Frigid fingers are unpleasant. Numb wooden hands are far worse, and potentially dangerous in the chilly backcountry. Prevent the fingertip blues this season and keep your dexterity, enjoyment, and digits intact with these handy tips.

IF THE GLOVE FITS

In a properly fitting glove, your fingers should almost, but not quite, touch the tips. The goal is to maintain a tiny air pocket around your fingertips to trap warmth. The glove should otherwise fit snugly across your palm without restricting motion and should not pinch the webbing between your fingers. Every manufacturer uses a different hand model for their glove designs, and fit is often surprisingly consistent across any given brand’s product line. Try on a variety to determine which manufacturer creates gloves that match your hand shape. 

WARM BUTTERFINGERS

Thick gloves are warmer than thin ones, but you’ll pay for the extra heat with a loss of dexterity. For casual around-town use, go for the thickest gloves that still allow you to function normally. (Try tying your shoes or pulling an item from your wallet.) If it’s blustery, they must also be windproof or air movement will strip warmth away from your fingers, no matter how thick the gloves are. Leather, nylon, and windproof fleece all do the trick.

HANDY UNDERWEAR

For backcountry use, use thin liner gloves underneath a heavier set of gloves or mitts. Liner gloves are like long underwear for your hands they add significant warmth, absorb little water, and rapidly dry out if they get damp. Liners made of polyester or Powestretch work well, but be wary of using thicker gloves as your base layer. They absorb more moisture and will rapidly freeze stiff if you take them off.

GET THE MITT

Your fingers stay much warmer if they all get to hang out together. Mittens are easy to put on and take off, and because they have fewer seams, can be sealed to create truly waterproof handwear. (Few waterproof gloves exist there are just too many seams.) Dexterity suffers, but you’re wearing liner gloves underneath for tasks that require careful manipulation. You’ll still want heavy gloves, however, if you’re pursuing an activity like ice climbing that requires regular, complicated hand motions in frigid conditions.

GLOVE LOVE

Eliminate gaps around your wrist buying styles that feature a longer cuff, or gauntlet, that extends over your jacket sleeve. Otherwise your wrists will be exposed and snow will infiltrate your gloves and jacket. The cuffs should seal with elastic cord or Velcro, and you should be able to easily manipulate the closure with a gloved or mittened hand. Gloves that feature grippy material on the palm, fingers, and thumb are nice leather provides the best grip but is more expensive and becomes saturated with use. Some mittens and gloves have removable liners, which make them easier to dry and allow you to use only the shells during periods of high exertion.

HELL IN A HANDBASKET

Fleece gloves attract snow like Velcro, and rapidly become wet and cold as a consequence avoid using them in the snowy backcountry. Thick gloves usually become difficult to put on or remove once they become damp from sweat or trapped snow. Often the lining in the fingers will jumble up or pull out like an inverted sausage, a maddening situation in cold weather. If you have any trouble putting them on in the store, your frustration will be magnified tenfold once they’re wet and you’re cold.

PERSONAL TIPS

I've read good reports about the Marmot Expedition Mitt that will run you about $99. They are waterproof yet breathable mitts.

I do like gloves for dexterity so I usually carry a pair of thick gloves and mitts. If it's not too cold I'll start with gloves and then after a couple of hours switch over to mitts. I always put a liner glove on my hands first and then my mitts. On very cold days, I'll put some handwarmers in my gloves. I always carry an extra pair of handwarmers because I find that in general they only retain heat half the time the manufacturer indicates. Keeping your core warm will also keep your hands warm by wearing a very warm hat and putting on an extra layer of clothing.

When stopping for a snack or lunch, put your gloves or mittens back on as soon as possible. I will eat with my mittens on as best I can. Your hands might feel OK when you first take them out of your mitts but they cool off real fast and it will take a while to reheat them. If your fingers get cold, make a fist keeping your hands inside your mitts. If your hands just can't get warm, the liners on your hands might be wet so either replace them with a spare pair or take them off.

WHAT OTHERS DO 

Some guys never wear gloves and carry a few pairs of mittens so that you can swap them out. Hands sweat, so you need to have dry mittens throughout the day. Use either doubled polar fleece, or oversized ragg wool mittens (wash them and put them through the dryer for better waterproofing before wearing). You can buy a few pairs of ragg wool mitts at Campmor for $5.99 each: http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___92881

Get a pair of waterproof outer shells to put over your mitts - Outdoor Research makes an Expedition model that is seam sealed.

And don't forget those idiot cords. Some jackets have a ring near the cuff - that's where the idiot cord is attached. The second choice is making a loop around your wrist. Having them attached to either yourself or your jacket can be a critical issue in cold, windy weather when your on a steep snow slope and need to take your mitts off. You're screwed if the mitts end up on the ground and start gliding all the way down the mountain!

CONCLUSION

It just goes to show you that there is not one best single method to keep your hands warm because everyone is different. Use these tips and experiment to find out what works best for you.