Glove Harness Modifications

[Wayland]

Made a few minor modifications to my glove harness before our upcoming trip to Kittilä.

I prefer a bit of stretch in my harness because it stops the straps hanging down too much and snagging in stuff, so the final few inches are made from 3mm bungee elastic.

I originally made a simple cotton tape version with a sewn in strap across the chest which worked well but I've never much likes the idea of a strap around my neck that could not be released quickly in an emergency. This is now my spare for packing.

I made a leather one with a nylon clip buckle in the middle a couple of years ago but while it worked well enough the buckle looked really tacky and life is too short for ugly kit in my opinion.

So, the latest modification was to swap out the buckle with a new strap, fastened with a Sam Browne stud. Much nicer and just as functional.

While I was at it I changed the small carabiner clips that attached it to the gloves or mittens for a couple of even smaller flag clips, again reducing the snag factor.

[Old MukR]

All depends on what you are up to I suppose. Seen lots of dog sledders use harness that allows mitts to dangle in front, some in back. I never did dog sledding myself though it looks fun. I have used a couple of different ways to secure gloves and mitts. In ‘warmer’ weather wearing mutant ‘trigger’ type mitt gloves and a wind smock, I sewed a loop to the chest area so I could just clip them there with a carabiner. Another method I have used is a cord through parka sleeves around back of shoulder/neck area. Take off mitt and let dangle without fear of losing to the wind. Third method, have a tether from gauntlet of glove to your anorak/parka/smock sleeve. Let dangle as above.

[Wayland]

I like this method because when I take them off to handle the cameras I can hook them round each other behind my back and they are out of the way until I need them again.

[4estTrekker]

Good ideas. Thanks for sharing. I’ve gone with harnesses made from yard the last few seasons and really like them. I was fortunate enough to volunteer at the 2020 Iditarod and was able to talk with lots of folks up there about their mitten harnesses. Pretty sure mine are a joke by comparison, but I do like them. I don’t hafta worry about losing a mitt in the wilderness off a dog sled or snow machine like they do, but it’s nice not dropping them in the snow all the same.

[Old MukR]

There are tradeoffs with any ‘system’. If the mitts are attached to a typical harness system like dog sledders use, your mitts are somewhere other than near your hands and access is slower. If hanging near each hand you could accidentally pee on your mitts when relieving yourself. You cannot win

[Wayland]

That's why I like the fact that they hook up round my back.

I know exactly where they are and they are not in the way.

[Justin P.]

I've been thinking about a mitten harness for my goofy mutant mitts.
I hate dropping mittens and gloves, but I hate anything hanging off me, and at times I wear a backpack, so I've been torn about what to try.
But as I was reading this thread I had a thought, maybe a mitten harness, but instead of clipping them behind my back to get them out of the way I could devise a way that clipped together they hung more at my side under my arm. Then I could get them out of the way while wearing a pack too.

I don't know yet, but you guys sparked an idea for me, even if my spark is a bit weak and dim yet. Thanks!

[Wayland]

Just to be clear. I don't need to clip the mitts behind my back. If I drop one over the other behind me they sort of toggle on each other because the cord is attached below the cuff.

Difficult to explain but it happens very naturally, keeping the gloves / mitts out of the way, not flopping about but without obstructing access when needed.

I've tried lots of different methods over the years but this has definitely been the most convenient I've found so far.

[Minnesotian]

I got a pair of Frost River Great Northern Choppers. Great glove, was perfect for the BWCA last weekend with -35f windchill and snow every day. And big enough I could wear a leather glove inside them, thus protecting my hands when I took the choppers off.

I had sewn on two loops to my anorak, just under/in the armpits. I ended up clipping in a line from the choppers to the loop and it worked great. Everytime I flipped the choppers off the mitts would hang out of the way of what I was doing. And I didn't have to wear/break/loose another piece of gear, the harness. Next, I want to sew a loop on top of my choppers, just behind the thumb, so that the line from the mitt to the armpit loop is protected by my arm, and there is less chance of a snag from the line.

[Midwest Firecraft]

I had sewn on two loops to my anorak, just under/in the armpits. I ended up clipping in a line from the choppers to the loop and it worked great.

May sound like a silly question, but the loops didn't bother you at all? I want to try something like this as the harness rig just doesn't work for me.

[Minnesotian]

Nope, loops didn't bother me at all. They are made from 1/4" cotton sash cord. Total length is only about 1.5" from sewn part to top of loop. Stayed out of the way just fine.

[Wayland]

I considered adding loops to my Parka but I change kit quite regularly when I'm working to thermo-regulate and the harness moves easily with whatever set up I am using.

[Undersky]

I have not used one since having the string through the parka sleeves as a kid - and I am pretty sure that was not there for my benefit, rather so my Mom would not have to keep knitting replacements for lost mitts! - so I cannot add to the conversation except to say that your harness handiwork looks pretty darned good, Wayland! I'd be happy to be wearing that!

[Wayland]

Thank you.

[Heavy Duty]

I use shock cord on my mitten harness as well. Looks super clean. Thanks for sharing!

[Wayland]

I use shock cord on my mitten harness as well. Looks super clean. Thanks for sharing!

That's just because the cotton one is just packed as a spare. The cords were replaced as shock cord does have a limited life and as I was changing the clips I thought I might as well change the cord too.

They'll soon get grubby in use.