In winter photography, good clothing is essential. And one item that is notoriously difficult to find is a good pair of photography gloves. In this review, I’ll take a closer look at one of the brand new models by Vallerret – the Tinden photography gloves – and share my thoughts and observations after using them for a few weeks.
Before we begin, I just want to mention that this review is in no way sponsored or endorsed by Vallerret. I have bought Tinden photography gloves with my own money and am solely sharing my personal opinion.
That said, some of the links in the article are affiliate links, and I might get a small commission should you use them. This helps me keep the blog running, so I would greatly appreciate that.
Meet Vallerret Tinden
In Norwegian, “tinden” is a suffix commonly used to denote a mountain peak. And so, it’s no coincidence that Vallerret chose it as a name for their brand new heavy-duty winter photography glove. The Tinden is a glove designed to withstand low temperatures and keep your hands warm in the harshest of conditions.
In case you haven’t heard of Vallerret before, it is a Norwegian brand specializing in making gloves for photographers. They aren’t new in the game either. Vallerret has been going strong since 2014 and has made quite a name for itself over the years.
The Tinden is one of the models in the revamped lineup the company has recently introduced. In their own words, “the Tinden photography glove will get you to the top of your winter photography during the darkest and coldest days of the season.”
What makes Vallerret photography gloves so unique and recognizable is their smart design that allows for quick access to the dials without taking the entire glove off. But with Tinden, Vallerret has seemingly taken things to a whole new level.
Building on the strengths of the previous models, it incorporates everything we’ve grown to love and expect from Vallerret. But Tinden doesn’t just stop there. It features various enhancements and improvements across the board, making it the warmest glove the company has ever produced.
That’s exactly what makes Tinden so exciting. Vallerret released some excellent gloves in the past, but one aspect I always had issues with was their warmth. They just weren’t warm enough for me in a lot of situations. Perhaps Tinden could finally solve this problem?
Tinden Key Stats and Features
| Model name | Tinden Photography Glove |
| Materials | Genuine Goat leather Water-Resistant Polyester Twill Merino Wool Goat suede |
| Insulation layer | Primaloft Gold Insulation (260gsm/170gsm) |
| Main features | FlipTech finger caps with magnets Ergonomic fit Pre-Curved Design Nonslip grip Gauntlet Under-Cuff with Wrist Strap SD card pocket with a tripod key Carabiner Clip True suede Lens Wipe |
| Warmth rating | Deep winter |
| Water-resistant | Yes |
| Price | €109,95 / $119.95 |
The Look and Feel
Vallerret has never compromised on visual aesthetics. All of their photography gloves are stunning, and Tinden is no exception. The design is clean, tasteful, and has a truly premium look to it.
On the outside, the goat leather and water-resistant polyester twill set the tone. The theme continues on the inside, where leather is accompanied by a suede layer on the thumb and a tacky rubbery coating on the palm for better grip.
This palm print is unique for every Vallerret glove model. For Tinden, it depicts the Arctic Norway landscape inspired by the image of Christian Hoiberg.
Everything about Tinden conveys quality. It’s a very well-made glove that won’t seem out of place no matter where you take it. A little bulky, perhaps, but that is to be expected, given how warm they are. Overall, Tinden is a high-quality stylish glove that is a pleasure to look at.
The only thing I’m not a huge fan of is the choice of suede for the thumb. It replaces the faux Nubuck material of the last-generation models that I think was more elegant and visually appealing. Plus, when it snows, the new suede tends to quickly accumulate rime which hinders its secondary lens wipe function.
Interestingly, in Vallerret’s official video for the Tinden, the suede patch is missing, and it’s the leather that covers the thumbs. Not sure what caused the change, but I’m not entirely convinced it was the right decision.
Comfort and Usability
Just as they are visually pleasing, the Tinden are incredible to wear. They’re soft, homely, fit well, and are overall very enjoyable. Vallerret has no doubt put a lot of effort into making Tinden as comfortable and functional as possible.
From the pre-curved build to the rubbery print on the inside ensuring a firm grip on cameras of any size, every tiny detail was meticulously thought through. However, one feature unique to Tinden that immediately stands out is its long gauntlet-style cuff.
To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure about it at first. Now, after testing Tinden for a few weeks, I really like it. It extends well under the sleeve, keeping the hands warm and making the glove feel more like a continuation of the jacket. And thanks to the velcro strap, you can quickly tighten or loosen the cuff to your liking.
That said, not everybody will appreciate such a cuff. It can be quite a nuisance if you have a jacket with tight sleeves. Whenever you put the glove on, you end up fighting the cuff and trying to fit it under that unyielding sleeve.
Sounds trivial, but do it a few times, and you will quickly learn to think twice before pulling the glove off. And if you’re the type of person who wears watches, you’ll find it troublesome to check it under that cuff. It’s a minor issue but can get annoying after a while, so it’s worth mentioning.
