The Black Diamond Mercury Mitt Women’s netted a ‘recommended’ tag in Judy Armstrong’s review of the best year-round gloves. Here’s why…
So much to say about this mitt, but in a nutshell, there’s a waterproof shell in recycled, stretch polyester with supple, grippy goat leather palm, thumb and finger capping hosts a waterproof BD.dry insert and hard-wearing, high-performing PFC-free DWR.
A removable liner is stuffed with a fat dose of Primaloft Gold Cross Core (amazingly warm for the weight) on the back of the hand and a lesser quantity on the palm (to allow grip), plus a recycled fleece lining.
The shell, which has a long gauntlet with rapid, one-handed adjustment, works really well on its own for emergency cover in milder conditions, and the insulated liner is a godsend for those who suffer with cold hands and Reynaud’s.
The liner Velcro’s into place about 6cm inside the gauntlet to minimise bulk up the arm. Being able to remove it means the mitts can dry faster than gloves with integral insulation, and the Primaloft Gold retains warmth even when wet (like the old Buffalo mitts, for those who can remember back…).
Worn together as one big mitt unit, what you gain in warmth and protection, you lose in dexterity. I could just get my hand through a pole wrist loop by extending it to the max. Worn separately, both shell and inner offer great dexterity (for a mitt) and I know these are going to save my bacon in the Alps this winter. If I could just find an equivalent for my feet…
