Otex XT-850 Premium Photography Gloves Review
I personally didn't think I'd ever really need gloves for photography. I live in Canberra, Australia, and although it definitely does get cold in winter (as low as -7 degrees celsius), it doesn't get to the point of snowing in the suburbs so gloves felt like a bit of overkill. And besides, most of my photoshoots during winter are indoors anyways...that was until this year. This winter I was actually booked to take photos of outdoor rugby games - this meant walking up and down the field, camera in hand, during the freezing cold. I found myself trying to alternate which hand was going to hold the camera while the other was put into my jacket pocket to defrost. It was in those moments where I thought "wow it would be a lot easier if I had some gloves while doing this".
So, I’ve been on the lookout for a pair of gloves that could handle the cold but still let me have full control of my gear, and I think I’ve finally found them.
First Impressions
From the moment I saw these gloves on Instagram, I was impressed. They're built for performance and feel like a serious piece of kit for tackling the cold. The Otex XT-850s have an extra flip-back finger for easy access to your camera controls, which is a total game-changer. I also love the sneaky zip pockets on the back of the hand – perfect for a hand warmer if you're out on a seriously frosty morning, or even for storing a spare memory card or lens cap (it fits my 67mm lens cap).
The materials feel super high quality. They're made from a ripstop spandex that's both windproof and waterproof, which is perfect for anyone shooting in unpredictable weather. The insulation is a 3M Thinsulate™ blend, which promises to keep you toasty without making your hands feel like big, bulky sausages. The subtle black design with a small Otex branding is really sleek and looks great with all my other gear.
How do they perform?
I put these gloves to the test on a recent chilly morning. Normally, it only takes a few minutes for my hands to start feeling completely frozen, but with the XT-850s, it was a totally different experience. The flip-back finger is incredibly easy to use and lets you get to all your dials and buttons without any fuss. It's such a simple idea, but it makes a world of difference.
The touchscreen-compatible fingertips are also a handy feature, meaning you can check your phone without having to take the gloves off completely. Also, the silicone-coated palm gives you a really solid grip on your camera body or drone controller.
The warmth is what really impressed me, though. The 3M Thinsulate™ insulation and HIPORA® waterproof liner mean they're rated for temperatures as low as -10°C. That’s pretty crazy for a glove that still allows this much dexterity. Even after a couple of hours, my hands were warm and comfortable, and I didn't feel any moisture build-up inside, which is thanks to that breathable liner.
A real-world game changer
If you’re someone who shoots outdoors, whether it's landscapes, wildlife, or even just day-to-day snaps, these gloves are a total game changer. They’ve solved that classic problem of having to choose between warm hands and having control of your camera. Now, I can stay comfortable and still get the shot, no matter how cold it is. For me, that's a small price to pay for a much better user experience.
If you’re keen to pick up a pair for yourself, click the button below.