Look:
If you’re a HUGE fan of capturing nature and landscapes in the winter time, then you should think about protecting not only your gear, but also your hands.
Luckily for us, there are plenty of great photography accessories today, including the Vallerret photography gloves (they have different models for different weather conditions).
This is a Vallerret Markhof Pro 2.0 review, and it is for you if you:
- are looking for photography gloves for cold weather
- enjoy talking photographs outdoors in the cold
- want to have enough dexterity
- need to feel warm while shooting fall/winter landscapes
Without further ado, let’s get started.
Markhof Pro 2.0 Photography Gloves (Summary)
- Brand: Vallerret
- Product Type: Photography gloves
- Made of: 100% Merino wool, thinsulate fabric
- Best For: Mid winter photography
- Price: Under $80
- Recommended: Yes
Let’s face it:
There are thousands of multipurpose winter gloves you can find on the market today. They may offer enough warmth, but most of these products limit your dexterity. (For example, battery heated gloves.)
This might not be much of an issue for ordinary people, but for photographers like you, these products may not be the right choice.
Photography requires using the hands to properly control the settings of your camera.
Now, imagine not being able to do this because your gloves are too thick for your liking. It leaves you with no choice but to take the entire glove off and put it back on after interacting with the screen or dials.
Honestly, that’s too much hassle.
Vallerret Markhof Pro 2.0 promises you’re not likely to worry about this anymore. Their latest version of this product line, while a bit pricey, offers dexterity without compromising warmth and functionality.
In fact, many think it’s one of the best photography gloves today.
I personally own this pair and I certainly like they style and being able to use the tip of my fingers to hold my gear.
Where to buy them online? Check price and availability on:
But…
The only thing you have to realize is that this particular model is NOT for extremely cold winters.
And if your hands are sensitive, like mine are, then I’d use them only in slightly cold weather conditions. For harsher winters, you might want to check out the Ipsoot model or Heat 3 Smart gloves instead.
Markhof Pro 2.0 Glove Review (Video)
>>> Where to buy online: Vallerret, BH Photo Video, Amazon
Vallerret Markhof Pro Model 2.0 Features
With that said, let’s talk more about the most prominent features of this product.
Check out the amazing features of this pair of winter gloves:
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FlipTech Finger Caps
I admit, this product is awesome but it has some flaws.
Unlike others that are touchscreen compatible, this one isn’t. But to compensate for that drawback, the gloves come with magnetic flipping finger caps. And I think that’s a whole lot better for photographers, to be honest.
What does this do?
It’s pretty simple. When you flip it over, it reveals a small part of you index finger and thumb. Small enough to keep the cold out, and big enough for your fingers to easily interact with your camera dials and touch screen LCDs.
Who would have thought you can use your own fingers out in the cold without freezing? This is truly an innovation.
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Slim Fit
Regular hand warmers are normally bulky.
It’s probably because they don’t have electric heating elements so they keep you warm by layering several thick fabrics all together. With Markhof 2.0, you can expect the exact opposite of that.
These are lightweight and thinner than most rivals, and that’s really good when it comes to winter photography. It only means you can move your hands more even when you have it on.
As a result, you can get a better hold of your camera or other shooting gears.
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Rubberized palm for better grip
Another thing that makes this pair fit for a photographer is that it has rubber palm prints.
This design makes it possible for you to have a better grip of your camera. With this design, it’s unlikely for your camera to slip off your hands easily.
Breaking your cameras while doing winter photoshoots would be the last thing you’ll want.
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With dedicated SD card pockets
This pair comes with SD card pockets.
This is actually a great feature since you might be needing spare memory cards for the shoot. And, there’s no way you’ll ever misplace those little chips since it will be stored at the back of your hand.
If in case you don’t need to carry spare SD cards, or you might have another storage option for it, then you can still utilize these pockets. You can even put warmers in it.
This will help you combat unexpected chilly weather while outdoors. And it’s also perfect for those who need extra warmth.
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Premium quality materials
Here’s the thing:
Cheap materials may fool your eyes, but never your skin. At first glance, you can barely notice the difference between premium and knock-off items. However, once you put it on, it definitely feels so different.
Markhof 2.0 model is made only with high quality materials, nothing less.
The exterior is made of goat leather which is popular for it’s robust nature. The outer shell also comes with a DWR fabric (2 ply) making the pair water resistant.
The inner membrane is made up of 100% Merino wool which is known for it’s ultra breathability. Not only that, it also has a smooth finish which will make you hands as comfortable as it should be.
Plus, this material has great anti-bacterial properties and wicks away moisture nicely.
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Water and wind Resistant
Vallerret Markhof Pro 2.0 aren’t 100% waterproof, but they are pretty water resistant (see the video of me using them under running water).
That being said, I wouldn’t advice you to use it when the rain’s pouring hard because you’ll only end up with wet and cold hands (this is the last thing you’ll want, trust me).
Where to buy them online? Check price and availability on:
Now that you’ve seen the most important features of this pair of winter gloves, I think it’s about time I share with you what you might like and not like about this product.
Markhof 2.0 Gloves: The Pros & Cons
Here, I’ll tell you the things I loved about this product and what are those factors that put me off a little bit. Let’s begin, shall we?
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✓ Doesn’t hinder hand mobility
I liked how this product doesn’t limit your hand movements because it is of the right thickness.
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✓ Durable
Basing on the materials used on this pair, it’s safe to say that they’re durable, and that’s one thing you should always consider when buying winter clothing. I’ve only had them for 2 winter seasons, so I still yet to test them out, but so far I like the quality of the materials.
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✓ Stylish
Let’s be honest here. Some of us really don’t want the sometimes ugly winter gear. I personally really like the style of Vallerret products.
Just a quick note…
The features I’ll be mentioning are not major drawbacks, but these are the things you might want to check when buying this pair.
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✕ Price
All of us wish to find a product that has an affordable tag and premium quality altogether.
While I think a tag under $100 is fairly reasonable, most people don’t feel comfortable paying this amount for a product, especially if they have super sensitive hands and can only wear Markhof Pro model in slightly cold weather conditions.
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✕ Sizing
Since they are made Slim Fit, you might want to consider getting it one size bigger. And since it’s a unisex product, guys gifted with naturally bigger hands might want to have it two sizes up.
Though I personally have pretty standard hands, so for me they were true to size (medium).
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✕ Not for extremely cold winter weathers
Now, this is not really a con but more like a reminder for you.
This product is designed for everyday use in mid winter (normally around 10C). Don’t expect it to keep you warm all day long if you’re planning to use it outdoors with below 0 temperature.
Like I mentioned earlier, if your hands are sensitive, you might want to other products, such as Vallerret Ipsoot photography gloves (review).
Vallerret Gloves for Photography: Thoughts?
The thing is:
Photographing nature and landscapes during winter can really be challenging because of the cold weather. But would you really let that stop you from capturing great images of the season? I don’t think so.
Actually, there’s a pretty simple way to ensure that you can continue taking photos even under the cold weather. It’s by using the right kind of winter gear fit for a photographer’s needs.
Without a doubt, Markhof Pro 2.0 is one of the very few photographer-friendly gloves today.
To sum it all up, this Vallerret product is pretty great.
It comes with the right thickness and offers the right amount of warmth for slightly cold days. Though, I have to say it again, if your hands are sensitive, you might want to consider the Ipsoot gloves instead.
Now…
What are your thoughts on this Markhof Pro 2.0 gloves review? What are the best winter photography gloves in your opinion? Let us know in the comments below!
