UKC

Marmot Work Glove

© Viv Scott
Viv enjoying classic Glencoe ice - Blue Riband - in the Work Gloves  © Viv Scott
Viv enjoying classic Glencoe ice - Blue Riband - in the Work Gloves
© Viv Scott

Marmot Work Glove  © Marmot
Marmot Work Glove
© Marmot
Gloves, gloves, gloves.... a seemingly impossible compromise between warmth, dexterity, flexibility, durability and cost that plague all but those lucky few winter climbers blessed with the elusive super-circulatory gene. 

The range of climbing gloves on the market has increased massively over recent years, now featuring everything from uninsulated sticky gloves for encouraging cold hands while drytooling through to multiple liner solar heated marketing hype (...well nearly). 

The first sign that Marmot's work gloves are worth a look is their longevity - launched back in 2001 they have been part of the Marmot line-up ever since. In a world where many product lines arrive and disappear with the seasons, anything that has done nearly a decade on the books is probably pretty decent kit. Added to this is the fact that the staff of Glenmore Lodge (these being the poor sods who have to head out in to the hills when it's so foul that everyone else is happily hiding behind a steaming mug in Cafe Mambo) seem to live in their work gloves whenever I spot them on the hill (or in Cafe Mambo for that matter). 

Building on the traditional worker gloves, Marmot's work gloves (the clue's in the name...) feature a leather palm, fingers and cuff with a tough nylon back, lined with good old Gore-tex and their dri-clime insulation. The palm is reinforced and the gloves are manufactured 'inside-out' so that the stitching (where gloves usually start to fall apart) is mostly tucked away and not exposed to abuse. 

So... did they live up to expectation? 

Well, to put it simply - Yes. With no shortage of winter of late, they've so far tackled a hefty dose of climbing, ski touring, driveway shovelling, snowball fights and more without fault.

Aside from slight scuffing, the leather palm and fingers have soaked up punishment without effect, and the waterproofing still does the job with water still beading and running off and none getting through. While they're clearly not as dexterous as thinner (and colder) gloves I've found them fine for climbing up to V/VI, fiddling with ski skins and providing a welcome refuge in the recent Arctic temperatures.

The simple one-piece design makes them easy to get on and off and the long cuff gives a good overlap with sleeves, with the elastic draw-cord giving a good tight seal.

Though seventy quid isn't exactly cheap it's in line with the competition, and as they're tough enough to handle several seasons they are a worthwhile investment. While no gloves are ever perfect (you will get cold hands at some point winter climbing) I genuinely can't fault the work gloves as all round mountaineering/climbing/skiing gloves.  

In Short:

Tough, warm, simple all round climbing gloves - they do what they say on the tin.

  • Price: £70

Amazing Ski conditions in Scotland, Viv testing the Work Gloves in the white stuff.  © Viv Scott
Amazing Ski conditions in Scotland, Viv testing the Work Gloves in the white stuff.
© Viv Scott


Info from the Marmot Website:

Specs
Main Material:  MemBrain® 2L 100% Nylon Stretch 4.8 oz/yd
Reinforcement Material:  Goatskin
Lining Material:  DriClime® 3-Dimentional Wicking Keeps Hands Drier and Warmer
Insulation Material:  Spirafil Synthetic Insulation
Glove Insert Material:  GORE-TEX®Glove Insert– Durably Waterproof, Windproof and Breathable
Sizes: X - Small, Small, Medium, Large, X - Large, XX - Large
Colors: 1332 - True Black
7076 - Raven/Tan

Features

  • Biner Loop Finger Loop To Hang Gloves and Keep Out the Elements
  • Falcon Grip Articulated for Dexterity and Ease of Grip
  • Nose Wipe Soft Fabric to Wipe Your Runny Nose
  • Safety Leash Keeps Glove Attached to Wrist When Removed from Hand
  • Updated Design
  • Wrist Strap Adjustability and Better Fit
  • GORE-TEX® Waterproof/Breathable Glove Insert Gore-tex Waterproof/Breathable Glove Insert
  • GORE® XCR® Performance Gore-Tex® XCR® Performance
  • Marmot MemBrain® Waterproof/Breathable Fabric Marmot MemBrain, Waterproof/Breathable Fabric
  • Thermal R Insulation
  • Flex Zone palm




12 Feb, 2010
The following retailers currently stock the Marmot Work Glove: Facewest Mountain Spirit Tiso
12 Feb, 2010
Got a pair on sale in chamonix about 2 years ago & all i can say is they rock. Well worth the money. Can't recommend them highly enough.
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