The Pigskin Leather Glove by Kinco is a great option for those seeking a glove that will perform well on warm, dry days. In addition, it's very affordable.
Performance Comparison
Simple, great materials, and super affordable. What else could a penny pincher ask for?
Warmth & Breathability
As one of the colder gloves tested, the Pigskin Leather is probably one of the better choices for warm weather and aerobic endeavors on cold days. Many of our friends and family love this glove because it breathes incredibly well, especially while skinning uphill in the backcountry. The polyester insulation, in addition to its 'Heatkeep' thermal lining, is actually pretty warm itself and does a great job of wicking away moisture from the skin.
The cloth material on the back of the hand, however, is what makes this glove cold when the wind is ripping, or when the mercury dips into the double negatives. The cotton is porous and doesn't provide much in the way of wind resistance. That's why it's best for more aerobic endeavors. There are many types of Kinco gloves online, like the Pigskin Leather Gloves that do not have the breathable cloth back but are instead completely leather. Based on feedback from friends and online, this type of glove is far warmer, but not as breathable. It also has a similar low low price.
The Heatkeep insulation is soft, fuzzy, and warm. However, the cloth exterior on the cloth allows heat to escape way too fast, making this one of the coldest gloves tested.
Water Resistance
To be quite blunt, this glove is not very water resistant. It does wonders on warm, dry days, but in cold, wet climates, it's not the best option. In our at-home dunk tests, this glove was instantly flooded in just two squeezes. In addition, the glove held 14oz of water after the 100 squeeze test!
Here we see the water draining from the Kinco glove after the squeeze test. This was the most absorbent glove tested and the least water resistant. Water seeped in through the cloth fabric on top, not through the actual leather textile.
In the field, we noticed that when sweating, the cloth held moisture, and when the snow started falling, the glove eventually became saturated. Once again, we think the Kinco Pigskin Leather Heatkeep, not tested here, will perform better in this metric as it features a full leather construct. The big reason this glove failed in this metric is because of the absorbent cotton knit cloth on the back of the hand. The pigskin leather, on the other hand, always did a great job at keeping the water out.
The cloth exterior fully absorbed water after just a squeeze or two, completely soaking the glove. No other product performed this poorly.
Dexterity
Since this glove has a unisex fit, make sure to order it in a smaller size. For example, if you normally fit a women's medium, be sure to order a Kinco small.
Providing better dexterity than most of the mitten options in this review, this is a great glove if you want something that performs simple tasks - like zipping up a jacket or taking off a pair of skins. Ensuring that you have the proper fit really impacts the dexterity of the glove. The Kinco Pigskin features thick insulation in both the fingers and palm. As a result, it's not as dexterous as other contenders that are built with less insulation in the palm with a female-specific fit. We found it did the job when we had to switch our ski & splitboard set-ups from touring mode. As a result, we'd recommend it for both resort and backcountry skiing.
Amber on a cold day, putting skins away before descending down Browns Gulch. The Kinco Pigskin gloves provide good dexterity, but at this point Amber can't feel her fingers due to the cold, windy conditions (despite her smile).
Features
As one of the most featureless gloves, this contender really is no frills. It only features an under the coat cuff and an incredibly small glove clasp that we were unable to use.
The single glove construction doesn't integrate a detached liner, adding to its minimalist design. That said, if you buy a larger size, you could probably fit an additional liner underneath as the cuff is quite elastic. If you're in the market for something with bells and whistles, this is not the glove for you. But, if you're all about simplicity, you may have found your match.
The cuff fits nicely under jackets while the glove connecters (pictured on the right) are almost too small to use. This glove features little to no features. A perfect option for those who love no-frills designs.
Durability and Construction
To ensure this glove maintains its water resistance and durability, be sure to treat it at least three times a season with a leather sealant.
When kept properly maintained, we've seen this glove last for years. The pigskin leather in the palm and fingers provide great durability over the years, as long as the gloves are kept moisturized with the proper treatment. This is a big reason its a top choice among penny-pinching guides and mountain people. It's a workhorse that can really stand up to tumultuous and consistent abrasion.
The pigskin leather is fairly durable, providing good protection from the elements at the palms. Ensure to treat the leather consistently to avoid the leather from cracking and losing its water-resistant properties.
Even though it has a track record of glorified resilience, this glove earns a fairly low score in this category because of its lesser craftsmanship. When looking closely, we see thread fly-aways and widely spaced stitching. The cloth material on the back of the hand showed some abrasion and wear after our three month testing period. As a result, while it doesn't have the best craftsmanship, it can hold up over the years. It is only $16.
Here we note a widely-spaced stitching patterns with a couple of fly-aways.
Best Application
If you're charging in warm, dry conditions, this glove is simply perfect. The cloth on the back of the hand provides wonderful breathability while the insulative interior provides the right amount of warmth you need. We found great applications of this glove in both the resort and backcountry. Because of its incredible breathability, lack of water resistance, and questionable construction, it's not our top recommendation for yucky cold or wet days. Opt for something a little warmer and a little more water resistant in that case.
Value
Even though this glove isn't the highest performer and doesn't compete with other gloves in specific categories, it is a favorite amongst ski guides and ski bums. For a price ranging between $14 - $18 online, this is our Best Buy for Penny Pinchers!!! If you want a glove with a similar price, but actually performs better (based on online feedback and talking to long-time owners), the Kinco Pigskin Leather Heatkeep may be a better option at roughly $29 (and cheaper with some sales).
Conclusion
This glove is perfect for the penny pincher that loves to ski on bluebird, warm, clear days. We like it for both the resort and backcountry. However, as soon as the skies darkened and snow spat down, we left these gloves at home and exchanged them for a warmer, more water-resistant option.
