Guide to Glove Technology
Your hands are important whether you’re skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, or any other activity that involves your hands in cold temperatures. So to keep your hands happy and your day better, we want to help you find the perfect glove or mitt. This guide will help you understand the different materials that make up each part of the glove as well as explain some other features that you may want to consider before making your purchase.
Warmth
POW Gloves and mittens vary in the amount of warmth they can offer. If you are looking for a pair to perform in warmer conditions, we would suggest a pair that isn’t heavy on the insulation, but has a waterproofing insert. Or on the other end of the spectrum if you’re looking for a pair to perform in very cold temperatures the type and amount of insulation will be more important. The degree of warmth needed is different for everyone, dependent on circulation and if they run warm or cold. For all our POW Gloves warmth is influenced by the shell material, type and amount of insulation, and how waterproof a glove’s insert is.
We have created a temperature gage for each product in the technology section of each page to help you to understand the conditions that particular glove performs best in
Find out more about The POW Temperature Gage
Shell Material
Synthetics – Many of our high quality models use waterproof breathable fabric. Waterproof fabrics come in both hard and softshell versions and both are used for gloves and mittens.
Leather – Leather is the tried-and-true material of most of POW’s gloves and mittens. We use goatskin, which is more durable and is naturally water-resistant. When maintained properly with NikWax or other leather waterproofing treatments, these gloves can last till you’re old as dirt.
Find out more about POW’s shell materials
Membrane
Wet ski gloves or snowboard gloves will leave your hands feeling cold and moist, and for your hands to be happy, they must be kept dry, both from the outside moisture and from your own sweat. The main cause of moisture within your glove is actually your own perspiration. This particular layer is a crucial piece to your all day comfort.
We use the best waterproof and breathable materials in our gloves and mittens.
Find out more about POW’s membrane materials
Insulation
Finding a pair of POW Gloves with the proper amount of insulation is crucial to its performance in the conditions you ride. The proper amount of insulation should keep you warm without restricting your circulation, dexterity, or fit. If the temperature you ride it can drastically vary, we suggest you purchase an additional Poly Pro Liner or consider more than one pair.
Lining
The lining is the layer between the membrane and your skin, it is meant to increase comfort and warmth. POW’s lining materials have moisture-wicking and anti-pill qualities to ensure comfort year after year. Some of our models include an extra Poly Pro Liner that is in addition to the liner built into each model. These are also sold separately to provide an extra layer of warmth to any POW Glove you purchase.
Find out more about POW’s liner materials
Palm
This particular area of your POW gloves will get the most use, so we have carefully crafted our palm materials to last and perform. The palms may be made of various materials, such as leather, synthetic leather, or an Amara® with grip print, all of which add the dexterity and durability needed.
Find out more about POW’s Palm materials
Cuff Length
Choosing the best cuff length is mainly a personal preference when it comes to your gloves and mittens. The main purpose is to avoid snow and moisture from getting into your gloves and jacket. You may first want to check to see whether your jacket features wrist gaiters that tuck into your gloves.
Size and Fit
We pride ourselves on building gloves and mittens that fit and feel the best. A key piece of this is purchasing a pair that is the appropriate size for you. If you wear the wrong size it will impair your dexterity, circulation, and comfort.A properly fitting glove should fit snugly and allow enough room at the end of outstretched fingers for you to pinch about a quarter of an inch of fabric. Be sure to carefully measure your hands and refer to the POW Gloves size chart to find the best size for you.