Ever since its initial launch years ago, the Markhof Pro photography glove by the Norwegian brand Vallerret has been an instant hit. Winter photographers adore it for its comfort, functionality, and attention to detail. Its recently unveiled third generation brings even further improvements to an already incredible product. In this review, I share my opinion on the new Vallerret Markhof Pro V3 as well as some thoughts on who this glove is for.
As a quick disclaimer, this review is not sponsored or endorsed by Vallerret. I bought the Markhof Pro V3 with my own money and am solely expressing my personal opinion. That said, the article does contain affiliate links, and I might get a small commission should you buy through them. This helps me keep the site running, so I would greatly appreciate that.
Meet the Vallerret Markhof Pro V3
The original Markhof Pro photography glove was released in early 2017 on the heels of a successful Kickstarter campaign a year before. To create it, Vallerret collaborated with the German photographer Simon Markhof (hence the name).
The idea was to design an everyday glove suited for landscape and travel photography in the typical European winter temperatures. The glove turned out to be a major success, and Vallerret followed up with more models shortly after.
In 2019, the company released the Markhof Pro 2.0, a new and improved version of the original glove that further cemented the model’s status as the crowd favorite. To this day, the Markhof Pro 2.0 is a fantastic glove that I’m happy to keep in my winter photography arsenal.
Fast forward to the present, and Vallerret has recently announced an entirely new product lineup with Markhof Pro V3 as the main headliner. As a big fan of Vallerret’s photography gloves, I was incredibly excited, but at the same time a little wary.
After all, could Vallerret improve on what was already a fantastic glove? What further enhancements and exciting new features would Markhof Pro V3 bring to the table? Well, quite a few, as it turns out.
Markhof Pro V3 Key Stats and Features
| Model name | Markhof Pro V3 Photography Glove |
| Materials | DWR Genuine Goat leather 100% Merino Wool inner Water-Resistant Polyester Twill Goat suede |
| Insulation layer | Thinsulate C70 / C100 |
| Main features | FlipTech finger caps with magnets Ergonomic fit Pre-Curved Design Nonslip grip with Unique Print Stretchy Jersey cuff SD card pocket with a tripod key Clip Buckle True suede Lens Wipe |
| Warmth rating | Mid winter |
| Water-resistant | Yes |
| Price | €79,95 / $84.95 |
What Changed Compared to Markhof Pro 2.0
While on the surface this might seem very similar to what its predecessor had to offer, Markhof Pro V3 features a bunch of various improvements and tweaks. If you own the Markhof Pro 2.0, here is a quick overview of what has changed:
- Updated look and new palm print
- Better insulation
- Tighter FlipTech finger caps with stronger magnets
- Goat leather suede wipes on the thumbs
- Longer jersey cuff
- Improvements to zippers, tripod key, and the buckle
Clearly, the V3 is an evolution rather than a revolution. As Vallerret themselves put it: “We’ve taken all the best elements of the previous Markhof Pro Model versions, and given them some oomph!”
And I can certainly attest to that. Although the enhancements add up to a substantially different experience, it’s still undeniably the Markhof Pro that we all come to love so much. Just better and more mature.
The Look and Feel
Style has been at the core of Vallerret’s principles from day one. All of their gloves are carefully designed to look modern and elegant, and the Markhof Pro V3 is no exception. It is sleek, tastefully crafted, and well thought-through.
The materials are all top quality. On the outside, there is a familiar combo of leather and polyester, although arranged somewhat differently this time. On the inside, soft suede is accompanied by a rubbery coating for better grip.
The palm grip is unique for every model, and for the Markhof Pro V3 Vallerret has fittingly selected an image by Simon Markhof. Personally, I like it better than the old one, as it’s more prominent and eye-catching.
Overall, I am extremely pleased by the look and feel. Vallerret markets Markhof Pro V3 as a versatile “take everywhere” photography glove, and indeed it won’t look out of place no matter where you bring it, be that a winter photography outing or a casual city shopping.
The only aspect I am not overly sure about is the choice of the suede for the thumbs. I find it a bit too coarse compared to faux Nubuck that Vallerret put there previously. That might be a matter of taste though.
The FlipTech Finger Caps
Arguably the main feature of all Vallerret photography gloves is what the company calls the FlipTech finger caps. Essentially, this means that you can pull back the tips of an index finger and the thumb to reveal the fingertips.
This allows photographers to easily operate the camera without taking off the gloves and exposing their hands to the elements. Simple as it sounds, in winter photography this can be priceless. That’s exactly why Vallerret gloves have become so popular.
This is really quite handy. Operating the camera dials, buttons, or – in the case of phones – screens can be a major pain when wearing gloves. With Markhof Pro V3, whenever you need to tweak the settings, you simply flip the caps, make the change, then pull them back on. Job done!
The caps are engineered to shut tight and not let the cold air through the slits when closed. And when open, they are held in place by a pair of magnets. This keeps them from getting in the way while shooting, which is quite convenient.
