Review: Burton Men's [ak] Clutch GORE-TEX Mittens
By Snowboarding Expert
Ryan Taleb
Burton Men's [ak] Clutch GORE-TEX Mittens
from:$69.98
$139.95
50% off
4 photos
The Curated Take
4.7/5
The Burton Men's ak Clutch GORE-TEX Mittens are an excellent choice for those seeking high-quality, waterproof, breathable handwear for skiing or snowboarding. Featuring GORE-TEX technology, they provide impressive moisture-wicking and drying capabilities, ideal for both cold and warmer spring days. The design includes a claw-like finger separation for better dexterity, comfortable interior material, and wrist straps to prevent loss, which is especially useful on ski lifts. These mittens are a great investment for average resort riders looking for a blend of warmth, comfort, and practicality at a competitive price.
Ideal for
- GORE-TEX provides an impressive waterproof, yet breathable system
- Wrist straps prevent losing these mittens, mainly from falling off the lift
- Interior material is comfortable and soft, keeping hands very cozy
Not ideal for
- Not very durable as the material on the palms does not handle abrasion well
Comfort
Putting my hands into these mittens felt like a soft cloud. I could tell these were unlike other mittens I had worn when I put them on. The microfiber lining...Read more
Warmth
Usually, my extremities do not stay warm. I have an issue with my hands and feet as they get very cold. I considered purchasing a heated mitten, but there was...Read more
Waterproofing
The extended cuff helped seal out the elements, which also did exceptionally well in the backcountry. No snow or water entered after strapping them on and putting my jacket sleeves...Read more
Durability
The materials and build of this mitten are great for an average resort rider. When it comes to the material of the palm, things get dicey. There may be better...Read more
Ease of Movement
Having the pointer finger separate from the rest of the hand is a great feature that allows riders to use their hands and handle things that would normally be difficult...Read more
Breathability
The GORE-TEX allowed for maximum breathability. My last pair of mittens would get very wet inside and would not wick moisture, causing my hands to get colder. But these allowed...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Ryan Taleb
About the apparel
- Model: Burton Men's [ak] Clutch GORE-TEX Mittens
Test conditions
- I borrowed these from my friend on a trip this season.
- Where I’ve used them: Aspen Snowmass
- How many times I've used it: 2
Expert Reviews of the Burton Men's [ak] Clutch GORE-TEX Mittens
Ryan Taleb The waterproof integration of GORE-TEX technology ensured my hands never got wet. Sometimes, on hotter spring days, my hands sweat as well, and these mittens did a great job at wicking moisture and drying themselves off throughout the day.
I enjoyed having the wrist straps to ensure that the mittens never got lost. The claw design was also a plus, allowing me more opportunity to handle things effectively. The Velcro tightening straps also did a great job of providing a proper fit and seal.
I was very impressed with the warmth level and comfort that the interior of this mitten provided. It felt like putting my hand into a soft cloud. What impressed me even more was the ability of these mittens to warm my hands after taking them off while on the the Deep Temerity lift at Aspen Highlands. When riding on lifts, the wind has a harsh, bitter sting on the hands, and these mittens brought the temperature of my hands back to normal. That is not usually the case with other mittens. These have an exceptional capability to recirculate the natural heat hands produce and a high effectiveness at blocking the outside elements from robbing hands of warmth.
This mitten is excellent for those with a slightly higher budget who are looking for a very warm, waterproof, and breathable yet comfortable mitten at a competitive price point.
Product Specs
| Gender | Men's |
| Age Group | Adult |
| Featured technology | Primaloft® Gold, GORE-TEX® |
| Features | Breathable, Waterproof, Insulated, Thumb nose wipe, Glove leash, Quick-drying |
| Material | GORE-TEX®, Leather, Polyester/Polyester blend |
| Best use | Snowboarding, Downhill skiing |
Review Ratings
Comfort
5/5
Ryan Taleb gave 5 of 5 stars. Putting my hands into these mittens felt like a soft cloud. I could tell these were unlike other mittens I had worn when I put them on. The microfiber lining provided maximum comfort and paired nicely with the DRYRIDE Softshell Fabric. They felt very secure as well with the extended cuff.
Warmth
5/5
Ryan Taleb gave 5 of 5 stars. Usually, my extremities do not stay warm. I have an issue with my hands and feet as they get very cold. I considered purchasing a heated mitten, but there was no need; these did the job well. The insulation worked very effectively to keep my hands warm and even rewarm them after they were exposed to the elements on the ski lift with the wind chill.
Waterproofing
5/5
Ryan Taleb gave 5 of 5 stars. The extended cuff helped seal out the elements, which also did exceptionally well in the backcountry. No snow or water entered after strapping them on and putting my jacket sleeves over them. Combining the extended cuff with the GORE-TEX waterproof rating of 28K, these easily handled water.
Durability
3/5
Ryan Taleb gave 3 of 5 stars. The materials and build of this mitten are great for an average resort rider. When it comes to the material of the palm, things get dicey. There may be better options for park rats who expect to put a lot of pressure and abrasion on their hands from falls.
Ease of Movement
5/5
Ryan Taleb gave 5 of 5 stars. Having the pointer finger separate from the rest of the hand is a great feature that allows riders to use their hands and handle things that would normally be difficult with typical mittens. For example, these helped me tighten my BOAs on my boots. It is also worth noting the wrist straps here, as it was easy to remove the mittens for a hands-free situation when needed.
Breathability
5/5
Ryan Taleb gave 5 of 5 stars. The GORE-TEX allowed for maximum breathability. My last pair of mittens would get very wet inside and would not wick moisture, causing my hands to get colder. But these allowed sweat to escape inside the mitten and kept my hands at the perfect cool temperature. On warmer spring days, this mitten will help to ensure one's hands are not covered in sweat at the end of the day.
FAQs
What do you love about this product?
Ryan Taleb The Burton Men's [ak] Clutch GORE-TEX Mitten was among the best mittens I have worn. Due to the GORE-TEX technology, the breathability and waterproofness kept my hands dry and wicked away sweat, working to ensure my hands stayed warm. The wrist straps were very convenient to prevent them from falling off when I rode the lift. The extended cuff reaches further down the forearm to keep the elements away.
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Ryan Taleb When I rode the Deep Temerity lift in Aspen Snowmass, I wanted to take a beautiful photo of the mountainous landscape. I took off my mittens, and my hands began to freeze almost immediately. I quickly snapped my photo while the mittens stayed close by due to the wrist straps that allowed me to be hands-free and use my phone camera. Once I put my mittens back on, they warmed my hands up within a few minutes, and I went on with my day.
Why did you choose this product?
Ryan Taleb My mittens were out of commission after my last trip. They were not waterproof anymore and would not keep my hands warm. Luckily, my friend had an extra pair of these Clutch GORE-TEX mittens, and I was set for the last two days of my trip. He let me borrow them, and I got a pair later.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Ryan Taleb Compared to other products, this mitten smashes it out of the park. After looking into the technology more, I realized why my friend purchased these and why I enjoyed using them so much. What is not to love about GORE-TEX, waterproof, breathability, wrist straps, extended cuffs, and durability? Due to GORE-TEX, there are other mittens in this price range that have the same level of warmth but don't come close to the effectiveness of waterproofing and breathability.
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