Mountain Hardwear Typhon Gloves Review

Gauntlet-style gloves are one of those essential staples when conditions are at their worst. The extra coverage and warmth provided is unsurpassed as compared to other glove styles. I’ve been able to flog the new Mountain Hardwear Typhon gloves with Outdry this Winter and the results have been positive.

About the Mountain Hardwear Typhon Gloves

A new gauntlet-style glove from Mountain Hardwear, the Typhon also utilizes a relatively-new waterproof/breathable membrane called Outdry. How does Outdry differ from Gore-Tex, you might ask? Well, I’m sure the folks at Outdry will go on for hours, but the simplest explanation is that the membrane itself is fused to the outer layer of fabric. The result is a more cohesive feel with no dead air space and an improvement in breathability.

Features

• Midsize gauntlet
• Integrated, removable leashes
• Easy drawcord system
• 4-way stretch nylon soft shell
• Water resistant goatskin palms
• Outdry laminated waterproof/breathable membrane
• Polyester/wool removable glove liner
• MSRP: $130

Mountain Hardwear Typhon Gloves Review

Rounding out my review of Outdry products, the Mountain Hardwear Typhon gauntlet-style gloves have now been all over the Wasatch in varying conditions. The overall glove package is outstanding and the performance of the Outdry membrane has been equally good.

I’ve really come to appreciate the dexterity offered by these gloves. This is likely due to the use of the Pittard’s water-resistant goatskin and the fused Outdry membrane. With many Gore-Tex gloves, you can feel each layer independently, but with these, the inner wool/poly glove liner felt immediately next to the outer shell. I could easily grasp buckles, toggles and zippers every time–not something easily done with many gloves.

The outer shell can be worn alone or in combination with the glove liner, which can also be worn alone. If you’re in a pinch, these can be your do-it-all backcountry skiing glove, but I still prefer to have a dedicated pair for skinning and another pair for skiing. The value of the flexible glove shell/liner comes more into play for winter camping or expeditions where you’ll simply use the liner around camp and such.

One of my gripes with gauntlet gloves is tightening and loosening the gauntlet cuff. Mountain Hardwear mitigates this by using an innovative pull/pull design on the Typhon that allows you to use one pull (white) to tighten the cuff and another pull (yellow) to loosen the cuff. This greatly simplified the process of getting them on and off.

I occasionally had the liner pull out of the outer shell when removing the gloves, which can be an annoyance. That’s about all I can think of in the negatives on these gloves, really.

The Outdry membrane worked really well–even in warm, wet and slushy snow. No water penetrated these gloves at any point. As with all gloves, there is a temperature limit. On the chairlift, on a cold day, I found them to start to get a bit chilly, but once moving again, my hands warmed up.

Good Typhon

• Stretchy shell fabric provides excellent fit
• Outdry liner doesn’t add any bulk and provides excellent waterproofness
• Great dexterity with goatskin and fused Outdry membrane
• Gauntlet keeps the snow out
• Simple single-pull close/open toggle system

Bad Typhon

• Wool/poly inner glove does pull out separately; requires some fiddling on occasion, but not as bad as a poorly-designed glove that inadvertently pulls out
• May never use the glove liner or shell alone

Bottom Line: Mountain Hardwear Typhon Glove with Outdry

In the market for a mid-length gauntlet glove to keep your digits warm and cozy? Check out the Typhon glove with Outdry for a waterproof/breathable Gore-Tex alternative.

Buy Now: Find Mountain Hardwear Gloves at REI