Top Rated: Sub Zero Trekking Gloves - Various (8.3, 8.1 / 10)
Category: Sub Zero Trekking Gloves (Combination)
This review covers four different gloves: a flexible 3-layer combination and a single emergency, purely thermal option. So we've split the review into two sections: 1. Dexterity, and 2. Emergency Warmth. Though we've rated each item in the "dexterity" combination separately, the final "offical" rating relates to the combination as a whole since the sum is intended to be greater than the parts. The stand-alone emergency mitt has its own rating, conclusion and product image gallery (see full review, linked to below).
Part 1. Dexterity (Combination)
If this was one glove, a manufacturer's copyrighter might write: "a tough, high dexterity, touch screen compatible mountain glove, with re-enforced padded grip palm and lined with warm-when-wet Polartec power stretch". However, this is not one glove, and thus aside from the marketing rave above, there are additional benefits. Some of the time, all you need is a wrist gaiter, and gloves that try to do it all (Black Diamond's 200g Pursuit Glove or Rab's 170g Boltoro for example) are overkill for winter mountain trekking, offer less dexterity and of course they're either on or off. Additionally, such gloves won't then fit inside a lightweight thermal mitt. So, they might be okay for climbing and mountaineering, but for winter trekking in the mountains, not so much.
Here, Scramble are recommending a pretty minimal but flexible layered approach. Recognising that, we also recommend that it's paired with a lightweight thermal "emergency" option, in case things get out of hand (... ouch).
Part 2. Emergency Warmth: Buffalo Mitts
The Buffalo DP Mitts are a lightweight, low bulk, warm-when-wet, quick drying, backup thermal option for when conditions are too much for your gloves. Their warmth to weight ratio and their ability to manage moisture makes them ideal for wet and seriously cold environments. The ideal "emergency mitt" to top off Scramble's top rated glove combination.