Reviews > Clothing > Gloves and Mittens > Black Stallion Winter Work Gloves > Owner Review by Doug White

BLACK STALLION WATERPROOF LINED INSULATED WINTER WORK GLOVES
BY DOUG WHITE
OWNER REVIEW
February 12, 2015

TESTER INFORMATION

Backpacking Background: I've been backpacking for several years. I have tested a lot of different systems to find what works the best for me. I pack as light as possible without sacrificing comfort and functionality. I enjoy backpacking in all kinds of weather including winter. I also do snowshoeing and year round mountaineering as well. I backpack in the Rocky Mountains just below treeline most of the time. My trips are normally at least a few miles (5 km) or more. Anytime I can get out and enjoy the mountains, even for a day hike, I do.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

BLACK STALLION WATERPROOF LINED INSULATED COWHIDE WINTER WORK GLOVES

Manufacturer: Revco Industries, Inc.
Year of Manufacture: Unknown
Manufacturer's Website: www.revcoindustries.com
MSRP: Not Listed
No listed dimensions by manufacturer
Measured Weight (Pair): 10.8 oz (305 g)
Measured Length: 6 x 11 in (15 x 28 cm)
Size being reviewed: Large
Offered sizes: L, XL, 2XL

Other details: The gloves are constructed of a cowhide leather and sections of a cotton or cotton-blend material on the back and the cuffs. The website notes that the gloves were designed by the manufacturer for welders as a winter work glove. They are insulated with a MultiBlend insulation. I could not find any information on their website as to what this multi-blend insulation consists of. The gloves also have a waterproof liner in them. The thumb design is labeled as "natural wing" by the manufacturer. This allows for versatile movement and is less stiff. The sizes available are Large through 2XL.

FIELD USE

I have used these gloves on about ten overnight trips while at camp for work chores. I do not wear them when hiking to camp. They have been used in temperatures as low as 0 F (-17 C) in thick forested regions. They have been used in snowy conditions, rainy conditions, and dry conditions. They have been used to dig in snow and have been used to brush snow off of various objects. I primarily use the gloves for processing firewood and building fires in the winter out in the backcountry. They have been tested during sawing, batoning, gathering wood, and cutting wood. I have even used them for moving hot logs around in the fire.

Gloves

My Experience

The reason I even began looking for a glove like these was that I always have work gloves in my pack. In the winter, a thin or thick work glove with no insulation gets my hands cold rather quickly. To add to that, the snow melts and the moisture stays in the leather on the gloves causing them to remain wet, leaving my hands cold. An easy solution for me was a nice set of winter ski/snowboard gloves, however, I found when it comes to wood work and chores, those type of gloves get destroyed rather quickly as they aren't designed for that purpose. So searching for something like the work gloves that I am reviewing here was of utmost importance.

The inexpensive price was the first thing that attracted me to them. For a set of work gloves at that cheap of a price, I didn't really care if they didn't last, as long as they kept my hands warm. When they arrived, they were almost exactly what I expected. They are a little larger and bulkier than I thought. I have small hands and the Large size fits perfect for me though. I wish they offered other colors; the blue and yellow is very bright and I normally prefer neutral or tactical colors. I can perform a lot of firewood functions with them still on, however I do have to take them off for small stuff, such as tying knots and shoes, using a lighter, etc. When picking up a hot pot of water or moving a log in the fire, they have protected my hands well.

The gloves are very warm and I have never felt moisture inside. I put them on when I get out of my tent in the winter. The leather on the outside does absorb moisture as the snow melts on them, as my other work gloves have as well. Snow does tend to stick to the leather when working with these gloves as well. I have even liberally soaked them in a water-guard type chemical, and it wears off pretty quickly as the gloves get used. But the interior liner has kept the moisture from getting into the insulation and my hands have stayed warm in them, even with snow stuck to the outside. They've been durable so far. The stitching has remained intact during my field use. I have noticed that the cuffs are starting to wear and fray a little, but it hasn't affected the function of the gloves for me. The leather has worn slightly leaving some flat and blemished spots on the fingertips, but the grip is still good and there are no holes in them. I have had a couple occasions when the snow on the outside will turn icy. At that point, the grip doesn't work well at all. The gloves can be tucked easily away just about anywhere in my pack and they also have a small plastic clip on them to conveniently keep them clipped together.

Wear On Cuffs

Less Worn Surface Compared To Worn Surface

THINGS I LIKE

Affordable
Warm
Waterproof
Rugged/Durable

THINGS I DON'T LIKE

Bright Color
Bulky
Outer leather absorbs moisture easily

Summary

These gloves have a lot to offer for the price. They have held up well for me and kept my hands warm in the winter backcountry. I will keep these as long as I can, and when they do wear out, I'll buy another pair. The pros outweigh the cons for me on these gloves.

Signature

Reviews > Clothing > Gloves and Mittens > Black Stallion Winter Work Gloves > Owner Review by Doug White