If you’re gonna be out in the cold all day, you gotta keep those digits warm. Cold hands are clumsy, and it’s distracting when your fingers are so cold they feel like they’re on fire. It’s also frustrating to work with gloves that are too cumbersome, especially when you operate a machine or need to do anything that requires the slightest bit of dexterity. After several pairs of insulated gloves, I think I’ve found the ones for me!
I tried insulated Carhartts, and was unimpressed. The liner wasn’t warm, and the fit was way off. I even tried my boujeee Gore gloves that I use for winter riding, but wasn’t willing to destroy them on the job. During the last cold snap here, I went shopping and was thrilled to find the Outdoor Research Aksel Work Glove.
Initial Impression: Considering the life span for gloves with me is about a month, it felt like a gamble to spend $65. But I was lucky enough to find a store that had these in stock. Simply trying them on sealed the deal- the liner was cozy, and the fit was snug as a bug in a rug.
Fit & Feel: I wear a medium glove in almost every brand- Fox, Dakine, HandUp, Troy Lee, etc. I expect them to be somewhat snug, but no pressure points or bagginess. The Aksel Mediums fit me just right. The wool blend liner gave me confidence in the warmth, and the leather shell is tried and true. Of course they were a little stiff at first, but that’s how it’s supposed to be. Every Carhartt glove I tried on made me laugh- if you can even find a medium in the brand, it feels like you could strap hot dogs to your fingers and still have room to move. I swear I could slip both my hands into one glove and clap. I’m amazed at the amount of research and features that go into gear made for our hobbies, and how little goes into workwear. I can find a hundred different riding or skiing gloves with all kinds of tech, but work gloves are as vanilla as it gets. Thank goodness for brands like Outdoor Research and Patagonia that are bringing their efforts and experience into the workwear segment!
Trail Building Pros: They’ve been worked hard for over a month, and are still alive! Not only that, but they show minimal wear and tear. They’ve broken in nicely, and my hands are holding up great- no aches or pains. Operating the excavator with them is straight forward, and I only find myself taking them off for touch screen tasks. I can even unwrap a snack with them on, which is nice. I treated them with some Sno Seal wax immediately to waterproof them, a great idea for anything that you plan on using outdoors. A little pro tip: bring them in the house at night. I warm mine up in front of the heater every morning, and put them on before I walk out the door. It locks in the warmth and keeps my hands from getting cold and then having to be warmed back up. If you forget to bring them in, sit on them during your commute. It makes a difference.
Durability: Like I said, they’ve outlived most gloves already. They still look great, and the stitching shows no signs of weakening so far. Leather work gloves have been proven for years. so I have faith. Outdoor Research also offers their Infinite Guarantee, which is rad. I like when gear companies do this, and I’ve had great success with claims through Osprey, Dakine, and a few others. The terms aren’t set in stone, but if you share your story, they are usually reasonable and supportive.
Fresh as fresh can be! After some cold days and painful fingers, these felt like an absolute treasure. See that little loop at the cuff- its an awesome feature that makes for super easy on and off!
Yep. That’s snow. Luckily I sealed these gloves and made them extra waterproof, making it possible to keep morale up when the conditions get rough. That wool blend lining helps keep you warm even if the inside gets a damp, which is crucial. Wool rules, and I’m a big believer.
Unearthed Trails 