I've ridden the Waterproof Winter Plus gloves from Youngstown Equipment exclusively for the past 10years or so after finding them at a hardware store back in Michigan when I lived in the Upper Peninsula. There were a couple of things about these gloves that first caught my eye back then: First was the burly, double-stitched palm material that resembles the stuff you'd spray in your truck bed to protect against abrasion and rust. The second was their low-profile slim fit which resembled an insulated pipe glove. Finally there was the price; at $35 these gloves are about half the cost of any glove bearing the name of a snowboarding manufacturer. While I'm all for supporting rider owned and operated companies, I'm also all about a product that will stand up to the abuse of 150days+ per year and come back for more. Frankly, it has been my experience that most glove offerings from the snowboard companies out there are severely lacking when it comes to durability. That's where the Waterproof Winter Plus gloves truly shine. These gloves are designed and built to meet the demands of the jobsite. They will stand up to hands being dragged through slashes, metal edges, etc and still come back for more. I can't say the same for the vast majority of snowboarding gloves I've owned.

Since this is an honest product review and not simply a glowing endorsement for a product that I use, I will say these gloves are not perfect. Some may find that these gloves aren't warm enough for their liking. For me, it has to get really, really, really cold for my hands to start feeling it; but I know that some people get colder than others. And while these gloves are waterproof (as much as any other glove without Gore-tex), they aren't the most breathable, so be ready for some wicked glove hand stink at the end of a long day. Finally, these gloves could use a wrist cuff to add a little extra coverage if your jacket doesn't have wrist gaiters to keep the snow out.

The bottom line is that the Youngstown Waterproof Winter plus is arguably the most durable and functional gloves I've ever used regardless of price, and after 17 years in the snow, that's saying a lot. Go out and get yourself a pair or two. At this price you can afford it.