This is a follow up review to the one I wrote shortly after getting the newest version. I have to say that I am very disappointed with the changes. The added "leather" in the palm and thumb seem to inhibit the flexibility and dexterity that I loved about them before and hardly seems necessary since my 3 previous pairs of these never wore out in those spots. I wore them often while carrying poles snowshoeing on a recent expedition hoping this would help break them in. It did to a certain degree but the extra leather on the thumb still prevents the flexiblity I got right out of the package before. The "leather" in the palm (I guess it's still leather) doesn't have the same tacticilty as the previous models either. I have treated it multiple times with leather conditioner and they still don't have the grip the old ones did. I find myself reaching for my old stitched up pairs before I reach for these.

I just got my 4th pair of these (the newest version). I love 'em! I do have to say, I liked the previous version better. I don't think it needed to be reinforced in the palms. I would have liked the leather wrapped 75% around the thumb and the forefinger and just over the tops instead. On my other pairs, the seams on the distal ends of the forefinger and thumb would come apart where the leather and fabric meet. Even now, I still use all but my first pair as I have simply sewn them together (doesn't look great but...). Needless to say, I use them and use them a lot. I use them skiing (downhill and cross-country), hunting, shoveling the driveway and just wearing around. If they get wet I dry them and use a little leather treatment on them and they come right back.

I've had three pairs of these awesome gloves. I use them mostly for winter nordic skiing (25 degrees or warmer) and love them for spring backcountry skiing. Often these are the only gloves I will use spring skiing. I have a large hand and size large works well, although the thumb is a bit long (but the reach between thumb and forefinger is perfect.....key for using a ski pole). The palms just don't wear out. I also use these for cold hikes and even occaisonally for a cold mtn bike ride. Great fit. Nice and light as well. On most of my backcountry ski days, I have these gloves as well as the OR Extraverts.