Two Gloves In One From Gore

Gore's latest innovation is a dual chamber glove using 'Gore 2 in 1 Technology' which, it's claimed, gives the wearer a choice between a thin glove with good feel or a thicker, more insulated one in a single glove.

The glove design uses two chambers - the WARM one is designed for activities where dexterity and sensitvity are less important than simply keeping warm, sitting on a chairlift, or possibly belaying for example. Meanwhile the GRIP chamber gives you better mobility and sensitivity at the expense of insulation.

The WARM chamber is completely surrounded by air-trapping insulation, but slip your hand into the lower, GRIP chamber and only the back of the hand and the finger tips are insulated, leaving the palm and most of the fingers with better feeling, tactility and grip.

Both chambers are fully protected by a waterproof, breathable Gore-Tex membrane  and swapping between the two is just a matter of slipping the glove off and on again with the hand in a different chamber.

Initially the technology's being aimed at snow sports enthusiasts, but we reckon it might also make for an interesting winter mountaineering glove with the warm chamber being used, say, when on belay or walking out at the end of a route, and the grip chamber giving the extra sensitivity you need when climbing ice with axes or placing gear. There are even mitt versions available from Salomon and Trekmates.

More information at www.gore-tex.co.uk