Arc'teryx Venta Mitten (Unisex)

The Venta is the mitten you grab for high-output cold-weather use: skin tracks, winter trail runs, XC skiing, cold morning hikes. At 57g for the pair it packs into a jacket pocket and disappears until you need it.

The shell is Gore-Tex Infinium with four-way mechanical stretch, which is the windproof, highly breathable side of the Gore-Tex family rather than the waterproof side. It blocks wind completely and sheds light rain and snow, but it's not a waterproof mitten — if you're plunging hands into deep snow repeatedly or skiing in heavy wet conditions, you'll want something with a waterproof membrane over top or instead. Within its window though, a Backpacking Light reviewer called it the best mitten they'd tested for high-output activity across backpacking, trail running, and XC skiing: warm enough to stay comfortable, breathable enough that you're not pulling them off every five minutes. The fleeced interior and Octa Loft insulation add warmth without bulk, and the mitten dries fast when it does get wet.

TPU reinforcement at the palm and fingertips adds durability in the spots that wear first. Touchscreen-sensitive thumb pad. Carabiner loop for clipping to a pack. Reinforced leather pull tab for getting them on with cold hands.