After reviewing the Showa 281 and 282 gloves two years ago (281 review, 282 review), I contacted Showa urging them to develop a more outdoor recreation-specific version. In particular, I wanted to see a rain mitt (not glove) in a subtler color and with a wrist cinch.
I got no response and dropped it. Their loss.
So I was surprised last month to receive an email from Showa, saying, “We really appreciate your comments about our gloves and we have a new style that accommodates some of the items you mentioned in your blog. If you could reach out to me with your address and glove size I’ll send you a sample to try.”
Preview: Showa 282-02 Gloves
The new Showa 282-02 ($20, 4.1 oz in size Large) is not an improved rain mitt so much as a winterized version of the 282. It will be available in August 2020 from LFS Marine & Outdoor.
The chief differences between the 282 and 282-02 are:
- Draft collar with elasticized cinch, and
- Black color.
If you own or have read about the 282, the 282-02 will otherwise sound familiar:
It’s made of the same waterproof/breathable polyurethane, branded as Tem-Res. This rubbery material has proven to be exceptionally waterproof and durable, and I’ve used the 282’s in ways that I never would use shell mitts made of conventional WP/B fabrics like the REI Minimalist Mitts, such as breaking pointy spruce branches for firewood and cleaning leaves out of my gutters.
The 282-02 has the same acrylic liner as the 282. When new, it effectively traps hand warmth and protects from conductive heat loss. But with use it will delaminate, and at that time I recommend cutting it out and substituting it with a separate liner glove. This two-piece system has the added advantage of being easier to dry.
The fit of the 282-02 is also the same as the 282. Refer to my 282 review for a fit guide. As a general comment, they fit small — like Montbell, it’s Japanese sizing, not American.
Optimal applications
The 282-02 can certainly be used as a rain glove. It will perform similarly to the 282, but be marginally warmer because of the seal-able collar. The collar is not waterproof, however, so the 282-02 cuff is still a potential entry point for moisture.
The 282-02 is primarily designed as a winter recreation glove. It will particularly excel with wet frozen precipitation — like sleet, slush, and heavy snow — that would overwhelm most other waterproof handwear. It might be the ultimate glove for snowball fights.
I’m wary of offering an ideal temperature range, because this will vary by person and activity. My hands are generally cold, and the 282/282-02 reaches their comfort threshold when running in the low-10’s and downhill skiing in the upper 20’s.
Questions about or reactions to the 282-02? Leave a comment.
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The wrist cinch is a move in the right direction. Showa, if you’re reading this, we still need an insulated mitt–not glove.
Oh no! Just when I got the smurf blue one! 🙂 You’re right about the sizing – they run super small. I got the 281s in large to run with no liner, and the extra large with a glove liner. I really need an XXL (which I don’t think exists) to accomodate a glove liner… or find a thinner liner for the XL.
Yes, they run small. I also need a XXL or a XXXL. On the XL gloves the fingers are too short. And the knuckle on my right hand binds with the glove, making it not as warm as it good be. I also use the gloves for boondocking snowmobiling, which if you don’t know tends to be a very powdery ride and thus wet. my $100 mittens are useless for this kind of riding. I also use the gloves for ALL winter chores outside. They are great! I don’t think Showa realizes their “niche” product is about to fundamentally change winter in the U.S. I highly recommend sizes up to XXXXL. This would accommodate separate liners inside their gloves. It’s great glove that’s about to get greater!
Bruce, I have a pair of XXL – they exist!
I tried 282, but couldn’t get comfortable, so it’s not for me.
Andrew,
Thank you for this valuable Showa information. I also would like Showa and/or Columbia to make a shell mitten with their Permanent Waterproof Breathable (PWPB) materials. There is a major market void for this type of product.
I love my 282s that I got based upon your previous recommendation and looking forward to these coming out. Thankfully having a grandmother from Japan, they fit me, well, like a glove 😉
The blue smurf style is garish, but warm. They do run small. I ordered a large for a guy with small hands, they just fit without a liner.
I skied with my Blue 282’s (XXL) on a wet-snow day this year. They worked perfectly and kept my hands warmer than I expected. It was a warm day, but my hands get cold easily, so it was a good test. I will absolutely take them on every trip to Alaska – can’t imagine a better product for backpacking in the rain.
This is AWESOME!