical winter mountaineering mittens.
For extended outings I recommend carrying at least two full sets of wool mittens, or a total of four. Should the wool mittens you are using become wet from sweat or an accident with water, your backup could very well save you. In a pinch you can also substitute your woolen mittens with the extra wool socks you are carrying.
So there you have it. You can easily make some of the best winter mittens in the world; and it won’t cost you a hundred dollars to do it!
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I've been wearing mitts like this for outdoor adventures since the 1970's. Buy your mitts in the spring for the best deals!. You can get some leather mittens with cuffs and pile lining, often cheaper than plain leather ones. In really cold weather, having a second pair of woollen mitts inside the first is recommended. We get the -40° F (-40° C) here.