But other than that, there is honestly little to complain about. I was genuinely surprised by how easy the gloves are to use despite their seemingly bulky size. The loss of dexterity was nowhere near as noticeable as I expected, and I was able to jump right back into action.
Granted, these are not my first photography gloves. If you haven’t previously owned something similar, you’ll probably need some time to adapt. It might feel very odd and slow at first. But give it a couple of weeks, and you will slowly get used to it.
The FlipTech Finger Caps
The main attribute of all Vallerret photography gloves is the FlipTech finger caps. It’s a simple yet brilliant design decision, and over the years the company has mastered it almost to perfection.
The idea is that you can pull back the tips of an index finger and the thumb exposing the fingertips. The caps are then held in place by a pair of magnets, allowing you to operate the camera without having to take the entire glove off.
This is super convenient. When you need to, just flip the caps, do the shot, then pull them back on again. The closed caps extend over the rest of the fabric, fully covering the seal. So once shut, no cold air can enter through the cuts.
The FlipTech caps on Tinden work pretty well. I have tested them with all camera sizes from full-frame to mobile phones and had no problems whatsoever. The buttons, dials and switches are all easy to access, which is exactly what you want as a photographer.
The only aspect of it that I wasn’t fully content with is the magnets. Vallerret has been continuously improving them with every iteration, but they are still too flimsy to my taste. The magnets often come loose when you least expect them to, and the dangling caps get in a way.
This is not the end of the world, but can certainly be annoying occasionally, especially if you’re wearing glasses. I can’t help but wonder if the metallic clips as seen on some other photography gloves (or, in fact, Vallerret’s own Alta Over Mitt) would’ve made more sense.
Vallerret’s Warmest Glove
Warmth is arguably the most important attribute of a photography glove. After all, no matter how fancy the glove is, if it isn’t warm enough, you won’t be able to fully concentrate on the image.
Vallerret positions Tinden as their cold-weather champion, a photography glove built to withstand severe temperatures and get you through the coldest days of winter. And they back that up with some impressive specs.
To battle the elements, Vallerret brought in merino wool lining in combination with Primaloft Gold 270/170gsm insulation layer. This is pretty much the gold standard of modern insulation and together with a longer cuff should keep enough warmth inside.
Vallerret doesn’t provide exact temperature ratings arguing that cold and warmth are subjective and perception varies from person to person. Instead, they suggest their 5-degree winter scale – from light to arctic winter.
Tinden sits near the top of that scale, between deep and arctic winter. So at least on paper, these gloves pack quite a punch. But how do they perform in the field?
Is Tinden Warm Enough?
Over the past weeks, I tested Tinden in temperatures as low as -10°C and a variety of conditions that included wind, snow, and even gale. Overall, I’m very satisfied with the results. The gloves did a good job keeping my hands warm throughout the sessions.
That said, minus ten degrees is not the harshest of conditions. And based on my observations, I’m not sure I would stay very comfortable in Tinden at even lower temperatures.
So yes, Tinden is quite warm, but only up to a certain limit. Exactly what that limit is going to be, is unfortunately hard to predict.
A lot depends on your body, style of photography, and weather. Do you move around a bit or stand still for a long time? Is it windy or still, humid or dry? How long are you spending in the cold? These are all important questions that will affect the outcome.
My general conclusion is this. Tinden is a very warm glove that can withstand a wide range of conditions. It is without a doubt, the warmest Vallerret glove I owned. And honestly, for many people, it will probably be the only glove they ever need.
However, Tinden is not a one-stop solution that will keep just about any cold at bay. It’s a glove, and by itself, any glove has limits to what it can achieve. This is why Vallerret emphasizes the importance of the layering approach, just as you do with clothes.
In other words, if you tend to head out in really brutal colds or spend a lot of time in snow, you might find Tinden a little lacking. In that case, you should probably consider investing in one of Vallerret’s liners or the Alta Over Mitt for extra protection.
Other Notable Features
Vallerret has obviously put a lot of effort into making Tinden a well-rounded and full-featured photography glove. And in doing so, they included a few minor but convenient perks that are worth talking about.
Water resistance. Tinden is assembled from water-resistant materials and can easily withstand snow and rain. But they aren’t fully waterproof, so I would advise against photo sessions in a heavy downpour. The gloves do get damp and uncomfortable eventually and need to be dried up.
Side pockets. On the outer surface of each glove, you will find a small zipped pocket. These are handy for storing anything you might need quick access to. Spare memory cards, lens wipes, keys, tickets, credit cards, coins, or even hand warmers are just a few examples.
Tripod key. Inside the left glove side pocket, you will find a small but robust tripod key that can be very helpful in some situations. Chances are you won’t need it too often, but when you do, having one at your disposal is invaluable.
