Dakine Tundra Mitt - Women's Review
Cons: Expensive, few features, not breathable
Manufacturer: Dakine
Our Verdict
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Tundra Mitt by Dakine is one of the warmest mittens tested. Its single construction is bomber, keeping you warm on cold days in the mountains.
Performance Comparison
Warmth and Breathability
If you're looking for one of the warmest gloves out there, the Tundra Mitt fits the criteria. Loaded with a combination of Allied Down (230 g) and Primaloft (80g), it kept our hands super warm during the coldest of temperatures. We love the silky high pile fleece lining that keeps hands super cozy and comfortable throughout the day, and wicks away moisture effectively. In comparison to all other contenders tested, it provides some of the best insulative materials. The Gore-Tex liner provides decent weather resistance which translates to better warmth overall.
That said, breathability is limited. When testing this mitt in the backcountry our hands quickly began to sweat, and the mitt was unable to vent. On warm days, we actually had to take it off! As a result, our hands got a little colder as temperatures continued to plummet throughout the day. We would recommend it only for the coldest of weather when sweating in your glove won't be an issue.
Water Resistance
We are truly impressed by its ability to repel water. Equipped with a nylon polyester shell coated with a DWR finish and a Gore-Tex insert, it did not leak and it absorbed the very little water. Additionally, its water-repellent leather palm provides fantastic resistance when building a snowman or constructing a snow angel. As a result, we can recommend it for both wet and dry climates, even in the nastiest of weather.
Dexterity
Given the lofty insulation and the mitten construct of the Tundra Mitt, this mitten has the worst dexterity rating of the lot. We found it hard to perform simple tasks like tying shoelaces and zipping up our jacket quickly, but when it came finer tasks, we found ourselves taking off the mitt…ultimately making our hands colder. The conclusion? Not a very dexterous product.
Features
This mitten has a single layer construction and a wrist cuff that fits best underneath a jacket. This is a simple glove with limited features. It has a small clasp to hold the mittens together when not in use, in addition to an adjustable cuff closure. It does not feature touch-screen compatibility, leashes, or a nose wipe like that featured in other products in this review.
Durability and Construction
The Tundra Mitt is constructed of a polyester shell and durable leather palm. However, despite the nice materials, the stitches are longer and not as well crafted. Our tests revealed that it packed out slightly throughout our three-month testing period. That said, it does have a two-year warranty, and we believe this mitt could last a few years.
Value
Being one of the warmest mitten tested, this product fills a specific niche. However, the sticker price seems a little high for where it landed in our metrics. That said, if warmth is your priority, this may be a great choice.
Conclusion
The Dakine Tundra Mitt is perfect for sitting on an ice-cold ski lift on the coldest days of winter. It'll keep your hands roasty toasty.
— Amber King
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