84g (Size M)
Introduction
Ultralight Breathable Winter Mittens
Introducing our new AW Alpha Mittens—designed to keep you comfortable in every winter adventure.
An opening on the palm lets you quickly pop your hand out for tasks like unzipping a pocket or using your smartphone with no need to remove the mitten.
Featuring the highly breathable Pertex Shield Air shell and Polartec Alpha Direct lining, these mittens excel in both insulation and air-permeability. Lighter and far more breathable than traditional mittens, the AW Alpha Mittens redefine comfort for any winter condition.
Features
- Lightweight and highly breathable.
- Active insulation designed for winter and cold-weather hiking.
- Fingers can be easily exposed and retracted with open-palm design.
- Pertex Shield Air (58g/m²) featured in our UL All-weather shells.
- Durable Pertex Shield Air (110g/m²) on the palm for higher durability..
- Half to one-third the weight of typical extreme winter mittens.
Product story
Endless Comfort in the Cold
Using the AW Alpha Mittens for the first time, I finally understood just how uncomfortable and stifling traditional glove layering systems could be.
These mittens are a game-changer. After extensive testing in harsh winter conditions, I found them to be lightweight, warm, and incredibly practical. For winter in the Kanto region, these mittens paired with inner gloves are more than enough.
Akira Natsume, wearing the Slate Khaki color.
From the moment I began testing the prototypes, I knew they were something special. We refined the design, addressing any concerns, and perfected it for production.
Since ice axes are frequently used in winter, we reinforced the palms with durable Pertex Shield Air. To minimize snow intrusion, we also deepened the overlap at the openings.
In testing, whether plowing through deep powder or climbing steep snow walls by driving my hands into the snow like a blade, I didn’t have to worry about snow entering through the palm openings. While they don’t completely block snow, they do a great job, though a little caution is still needed during heavy snow play.
As I write this, I’m eagerly awaiting the snowy season. I can’t wait to experience the unmatched comfort and usability of these mittens once again.
November 2024
Product story 2
Redefining Winter Mittens
I frequently use trekking poles throughout the year, so I rely heavily on gloves to protect my palms. In cold weather or rain, I used to layer thin over-mittens on top of regular five-finger gloves. However, I found it frustrating to constantly remove and put back the mittens for small tasks like operating a smartphone or opening a snack.
That’s when I thought of combining Pertex Shield Air and Polartec Alpha Direct to create mittens with an open palm design that allows your fingers to be easily exposed and retracted. Such mittens could be versatile enough to handle everything I needed in one layer. Looking at the market, I noticed most cold-weather mittens were either too heavy due to insulation or focused solely on wind resistance without adequate warmth. It seemed there were no lightweight mittens designed for active use in cold conditions.
I took a prototype to the Yatsugatake Mountains in autumn. Even when gripping cold rocks or chains, my fingers stayed warm, and when running, my palms didn’t sweat. I realized this was exactly what I’d been looking for. While eager to bring the product to market immediately, I discovered that the open-palm design allowed water to seep in, making it less suitable for rain, which made me reconsider. However, after positive feedback from staff and HLC ambassadors who tested them in extreme winter conditions, we decided to proceed with production.
With extensive feedback from our testers, we perfected the palm opening, the draw cord at the wrist and the overall usability, which allowed us to bring the mittens to market faster than usual for Yamatomichi Although the final product differed from my original concept, I believe we’ve created a whole new type of winter mitten.
While combining them with inner gloves is recommended for extreme winter conditions, the mittens work well on their own in slightly chilly autumn weather. They also performed without issues in light rain or morning mist.
Form and Function
Windproof and Snow Resistant
The outer layer features Pertex Shield Air, a waterproof and breathable material with outstanding ventilation. The lining is made of Polartec Alpha Direct (136g/m²), which combines excellent insulation with breathability. This combination allows for comfortable activity in snow or under harsh winter winds, maintaining warmth but keeping your hands dry from sweat.
Open-Palm Design
The open-palm design allows for easy handling of detailed tasks, like accessing your gear or using a smartphone. If your hands get too warm, you can simply slide the mittens down to expose the palm area without fully removing them, keeping them securely attached to your wrists while you continue your hiking.
