Winter recreation brings many challenges; chief among them is staying warm. In the skiing realm, frostbite is a real concern. Not having the best ski gloves can lead to cold hands, discomfort, and, in extreme cases, urgent medical attention.
In this guide, I’ve included the absolute best options available. From freezing winter temperatures to balmy spring days, your favorite pair of ski gloves is only a few clicks away.
My Review Process
No one likes cold fingers. I’ve been skiing for over 25 years and know how important the right ski gloves can be in cold conditions. From recreational skiing to backcountry endeavors, the right pair of gloves can keep your hands warm and pain-free.
My goal is to help you avoid sweaty hands in the spring and frostbite in the winter. To do that, I’ve compiled ski glove options that excel in heat retention, dexterity, durability, comfort, and breathability. With one of the selections below, you can say goodbye to discomfort and hello to skiing bliss.
Ski Gloves vs. Mittens
Ski Gloves come in multiple forms. You have your traditional five-finger gloves, which generally give better grip and dexterity. These features help you hold onto ski poles, grip phones, etc.
Mittens are far and away the warmest pairs of gloves. However, you could end up with very smelly, wet hands in warmer temperatures, and dexterity takes a hit. You can still hold onto ski poles, but texting or adjusting equipment in a pair of mittens takes more effort.
There is an in-between design called a three-finger glove that aims to borrow from both. Three-finger gloves provide a bit more dexterity than mittens and a bit more warmth than traditional five-finger gloves. Some people don’t like the funky design, and it does take a bit of getting used to if you’ve never owned a pair before.
Best Ski Glove Brands
While many brands make quality ski gloves, a few tend to jump out. First is Hestra, which has a stellar lineup of some of the warmest ski gloves available. Black Diamond's lineup is right on Hestra’s heels with a solid set of options that offer consistent protection and durability. They both offer multiple styles of ski gloves as well.
Outdoor Research (OR) is also among the best, along with Arc’Teryx. Arc’Teryx doesn’t make a ton of models, and their products are generally seen as expensive. But, if you invest in a well-reviewed Arc’Teryx product, it will last for many, many years.
Ski Glove Buying Guide
Try to keep the following points in mind when circling in on the best ski gloves. Check out our ski boot, all-mountain ski, helmet, and goggles guides to complete your gear setup.
Cost
This is a large category. Cheaper gloves often fall under $100, but the quality drops the lower you go. Reasonable prices for well-reviewed pairs of gloves will fall into a range between $100-$200. Ski gloves that cost more usually include advanced features like a battery-powered heating element or enough insulation to get you through the coldest conditions.
Style
Choosing between the three styles of modern ski gloves takes more than just personal preference. A traditional five-finger glove offers the most grip and dexterity, a mitten offers the most warmth in extreme cold, and a three-finger glove falls somewhere in between. For warmer temperatures, lightweight gloves are often preferable for their breathability.
Materials And Protection
Ski glove protection comes from either a synthetic or leather shell. Pairs of leather gloves need to be treated occasionally with waterproofing wax. Even if you get synthetic gloves, there may be goat leather palms or other areas of the glove reinforced with leather.
Waterproof gloves and weather-resistant gloves are two separate things. Weather-resistant gloves work for a time but will eventually become saturated if it snows/rains long enough.
Getting caught in frigid conditions with soggy gloves and cold hands will increase your risk of frostbite. If it’s cold and wet, there is no substitute for a solid waterproof membrane to keep those hands dry. Don’t forget to layer up with proper ski clothes as well!
Warmth
Warm hands are very nice in frigid conditions, and a glove's insulation is what keeps your hands toasty. Many gloves use synthetic insulation, with Primaloft synthetic insulation being a popular option. There are additional forms of insulation, including fleece, down, and wool.
Added warmth comes from the different styles of ski gloves. By keeping four fingers close together, mittens circulate top-notch warmth more effectively. Remember to dry your gloves between ski days if they get wet.
Folks with poor circulation will probably enjoy adding heating elements to their gloves of choice. This can come in the form of disposable hand warmers or battery-operated heated gloves. If relying on batteries to supply heat, double-check the battery life to make sure it’ll last through the coldest conditions.
Cuffs (Gauntlet vs. Undercuff)
The cuff style refers to the part of the ski glove that covers your wrist. There are two dominant cuff styles, an under-cuff style, and gauntlet-style cuffs. An under-cuff wraps tightly around your wrist so your ski jacket can go overtop. This is useful if you have long jacket sleeves that can cinch down. Some come with wrist straps as well.
A gauntlet cuff style is my personal preference for cold temperatures, as its wide shape allows it to slip easily over the outside of a ski jacket. The gauntlet-style cuff can then be tightened (drawstring or cinch strap). Once adjusted, gauntlet-style cuffs will offer a continuous layer of protection, especially during deep powder days.
Dexterity
Dexterity refers to whether or not a pair of gloves allows you to use your fine motor skills. Bulky gloves and mittens are often too unwieldy. Dexterous gloves are great because they can handle fine motor skills activities while serving up adequate protection against a variety of conditions.
While warm, mittens only have your main pocket and your thumb pocket, so they are not very dexterous gloves. Five-fingered gloves generally have the best dexterity. Dexterous gloves with good grip can hold ski poles, phones, cameras, snacks, etc., with less chance of dropping them.
Durability
Durability often ends up being the difference between a one-season and multi-season glove. Look for options that tout quality materials and durability. The goal is to get a pair of ski gloves that can handle a variety of conditions over many years.
Features & Upkeep
When shopping for the perfect pair of modern ski gloves, look at the features. For example, a liner that can be removed from the outer shell increases the glove's usability when temperatures warm up. On the opposite end, heated gloves help you thrive in extreme cold.
Other useful features include wrist straps, easy cinch or velcro straps on gauntlet cuffs, and touchscreen capabilities. It's also worth looking at how to dry and wash your gloves; not all are machine-washable. With leather gloves, it's also important to get waterproofing wax and recondition the leather as directed.
Activity Of Choice
Finally, a lot of your search for the perfect pair of gloves will come down to the activity you choose and personal preference. Mitts are great for cold days on the chair lift.
If you’re a winter ski mountaineer, you want protection from brutal temperatures and wind. Cross-country skiers will likely sweat, so you want a nimble, breathable glove that can handle adverse weather. Spring skiing is also best with a lightweight soft shell glove that offers protection but won’t be uncomfortable when the temperature rises.
Summary
The best overall gloves for the ski hill are the stellar Hestra Fall Lines, although if you prefer mittens, the Black Diamond Mercury Mitts are wonderful. The best women’s ski gloves are the Arc’teryx Fission SVs, but if the price is a little too high, the Gordini Gore-Tex Storm is the best budget buy.
For those of us with poor circulation, the Outdoor Research Lucent heats up quickly with its three heat settings. Cross-country skiers will gravitate toward the Hestra Windstopper Tour Gloves, while ski mountaineers should check out the Black Diamond Guide Gloves. Finally, leather enthusiasts should give the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves a whirl.
