Ice covered the pond as we pulled up to unload our duck hunting gear. Winter had its cold fingers gripped around northeast Oklahoma this morning. With temps near zero, this was the perfect time to test my new Cross Point Gear Mountain Socks and Pro Wool Gloves.
I’ve always found waterproof gloves to be too cumbersome to do anything productive while wearing them. They’re too bulky to operate my phone, shotgun, duck calls, or anything else that requires fine motor skills.
Don’t even get me started about how many times my feet have gotten wet and cold. (No, not at my wedding. Don’t worry, hun.) I’d tried every trick in the book, and nothing seemed to work. I’d just about given up and decided to “be a man and tough it out” when the Cross Point Gear gloves and socks showed up on my doorstep.
In short: I was unsure how effective these socks and gloves would be while outdoors. I’m happy to report that after dipping my toes in the water, moving ice, picking up decoys, and surviving a snowstorm in the Cross Point Gear Mountain Socks ($45) and Pro Wool Gloves ($59), they’ve become my favorite winter clothing item. However, they come with at least one major caveat and one or more minor caveats.
Specifications
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Warm, even in sub-freezing temps
- Fully waterproof
- Comfortable enough to wear all day
- Durable enough to handle tough conditions
Cons
- Expensive
- Socks have an odd feel at first
Specifications
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Warm
- Fully waterproof
- Silicone palm and finger prints for wet-weather grip
- Don’t limit fine motor skills
Cons
- Not as durable as leather
Cross Point Gear Mountain Socks & Pro Wool Gloves Review
What Makes the Mountain Socks Special?
The Cross Point Gear Mountain socks feature a three-layer waterproof-breathable construction. The 39% merino wool liner naturally manages moisture and provides warmth even when damp. The extra-thick design ensures you have plenty of padding from toe to heel on long hikes. To protect your legs and keep snow out of your boots, the top of the sock rests at mid-calf height.
What Makes the Pro Wool Gloves Special?
The Pro Wool Gloves‘ unique three-layer waterproof-breathable construction keeps your hands protected, warm, and dry, thanks to the merino wool liner, Artex30 bodymapped membrane, and wear-resistant knit exterior. The silicone palm and finger prints ensure you have grip in wet-weather, while the fingertips remain touchscreen-compatible.
Initial Impressions
The Cross Point Gear package arrived on my doorstep in late November, just in time for the cold weather to take hold, giving me plenty of opportunities to test the limits of these socks and gloves.
I loved how the gloves fit snugly as I pulled them on, but didn’t restrict my fine movements. I could still use my phone without removing them. However, the socks took a minute to get used to as I slipped them on. They’re a little thicker than the socks I’m used to wearing, and the waterproof liner has a unique feel, even though it’s between the other layers. The socks definitely made my wader boots fit more snug, but more on that later.
Material Quality
My gear has to be durable and tough. I’ll break it or refuse to use it while hunting and exploring. Before I became an outdoor writer, I worked at a coal mine. I wouldn’t hesitate to wear the socks or gloves on a cold day at the coal mine because they’re durable enough to handle climbing in and out of heavy equipment or using tools.
However, I will not wear these gloves to repair the barbed wire fences around my property because they’re not as tough as my leather gloves. I wore the socks and gloves on several duck hunts and outings in the snow, and they still hardly look worn.
In-the-Field Performance
Pro Wool Glove
There used to be only two options available to me: bring multiple pairs of gloves, or remove my gloves to use my camera/phone, duck calls, and shotgun. The Cross Point Gear Pro Wool gloves gave me another option. I can now wear these gloves the entire hunt, and my hands stay dry and warm.
I will wear these gloves on many more hunts, cold fishing trips, and any other time it’s cold. My dad wants a pair for skiing and winter yard work, after seeing mine. (Father’s Day present, here I come!)
Our Editor in Chief, Adam Ruggiero, also feels a strong love for the Crosspoint Pro Wool Glove.
My expectations for the CPG gloves were admittedly modest; I expected either another pair of warm, bulky mitts, or dextrous, not-warm-enough hand covers. What I got instead were stretchy gloves that perfectly fit my hand, and were just thick enough to be the perfect all-conditions hand warmer.
They are indeed waterproof, but they’re plenty well insulated for temps in the teens. And best (and most shocking of all), they actually work with touchscreens. This put CPG over the top as my go-to, wet and cold weather gloves for virtually any activity.
Mountain Socks
The Mountain Socks took me a little longer to warm up to (pun intended). It was the awkward feel; I just wasn’t used to how they made my feet feel in my wader boots and shoes. Luckily, I buy my waders a half or whole boot size too big (because I know I’m layering up my socks), so they still fit when I put the Mountain Socks on, but that’s definitely something you must consider. If your boots and shoes are already tight, you probably won’t be able to get them on while wearing the Mountain Socks.
As far as keeping my feet warm and dry, they did an excellent job. My feet sweat a lot, which is what typically makes them cold on my hunts. The moisture-wicking properties ensured my feet stayed dry, even after sweating. To test the waterproofness, I took my shoes off and stood in the cold water, and my feet came out perfectly dry.
What Cross Point Gear Does Well
My Cross Point Gear Mountain Socks and Pro Wool Gloves have exceeded my expectations. Both have performed as advertised, which is a welcome surprise. My hands and feet stay warm and dry, no matter the conditions. Some days I hunted were as warm as 60 degrees, while other mornings were in the negatives. I played in the snow with my kids and dogs while wearing them, staying warm the entire time.
The gloves still allow me to use my hands because they’re not bulky, and they’re durable and comfortable enough for most cold outdoor activities.
Where I See Room for Improvement
The biggest drawback is the price of the socks. I understand they’re waterproof and warm, but a single pair of socks costing over $50 seems excessive. You’ll likely have to purchase a size larger pair of shoes, so they fit without strangling your feet. The awkward initial feel isn’t a big deal because, as you wear them, you’ll quickly get used to it.
While the gloves are also over $50, they’re comparable priced to other waterproof hunting gloves, which seems reasonable. They’re also not the most expensive waterproof gloves on the market. The main downside of the knit wool design is that it’s not as durable as leather, but it’s much more comfortable and fine-motor-skill–friendly than new leather gloves.
Who Should Buy Cross Point Gear
I struggle to think of any outdoor enthusiast who wouldn’t benefit from these socks or gloves. Hunters, anglers, skiers, hikers, and anyone else who encounters cold weather with the possibility of getting their hands and feet wet should own a pair. I rarely rate a product so highly, but the Cross Point Gear Mountains Socks and Pro Wool Gloves earned it.
Conclusion: Cross Point Gear Review
While I don’t think Cross Point Gear Mountain Socks will keep you or your significant other from getting cold feet at the wedding. They definitely will keep your feet warm and dry on your outdoor adventures together. The Pro Wool Gloves are a must-have for anyone who’s tired of soggy, cold hands ending their trips early. I’m sure thankful to have had mine this winter.
