When it comes to outdoor activities in the winter mountains, the cold is a major enemy for anyone. As someone who is prone to cold extremities, it's common for my hands and feet to get so cold I lose feeling in them. If I stand still in the freezing cold, my hands become as hard as ice. And how frustrating it is when snow accidentally gets into my gloves! I've always been careful , so gloves that don't leave me worrying about the cold have been one of my secret dreams for many years.
This winter, that dream may finally come true
I finally got hold of the forbidden "electrically heated" gloves. Of course, I knew that this type of product had been around for quite some time, but they were all at the winter leisure level. I was unsure whether they could replace winter mountaineering gloves. Given the way I use them, I knew I would not be satisfied unless they were also suitable for serious winter mountaineering
So, I finally bought the Black Diamond Solano ( 2019 model). The company's Soloist and Guide gloves are classic winter mountain gloves that I've used many times, and these electronically heated gloves are made by an undisputed top outdoor brand that has been providing many of these excellent models for a long time.
This is a field that is still in its infancy, but are these crazy-priced gloves from a top brand that entered the rechargeable heating glove market early on? Or are they just pretending? I checked them out with my own eyes and hands, so I'd like to report on them right away
table of contents
- The time has finally come to put an end to the troubles of outdoor enthusiasts who suffer from cold extremities. Main Features of Black Diamond Solano Heated Gloves
- Main specifications and evaluation
- I tried it out for skiing and winter mountain climbing (detailed review)
- Summary: If you suffer from cold, you'll never want to let go of this sense of relief once you try it
The time has finally come to put an end to the troubles of outdoor enthusiasts who suffer from cold extremities. Main Features of Black Diamond Solano Heated Gloves
Recommended points
- Exceptional heat retention when the heater is on
- PrimaLoft® Gold insulation and Gore Warm technology keep you warm even when the heater is off
- Full goat leather for durability
- Highly waterproof and breathable with GORE-TEX
Points of concern
- The fingertips are thick and it is difficult to perform precise operations
- The adjustment buttons are hidden when the sleeves are under a hard shell
- Wrist leash cord not included as standard
- Unaffordable price
- When searching for a beacon, radio interference is not zero, so the switch must be turned off when searching
Main specifications and evaluation
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Item Name | Black Diamond Solano Gloves |
| Actual weight | 514g (including M size hands and 164g battery) |
| material |
|
| temperature range | -29/-1 degrees Celsius |
| accessories | Three types of battery charger with conversion plugs, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, storage bag |
| evaluation | |
| Heat retention | ★★★★★★★ |
| Dexterity of the fingers | ★★☆☆☆ |
| waterproof | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ |
| durability | ★★★★☆ |
| Functionality | ★★★☆☆ |
I tried it out for skiing and winter mountain climbing (detailed review)
First Impressions
First of all, this product, despite being just a pair of gloves, comes in a rather imposing box. Upon opening the box, I was greeted by the sight of a sturdy pair of gloves, about one size larger than a typical snow glove, carefully placed inside a storage bag. In addition to the gloves themselves, the box also contains a variety of accessories, such as a storage bag, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and a charging adapter (with a conversion plug for use overseas), just like an electronic device
The exterior is covered entirely in goat leather, which not only looks sexy but also clearly shows its durability
Anyway, when I put my hands in the gloves without any gloves on, they felt a little heavy, but not so much that they felt uncomfortable. They were softer than I expected, and I could feel a gentle warmth even when they weren't turned on
However, when I tried bending my fingers a little, I felt a slight resistance that I hadn't felt with previous gloves. Because of this, the overall fit is a little tight (more than what it looks like or feels like the size of your hand). It's best to choose a size that's a little larger than just right
Naturally, before using it in the field, the battery must first be charged. After connecting the two batteries to the two-pronged charging cable, charging was completed in a few hours. From there, over the course of about two months from December to January, I tried it in a variety of environments, including slope skiing, backcountry skiing, and snow hiking
Heat retention ★★★★★★★
The standout feature of these gloves is, of course, the heating function, which is achieved by the electric heating wires that run throughout the gloves. This function works by pressing a switch on the outside of the wrist, which transmits heat in three stages through the electric heating wires that run from the wrist to the back of the hand and all the way to the fingers. According to the manufacturer's specifications, the heat levels and duration are as follows:
- Green: Maximum 38°C / lasts approximately 8 hours
- Yellow: Maximum 45°C / Lasts approximately 4.5 hours
- Red: Maximum 55°C / Lasts for about 1.5 hours
When I actually used it in the field, it was more effective than I expected. It was overwhelmingly warm. No matter how cold the weather, as soon as I turned it on, it warmed my entire hand, focusing on my thumb and index finger, as if they were wrapped in a warmer
There are three temperature levels, but I set it to the green (lowest) setting when my hands were about to get completely cold, and I was able to use it comfortably most of the time without my hands getting numb. If the wind was weak and the temperature was around -10°C, I could feel the warmth gradually spreading from the back of my hand to my fingertips after just a few minutes of turning on the green setting
However, when I was exposed to the lift in strong winds at temperatures below -10°C, the green setting was not very effective and I was hit by the cold. I quickly switched to orange or red and my fingers were warm again. In normal cold weather, the yellow and red settings are too warm (and they drain the battery quickly), so there's no need to use them for long periods of time
