I used these on a trip up Rainier in June 2003, both to mess about in the snow fine-tuning self-arrest technique and on the climb itself. I had overmitts and a pair of bomber alpine gloves in my pack but never took them out, relying on the windstopper. They are thin, which made me nervous (Mtn. Hardwear has a thicker more traditional looking pair I considered,) but they were all I needed. The palms were a little wet after spending the day literally in the snow. I had my hands on a metal axe head for 18 hours, never got cold or felt a breath of the mountain wind. They'll be in my pack next time, guaranteed.