The concept is very intuitive and works wonderfully. Once you try it you won’t ever want to go back, mark my word.
The only thing I still feel could use some improvement is the magnets. In Markhof Pro V3 Vallerret made them larger, but in my experience, they still aren’t 100% reliable. Occasionally the caps get loose, which can be a bit of a nuisance.
Strangely enough, the behavior is somewhat inconsistent. I only seem to have this issue on the left thumb and right index finger. Could be my hands or some bad luck, but definitely something for Vallerret to dig deeper into.
Comfort and Usability
The Markhof Pro V3 are not only visually impeccable but also easy and convenient to use. The gloves fit really well, they’re soft and comfy and in general, feel great on the hands. Put them on, and you will not want to take them off again.
The FlipTech fingers make life significantly easier when you’re out and about. That applies not only to operating the camera dials but to a wider range of activities, such as checking your phone, unzipping the backpack, setting up the tripod, etc.
There is certainly some dexterity loss involved, especially if you haven’t ever tried photography gloves before. Handling the camera might be somewhat difficult and awkward at first because of the extra bulk.
In that regard, the Markhof Pro V3 are somewhat beefier than the 2.0 version. The difference is subtle, but it’s there. The good news is that you get used to it pretty quickly. Besides, once you learn, you can transition to even warmer and bulkier gloves such as Tinden in a breeze.
Thanks to the rubbery coating, the camera lies firmly in the hand. I have no concern carrying even a smaller Sony A6400 like that without a fear of it slipping away. And the longer jersey cuff ensures a better fit under the jacket sleeve.
Quite frankly, when it comes to comfort, I can hardly think of anything more to be desired. Vallerret has always paid a lot of attention to details, and Markhof Pro V3 is yet another testament to that.
How Warm Are the Markhof Pro V3?
All the comfort in the world would hardly amount to anything if your hands are freezing. After all, that’s why we buy the gloves in the first place – to keep ourselves warm. And when it comes to warmth, your mileage with the Markhof Pro V3 may vary.
Vallerret doesn’t specify the exact temperatures the gloves are supposed to withstand arguing that’s a subjective number. Which I agree with – a lot depends on the person, their style of photography, and the weather conditions.
Instead, they label the Markhof Pro V3 as the mid-winter photography gloves. According to their chart, that’s somewhere in the middle. And if you recall the original mission behind the model – handling the average European winter temperatures – you can probably guess that Markhof Pro V3 won’t be excessively warm.
That’s indeed my experience with them. These are superb gloves for milder temperatures up to perhaps -2°C. But when it gets colder, or it’s super windy, they won’t fully protect your hands. You won’t freeze, but it won’t be fun either.
So whenever I’m heading to higher elevations or to the wilderness where the temperature is typically cooler than in the cities, or it’s just a particularly chilly day, I would invariably pick the warmer Tinden photography gloves over the Markhof Pro V3.
That said, the Markhof Pro V3 shine in somewhat milder conditions. They are fantastic for short outings, city shoots, or any activity that involves a lot of movement. Or those late-autumn and early-spring days when there’s no snow, but the temperatures are low.
In the end, you have to ask yourself what, where, and how you are shooting. Do you get cold easily? Do you stand still catching the best light or move around a lot? How brutal does it get where you live? Vallerret does have warmer options in their lineup, so you might want to consider those.
Other Notable Features
Vallerret always strives to make their photography gloves as well-rounded and full-featured as possible. And so the Markhof Pro V3 come packed with numerous minor perks that can be immensely helpful in certain scenarios.
Water resistance. While not completely waterproof, the Markhof Pro V3 can certainly withstand light rain or drizzle thanks to the water-repellent materials. However, in a downpour, they can become damp and uncomfortable, so I would suggest avoiding that.
Side pockets. All Vallerret photography gloves feature zipped side pockets. These are great for storing little things you need quick access to, such as coins, parking tickets, memory cards, or keys. In Markhof Pro V3, Vallerret made the pockets larger, and they can now fit hand warmers as well. Super helpful if you want to use the Markhofs in more severe conditions.
Tripod key. In one of the side pockets, Vallerret has put a stylish tripod key crafted in a form of their logo. Unless you’re brand new to photography, I’m sure you had those slightly embarrassing moments when you had to grab a coin or something similar to unscrew the tripod plate. With Markhof Pro V3 – never again.
True suede lens wipe. The suede patch on the thumb doubles down as an emergency lens wipe. This is handy when you don’t have time to fetch the proper one from your backpack or simply forgot to pack them (yep, eventually that happens to all of us).
Markhof Pro V3 vs Other Vallerret Gloves
After the recent revamp, the Vallerret product lineup is more diverse than ever before. And so it makes sense to see how the Markhof Pro V3 compares to the other models.
Markhof Pro vs Tinden
The Tinden photography glove is Vallerret’s cold-weather warrior designed to withstand the harshest of weather. In a way, it’s the big brother to the Markhof Pro V3 – all the same features, but warmer and thus thicker.
