Lastly, the mittens do include a tether and clip to attach the two mittens together to prevent loss or being misplaced during storage.

Product Information
Manufacturer	REI
Manufacturer website	http://www.rei.com
Year Manufactured	2007
Size tested/used	Large Available in regular sizes S,M,L,XL (unisex)
Color tested/used	Graphite (only one color available)
MSRP	$49.50 USD
Weight (measured)	8.2 oz (230 g)
Cleaning	Machine wash cold with powdered detergent.  Line dry.  Do not iron, do not dry clean.

Field Information

These mittens have been used in two principal locales over the last two years:

Field Usage
Location	Chanhassen, Minnesota - near my home	Superior Hiking Trail in Northern Minnesota
Altitude	725 to 925 ft (220 to 280 m)	625 to 1150 ft (190 to 350 m)
Temperature range	-5 to 25 F (-21 to -4 C)	-27 to 15 F (-33 to -9 C)
Wind velocity (estimated)	Maximum of 40 mph (64 km/hr)	Maximum of 20 mph (32 km/hr)
Terrain	Wooded hills and valleys, open roads	Wooded forest with some open areas
Use	Day hiking, snowshoeing	Snowshoeing, backpacking

Packing: I typically stow these mittens in my pack lid where they are easily accessible on breaks.

I do not use a liner glove with these mittens, though I will occasionally put them on for a few minutes over a shell glove to warm my fingers when I am doing camp chores.

Other uses: I often use a mitt as a cozy for a freezer bag containing the piping hot rehydrating contents of my evening meal.  I also use them as a seat in camp, one under each butt cheek with the palms facing down.  The palms are so waterproof that I can sit on them for hours and not get a wet butt.

Observations

• Fit: I normally wear a size Large glove, and these Large size mittens fit me perfectly.
  
• I have never had cold fingers with these mittens.  That's not to say that my fingers have not been cold when I first put them on, but if I clench my fist for a while inside my fingers warm rapidly.
  
• The cuffs mate nicely with my jackets to keep my wrists warm.  I like the way a quick pull of the drawcord tightens the gauntlet.
• If I tighten the wrist strap, I have no problems with the mitts inadvertently coming off.  On the other hand, if I tighten them well, there's no way I can get the mitts off quickly without loosening the strap.
  
• I have never worn the mittens in temperatures warm enough for rain, so I cannot comment on the water-shedding capability.  I have worn them many times in snowstorms, and they are quite impervious to even very wet snow.  I always put these mittens on when I am excavating a winter campsite with my hands, as they shed water so well.
  
• The have worn well and look brand-new.  I have yet to need to wash them after two years.
• They pack down exceptionally small for such big mittens, especially considering they have synthetic and not down insulation.  I can roll them in a small ball and stuff them into a corner of my pack lid.  They re-loft very quickly and completely.
• I feel they are a very good value for the money.
• I cannot comment on using these mittens with poles while skiing or snowshoeing.  My hands sweat too much to allow me to wear them when in motion, even on a recent morning at -20 F (-29 C).
• I have not handled hot pots or other such materials that might inflict heat damage to the shell materials, so I cannot comment on their heat resistance.
  
• The grey color goes nicely with any color of clothing.
  

Summary

I am a big fan of these mittens.  I've worn them a lot, and I'll continue to wear them into the foreseeable future.  They are ideal for in-camp use.

Likes:

1. Warm
2. Good value
   
3. Not bulky, pack well
   
4. All the adjustments work easily with the mittens on
   
5. Resist snow well
6. The gauntlet is roomy and fits over my wristwatch
   

Areas for improvement:

1. Not nearly as lightweight as most of my gloves
2. The wrist cord is very long, perhaps too long.  Its nice when I need to momentarily take off my mitts, but it has been known to find its way dangling into my dinner pot, etc.  It seems to have been eliminated in the 2008 model.  Just as well, as I find I really don't take advantage of the wrist cord very often.
3. Add some elastic to the wrist strap.  There are times I'd like to get the mitts off quickly without fiddling with the strap.  It is enough of a hassle that I often do not tighten the wrist strap.
   

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Kurt Papke