A Stronger Pertex Shield Air
We used a more durable version of Pertex Shield Air (110g/m² compared to the standard 58g/m²) to enhance the durability of the palms, ensuring better performance and comfort when handling trekking poles or ice axes.
Quick Adjustments with Elastic Drawcord
Make quick adjustments with the elastic drawcord at the wrist. These mittens feature a carefully designed pattern that ensures a seamless and comfortable fit with inner gloves.
Product review
Exactly the Gloves I’ve Been Waiting for
After about a year of testing the AW Alpha Mittens in various conditions, I’ve found them to be exceptional. For instance, in the harsh winter environments of Daisetsuzan and Yatsugatake, where temperatures ranged from -10°C to -20°C, pairing these mittens with inner gloves delivered outstanding performance.
What I love most about these mittens is the open-palm design. With traditional mittens, performing delicate tasks is difficult, requiring you to remove the gloves entirely—a hassle where there is also the risk of losing them to the wind or dropping them. This design makes delicate work, like operating a camera, effortlessly manageable. It’s precisely the functionality I’ve been waiting for. While I initially worried about snow getting through the opening, in practice, I found snow rarely entered. And even if it did, a quick shake is enough to clear it out.
In the past, I’ve struggled with my hands becoming clammy and uncomfortably warm, often leading me to remove them entirely. By comparison, the AW Alpha Mittens allow you to quickly expose your fingers down to the wrist without removing the gloves, making it much easier to regulate comfort. For people like me, who find the constant on-and-off process of gloves tedious, these mittens are a game-changer.
Personally, I’ve found Rab’s Primaloft gloves, made with 50% Merino wool and 50% Primaloft Silver, to be an excellent match as an inner glove with AW Alpha Mittens. A perfect balance of breathability, insulation, and quick-drying capabilities.
Yamatomichi Kammakura Staff
Originally from Osaka, Oji relocated to Kamakura in 2017. After working as a book planner and editor at an art-related publishing company he went freelance and now also works at our Yamatomichi Zaimokuza shop while running his own book business. He is also a keen gardener and hunter!
Material
Pertex Shield Air
The Pertex Shield Air is a novel fabric developed by Pertex to further improve water pressure resistance, washing resistance, and overall quality from existing nanofiber membranes.
Nanofiber membranes are net-like structures made of extremely fine polyurethane (PU) fibers that are water repellent (hydrophobic). They have a sponge-like structure with many micropores, allowing the air and moisture to pass through. This air-permeability creates exceptional comfort within the clothes.
The Pertex Shield Air is much lighter than conventional nanofiber fabrics, with a weight of 50g/㎡ to 60g/㎡. For breathability and durability, our proprietary version of Shield Air has 15 denier nylon fabric (40 denier ripstop) as the outer layer and 7 denier nylon as the inner layer. This combination makes it much lighter and more breathable than other nanofiber-based, waterproof moisture-permeable fabrics.
Pertex Shield Air
Material: 100% nylon
Coating: C6 DWR (Durable Water Repellent)
Fabric Weight: 58g/㎡
Facing: 15d/5f+40d/34f, ripstop
Lining: 7d tricot
Tear strength (JIS L 1096 D) – Vertical: 4kg, Horizontal: 3kg
The load required to tear a notched specimen during a tensile test.
Tensile strength (JIS L1096A): Vertical: 42kg, Horizontal: 31kg
The maximum load during constant-speed tensile testing until failure.
Air-permeability (JIS L1096A): 0.4cc/㎠・s
The airflow rate when air is drawn through the specimen at a constant pressure
Moisture-permeability (JIS L 1099 A-1): 10000g/㎡/day (Catalog spec)
The amount of moisture passed through the fabric in hot, humid conditions.
Moisture-permeability（JIS L 1099 B-1）：40000g/㎡/day (Catalog spec)
The amount of moisture the fabric passes when one side is submerged in water.
Water pressure resistance (JIS L1092B): 10000mm or more (Catalog spec)
The pressure when leakage occurs at three points during a gradual water pressure increase.
Polartec Alpha Direct
It is like a fleece with longer puffy hairs.
Conventional natural down and synthetic insulators tend to contain body moisture within the clothes and as a result, can be quite stuffy. Polartec Alpha Direct, on the other hand, is so air-permeable that it can be worn even during a high level of physical activity.
