No matter how good your ski gear might be, if you do not have the best gloves for skiing you will not last very long on the snowy slopes. Ski gloves are a crucial piece of gear, so make sure you choose the best ones for you. Nothing can kill a great day for skiing like cold hands.
Do You Need Waterproof Gloves For Skiing?
When you ski, you are exposed to the snow and cold for a long period of time. So yes, you definitely need your gloves to be waterproofed. Most of the gloves have a waterproof, breathable barrier to keep away moisture from snow and rain, but at the same time allowing water vapor from sweat to come out of the glove.
The membrane can be added to the fabric, a coating applied to the fabric or an insert that is placed between the outer shell and insulation. You will frequently find the Gore-Tex® technology in the majority of ski and snowboard gloves and mittens, but also the Marmot MemBrain® and The North Face HyVent® technology.
Best Gloves For Skiing Reviews
Black Diamond Guide Glove
The Black Diamond Guide Gloves are among the top waterproof ski gloves seen at hardcore skiers. They impress with their durability, warmth and hand protection. The design is waterproof thanks to the Gore-Tex insert.
The gloves have a very hard exterior and on the inside the comapany has used both PrimaLoft synthetic and thick boiled wool in the liner for insulation, which, by the way is removable.
On the downside, the gloves take some time (even years) before they break in. But many are willing to make this compromise, that is why these are among the most popular ski gloves on the market.
Things We Liked
- Durable build
- Very warm
- Comfortable
Things We Did Not Like
- Dexterity not so good
- It takes a long time to break in
Gordini GTX Storm Trooper II
These gloves are perfect for those who do not want to pay a lot on ski gloves or who will only use them several times per year.
The Gordini GTX Storm Trooper II gloves are waterproof, durable and provide surprising warmth for this good price. The gloves are soft on the interior and they perfectly bring together protection, dexterity and comfort.
Things We Liked
- Warm
- Great comfort
Things We Did Not Like
- The liner cannot be removed
Hestra Heli Glove
Hestra is a reliable Swedish manufacturer of winter sports gear, prefered by ski professionals all over the world.
The Heli Gloves are highly functional and very comfortable. They are made of hybrid leather and synthetic materials, which remain the best in class. Their comfort, warmth and high quality stand out at a great price.
One thing that sets the Heli Gloves apart from the others is the leather pieces in its construction, making the glove more durable and flexible. The only drawback to this is that you will have to reapply conditioner on the leather to keep moisture away.
The shell of this glove a combination of polyamide and goat leather, while the insulation is made of polyester fill.
Things We Liked
- Durable
- Warm
- Beautiful design
Things We Did Not Like
- Requires leather conditioner to stay waterproof
Dakine Titan Glove
The Dakine Titan Gloves offer amazing warmth, a great price point and the right combination of features to use them for the entire season. The shell is made of polyester, with synthetic fill, and a very thick removable liner.
The gauntlet closure is easy to adjust, and the touchscreen compatibility and the zippered pocket located on the back of the hand, make these gloves a great purchase.
On the downside, the polyester shell is a little prone to absorbing moisture and the thick liner will make it difficult for you to hold onto small items, such as a zipper.
Things We Liked
- Warm
- Great price
- Great features
Things We Did Not Like
- Limited dexterity
- The Polyester shell is prone to absorb moisture
Outdoor Research Arete
The Arete model is a perfect choice for those who do not want to pay more than $100 for a pair of ski gloves. The gloves have a Gore-Tex insert, durable nylon shell and lightweight feel.
The gloves are a versatile model which brings together comfort and protection. For this price, you get good dexterity, decent amount of warmth, and solid good construction. The thin, fleece, removable liner glove is what makes Arete a perfect option for a day at skiing.
Things We Liked
- Good price
- Dexterity
- Super waterproof
Things We Did Not Like
- Not warm enough for super cold days
Black Diamond Mercury Mitten
The mitten design might be a compromise on dexterity, but it wins at offering efficient warmth. The Black Diamond Mercury mittens are made with 4-way stretch shell and split-finger liners, which can be removed, to make it very versatile and user-friendly.
