Black Diamond’s UL Overmitts are waterproof seam-taped mittens for runners and ultralight hikers. They’re wrist-length with stretch cuffs, made with a 3-layer waterproof/breathable fabric, and come with reflective logos and silicone-textured palms. Weighing a mere 1.0 oz, they fold up tiny and are easily carried whatever your mode of travel. They cost $60/pair.
- Weight: 1.0 oz
- Seam-taped: Yes
- Waterproof/breathable: Yes
Black Diamond UL Overmitts are ultralight rain and wind mitts that keep cold rain or wind off your hands when running or hiking. They weigh virtually nothing, making them easy to justify carrying if you’re hiking with a pack or just out for a run, even if you don’t need them. Waterproof and windproof, they still accumulate perspiration when used, but they slow evaporation, which is what chills your hands if unprotected.
While these UL Overmitts provide virtually no dexterity, they are large enough to grip a pair of trekking poles, with or without straps, with the thumb and palm. They also have enough volume to be worn over liner gloves if you prefer a little more warmth. Regardless of the season, I’ve always found a mitten layered over a glove to be an effective combination in cooler weather.
The one thing missing from these gloves are long wrist gauntlets that can be tightened around a rain jacket sleeve to prevent rain from running up the sleeve. Long gauntlets also help retain the warmth from your wrists, where blood flows close to the skin. That’s why many mitts and gloves designed for colder weather have long wrist gauntlets.
I’ve reviewed many rain mitts over the years, and I find it curious that big companies like REI, Black Diamond, and Outdoor Research keep producing rain mitts without long wrist gauntlets while the smaller cottage manufacturers include them.
Of course, if you’re running and pumping your arms vigorously, longer wrist gauntlets will probably be more of a nuisance than a benefit since your jacket sleeves will run back up your arms anyway. But staying warm takes on greater urgency if you’re hiking and backpacking in cold and wet weather, all day or for days at a time.
While I think Black Diamond’s UL Overmitts are fine for running, I’d give them a pass if you want rain mitts for hiking and backpacking in colder weather and check out the rain mitts offered by smaller hiker-focused companies. Net net. These Black Diamond UL Overmitts are good for runners, but not so much for hikers and backpackers.
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