UPDATE OCT 2026 –
Nearly six years later, I’ve found these biohazard trigger mitts work surprisingly well in the rain, even during prolonged downpours. They’ve also proven more durable than expected. After all, something designed to keep out chemicals should keep out rain!
I find these trigger mitts easier to take off than gloves (something I especially appreciate with traditional shell mittens when Nordic touring). In my opinion, they offer more versatility and, when paired with liners, more warmth than gloves.
Alas, I can’t find them online anymore, but I have six pairs total! All in all, I’m very happy with these simple mitts.
….
Plumbing the internet’s depths looking for my ideal mittens, I stumbled upon various forms of surplus biohazard mitten liners.
These mittens fall under what many people call “hazmat” suits, but with a military focus.
As such, these mittens are trigger-mitten (lobster) style, with the index finger and thumb both free.
From American Science and Surplus
I found two styles of the mitts, with one currently readily available as of this writing.
The differences do not matter functionally — the material is waterproof (and chemical-proof) plastic with some pliability. These mitts not breathe. Still, if you use them in cold (ish) and wet weather with a liner glove, I find that less of a concern.
The first pair had a handy pinch in the gauntlet that keeps it in place a bit over a sleeve. These are only available overseas as of this writing.
However, I tend to push my rain mitts through the sleeve of the rain jacket to make a bit of a better seal anyway:
Second pair of these mitts.
As mentioned, both pairs of mitts are lobster-mitt style. I find they are large enough to fit my fingers completely in the central mitten part without needing the trigger-finger portion.
Of course, I can’t use regular mittens as an additional layer of warmth unless I purchase trigger finger mittens
The Swiss pair I purchased from American Science and Surplus (no longer available) goes up to almost my elbow. But after cutting down the gauntlet a bit, I have a pair for 1 oz that folds up relatively small and costs only $10 for three pairs.
The Swiss pair has a ripstop-like material that makes it more durable than the Czech pair in the first photo. However, because of the material, I don’t see these mittens being that durable long term. The material will crease and weaken, and I may need duct tape or something similar for in-field patching.
This potential weakness brings up how I’ll use these mittens: occasional use for infrequent rain, versus other areas such as the Appalachians or the Pacific Northwest.
I think of these mittens as Frogg Toggs practically – light, work well for what they do but not likely to not hold up to long term abuse. For the three-season backpacking I do in Utah, these should work well. However, for colder or wetter environments, I will not take this tool in my kit. For something like my Utah trek or my New Mexico loop, they’d work well.
At three for $10 and 1 oz (cut down), they’ll work for backpacking.
One more option to look at later this week, and I’ll conclude the series.