Additionally, the material itself is treated with Polygiene, which safely inhibits the growth of microorganisms and bacteria by incorporating low concentrations of silver ions. As a result, it possesses antimicrobial and odor-resistant capabilities that far exceed the lifespan of regular clothing.
Polartec Alpha Direct
Material: 100% Polyester (63% recycled), bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® certified
Fabric Weight: 136g/㎡
Bursting strength (JIS L1096A)：465kPa
The pressure at which the fabric bursts when inflated against a rubber membrane.
Heat retention (JIS L1096A): 58%
The energy loss from a heat source when covered by the fabric.
Heat retention (ASTM F1868): Min: 0.80CLO, Max: 1.60CLO
Insulation measured by power needed to maintain a heated plate’s temperature.
Size guide
Product Size
Unit: cm
| Size | S | M |
|---|---|---|
| A | 33 | 35 |
| B | 16.2 | 17.2 |
| C | 9 | 9.5 |
| D | 18 | 19 |
※Actual dimensions may vary slightly due to fabric stretch, sewing, and manufacturing tolerances.
※Washing and wear may cause shrinkage over time.
※Sized for use with inner gloves.
Instructions
Please Note
- The product itself is not waterproof.
- This product adopts an extremely thin waterproof and breathable fabric for the outer shell. Please be cautious about potential damages, tears, from rocks or snagging on trees.
- Regular washing is essential, as accumulation of dirt, sweat, and oils can compromise the fabric’s waterproofing and breathability. To restore water repellency, use a low-heat tumble dryer or a hair dryer. However, repeated washing may strip the coating entirely, making heat treatments ineffective. In such cases, use a commercially available water-repellent detergent to reapply the coating.
- Avoid products containing vaseline, insect repellent, ethanol, or similar substances (e.g., hair creams, cosmetics, sunscreen, or bug sprays). These substances can get into the porous membrane of the outer layer and hinder the breathability/water repellency of the fabric. For cleaning methods, please refer to our Journal; Repair Diary: #2 Removing stains from rainwear.
Care Instructions
- Wash with neutral detergent in water below 40°C.
- Do not use fabric softeners or bleach.
- Spot clean with a laundry brush or soft sponge for visible stains.
- Restore water repellency with a low-heat tumble dryer (below 60°C).
- Iron on low heat without steam.
- Avoid dry cleaning.
- Products containing vaseline, insect repellents, or ethanol may cause stains or reduce breathability.
Care Instruction Page
For more detailed washing, drying and water repellent care instructions, visit our SUPPORT Page.
Payment
- We only accept payment by credit card. We currently do not accept payment via bank transfer from overseas accounts.
- We accept the following Credit Cards: Visa, Master, American Express, and JCB.
- To download your receipt, please click the link included in the Dispatch Notice, which we will send by email as soon as the items are dispatched.
Delivery
- Order Confirmation will be sent after the order.
- The items will be dispatched within 3 days after the payment is confirmed.
- The dispatch notice will be sent by email as soon as the items are dispatched.
- The delivery may be delayed by unforeseeable reasons such as natural disasters and other logistics issues. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
- We cannot ship multiple orders in one package due to how our delivery system is currently set up.
- We will ship to regions in North America, Oceania, and Europe (excluding Russia) via DHL. For regions in Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America, Africa, and Russia, we use EMS (International Express Mail Service) for shipping.
- Shipping fees and delivery times vary depending on the shipping destination as well as the size and weight of the items.
Size Exchange
- Overseas customers who need to change the size of their order, should note that the time needed for shipping will vary greatly depending on your country of residence.
- We only accept exchanges when the item is unused (except for fitting).
- If you wish to exchange the size of the item, please contact us within seven days of receiving your order.
- Exchanges can only be made for the same color in a different size.
- If the size you wish is out of stock, we will suggest a different color.
- If the product is out of stock, we may simply have to ship the item back to you.
- All shipping costs to be carried by the customer.
- We will only send the exchanged item to you, upon receipt of return shipping cost via PayPal.
- Please be aware that some countries charge customs duties depending on the price of the item.
- We are unable to answer any questions on local customs. Please contact your local customs bureau.
Repair
We accept repairs for all of our Yamatomichi products. For inquiries on repair services including patching the holes, repairing with extra components, or fixing the items damaged over time, please feel free to contact us from the “Repair” section of the SUPPORT page.