Iain and Al pick the best ski gloves and socks for winter 2024, plus we explain what a ‘Lobster Claw’ glove is and why the two biggest ‘ski sock sins’ are wearing tube socks or wearing two pairs of socks!  This Special Episode of The Ski Podcast has been made possible by Ellis Brigham - the winter sports specialists.   They have 16 shops around the UK where you can find all the kit you need for this winter. Alternatively, simply go to their website at brigham.com/">ellis-brigham.com to buy online now. SHOW NOTES Listen to all of our equipment specials (on skis, ski boots, jackets, goggles and helmets) Listen to Al sharing his thoughts on Slide 2024 in Episode 197 (1:00) Try before you buy (3:30) What is a ‘Lobster Claw’? (4:30) What are powder cuffs or powder gauntlets? (5:00) Is ‘touch screen compatibility’ a must? (6:00) Try the brigham.com/therm-ic-ultra-heat-boost-men-s-gloves-715076">Thermic Heat Boost£300 if you’re looking for ‘electrically heated gloves’ (7:00) Can you have ‘waterproof’ gloves? (8:00) What’s a ‘liner glove’? (9:30) What’s a ‘shell’ glove/mitt? (10:30) What’s new in sustainability in gloves? (11:30) Find out more about PFCs and DWR in our ski jackets episode (12:30) The Best Ski Gloves for Winter 2024 brigham.com/hestra-army-leather-gore-tex-3-finger-men-s-gloves-316006">Hestra Army Leather GORE-TEX 3 Finger Men's Gloves, £165 (14:30) Hestra is an iconic glove brand. The Army Leather 3 finger gives fabulous warmth with decent dexterity, thanks to the lobster claw design and it has a long powder gauntlet. You get excellent breathable waterproofing thanks to the Gore-Tex membrane. It’s a unisex glove, only in black, with a white goat leather palm and thumb cover.  brigham.com/black-diamond-women-s-spark-gloves-316305">Black Diamond Women's Spark Gloves, £100 (15:15) Redesigned for this season, this is available in men’s and women’s versions in various colours. It’s an under-cuff design using tough goat leather, with PrimaLoft Gold insulation for great warmth without loads of bulk. There’s foam padding across the back of the hand and the lining of this version has made it easier to get damp hands into. If want a real work-horse glove without breaking the bank, consider the £45 ‘Dirt Bag’ glove. brigham.com/the-north-face-montana-luxe-futurelight-men-s-gloves-318204">The North Face Montana Luxe FUTURELIGHT Men's Gloves, £90 (16:15) TNF’s own Futurelight insert gives good waterproofing and excellent breathability. This great value glove has recycled material for the outer and lining, a PFC-free DWR and their own Heatseaker Eco insulation. It’s an under-cuff design with a pull loop for getting into the glove, and touch-screen compatible tips on the thumb and index finger.    brigham.com/roxy-jetty-women-s-mittens-316200">Roxy Jetty Women’s Mitts, £60 (18:00) These mitts use PFC-free water repellent, uses some recycled materials, and has Roxy’s DryFlight tech to keep the weather out. The palm is artificial PU leather, rather than real leather. Leather is typically more durable but this is a vegan option for those who don’t want to use animal products. This is excellent value, offering good warmth. brigham.com/salomon-propeller-one-gloves-316221">Salomon Propeller Glove, £55 (19:00) This is a superb value glove, which uses a durable polyamide (?) shell, synthetic leather palm and synthetic insulation. The finger ends are wrapped, although this is a ski glove rather than a snowboard glove. It uses Salomon’s own waterproof, breathable membrane and has an under-cuff design. It’s a great value option, if you don’t suffer with cold fingers. Why you should never buy tube socks… (20:00) How important is ‘padding’? (21:00) Should I wear two pairs of socks? (22:00) Are thick ski socks warmer? (23:00) Can you have snowboarding-specific socks? (23:30) The Best Ski Socks of winter 2024 brigham.com/therm-ic-powersocks-set-heat-fusion-s-pack-1400-bt-715079">Therm-ic Powersocks Set - Heat Fusion+ S-pack 1400 BT, £270 (24:30) An excellent, if expensive, option for anyone who suffers from cold feet. Offer up to 16 hours battery life, but even without heating, the wool and synthetic blend provides good warmth. Uses USB rechargeable batteries and can be controlled via Bluetooth and an app. brigham.com/smartwool-targeted-cushion-women-s-ski-socks-219816">Smartwool Targeted Cushion Women's Ski Socks, £27 (26:15) The Targeted Cushion has padding where you may want a little extra protection, but are still pretty thin, so they work in well-fitted, snug boots. Available in a big range of colours and designs, for men and women. Hard wearing but soft, using mainly Merino wool, combined with virgin and recycled synthetic fibres.  brigham.com/sidas-surefit-ski-sock-271201">Sidas SUREfit Ski Sock, £25 (27:15) The Sidas Surefit sock has padding for the shin, toes and heel, in a specific right and left anatomy. Mesh panels and channels help wicking and breathability, using mix of merino wool, virgin and recycled synthetic yarns.  brigham.com/ellis-brigham-wintersport-ski-socks-twin-pack-271704">Ellis Brigham Wintersport Ski Socks (twin pack), £20 (28:00) There’s no Merino, but if you don’t want wool this is a great choice. These socks have padding for the foot, good height, and Coolmax to help wick moisture. Outstanding value. Feedback (30:00) I enjoy all feedback about the show, I like to know what you think, especially about our features so please contact on social @theskipodcast or by email theskipodcast@gmail.com  Richard Patey: “I enjoyed your ski jacket episode: I’ve got an Ellis Brigham here in Bristol that I’ll be heading to soon.” APNorthfields: "The goggles special was another great episode. I am curious about photochromic lenses in goggles that adjust to light levels. This was not discussed - are they a no-no or worth considering?"  What are photochromic lenses (30:45) Bolle’s Phantom Plus lens tech ensures transition times of around 20 seconds when cold (31:30)  If you like the podcast, there are two things you can do to help:   1) Review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it helps listeners find us 2) Subscribe, so you never miss an episode.  We now have 202 episodes to catch up with and 161 were listened to in the last week.   You can follow Iain @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast.