< Return
Quick tips for cold hands and how to deal with them. Also couple of notes about gloves and mittens.
Hands
- No gloves are perfect
- Every hand is individual and so is cold resistance
- Eventually your hands will be cold if you don´t move and get your blood circulating
- Never blow warm air from your mouth to your hands/gloves. There is moisture in the air that will only get things worsh.
Gloves and mittens
- Thick mittens warm better than gloves but are also a bit clumsy
- Make sure you have enough space inside of your gloves/mittens. Thight gloves/mittens are also cold.
- Removable (wool) inner glove is always good
- Fingers stay warm better when the are not separated
- Leather and fur are always a good compination when it gets really cold
- Use light inner glove when working. Avoid direct skin contact to cold objects if possible.
- Plan and prepare your gear/pockets/zippers so that you can easily use them in cold weather with out removing your gloves/mittens
- Remove your mittens only if needed
Best way to warm your hands
- Eat and move. Especially in cold conditions your body needs energy and movement keeps your blood circulating
- Keep your hands dry
- External heat, like camp fire, helps quickly but be careful not to burn your hands/gloves, "where butter melts, leather burns".
- Chemical heat elements are handy to pack with you but they are even at their best, first aid and not the cure.
- Use thin inner gloves!
- If you need to warm your own or your budys hands, stick them against large arterys like in your armpits or groin.
- Anticipate the situation and work proactive