The mittens have a solid construction that should be able to handle a lot of wear and tear. The shell is made of leather and nylon, with a PrimaLoft synthetic insulation. The downside is whether you are comfortable and can get used to mittens.
Things We Liked
- Good price
- Warm
Things We Did Not Like
- Harder to get hold of a ski pole
Hestra Fall Line
If you’re wondering ‘What are the best women’s ski gloves?’ then this might be the answer you are looking for. The Hestra Fall Line is one of the most beautiful ski gloves, with an all-leather exterior, and undercuff glove with a nicely exposed stitching.
On the downside, the warmth it offers falls short for what is expected for the money you pay. Another issue would be that if you do not have small wrists, when you cinch the cuff, there is an excess strap hanging off the end.
Things We Liked
- Great look
- Great feel
Things We Did Not Like
- Not enough warmth
- Not very waterproofed
Hestra Morrison Pro
These gloves are the perfect waterproof ski gloves that you are looking for. The all-leather ski glove is breathable, but at the same time waterproof and it’s made with goat leather on the front of the glove and tough cowhide on the back.
The Morrison Pro offers the best dexterity and freedom of movement among our gloves with high insulation. On the downside, the gloves come with a high price, but if you value the improved dexterity of an all-leather glove, it is worth it.
Another thing to note is that for this model you will also need to periodically apply a wax-based sealant.
Things We Liked
- The best quality among all leather gloves on the market
Things We Did Not Like
- Expensive
- The leather needs periodical wax applying
The North Face Montana Mitten
This is another great pair of ski mitten, that will keep your hands warm in mild weather. The North Face Montana Mitten are very popular and offer surprising dexterity.
The shell is made of nylon and synthetic leather; therefore it is quite flexible and you can grip objects such as a zipper or boot buckles. The individual finger slots make it easier to keep a good hold on a ski pole.
On the downside, this model will not keep you warm in extreme weather, because of its light 100-gram insulation.
Things We Liked
- Flexible
- Easy to use
Things We Did Not Like
- Do not keep warm in extreme weather
Marmot Randonnee Glove
The Marmot Randonnee Glove are among the best ski gloves on the market. The palm and bottom of the fingers are covered with leathe, offering an excellent dexterity.
The back of the hand is protected by a nylon shell, which gives good mobility and it also breathes decently. For this price, you get the expected warmth and insulation. The details, such as easy to use gauntlet closure, plush interior and comfy nose wipe make this model a strong option.
Things We Liked
- Comfort
- Dexterity
- Good price
Things We Did Not Like
- Not very warm
Black Diamond Legend
These insulated, waterproof, ski gloves are made of leather and are created to fit under the cuffs of your ski jacket. The finish and fit are definitely an improvement form the previous Legend model.
The gloves come with a Pertex shell along the back of the hand and high-quality PrimaLoft insulation for good protection and weight. They also have an efficient closure system, which stretches and is easy to secure.
But although the gloves have a panel of nylon along the back of the hand, as well as a Gore-Tex liner, they do not perform great in wet snow.
Things We Liked
- Great dexterity
- All leather gloves
Things We Did Not Like
- The leather absorbs moisture, becoming cold
- Not very waterproofed
Swany X-Cell Glove
Thanks to the reinforced palm and tough leather on the back of the hand, the Swany X-Cell Glove provides lots of dexterity making it easy to grip a zipper on the jacket or keep hold of your ski poles.
The Swany X-Cell Glove’s gauntlet is not very easy to use, but it’s functional and does a good job sealing out snow and cold wind.
Things We Liked
- Good for a ski resort use
Things We Did Not Like
- Not very warm
- The design is no very appealing
Outdoor Research Lucent Heated Mitten
What better way to keep your hands warm all the time in sub-zero conditions, than a heated mitten? The Outdoor Research Lucent Heated Mitten has a creative design that will keep your hands warm by keeping your fingers together.
The gloves come with a built-in battery, as well as a heating element for when you are in need of a rush of warmth. Simply push the button on the gauntlet and choose one of the three heat settings. Keep in mind that the high setting will drain the battery much faster.
On the downside, the gloves’ price is a little spicy due to all that technology they have incorporated.