The difference thus boils down to what environment you mostly shoot in. For serious dedicated winter photography in snow and ice, Tinden is a superior choice. But for more casual photographers who prefer one glove for a variety of situations, the Markhof Pro V3 is hard to beat.
Personally, I’m a huge fan of Tinden. I always wanted a warmer glove, and so I love having it in addition to the Markhof Pro V3. Together, they form an excellent combo allowing me to choose the right glove depending on where I’m going.
But, if I had to choose one, I’d likely lean towards the Markhof Pro V3. Not as warm, perhaps, but much more versatile. Plus, you can always compliment it with either Vallerret liners or the Alta Over Mitt for better insulation. Whereas if your hands get hot in Tinden, there isn’t much you can do about that.
If you still can’t decide, I suggest reading my detailed review of the Tinden, where I go over all of its pros and cons.
Markhof Pro vs Hatchet
The Hatchet is another recent addition to the Vallerret offer that sits somewhere in between the Markhof Pro V3 and the Tinden. The Hatchet is somewhat peculiar though in that it resembles more a working glove rather than a photography one.
With its minimalistic all-leather design, it’s a glove I could see being irreplaceable for winter camping or going off the beaten path into the winter wilderness. So unless that’s something you deal with fairly often, I would opt for the Markhof Pro V3.
However, if you prefer the somewhat rugged design or want something sturdy you can throw anything at, then the Hatchet is the glove for you. Just don’t get the natural tan color. Though it looks super posh, it’s much less practical than the black one.
Markhof Pro vs Milford
The Milford is an intriguing newcomer to the Vallerred lineup. It’s their first photography glove to feature flip caps on three fingers as well as a protective rain shell.
If you have ever been to Milford Sound, you’ll instantly recognize what this glove is ideal for. Rainy, foggy and damp days that aren’t overly cold. So to me, Milford is more of an autumn glover than a winter one.
If you often find yourself shooting in wet and windy conditions, the Milford will probably be a better fit. But for harsher winters with snow and ice, Markhof Pro V3 is a clear winner.
Markhof Pro V3 vs Markhof Pro 2.0
Finally, if you already own the Markhof Pro 2.0, is there a reason to upgrade? I already went through the differences between the two earlier in the article, so here I’ll simply share some additional thoughts.
To me, there is no appealing reason to upgrade. The Markhof Pro 2.0 are excellent photography gloves that I enjoy using a lot. In fact, because the newer version is a little bulkier, I can see myself resorting specifically to 2.0 whenever the days become warmer in spring.
In that regard, I’m a bit sad that with Markhof Pro V3, it’s the end of the line for the previous generation. I would love for Vallerret to leave something that lightweight and versatile available as an option. We now have Milford of course, but that’s not quite the same.
Therefore, if you have Markhof Pro 2.0 and are happy, simply hold on to them. And if you need something warmer, get the Tinden. With that, you’ll have all your bases covered.
The Verdict – Who is Markhof Pro For
Markhof Pro V3 is a well-designed, stylish, functional, and feature-rich photography glove that will undoubtedly leave many photographers extremely happy. Building on the success of its predecessor, it brings multiple subtle improvements and refinements to an already established brand.
I have no trouble recommending it to anyone who is starting their winter photography journey. Markhof Pro V3 is versatile enough to cover a wide range of situations and make the idea of shooting in the cold much less intimidating.
While it won’t fully protect from severe colds and harsh polar-like winds, Markhof Pro V3 is more than capable of dealing with more reasonable temperature ranges. Unless you live in a place with exceptionally cold weather, it will be an excellent choice.
Like all Vallerret photography gloves, Markhof Pro V3 is not cheap. But then again, nothing in photography is. And if we are willing to spend hundreds of dollars for expensive gear, a small investment in our own comfort is not at all unreasonable.
Overall, I am very pleased with Markhof Pro V3 and highly recommend it to anyone who shoots outside during the colder seasons. And if one of your friends is a passionate photographer, this glove will be a wonderful Christmas or birthday present.
Final Remarks
One last thing I would like to mention is that Vallerret offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not satisfied with the purchase for whatever reason, you can send it back for a full refund. And so there is just no reason to not give Markhof Pro V3 a spin.
If you are serious about photography and don’t have any photography gloves yet, give Markhof Pro V3 a thought. Sometimes, simple things can lead to great results.
I hope you enjoyed this review and got something valuable out of it. If so, let me know, and be sure to share it with your friends and on social media – I would highly appreciate it. And if there are any questions I can answer, leave them in the comments below.
I also invite you to read other articles on my blog. I write about travel and photography and if that’s something you are interested in, here are some of my recommendations:
- Vallerret Tinden Review: A Perfect Glove for the Colder Days
- 7 Tips for Winter Landscape Photography
- Beautiful Places to Enjoy Winter in the Southern Black Forest
- Best Landscape Photography Locations in Patagonia
- Basel Christmas Market Guide: the Best in Europe. Or is it?
- Sunrise on Top of the World: Photography Guide to Mt. Pilatus
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