Mittens vs. Gloves
Living in Michigan means lots of running in cold weather. Most years from November until April I need to dress for the cold. That means hat and gloves. Over the years I tried many different styles of gloves. Wool, cotton, synthetic, thick, thin, single layer, double layer. In the fall and spring gloves were fine. But as the temps dropped below freezing it seemed that my fingers always got cold. I often found myself pulling my fingers into the palm of the gloves so I could make a fist. Having the fingers touching each other kept them warmer than being in the fingers of the gloves. Okay, maybe I’m a slow learner, but eventually I realized I was using the gloves more like mittens. So I got some mittens for running. What a difference! I use a pair of Saucony running mittens and my fingers stay warm even in single digit temps. There are still times when I pull my fingers into fists but even that is much easier in mittens than in gloves.
Runner’s World had an article recently titled “9 Great Running Gloves You’re Sure to Love”. I think they are doing a disservice to their readers. Newer runners are going to have to find out the hard way. They won’t love any running gloves in January and February in the Midwest. The article should have explained the benefits of mittens when gloves aren’t enough.
Of course, the Runner’s World article pointed out the fashion of the gloves or the “high-tech” finger-pads so you can operate your smart phone while running. Here’s an idea. Leave the phone at home and enjoy the run. Look around at the snow and scenery.