Alta Arctic Mitt

In the past, I had already tested other high-quality gloves like the Skadi, reliable and durable in extreme cold conditions, but the Alta Arctic Mitt by Vallerret have exceeded every expectation, proving to be my best companions for every adventure in polar regions and extreme climates, down to -30°C and beyond.
Why do I love them?
I personally used them during my trips to Iceland, Norway, and Finland, often to operate the drone across incredible landscapes of ice, snow, and mountains. In all these situations, their ability to keep my hands warm and sensitive was essential—especially when I had to control the drone with precision in extreme cold, without risking failure or unbearable cold.
Premium design and materials
These gloves are made with top-quality materials such as neoprene, weather-resistant nylon, and waterproof fabrics, providing excellent protection against wind, water, and snow. Inside, you'll find Thinsulate insulation, renowned for its excellent warmth-to-volume ratio, allowing optimal body temperature retention without sacrificing tactile sensitivity.
Technology that makes the difference
One of their key features is the ability to manipulate cameras, touchscreen displays, and precision equipment without removing them. The thumb and index finger sections are coated with a special fabric, making them so responsive that you can shoot, focus, or change settings even with the gloves on—crucial during long cold-weather photography sessions.
Flexibility and practicality
The shape is designed to offer freedom of movement, with elastic and adjustable cuffs that fit snugly around the wrist, preventing snow or wind infiltration. The high-quality zipper closure makes them easy to put on and take off, while the foldable or retractable hoods protect the hands from extreme cold and perfectly match the rugged, functional aesthetic of the gloves.
Strength and durability
Thanks to robust materials and premium finishes, the Alta Arctic Mitt are highly resistant to wear, perfect for long expeditions and prolonged use in harsh conditions. They are also highly waterproof and resistant to abrasions, ideal for facing snow, ice, and polar environments.
Why do I recommend them?
If you are a photographer, adventurer, or outdoor lover facing extreme cold conditions, these gloves are exactly what you need. Their versatility, ability to keep your hands warm and functional, and enormous reliability in Arctic environments make them a purchase worth every penny.

So over my many years as a professional landscape photographer, I have tried dozens of different brands of gloves…as many models as you can possibly buy in a lifetime! What ever most companies call winter gloves with tactile function simply doesn’t work as intended…

I live in Canada…we know what winter is here! And it took people from the great north to understand other people from the great north as far as keeping our hands hot goes!

My hope to find proper photography gloves were almost dead until I tried Vallerret Markhof not too long ago! I later got a pair of Alta Arctic Mitts and Pro Liners and wow! Finally a modular gloves/mitts option that works for us landscape photographers! If the temperature is nice and warm, I can only wear my Liners…things are getting colder outside, I’ll use the Markhof and if things are getting stupid cold, I will use the Alta Arctic Mitts on top of the Markhof for maximum insulation. What’s amazing is that you retain all camera functionalities thanks to their finger cap system which allow you to poke a few fingers out while keeping the rest of your hands warm! Now we are talking!

Vallerret means quality! And it shows in their choice of fabrics and hardwares they use for their products. The whole kit will probably cost you more than you ever expected spending on a gloves/mitts setup…but believe me, they are well worth every dollars spent!

I spent a wonderful cold weekend in north Minnesota capturing the ice along the shore of Lake Superior. I wore these mittens over the top of Vallerret Tiden gloves, and silk liners. My fingers stayed lovely and warm and I was able to use the camera easily, including the touch screen. I cant recommend this combination enough.

I have been using Vallerret Markhof V3 since a couple months and I felt like I needed an "extra" layer for those extremely cold winter morning here in Canada... The Alta Arctic Mitts are the best thing ever! If you choose size correctly, you could wear them on top of your Markhof for maximum cold protection, cozy comfort and camera control access. The mitts have basically the same features as the Markhof, allowing you to take your thumbs and fingers out when needed while keeping the rest of your hands nice and warm. Built quality, choice of hardwares and fabrics is same quality you are used to with previous Vallerret products. The Markhof V3, the Alta Arctic Mitts and the Power Stretch Pro Liners all together will not only give you the best protection ever but will also give you the option to fine-tune based on the ambient temperatures! Your fingers are totally worth it!

Absolutely stunning gloves for deep winter. In my personal view, better than Skadi Zipper Mitts. The zip is better placed and more practical to use. The gauntlet cuffs are very long and roomy so they protect your wrists well with no issues to drag it over your jacket sleeves. Top shelf product!

