[jared_j]

Occasionally, I'll talk to hikers or climbers of a certain age who claim these boiled wool mittens are like the warmest thing they've ever used. I've been curious about them as I occasionally wear mittens in certain winter conditions. One hypothesis I have is that they were the warmest option at the time, well, once upon a time - but now don't compare to warmer offerings on the market that have some loft to them. Does anyone know if this is accurate? They can be had for reasonable prices shipped from some Euro retailers. If they really are as good as folks say I'd like to get a pair. But I'd appreciate some insight from folks who have firsthand experience with them (and perhaps can compare them with more modern offerings).

[DIYSteve]

Dachsteins and leather choppers were standard equipment in 1970. They were and are warm -- plenty warm for PNW trips -- but they are heavy compared to modern alternatives, e.g., BD Mercury, RBH Vapor Mitts.

[Randito]

I've used them , they are very warm and wind resistant as well. The natural oils in wool resist soaking too much water, so they still have some warmth in wet conditions. They are heavy and once wet take a long time to dry and smell like a wet dog. Which is why once MSR started selling 300 wt polyester pile overmitts with wind proof shells, I flavored those on top of lighter gloves for really cold conditions. Synthetic fleece dries much faster , it has no wind resistance, but that's what the wind proof outshells are for. These days I favor carrying multiple sets of wool/synthetic blend liner gloves with windproof / water resistant outer shells gloves. I also carry some oversized mittens that can be worn over my gloves when the temps get really cold.

[joker]

Yeah, I still have some that are about 40 years old as they are indestructible, but I can't remember the last time I used them. I use something like Randy's system.

[DIYSteve]

For cold weather consider using nitrile gloves as poor man's VB liners

[Schenk]

Yes, thick polyester pile is a good modern replacement for boiled wool...but you can't spit on pile and make it freeze to rock for a handhold! hahahaha

[robertjoy]

Dachsteins were my original "heavy weight" mittens for extreme winter use on Mt Hood. They were used with nylon shell and were very warm even in the worst conditions. As technology progressed I tried a very expensive pair of thick-pile lined mountaineering gloves. Not warm enough. Back to 300wt fleece mittens with goretex shells. Not warm enough for temps below 20degrees.. Next to double 300wt fleece mitts with goretex shells. About the same as the Dachsteins. I quit using the Dachsteins because the wrist area was so snug and not stretchy that they were difficult to take on and off easily in the field, and using thin liner gloves was impossible. Note that newer Dachsteins may not be the same as the originals. The originals are very dense boiled wool; "bullet-proof" comes to mind. A medium pair weighs 5.1 oz (145 gm). In contrast, a pair of standard ragg wool mittens weighs 2.8 oz (80 gm).

[LizzyRN]

I've knit and felted myself a pair of boiled wool mittens. I love them for hiking, snowshoeing and playing in the snow with the grand boy. Super warm, definitely the wet dog smell when wet. I dry them on the drying rack in my dryer. Indestructible. https://imageshack.com/i/exrAZTtpj

[graywolf]

I still have a pair. Let's see, I'm about to turn 59, so they're about 40 years old. Still bullet proof and very warm. Don't use them as much as I use to, but I still like 'em.

[Dante]

You can still get them: LINK They also sell Dachstein sweaters, socks and hats. I have a few pairs of the socks that I use with my winter boots and two of the caps.

[iron]

i've purchased 2 pairs of dachstien gloves. first pair i used for about 3-4 years of snowshoeing and spring trips. very warm. breathe well. water resistant for the 1st half of the trip. i love 'em. but yes, they do take a long time to dry. i've rubbed holes in them at the base of the thumb/index finger from trekking poles. otherwise, they would be like new. i really like these gloves.

[Brushbuffalo]

Mine still work but have a few moth holes as well. They were the best at the time but for lighweight newer synthetics have made Dachsteins more of a novel collector's item. We also used to use fingerless gloves called Miller mitts, made in England .....of woven COTTON! No wonder I didn't love winter climbing so much. I climbed Baker one time intentionally using my remaining 1960s and '70s gear, including Dachsteins. A friend questioned all this, remarking skeptically "Why, because you want to be cold, wet, and miserable?" My hands have seldom been cold with the D mitts. Still a good item in their original form.

[Snowdog]

I have a couple of pairs of socks, a beautiful red sweater (that I would be willing to part with if anyone is interested) and had 2 pairs of mittens. (unable to find them at the moment) They are the warmest things- and very dense. Classic stuff.

[Brushbuffalo]

Wind resistance is much better than might be expected, considerably better than with "normal " ragg wool mitts but as to be expected not as windproof as gore-text or equivalent material. One nice bonus feature of Dachsteins is that they are quite grippy on rock....better than most fabrics.

[iron]

i'd say it would take a 35mph wind to get through my gloves.