after a lot of research, i picked up a  pair of Hestra XCR gloves.  they seem great except the cuff is really long, which i could not tell on the web.  i like to keep the glove under my jacket cuff, so not sure these are going to work out in the end. so now i am back at square zero. aghhh.

i also picked up a pair of Leki triton poles this year (they redesigned the strap latch and its much, much better).  i love the fact that i can not remove the strap for lifts and such. they make a glove to match, but i can find almost no info on Leki gloves, none, zip, zilch.  the other options i was looking at were the Hestra XCR short, and Gordini Fuse (does anybody have experience with soft shell gloves)?

anyone have experience with these:

hestra XCR short
Gordini Fuse
Leki competition s

thanks

 Try the Hestra Vertical Cut Freerides if you want to go under the cuff... 

 Hestra XCR is awesome if you ski in the cold part of the country.  Hestra Heli is just like XCR but with the removable liner which you can replace with a less warm option if you want.  If you want under the cuff, definitely go for a Vertical Cut Freeride.  Best fitting glove on the market bar none, it costs more, but you get what you pay for.  

Try putting your glove cuff over your jacket sleeve.  I find that works much better - for one thing, it's much easier to deal with since I usually put my jacket on before my gloves. And take my gloves off several times a day.  Getting them under the jacket cuff is a pain.

For another, glove over jacket keeps the snow out better.

My approach to hand-wear is to go with layers - waterproof breathable shells (I like OR, but other brands are good too) with one or more layers underneath. It's more versatile, and removable liners dry much more quickly than non-removable.

This is coming from a racer, so I am already biased towards Leki gear. 

http://www.leki.com/ - You said you couldn't find much about them. 

I am assuming that your Leki poles have the S trigger system.  As you can tell, the Leki glove has the "binding" build into the glove already versus having to wear that frame around your wrist.  I'm a big fan of this system.  It's a binding for your hand.  Plus you look really cool with your pole seemingly magically attached to your glove without any straps. 

You also mentioned that you like to ski with the glove under your cuff.  I ski in Reusch gloves which are practically the same as Leki gloves.  I ski with my gloves under the cuff as well.  I think you will be very happy with the Leki gloves.

If the Leki's are anything like the Reusch's you will never turn back.  My Reusch gloves mold to my hand after a few uses.  Do you ever hit stuff with your hands like trees, rocks, hard snow, etc.?  If so, than you might wand to upgrade to the more heavily padded Leki glove.  Heck even the Seth Morrison pro model Hestra glove has pads all over it for just such reasons. 

OP did you find the XCR's for a good price?  I am comparing them to other gloves right now, and they are pretty high my the list.  Thanks!

 yeah, they were 40% off @ $92 at backcountry.com

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Hestra-Army-Leather-Gore-Tex-XCR-Glove/HES0023M.html

J Style: yes, the poles i have are the Leki with the trigger system.  they are brand new so they have the new system (loads from the top with the loop, instead of a plastic clip, i think this will solve the snow getting packed in the connector issue).  the pole are very cool, i just could not find any reviews or first hand accounts of the Leki gloves that go with it. their website says almost nothing and i cant really find a local store that has a pair to try.  they are pretty expensive so any feedback on them would be great.

i did read somewhere that hestra makes Leki gloves, does anybody know if there is any truth to that?

the Hestra Vertical cut gets rave reviews, cut currently i ski west coast, mostly Tahoe, and  am not fighting my way through trees yet where i am getting beaten up by branches.  there pretty tough looking, maybe they are overkill?? 

thanks

Did you size up?  I have seen some people say you have to, while others say they stretch.  Thanks.

Opimian,
  What size do you wear? I always end up at the Hestra sample sale every year and they never have the long gauntlet style which I prefer. I have several short cuff style gloves still new in plastic in size 9. Maybe we could trade. At the prices they charge I might be able to offer you 2 for 1.

Steve

 i would love to trade, but i am a Hestra size 10, i don't reckon that you have any 10 size around?.  they are snugish with room in the fingertips.  can't speak to if they will stretch but others talk about them breaking in and molding to the hand. for me they fit well, but no real room for a added liner. 

i am on the fence to send these back. i really want a under the cuff, but maybe there is room for two in the bag.  for over the cuff wearers, what's the draw to this style?

BTW - where is the Hestra sample sale?

It's in Golden, CO usually mid-Nov. 

I like over the cuff because it's the easiest to put on last and seal up.

I suspect you'd be best off with short-cuff Hestras (Hestrae?).

I have some of the Leki racing gloves. They're not particularly well-made in my view. Their primary virtue was that they weren't very expensive (particularly relative to the Hestrae).

I also have Gordinis, which have been pretty sturdy and good gloves all around. While I don't have own any Hestra gloves, I've tried them on in the store, and they seem to be the best-made gloves around: good quality leather, sturdily built and designed with nice attention to detail.

While it's not quite your original topic, I wouldn't get racing gloves unless you're actually racing. Hard knuckle padding is useful if you stand much change of hitting a gate with your knuckle ... it's not of any real value for freeskiing - probably less useful than slalom shinguards, and you'd look fairly silly in those.

  2nd that!  Also, easier to regualte temps if you need a little air in there, just loosen up the glove at the wrist. Much easier to deal with when you need your bare fingers.  I own the XCR fingered gloves but pretty much wear the "lobster claw" heli pros all the time. All the warmth of a mitten but you still have your index finger free for zippering and grasping. I love them.  Buy an extra pair of liners from Hestra and change out at lunch.  

Keep an eye on Tram or SAC, they were selling the XCR's for 47.00

I hope that deal pops up again!

Last year's Hestra Seth Morrison pro models also have short cuffs and are great.  They are probably still available on backcountry.

XCR Short #3018 is the glove you are looking for. It's been redesigned this season so you won't likely find the new one on sale.

The sample sale never has any model names but the last two years there have been lots of models that look similar except for the wide cuff band.

I've been tempted by the lobster claw style. Good to know they work so well. Have to try a pair.

does anybody know the difference from the new style and old styles.



old version above (still on sale)



new version