Stronghold in the Rockies
EE Stronghold Mittens Custom, Insulation: 6oz APEX, Medium, No Flip Tops, 20D/10D Out/In
Overall, the EE mitts are a tool in the toolbox.
Modest MET exertion: 3 mi RT, 500' ascent/descent, Rockies, no wind, dark, before sunrise, clear sky, no wind, 8°F outdoor temp, no liner gloves. Kestrel DROP2 data logger used, separate days.
Measured internal mitt temperature:
35°F EE “Stronghold” 1-1/4oz $70
44°F RBH “Hybrid” (VBL) 4-1/4oz $175
58°F BD “Mercury” 6oz $110
Considering that the EE mitts weigh 1-1/4oz ea. the EE mitts offer a 10oz/pair advantage over the warmest mitt. The EEs are not really suited for exposed, harsh conditions. The nylon shell and lining is permeable to winds in exposed conditions, further compromising hand warmth. The 70D ripstop nylon palm does not offer sufficient grip on ice axe, marginal grip in poles. However, for sheltered conditions below treeline, the EE mitts will offer sufficient warmth, with outdoor temps in the single digits. Near-zero temps with wind will challenge the EE mitts.
I was a bit disappointed that no provision for "idiot cords" were offered on the EE mitts. With a mitt weight of about 1oz, any wind will certainly catch and loft the EE mitt. I used the loop in the EE logo tab for anchoring my DIY idiot cords…not too swift!
Durability…not granite-friendly. Already got a tear in the 70D palm, first season’s use. Several years of use with the leather-faced palms of the compared mitts. EE, very light-duty mitt.
So a tool in the tool box....great mitts for a walk in the woods like the NCT, with single digit temps, cost effective at $70 vs $110/ $175. Lightweight make them a great backup pair to carry in your pack. And…made in USA.
Very happy with these mitts
First, these are not "work mittens." I wouldn't wear them stacking firewood, working on heavy equipment or any other rough-use activity. That being said, for their intended purpose, they have served me very well. They are warm and super packable. I wear them walking to work and also pack them as a back-up on biking and camping trips in case the temperature drops or I get my gloves wet. I keep them on my fat bike when I ride in the winter. I usually wear light gloves under my pogies, but when my hands come out of the pogies I have these handy. I haven't left home without them since I bought them. If I lost them, I would re-purchase immediately.
Difficult to know the right size
I own a pair of the non-flip tops, and ordered these too because I love the originals. I ordered a medium based on the measuring instructions on this page. My measurement was just short of seven inches, so I ordered the small. Alas, they were too small. I gave them to my daughter as a present, and ordered the medium. Otherwise, this is a fine product and very carefully made.
Mittens
Love them I have a pair to wear when I’m snowmobiling a young girl asked me to make a pair for her as her hands get very cold as well so I bought her a pair and she will wear them this winter and I know her fingers will be warm and dry all day long many thanks
Stronghold mittens
Very pleased with fit. 2nd pair is a gift for friend.
ENLIGHTENED EQUIPMENT STRONGHOLD MITTENS/ 4.0oz/sqyd Climashield Apex
My husband purchased me a pair of your ENLIGHTENED EQUIPMENT STRONGHOLD MITTENS/ 4.0oz/sqyd Climashield Apex last Spring. This Fall is the first time I’ve able to try they out and I am very impressed with them. I’ve worn them in temperatures above 35 F and was very comfortable. Below 35 F (the lowest to date has been 26 F) I wore a pair of cheap acrylic glove liners inside the mittens and have been VERY comfortable. I am 78 years young with a lot of arthritis in my fingers, and have had trouble finding gloves or mittens that allow me to walk the 3+ miles a day regardless of weather here in Michigan, in comfort. I am thinking of making a pair of over mitts from waterproof nylon to have an extra layer to protect the outer nylon on the gloves from snow and the friction of hiking poles when the temperature drops down in the teens to zero. Just wanted to pass on my thoughts as your mittens are wonderful!
Warm and Compressible
They worked as expected. Lightweight, compressible and warm.
Stronghold mittens
Very well made (great colours!), snuggly warm and ultra light & compressible.
Stronghold mittens
These are very comfortable and warm. They're anatomically clever, fitting the curvature of the hand and fingers, and particularly the thumb. I like the way there's enough filling at the ends of the fingers and thumb, so that there isn't a cold spot there. They pack down very small.
