Temperatures have yet to drop much, yet now seems like an opportune time for me to present my annual glove review post. My aim with this Glove Review is to assist photographers in selecting suitable gloves. Since many years ago, my friends began discussing gloves in terms of levels; an approach that I eventually adopted. The higher the number, the heavier is its glove to provide protection from colder air temperatures – from levels 1 through 4. KelbyOne offers an in-depth 90min class on being prepared for winter photography, but my gloves from 2023 still function perfectly, so I haven’t gone searching for new ones yet. One product I tried and liked but decided not to purchase is the Vallerret Milford Photography Glove which feel great, are fingertipless, and come complete with an easily installable waterproof mitten cover – they really would come in handy this year as I really liked them!
These gloves and mittens are always with me whenever I suspect the temperature might dip below freezing, including when shooting outdoors – I take all three along in order to keep my hands warm at varying temperatures. When the wind arrives, you put on Level 1, when there’s wind and cold combine with it, you wear Level 2. And finally if it gets really, really cold…you wear Level 3. Or since I own all four levels (along with my wife Sharon), as is often my custom I wear Level 4 (see image below). At times I wear Level 1 gloves under my Level 4, creating what could be called Level 5. Simply put: when in doubt about needing gloves for shooting activities, bring Level 1-3 models along to ensure you enjoy an incredible shooting experience. Here are my recommendations for Level 1-3 gloves this year.
My favorite gloves mittens, however, were given to me years ago by my family for maximum cold weather protection. These custom made trapper mittens have proven especially useful during hunting trips!
