About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the mittens, which I purchased with my own money in January of 2023.

My take

The Dakine Titan GORE-TEX Mitten is a burly and extremely warm mitten for dedicated snowsports enthusiasts who want to be outside regardless of the weather conditions.

About this gear

• Model: 2023 Dakine Titan GORE-TEX Mitten
• Size: XL

About me

• Height: 6’0”
• Weight: 230lbs
• Experience: 35+ years of snowboarding/skiing

Test conditions

• When I bought them: January 2023
• Days used: 10
• Weather conditions used in: Arctic outbreaks down to -17°F up to sunny spring days in the 40s.
• Where I’ve used them: Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and Colorado.
• Terrain: Even mix of resort and backcountry.

How they perform

What I was looking for

I was looking for an ultrawarm mitten for the extreme cold but with the versatility for use during high exertion efforts in the backcountry.

Why I chose this gear

I had a chance to try the Dakine Titan GORE-TEX mitten, and I thought it would be a great fit given the combination of top-of-the-line waterproofing and warmth to go along with the versatility of a separate liner. I currently have a three-finger glove from Hestra that covers most of my skiing days but doesn’t work on the extremes, both hot and cold. They’re insufficient on the coldest days and too warm when hiking in the backcountry.

What I love about them

• Fit: The fit is exactly as expected. The liners are snug without being tight, and the mittens run slightly large to fit comfortably over the liners without any restriction whatsoever.
• Comfort: The liners are soft polyester, and the mittens have a fleece liner that I can wear without the liners on warmer days and still be cozy against the skin.
• Warmth: Super warm. Unbelievably warm. Whenever I wear the mittens with the liners, I think I unintentionally left a heater in the zippered stash. If someone generally runs warm, be prepared to keep the liners in their pockets.
• Waterproofing: GORE-TEX is the top-of-the-line name in waterproofing, and these mittens provide that quality protection.
• Breathability: The GORE-TEX insert limits the breathability of the mitten, but the removable liner is plenty breathable. They’re my go-to when hiking uphill in the backcountry, and my hands always stay warm without becoming clammy or sweaty.
• Weight: Slightly heavier than most mittens. The gauntlets are fairly large, so there’s a lot of material, but it’s not a noticeable amount of weight.
• Conditions: The colder and windier it is, the more I’m glad these are on my hands. The GORE-TEX inserts completely block the wind and lets the impressive heating ability really shine.
• Touchscreen compatibility: The liner is touchscreen compatible, which is really nice for that summit pic or chairlift selfie.
• Features: These gloves are fully featured with wrist leashes so they don’t drop if I need to take them off, a nose wipe thumb panel, an external waterproof zippered stash pocket, and the liners have Rubbertec grip enhancement on the fingers and palm. The removable liner can be worn on its own and is perfect for keeping my hands warm while carrying skis and other gear through the parking lot while maintaining full finger dexterity.
• Quality: I can tell these are top-of-the-line from Dakine. The material is tough and durable where I need it and soft where it touches my skin.
• Durability: Super burly. I’ve worn these through a lot of alpine touring transitions, which involves holding the skis by their edges, and they show no wear whatsoever.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Ease of movement: Obviously, mittens won’t provide the same dexterity that gloves provide, but aside from the restriction of having one’s fingers together in one space, the mitten pocket is large enough not to feel cramped or confined in any way.

Favorite moment with this gear

My favorite moment with these was definitely when I took them up Mt. Washington, NH, during an Arctic outbreak. It was a day after the summit broke the U.S. windchill record of -108°F, so keeping warm was paramount. After hiking with just the liners, we broke above the treeline to strong winds and blowing snow. It was too dangerous to push to the summit, but as soon as we reached that exposure, I put the mittens over the liner and immediately felt my hands warm up. I’m not joking earlier about thinking I left a heater in there; that was really my first thought. The liner's versatility helped my hands stay warm during transitions while keeping excellent dexterity, where normally I’d have to completely remove my gloves to transition from hiking to ski mode.

Value for the money vs. other options

These are top-of-the-line mittens from Dakine and their most expensive offering, but they’re still an excellent value overall. Coming in at half the price of comparable options like the Hestra Heli Ski Mitt or Mountain Hardwear Boundary Ridge Glove, Dakine provides equal warmth and protection from the elements in a versatile package that includes removable liners.

Final verdict

If someone wants top-of-the-line warmth and protection to enjoy snowsports in any condition the high alpine can throw their way, the Dakine Titan GORE-TEX Mitten is a versatile solution that is also one of the best values out there.