Stronghold Mittens
Warmest mittens I have ever bought. I love the fit and the feel and the adjustable strap help to keep them snug.
Essential for this traveling Texan
It doesn't get cold enough here to try out these mittens. I got these for mountain nights. I'm a really cold sleeper. That's not a problem here, but even summer nights in the Rockies suck the warmth out of these old Texas bones. The plan this year is going to be mittens, booties and hoodie at night while tucked into my awesome Texas print 20 degree quilt. I won't be using them until August, but I have every confidence they will do the trick. They're sturdy, well made, just the colors I wanted - just like everything else ee!
Best mittens ever
I loved these mittens so much, I ordered a second pair right away. Soft, amazingly light, so warm, great colors. I am a trail ultra runner with Raynaud' s syndrome in my hands, so I am always looking for great mittens. These totally fit the bill. On super cold days, just add handwarmers and you're set. These are better than many $100 mittens I've tried. Go buy some right now!
Very well-made, but sizing a little bit off
Really excited about these and I can tell they are well-made. The wrist strap is great and easy. These will work well with a liner and then an over mitt. However, according to their sizing, my hand measured 7 inches so I ordered a size Medium. There is almost an inch extra for my thumb and a little extra at the finger tips. It makes me feel a little clumsy (as if mittens don't already make things clumsy). I also tried them on with a medium thickness finger-glove under neath it and I could still fold back the thumb a significant amount. I really think a size Small would have been perfect and I'm considering giving these to someone else and reordering with a size Small. If your hand measures 7 inches, I'd recommend a small.
Stronghold Mittens
I have the 4oz insulation strongholds. These mittens are an excellent, effective, addition to my "warmth" and "sleeping" gear. My hands warm up within a minute or two of having these on and I wear them to sleep in. My glove system is sort of like the previous reviewer, inside out I use OR glove liners, the Strongholds, and Zpacks rain mitten over them when necessary. TOTAL WEIGHT of modular glove system = 4.9 ozs! Way lighter and MUCH more versatile than my single pair of winter mittens that weigh ~10oz. If my liners get a little damp and cold doing chores i slip these on and the warmth that is generated by my hands effectively dries them in most cases. if they are still damp at bedtime I just put my liners and wet socks , etc close to my body as i sleep. I love the simple toggle at the wrist for security, the color choices are super fun to shop for, the fit is very comfy, don't expect too much manual dexterity in these, like zipping small zippers and snaps and stuff, they are mittens after all. super-crazy-warm-lightweight-custom made in the USA mittens. A purchase i will never regret. I will be getting some for my wife and son too in the near future!
Great UL Winter Mitt
These function well as a belay jacket for your hand. I had them in my ski touring pack all last year and wore them fairly regularly on cold days. These layer well over base and shell gloves if needed, and also do a great job of drying out your baselayer gloves when you are on the move. I'm a huge fan of these. Had them out in sub zero temps in rmnp and the winds on multi-day trips. With these, a couple light liner gloves and shell gloves, you can put together a pretty fool proof glove system for almost any conditions at an extremely low weight. I think my whole system was like 5 oz for winter trips, which is still lighter than what a typical single pair of winter gloves weighs. Fit and quality is spot on. The palm material is surprisingly durable. Another great product from EE, with the same minimalist UL design approach.
So warm!
I bike in all weather in New England and I have been wearing these with a thin glove underneath, and for the first time my hands are not numb and burning when I ride. I got the 4 oz.
My coldest day and sleeping mittens
I bought the lower temperature rating because these are my" it is colder that it is supposed to be" mittens. They live in my pack and only come out when I sleep with them on my hands ,or it gets too cold for my gloves. I wore them with a light glove liner at !0 degrees F and my hands warmed right up! I would say they are not for continuous everyday use, but rather a specialty piece of backpacking gear. Super light and very warm!
Huge Improvement
I really like the newly designed mittens. My hand size is 7.5 and the Large fits great. Size and position of the thumb is perfect. Overall the quality of the build looks great. I won't know just how warm they are until winter (I got the 4oz version). The inside liner isn't sewn to the outer shell all the way around. This should improve the warmth factor since i'm guessing the insulation then fully wraps around your hand. The liner is connected to the shell at the very top and along the bottom. Hopefully the connection at the top is strong and won't break free in use. Time will tell. Overall it's a great design and i'm really looking forward to putting them to the test.