The battery life in green mode is about 8 hours, so it will last for almost a whole day on a day trip. Even in yellow mode, which is one level lower, it still lasted about 4 hours, so I didn't have any major complaints about the battery not lasting long (although since it's an electronic device, I'm a bit worried about whether it will last as long as the specs suggest)
What impressed me most was that these snow gloves were warm enough even when the heat was off. Even if the heating function ran out, the gloves still had ample insulation, including PrimaLoft® Gold on the back and palm, so at least my hands didn't suddenly get cold. Even if I was moving around even moderately, the blood circulation in my fingers helped keep them warm enough
If you think about it, if a tool used in the dangerous world of winter mountains becomes completely useless when the battery dies, it obviously fails as a tool. That said, I was quite impressed by how well-made it is even in its bare state. BD is amazing, BD
For reference, we took thermography photos of the Solano gloves (left) with the red heat setting and the Solano gloves with the switch turned off, as well as snow gloves from another manufacturer, after leaving them in a parking lot at a ski resort for a while. The displayed temperature does not seem to reflect the actual temperature, so it is only for reference, but we hope it gives you some idea of the heat retention power of the heated gloves
Finger dexterity ★★☆☆☆
On the other hand, despite his unique explosiveness, it's unfortunate that Solano's clumsy fingers are a bit hard to ignore
The overlapping fabric and heating wires make the area around the fingertips thick and bulky, making it extremely tedious to do everything from putting on and taking off crampons, seals, and helmets, to operating cameras and radios, and even opening and closing zippers on clothing
This clumsiness is so bad that I quickly give up on operating or working with the gloves on. This means that I have to take them off every time I want to work, which is very stressful, and I think that thin liner gloves are essential just in case
At this point, I noticed another missing feature in these gloves: the lack of a wrist leash cord as standard
It's hard to understand why such expensive gloves don't come with a leash as standard, but fortunately they do have a loop for attaching a cord later, so we recommend that everyone bring their own leash cord and attach it
Waterproof ★★★★★
The Solano Gloves' shell is covered with durable and water-resistant goat leather, and the inside is lined with a GORE-TEX membrane. The gauntlets are also made of waterproof and breathable Pertex Shield nylon, ensuring complete waterproofing. This means that not only will snow and raindrops remain, but even if you put your hands in water, the inside of the gloves will remain water-resistant. The gauntlets also have an easily adjustable drawcord for a perfect seal
Durability ★★★★☆
While many snow gloves only have reinforcements pinpointed in areas prone to wear, these gloves are made with durable, supple goat leather, with double-layered leather reinforcement on the palm and inside the area from thumb to index finger, creating an impressive level of durability down to the smallest of details. The back of the hand is also padded to protect against collisions with lift bars and tree branches. Even during testing, the gloves provided a sense of security and showed no signs of wear
Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, are a different story. Batteries are getting lighter and more compact every day, and this one fits comfortably inside the waterproof zipper under the wrist. However, the cord's shape has many curves and connections, making it prone to snagging or twisting. Even though it's somewhat reinforced, I'm still a bit worried about the possibility of the cord breaking
Although there have been no problems so far, the lifespan of a lithium-ion rechargeable battery is said to be several hundred charge and discharge cycles (as you will know if you use a smartphone on a daily basis), so to be honest, it is unknown how long the performance will be maintained
Functionality ★★★☆☆
Let's also look at other features of basic glove performance
While it's not essential to have soft fabric on your thumbs to wipe your nose with, it's a nice feature to have (see photo below)
Other features include a clip for holding the gloves together when drying or storing them, and the aforementioned easy-to-adjust drawcord on the gauntlet, making the basic parts well-designed
The gauntlets are made to be just long enough that you can either tuck them inside your outerwear (right) or wear them over your outerwear (left), depending on the situation
However, due to its design, if you tuck it inside your outerwear, the heating button becomes difficult to see and operate. I usually wear gloves over my outerwear, so this may be a problem for people who do the opposite
Summary: If you suffer from cold, you'll never want to let go of this sense of relief once you try it
It's true that these gloves are quite pricey, but they also offer quality that will be a blessing for anyone who suffers from poor circulation, can't live without disposable hand warmers, or is willing to go to the trouble of getting a pair of warmer gloves. For skiers and hikers who suffer from numb hands, or anyone who engages in activities that require them to stay put and endure the cold in extremely cold climates, these gloves are well worth the cost
However, the trade-off is that you have to consider factors such as inconvenience with your hands, weight, price, and handling of the batteries, and whether or not you weigh these factors is up to your personal preference. From an overall perspective, it's hard to deny that there are better snow gloves out there. While these gloves might not be for everyone, the reassurance they offer—they're sturdy and won't make you cold—is an unparalleled attraction for users who want to cope with the cold of the winter mountains, and once you try them, you'll never want to let them go
Caution: Beware of interference when searching for beacons
There's one thing I'd like to point out that's not in the review, but I think it's worth mentioning to anyone who might use these gloves: When the Solano Gloves are switched on, they will interfere with the avalanche beacon if it's within 0.5 meters of the avalanche beacon. Therefore, if you want to put the beacon into search mode to search for buried victims in an avalanche, be sure to always turn the gloves off (this also applies to all electronic devices, such as smartphones and GPS watches)
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