Expert Review: Burton AK GORE-TEX Clutch Mitt
This review is my honest opinion of the mittens, which I purchased with my own money in December of 2022.
All photos courtesy of Matt Johnson
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the mittens, which I purchased with my own money in December of 2022.
My take
In the Burton AK GORE-TEX Clutch, the warmth of mittens meets the functionality of gloves, all brought together with a GORE-TEX build. They are my favorite mittens.
About the gear I own
- Model: 2023 Burton AK GORE-TEX Clutch Mitt
- Size: Large
About me
- Height: 5’11”
- Weight: 170 lbs
- Experience: 2 years of snowboarding
Test conditions
- When I bought them: December 2022
- Days used: 5
- Weather conditions used in: Windy overcast, snowy, deep powder days, sunny bluebirds
- Where I’ve used them: Park City, Utah; Snowbowl, Arizona
- Terrain: Resort
How they perform
What I was looking for
My main pair of mittens before I bought these were the Burton GORE-TEX mittens, which are awesome, but can get a tad bit too toasty some days. I was looking for a slightly less warm pair of mittens and something that was waterproofed (there’s nothing that will ruin my day faster than soaking wet, frozen fingers).
Why I chose this gear
I decided to buy this pair of mittens primarily because they are made of GORE-TEX (there’s nothing out there that I trust more to keep me dry). I was also interested in trying this mitten because it is a hybrid between gloves and mittens—offering the dexterity of gloves with a separate index finger compartment and the warmth of mittens with the other fingers grouped together. I also considered the Burton AK Clutch GORE-TEX Leather Mittens; however, I decided to go with these instead because I was interested in trying out the glove/mitten hybrid.
What I love about them
- Fit: These fit like a glove (pun intended). My fingers stay comfy and haven’t experienced any fatigue while weaning them.
- Comfort: These are extremely comfy thanks to the soft fleece liner inside of the mitts.
- Ease of movement: Thanks to the glove/mitten hybrid, these gloves are very handy. I find that I am able to use zippers and buckles with these on where I would have had to take my mittens off previously.
- Warmth: The Primaloft Gold Insulation keeps my fingers nice and toasty. On super cold days, I will wear a pair of liners and have no issues staying warm. However, they aren’t too warm and would be suitable for warmer spring runs as well.
- Waterproofing: Thanks to the GORE-TEX build, I haven’t had a single drop of water get through the mitten.
- Breathability: Unlike my Burton GORE-TEX mittens, these Clutch Mitts are very breathable. On warmer spring days, this helps keep my hands from getting all sweaty.
- Weight: Thanks to the Primaloft Insulation, these Mittens are lightweight but still offer great warmth.
- Conditions: These gloves have gotten me through the deepest powder I’ve ever ridden in (Park City, Utah after two feet of powpow) and they have kept my fingers warm and dry.
- Features: The detachable wrist cords are very useful, as they let me take off my gloves on the lift without having to worry about dropping them.
- Quality: These mittens are built with quality materials and look like they will hold up to years of riding the slopes.
- Durability: These are made with leather on the palms and fingers that feel and look like they will stand up to some beatings on the slopes. After a month of use on the slopes, these gloves still look and feel brand new.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Touchscreen compatibility: These gloves are not touchscreen compatible.
Favorite moment with this gear
The first trip I took these gloves on was to Park City, Utah, after they had gotten over two feet of fresh snow. I wore these on my first snowboarding hike up to Jupiter Peak and they did not disappoint. They kept my hands warm and dry—what more can one ask for in a pair of gloves?
Value for the money vs. other options
Although they may be pricey, these mittens are definitely it. The hybrid of gloves/mittens combined with GORE-TEX and a quality construction all make this pair of mittens worth every penny. Another pair of hybrid glove/mittens I considered was the Volcom Provoke GORE-TEX Mittens. I went with the Clutches because they are a streamlined under-the-cuff mitten, whereas the Volcom Provoke are over-the-cuff.
Final verdict
As my first pair of mitten/glove hybrids, I am very happy with my purchase. They are constructed out of leather and GORE-TEX to keep the elements out and my hands warm.