Things We Liked
- Maximum warmth
Things We Did Not Like
- Very expensive
Burton Gore-Tex Glove
For those that do not want to spend a lot on ski gloves, the Burton Gore-Tex Glove is a good choice. The gloves have everything you need to keep your hands comfortable and dry.
They are reasonably warm and also come with a zippered pocket in case you want to add a hand warmer. The gloves have solid construction and a strap along the back of the hand to change the fit. The thin liners can be removed and can function independently.
On the downside, the liner glove does not fit perfectly into the shell and the gauntlet closure can become loose.
Things We Liked
- A good choice for resort skiers
Things We Did Not Like
- Not a precise fit
- Not very warm
Kinco Pigskin Leather Glove
The first Kinco ski leather gloves were released in the 1980s, so the company has some experience accumulated since then. There isn’t a more economical glove option out there and they work perfectly if it isn’t too cold or wet.
They are perfect for an area with dry snow, and, unfortunately, they will only last for one season.
Things We Liked
- Very low price
- Trusted performance
Things We Did Not Like
- Limited warmth
Flylow Gear Ridge Glove
These leather ski gloves come with fleece insulation that will keep your hands warm and comfortable. Because we already know that leather gloves can be quite tricky to take care of, Flylow takes that pain away by doing the waxing treatment three times for you.
The gloves are quite breathable, as well as durable and are perfect for a day at a ski resort. On the downside, they are not the warmest gloves out there and the simple finger design doesn’t offer a lot of precision for fine motor movements.
Things We Liked
- Ready to go out of the box
Things We Did Not Like
- Need treatment after some use
How to Buy The Best Ski Gloves
There are many things to consider before buying a pair of ski gloves, such as materials, warmth, waterproofness, dexterity, cuff length, etc.
But let’s take them one by one and see what you should pay attention to.
Materials
Usually, ski gloves are made of two main materials: leather and synthetic, but you should still know what each material is best for.
Leather
Ski gloves made from leather are extremely comfortable, durable and on occasion cheaper than synthetics. They offer a much more natural feel and are usually more flexible and dexterous than synthetic gloves.
Their biggest downside is moisture retention. Although treated leather is water resistant and can withstand light to moderate wetness, it will eventually soak through in wet conditions. To extend the lifespan of the gloves and to stay dry, you should also buy Sno-Seal or another wax waterproofing treatment.
Synthetic
Most of the ski gloves use a synthetic shell, made of polyester and nylon. The nylon shell is tough but pliant and it fends off snow wind, and cold conditions.
You will see that the cheaper synthetic gloves will have a less flexible polyester shell which will feel bulky and will not hold up as well to moisture.
No matter what the shell might be, a waterproof insert will be often introduced between the exterior and insulation.
To get the best of both materials, some gloves have a synthetic shell and the leather or synthetic leather on the palm and fingers for grip and dexterity.
Warmth
If your hands get really cold then you need some really warm ski gloves. It will be difficult to find such gloves under the price of 100$. These will be better suited for warmer temperatures and mild ski conditions.
Gloves are insulated in many ways, from fleece to synthetic fill, so it’s quite a challenge to know how warm a glove is without trying it first. Some gloves have mentioned the weight in grams of the synthetic, as well as the quality.
PrimaLoft is the leader for lofty warmth and it is very popular on many high-end gloves. The warmest gloves have a mix of insulation. For example, the Black Diamond Guide has a plush boiled wool in the lining and 170-gram PrimaLoft fill.
If you want absolute warmth, then you should turn to mittens. They heat more efficiently by pressing your fingers against one another, but you might miss the control that you get with each finger gripping the ski pole.
Waterproofness
Waterproofness is another important factor to think about when choosing ski gloves. The glove should keep snow away, but also let perspiration out from the inside. The waterproof insert or membrane is located between the shell material and insulation.
Gore-Tex is the top combination of waterproofing and breathability you can find. Cheaper gloves use a non-Gore-Tex insert, that you will find under different names: MemBrain, Dryride, C-Zone or BDry. Although you will get decent waterproofing for some gloves in the $50 range, you will notice the difference in breathability.
