Lowe Alpine Launches Via Ferrata Glove

Here's a quick heads up on a slightly unexpected new product from the folk at Lowe Alpine; it's a specialist via ferrata mitt called the 'Grip Stretch Glove'.

What with Lowe Alpine's clothing designers now being based in northern Italy, home of the Dolomites and the original via ferrata routes, it's perhaps no surprise that they've come up with something to protect their hands on the local iron mongery.

If you've not come across via ferrata, they were developed to supply mountain military positions in the Alps during WW1 and consist of exposed scrambles protected by thick cables, ladders, staples and other metal. Scramblers wear a harness and a special via ferrata plate and climb using both the metal and natural rock while clipped in to the protection.

Understandably it's hard on the hands, so the new mitt features a tough feeling suede palm laid over soft leather and with a stretch Spandex mesh back for ventilation in hot conditions. As with cycling mitts, the fingertips are exposed to give better grip on the rock, but your delicate palms should be saved from nasty blisters and callouses.

With limited opportunities for via ferrata testing in the Peak, we resorted to the pull-up bar. They do feel very protective and have a nice snug fit, but we'd have preferred to see a pre-curved palm to prevent bunching of the suede material with a closed hand. We also wonder how much water the suede might hold with heavy sweating.

That aside though, the Grip Stretch certainly look like a good option if you're off for some via ferrata adventures this summer or if you're one of the UK's rare big wall climbers. Which gives us an idea... Price is around £30 by the way.

More information at www.lowealpine.com