Lightweight hunting gloves

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MJD

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Hi all,

I have had a touch of Raynaud's all my life, which means when it gets below about 45*F, blood supply gets restricted to my extremities and my fingers go completely numb.

I've recently relocated to the Northeast, my original stomping grounds as a youth. I haven't had to face hunting in really cold weather in some time, but now I'm back and having to deal with the climate while out in the woods.

The major problem is hunting with gloves that actually allow me to feel the trigger. This is most critical during muzzleloader season, where the hair-trigger is too easily touched off by a bulkily-gloved finger entering the trigger guard on my flintlock.

My former MO was to wear a pair of very lightweight gloves, then another pair of heavier wool mitten/fingerless glove combinations over them.

My question - can anyone please recommend a light, thin, WARM, preferably windproof glove to wear as a base layer? Silk liner gloves don't really cut the mustard, and the fleece options I've tried are too bulky.

Yes, I use handwarmers, but we all know having the trigger finger ready to rock is key on a pushed deer, as is often the case in late season hunts.

Thanks for any recommendations!
 
When I was younger, it seemed that gloves that would keep you warm AND be able to operate a trigger were a "holy grail". Some of us would wear a lighter glove, like those $2 a pair brown cotton jersey gloves, on the shooting hand and just keep that hand in the pocket of our jackets in the stand. One technique to "test" gloves is to go to BassPro (or wherever people shop for hunting stuff where you live) and "test" the modern thinsulate filled gloves on the shelf with an unloaded brightly colored water pistol, and see how the trigger feels. After all, it does have a trigger, and there is some resistance in it. You may want to tell the guys behind the counter what you are doing first though.
 
This may not work for you, but I’ve found the only way to keep fingers warm when it gets cold here in the NE, is to use a “muff” that straps around my waist. I put a handwarmer or two inside and wear thin gloves. I prefer thin, uninsulated leather gloves the aren’t gathered at the wrist. That allows me to slip my hands in and out of the gloves without using the other hand. Leather also stops wind effectively. This works great when hunting from a stand or blind. You could wear a heavier glove on your support hand if you want a hand on your rifle and just keep your trigger hand in the muff. This probably won’t work for you if you are on the move.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. It was a tough nut to crack years ago, and it appears to still be a trade in compromises.
My hunting out west involved a lot of movement, so the cold hands weren't quite as bad a problem. The woods around here are more conducive to sitting/slow movement.
 
When I worked patrol I wore Kevlar reinforced neoprene gloves that I purchased at a police supply store. They were tough as nails yet allowed me to handle weapons, handcuffs and I could even write with them on. After I went into plainclothes I started using them as hunting gloves. They do a great job of turning mesquite thorns while keeping my hands nice and toasty.
 
That's a compelling list of attributes - do you recall a brand offhand?
 
The woods where I hunt are so thick that the deer always see, hear or smell you before you see them. The 95% of shot opportunities will be of the “Texas heart shot” variety. The exception is if you are hunting an area with extremely low hunting pressure or none at all. On Monday I got my first ever deer while walking. Two does busted out, white flags in the air, but a button buck and a doe stayed. The doe allowed me a 40 yard shot. This is not normal behavior in most places. I have access to several hundred acres that are hunted by only three of us and the deer are accustomed to humans doing forestry work on a daily basis. Your luck will be much better if you do your scouting ahead of time and pick the right spot to sit.
 
wombat13 said:
The woods where I hunt are so thick that the deer always see, hear or smell you before you see them. The 95% of shot opportunities will be of the “Texas heart shot” variety. The exception is if you are hunting an area with extremely low hunting pressure or none at all. On Monday I got my first ever deer while walking. Two does busted out, white flags in the air, but a button buck and a doe stayed. The doe allowed me a 40 yard shot. This is not normal behavior in most places. I have access to several hundred acres that are hunted by only three of us and the deer are accustomed to humans doing forestry work on a daily basis. Your luck will be much better if you do your scouting ahead of time and pick the right spot to sit.
Click to expand...
I always enjoy banter about deer hunting methods, but I am not in search of hunting tips with this question - this is about being able to feel the trigger and stay moderately warm.
 
I like the finger gloves with the mitt flap that folds back.
If that isn't warm enough, use those knit ski gloves under them.
 
Sorry for derailing. Thought it was relevant to your decision regarding gloves. Good luck
 
Those LawPro gloves look like a good option for a balance between warmth and dexterity. I'll have to order a pair and check them out, for some winter coyote hunting.
 
I lived in east TX for a couple of years...it was almost a holiday when it was necessary to wear something longer than shorts.
Those LawPro gloves are compelling, I'm going to check them out. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
I’m a big fan of mechanix gloves. A pair of insulated chopper mittens over them.

I also have a pair of Arcteryx Venta gloves. Very fitted. Good dexterity. Wind blocker. Good for 35 degrees and warmer or as a base. Price isn’t good. $50+ and only lasted one season of light use. They’re awesome...if you want to keep buying them.

I love mittens over light gloves. Easy to remove the mittens to shoot - shake them off or bite them off and get on target.
 
How 'cheap' do you want to go? I use Harbor Freight brand 'Hardy' gloves, their version of mechanics gloves. Go on sale all the time for about $4.
 
My favorite glove for hunting is a soft acrylic glove. Top of the line for warmth is Heat Holders that you can buy of eBay. I wear them on my left hand in really cold weather. For the right hand that I use to pull the trigger I am currently using RefrigiWear gloves that are soft and warm but thinner than the Heat Holders. I like and use their Regular acrylic Loop Terry Knit Glove Liner which is their 0401R. They also have a Polypropolene glove liner 0223R. You can also find these on eBay. I also ordered a pair of the Mechanix gloves as suggester by Armored farmer. I am open to new products.
 
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I received the Mechanix gloves in the mail today and I was very pleased with the way they fit and the quality of the glove. I immediately tried them out as far a handling a rifle and pulling the trigger. The gloves have a slick surface which makes it uncomfortable to carry and handle the rifle and I think they would be uncomfortable when traveling with a rifle for long distances. They would be OK as far as using them in a hunting blind. The trigger pull worked fine.

I shoot a recurve bow and I immediately got the impression that they would be great for shooting my bow. I will try them out with the recurve when the weather improves. It will all depend on how long it will take for the string to wear through the fingers.

I think the gloves would also work great for handling feed sacks when putting corn in wildlife feeders. I really like the gloves.
 
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I picked up a touch of frostbite decades ago while spending a few winters in ND; so I get it about fingertips and toes. Once I started shooting a lot, I went with golf gloves. I wear them all the time, even in the hot summer, because I get a good grip on the stock (and my sweat doesn't eat the finish)

Something like that might work as a good first layer under warm mittens.

edit because my spelling sucks and I have ten thumbs
 
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Lots of good suggestions here!

I use Mechanix gloves for work...love the gloves, but man do they not stop wind and I agree that they are slippery trying to handle a gun with them.

I’m going to have to look up some of these suggestions, their names are new to me.
 
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