Mountain Equipment
Women’s Guide Gloves
Materials: nylon-elastane mix outer fabric, microfleece insulation, goatskin overlays Features: articulated fingers, Drilite insert, DWR, leather palm, suede nose wipe, carabiner carry loop, removable wrist tether Sizes: XS-L
Men’s version: yes mountain-equipment.co.uk
These gloves have many features, which will be welcome if you plan to use them for mountaineering or climbing as well as winter walking. There’s a loop for attaching a carabiner, a goatskin palm and finger tops, a single-handed drawcord at the cuff, a wrist tether (this can be removed) and a suede nose wipe.
The fit is good and made for the female hand. I have the Large size and the gloves are long enough but not too voluminous.
Whilst I prefer mitts over gloves due to very cold hands, the warmth on offer here is good. The fabric and leather have been treated with DWR, and in combination with the own-brand Drilite lining the gloves are very waterproof. They are less breathable than others as a result, and I did end up with some moisture inside.
The fleece lining is comfortable, with a thicker, more textured fleece on the back of the hand and a thinner, softer lining at the palm and fingers. The cuff length works well to protect the wrist. There’s a small loop at the wrist for clipping into a carabiner or pulling off the gloves.
The goatskin palms and fingers give good grip, and whilst leather won’t work for everyone it will prove hard- wearing. On balance, Mountain Equipment is a member of Fair Wear and therefore committed to ‘higher standards in working conditions’.
For the price, the Guide Gloves offer good quality, and a reasonable amount of warmth (if you do not suffer with very cold hands). The detail is excellent, and the gloves look and feel like they are made to last. Mountain Equipment calls the Guide its workhorse glove, and I can see why.