Hand protection made from the skin of the great wapiti. Long favored by farm laborers and cowboys, these understated accessories have become de rigueur among hardcore ski bums. (Pro tip: prep them with Sno-Seal). Compared with cowhide, elk skin is thinner, tougher, and more flexible. Ski companies have started to ape the look of elk skin gloves, but their upscale, insulated versions cost a lot more than the ones at your local feed store.
(Photo: Tim Tomkinson)
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