The Arc’teryx Fission SV mittens are a top pick for anyone who gets out in the cold every day and needs something that can keep up with that amount of use. The high-performance materials and design of these mittens provide an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio while also being waterproof. They don’t have wrist leashes and are pretty expensive, but you will get multiple seasons out of them due to their superb construction.

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See Our Best Winter Ski Mitten Review 2021 Article HERE!

Born in the rugged Canadian Coast Mountains, Arc’teryx builds products that can keep up with life in constantly changing and often harsh environments. So, it is no surprise that the Fission SV Mittens have been designed to handle just about every winter situation with the durability to keep going day-after-day. As with all Arc’teryx products, you pay a premium, but what you get in return is a well-designed and performance-oriented product. Even in smaller products like gloves and mittens, you can tell that they are as thought about and well crafted as any other Arc’teryx product. The Arc’teryx Fission SV Mitts, also available in a glove, are top-of-the-line mittens made to perform in any condition (preferably freezing cold) and will never let you down.

Material

It seems that the designers at Arc’teryx have access to the finest materials on the planet. It’s almost like they have tapped into a modern silk road of sorts. They’ve used Fortius 1.0™, a four-way stretch woven nylon/spandex that offers breathability as the outer shell. Paired with Gore-Tex Active, a highly air permeable waterproof membrane, this mitten is pulling out all the stops. The liner, not to be outdone by the shell, is Octa® Loft 100% polyester. It’s not as fluffy as a fleece, but it feels more like a puffy jacket for your hand, and it’s really comfortable.

Insulation

The Fisson SV mittens have doubled down on the insulation, going with both PrimaLoft Gold and PrimaLoft Silver. This combination makes for an extremely warm mitten, even if it does not look that thick. The low profile can be misleading, but the use of the PrimaLoft and Octa® Loft creates a seriously warm mitten that can still pack away relatively small as a reserve mitten.

Dexterity and Fit

As mentioned earlier, the Fission SV comes in a glove version with the best dexterity of any glove on the market, especially compared to how warm it is. In the mitten category, the dexterity is expectedly compromised, as your fingers are all locked together. That being said, the mittens’ low profile and impressive fit do make tasks like buckling ski boots and adjusting goggles easier than any other mitten in our test.

For fit, the mittens are unisex. They come in your standard XS to XL sizing options. Arc’teryx provides a detailed sizing chart to help you find the right pair. They are $179, so you’d hate to get the sizing wrong.

Accessories

Arc’teryx did not include many accessories with the Fission SVs. At the top of the fingers on the back of the mitten is a gear loop, so they can be attached together by a carabiner and clipped to a pack or harness. The orientation of the loop also keeps the opening for the mitten facing down, preventing snow from falling in.

The Bottom Line

For those who expect the most out of their gear and put it through its paces, the Fission SV Mittens will be up to the task. The question is whether the value is worth it. At $179, they are an expensive mitten, but the high price is matched by the high quality of the material and design. These are the most waterproof and warmest mittens for their weight and are built to last. So if you get out in the cold every day of the season and need a piece of kit that can keep up with you, your search is over.

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