Micheal Silitch reviews the Marmot Work Glove

A guide’s glove needs to be dexterous, warm and durable, and it should look stylish at the same time.

To me, the Work Glove initially smacked of old school design, not having a very ergonomic shape and being one of the last technical gloves on the market to have a nylon cinch strap at the wrist area. But these features ended up being the glove’s strengths and over the last few years the Work Glove has become hands down (fingers too) my favorite cold weather climbing and skiing glove.

First of all, it is super warm, yet remains dexterous due to its’ shape and high quality leather (not overly ergonomic, still easy to use for “fingery” tasks such as unclipping ice screws from your harness, popping off their protective end caps and putting them in your pocket, and placing and clipping the screw while hanging from one tool, for example).

Besides being warm and dexterous, it is also lasts and lasts. This is due to good leather and reinforcement where it needs to be. I have rappelled 100’s of pitches with my last pair.

Furthermore, for a big warm glove it climbs very well. Besides the gloves’ excellent fit, the nylon cinch strap helps out here considerably—the glove stays put while you are pullin’ down. It won’t slip off as you are latching onto a sloper. It is so effective I can’t believe it is practically the last technical glove on the market to have a cinch strap. Equally for skiing, this strap helps the glove stay in place as you grip your ski pole.

Lastly, the glove indeed does look cool; after all, it started the technical outdoor black and tan “workglove” craze. My favorite off piste ski guiding outfit last winter included a pair of tan Work Gloves as well as the orange and red Super Hero Jacket and a pair of tan ski pants—warm, professional, and technical for all conditions.

Guide’s hint: Keep them well waterproofed, and if you want more dexterity, check out the Exum work glove which I use all summer long.