When your hands sweat, the moisture will get trapped in the glove. Entry-level gloves can be fine for those who ski occasional sessions at the resort, but for a serious skier a glove to also wick away moisture is mandatory.
If you ski in dry climates or clear days, you can forego the Gore-Tex insert and choose only a water-resistant glove.
Caring For Leather Gloves
Nothing can compare with the comfort offered by a leather glove. The material is supple and provides excellent dexterity. Unfortunately, it also needs occasional maintenance to avoid absorbing moisture.
Most leather gloves come pre-treated, but after a while you will start notice the material starts soaking up moisture. You will know that it is time to put some Sno-Seal on them, a beeswax-based solution that is a long-time favorite among skiers.
This procedure requires some effort, such as baking the glove in an oven, and it will also darken the leather. But there are other less involved treatments that you can try to repel moisture.
Dexterity
Dexterity is another important factor to consider. The bulkier and more insulated the glove is, the harder it will be to use for tasks like unbuckling ski boots or grabbing your phone.
You should know that if you are looking for both dexterity and warmth, you should be ready to pay the high price tag. Dexterity should not be the top consideration for a resort skier. A mitten or a thick glove is good enough to grip a ski pole for downhill use.
Cuff Length
Gauntlet Style
The long gauntlet-style gloves will extend beyond your wrist, therefore covering your ski jacket’s cuff. The gauntlet style gloves are warmer because they are more insulated and seal out the cold very effectively with a draw cord.
These gloves also provide slightly less range of movement in your wrist, because there will be more material in the way.
The short gauntlet-style gloves will barely cover the jacket’s cuffs, leaving a pathway for moisture to enter in really wet conditions.
Undercuff
Shorter undercuff gloves are a little trickier to use than gauntlet glove because you have to tuck them into the ski jacket. Also, they don’t offer quite as much warmth and if your sleeves ride up when you’re reaching forward you can expose some skin.
But they do offer more agility with less bulk getting in your way of wrist movement and are easier to ventilate.
Removable liners
You will have to choose between gloves that are made with or without removable liners. Gloves with removable liners are usually slightly warmer, but also less dexterous and bulkier.
But the good part about removable liners is that you can adapt the glove to different temperatures. You can wear the shell on a warmer day and include the liner when it’s freezing cold. Also, by removing the liner the glove will get dry faster.
Touch-Screen Compatibility
If touchscreen gloves compatibility is important to you, then you should know that there are several manufacturers now who offer exactly that. But this technology is usually found on thin gloves and liners.
On some models you will find only the pointer fingers and thumbs to be touch-screen compatible.
Wrist Cinches
Usually the Gauntlet-style gloves have a cinch or draw cord to tighten the opening where snow can enter. If you draw cord or pull the cinch you can efficiently prevent moisture from entering your glove. This can be very effective at tightening down your gear before skiing through the deep stuff.
Wrist Leashes
The wrist leashes, keeper cords or retention straps are a common feature seen at resort models as a way to keep you and your gloves together if you take a serious fall.
You just slide your wrists through the adjustable cuffs and a strap will connect you to the gloves. The straps also provide security not only if you fall, but also if you remove your gloves while riding the chairlift.
Nose Wipes
Grabbing a tissue with a ski glove is not the easiest thing to do. That is why many gloves will have a soft patch of fabric on the thumb or pointer finger to help with your runny nose. The fabric will help avoid irritation that you might get from doing the same thing with tough shell fabric.
Gloves or Mittens
Ski gloves remain the most popular among skiers. For some, mittens are also a viable alternative. The gloves win in dexterity, while the mittens win in the warmth area.
If you so not mind taking off your gloves when you need to grab a lift pass out of your zippered pocket, then the mittens are for you. But if you want to retain a good grip on a ski pole or adjust your boots, the gloves are for you.
You also have the 3-finger glove as an alternative, which tries to bring together the benefits of a glove and a mitten. You will see that in this model the finger and thumb have their own slots while your remaining fingers huddle together for warmth.
These gloves do not provide a huge difference in dexterity compared to mittens and that pointer finger will get just as cold as in a glove.