UKC

Right now I have North Face Himalayan mitts. They are pretty good but but I don't want to take any chances and thats why I'm looking at getting the OR Altis or MH Absolute Zeros.

I want to get the warmest mitts available and I have got the impression from looking around the net that Outdoor Research Alti Mitts are the best - has anyone used them and what did you think of them? Also I've heard that Mountain Hardwear Absolute Zero mitts are very good.

Unfortunately all the best mitts seem very hard to find in the UK, so I'll probably have to order Alti's from the US. I have looked at the size chart for them:
http://www.outdoorresearch.com/home/style/home/handtools/gloves/ascent/7187...
and I sort of fall in the middle of Medium and Large (hand length Med, circumference is med/lge.)

Anyone know how these compare in sizes with North Face Himalayan Mitts? I have a medium pair of these which fit perfectly on top of a liner glove. I can do all knots with this combination on but its pretty clumsy, and I can imagine that if I had much bulkier mitts on it would become really difficult - are the Alti's much bulkier than Himalayan mitts?

Can anyone recommend other mitts that I haven't mentioned?

Haven't used them myself but RBH Designs VB mitts seem to be the absolute best in warm mitts. They've got a few reviews around the place, check them out

In reply to Topper Harley:

Have a look at the RAB mitts, their 8000m mitts are bloody warm

http://www.rab.uk.com/products_exped_mitts.html

In reply to Topper Harley:

Mate had the OR Altis and I thought they were too thick and bulky, found it hard to hold my axe well. Warm and well-made though. Note they're waterproof, so you may get wet from sweat. Not tried RAB or MHW. I use Marmot Expedition mitts (Primaloft) they're very light and lofty, easier to grab gear with them. I've used one pair on Vinson and South Pole and will take them to G1 in June. Fit is important, not so much over the hand, but how it fits around the thumb, not cutting off circulation or making a pressure-point in the V between thumb and forefinger. Thumbs are on top when you use a pole, with the strap across it too, and therefore circulation is often not as good.

D