I am happy I got my Valleret Women’s Saga gloves just before I left for my artistic research in Iceland... I spend days hiking and filming out of nowhere in the still very cold highlands and coast, and I am grateful for my gloves. I have my Arctic mittens to make an extra layer, waiting for my next trip in less than a month, to the Arctic Circle north of Svalbard. So yes, thank you for keeping my hands warm while I am looking through the viewfinder :-)

The Alta Arctic Mitts provide that extra layer of protection from the wind and cold here in Maine that allows for fingers that actually work when you need them to for that great shot I’m about to capture ( I hope I do anyway). The harness is a brilliant addition as your mitts are easily out of the way while shooting and easily accessible to put back on creating that toasty warm feeling us older photographers crave. An investment that is well with the price

Not tried them yet, not cold enough here. We are expecting to try then later this month in Switzerland and Icland

These gloves are toasty but the size I got was a little big. Returned with no hassle for a smaller size.

Gloves are oversized, good if you’re wearing a liner or in truly freezing temps and need to wear two layers. Otherwise, definitely recommend getting a smaller size.

I fit very snugly in a size S in men’s on Vallerret’s other gloves and have to wear an XS for the Alta Arctic Mitt. Even then, the XS is still quite roomy.

The thumb magnet is weak and doesn’t hold when you move, and the magnet for the finger flap doesn’t line up properly so it takes some finessing to get the magnets to engage. I would much rather just not have the magnets in the glove and save weight than have these features that add too much complication to the glove for little to no gain. The material is rigid enough by itself to stay in place when flipped over anyways, so I really don’t see a point in the magnets.

Additionally, there are also like 4 different ways to clip/tie/secure the mitts together or to your arms/jacket. I find this to be completely unnecessary and feel it just adds weight and complexity to the design for no reason. One main secure point and a backup is more than enough.

The neck strap that comes with the mitts are made from extremely low quality materials and I would rather purchase the mitts at a lower price without the neck strap. Again, I find the neck strap to be an overkill solution to a very simple problem that has already been solved by other similarly warm gloves…elastic straps that attach to jacket sleeves.

Warm photographic mittens, the Alta Arctic Mitt are warm mittens designed for photography. A key advantage is the opening system; however, in my opinion, the zipper endings are too short and slippery, making them difficult to grasp while wearing gloves. I recommend them for freezing conditions.

I decided to "upgrade" to the Alta Mitt before a trip to Yellowstone. Just like the ad states, they are like a sleeping bag for your hands. They were very warm, even on subzero days. I wish I would have bought these years ago.

Alta Arctic Mitt Photography Glove is the best glove ever for the cold Finnish temperatures! I was lucky enough to have it during my winter travels in Lapland and it ensured warm hands ready to take photos!

Alta Arctic Mitt Photography Glove

Great mitt for cold weather photography

I have had these mitts for a few years now. They are seriously warm and comfortable, I've used them down to about -25c with just some liner gloves underneath, and my hands were almost sweating (I sweat a lot, so not an issue with the mitts). I must also commend Vallerrets excellent customer service. I originally bought a pair that turned out to have a defect from a retail store, and when I contacted Vallerret they sent me a brand new pair, no questions asked. Very impressed, and highly recommended!

These will keep me warm and working in mild weather and when it gets downright freezing. Love them.

A bit disappointed with the mitten upon first impression. I have a Small Tinden glove and I was assured that the small Mitt would be the right size when layering, however its not exactly.

The mitt is a perfect fit over the glove. So, not bad. The main zip for the 4 fingers is pretty good, but it can be a little tricky to get your fingers back in, but again, not that bad.

The biggest issue is the thumb. The thump is big, but the opening is tiny! Without any gloves on, the opening just fits my thumb through the hole. With the Tinden gloves on, its a major struggle to get the thumb out. And even harder to put it back in and close it. Its poorly designed as the thumb hole is WAY too small. I basically cant use the thumb at all with these mitts unless I am not wearing any gloves underneath.

The Alta Arctic Mitt is super. Allows you to manoeuvre with the camera, maintaining a solid grip whilst keeping out the cold. Used them in the Mongolian Taiga at temperatures of - 48. Big thanks to Denisa who ensured a quick turnaround on the gloves shipment, when I ordered them just 6 days before I travelled. A super thanks! Well done Vallerret for such a comfy and useful product.

I wear the Alta Arctic Mitt over my Markhof Gloves. Perfect combination in colder weather circumstances. I leave the zipper open most of the time, when photographing. Works good!