A carabiner. Something exclusive only to the Tinden photography glove is a carabiner and a steel outlet to attach it to. It allows you to clip the gloves together, hang them from your belt, bag strap, or anywhere else you fancy. I haven’t used it much so far, but I can see it being practical sometimes.
Tinden vs Other Vallerret Gloves
Tinden is not the only photography glove currently available from Vallerret. And while the company does a great job explaining the differences, I thought I’d chime in with some additional observations.
Tinden vs Markhof Pro
Markhof Pro is Vallerret’s most popular and recognized glove. With version 3 recently released, it has seen years of tweaks and improvements and remains the company’s signature product. So which one should you go for?
I won’t dive deep into specifics of the Markhof Pro here, as I have reviewed them in great detail here, but I’ll say this. In my opinion, the difference boils down to where and when you plan on shooting.
Markhof Pro V3 is a lighter, more elegant, and more versatile glove that I would routinely choose for non-photography activities, when photographing cityscapes, or simply when it’s not overly cold outside. It looks modern, is less bulky, and doubles down as a comfortable everyday glove.
The tradeoff is that it won’t deal with freezing temperatures that well. Markhof Pro V3 is a significant improvement over its predecessor but still a far cry from what Tinden can take on. Whenever the air cools down to less than -2°C, I’d pick the Tinden any day of the week. It’s just warmer.
So if you are only starting with winter photography or are mostly choosing uncomplicated and relatively short photography outings, I recommend the Markhof Pro V3. However, for proper winter landscape photography adventures, Tinden is the way to go.
Tinden vs Ipsoot
The Ipsoot photography glove has been discontinued after the release of Tinden. So this section is mostly for those who already own it and are considering an upgrade.
In simple terms, it helps to think of Tinden as the new and improved Ipsoot. I will not at all be surprised if it actually started like that. Only Vallerret knows the true story, but one thing is for certain – Tinden takes everything good about Ipsoot and builds on top of that.
In other words, I would always pick Tinden over Ipsoot. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to immediately upgrade. Ipsoot is a fantastic photography glove in its own right. If you like it, there’s absolutely no reason to discard it.
Honestly, the only reason I would recommend jumping to Tinden right away is if you just need that extra warmth. Tinden is better insulated and provides superior protection against lower temperatures. If that’s something you experience fairly often, Tinden is the obvious choice.
The Verdict – Who is Tinden for?
Summing it up, Vallerret Tinden is an excellent photography glove that does what it is supposed to do and does it extremely well. It’s comfortable, warm, easy to use, and improves on all the features we’ve come to love and expect from Vallerret.
Tinden certainly has its imperfections, but for me, none of them are significant enough to not recommend it. The overall quality of materials and assembly together with the strong protection from the cold make it a terrific photography glove for those who like shooting in winter.
As the warmest and most heavy-duty photography glove in Vallerret’s lineup, Tinden is best suited for those who are serious about their winter photography. If you spend long hours outside in the cold chasing the images, this is the glove to have.
However, for those who live in milder climates, only shoot occasionally, or simply prefer the most versatile all-in-one option, Tinden might not be the optimal choice. If that sounds like you, I suggest checking out the Markhof Pro V3 photography glove instead.
All in all, I was very pleased with Vallerret Tinden and fully recommend it. Of course, at €109,95 / $119.95, it is not a budget-friendly photography glove. But, as is often the case, you get what you pay for. To me, it’s an acceptable price for the quality and protection you receive in exchange.
In the end, neither Tinden nor another photography glove will make you a better photographer. But trust me, it is much easier to head outside knowing that you’ll be warm. Vallerret Tinden gives you that option, and once you are out there, the shots will follow.
Final Remarks
In winter photography, staying warm is of utmost importance. Every little bit helps, and with Tinden we now have one more tool in our arsenal against cold. Vallerret has done a superb job with this new glove, and I thoroughly enjoy using it.
So if you’re out shooting on those cold winter days and still don’t have photography gloves, give Tinden a thought. And if you know someone who is into photography, Tinden can make for a very nice present.
I hope you found this Tinden photography glove review useful and informative. If so, feel free to share it with your friends and on social media. And if you have any further questions, please leave them below.
If you enjoy travel and photography, I invite you to read other articles on the blog. Here are just some of my recommendations that I think might be interesting:
- Vallerret Markhof Pro V3 Photography Glove Review
- 7 Tips for Winter Landscape Photography
- Beautiful Places to Enjoy Winter in the Southern Black Forest
- Basel Christmas Market Guide: the Best in Europe. Or is it?
- Sunrise on Top of the World: Photography Guide to Mt. Pilatus
- How to Photograph Burg Eltz – Best Locations, Tips, and Tricks
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