Keeping your hands warm and dry is essential to your safety and, more importantly, to your fun. There are also a surprising bit of features and price differences that can muddle the hunt for the best pair.
That’s why we’ve assembled this buyer’s guide to the best gloves and mittens out there.
Between the most ideal gloves for resorts and long-proven, backcountry saviors, we’ve tested and reviewed the best gloves from every category. For more on how to choose the best glove for you, take a look at our below buyer’s guide to help narrow down the selection even more.
The Top 10 Ski Gloves and Mittens in 2023
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1
Expedition-Ready Gauntlet: Black Diamond Guide Gloves -
2
Premium Resort Wear Mitten: Hestra Army Leather Extreme -
3
Practical, Affordable, with Convenient Liners: Burton Gore Tex Gloves Men’s -
4
Work Gloves that Work: Kinco 1927KW -
5
Easy to Find Budget Gloves: REI First Chair GTX -
6
Premium Toughness at a Premium Price: Hestra Fall Line -
7
Softshell Shoulder Season Gloves: North Face Apex eTip -
8
Best Heated-Glove Pack: Outdoor Research Prevail Heated -
9
Proven Practicality: Gordini GTX Storm -
10
Warm, No Frills Mittens: Black Diamond Mercury Mitt
All the Ski Gloves and Mittens We've tested
The Guide Glove is Black Diamond’s professional standard model. After a short break-in period, they step into gold standard territory for guides, instructors and patrollers–balancing extreme warmth with practical dexterity.
The freedom to accomplish fine motor tasks without unnecessary exposure is an absolute necessity for pros, and quite the luxury for recreational skiers looking for the best they can buy.
While there’s some considerable breaking needed to work out the stiffness, the payoff in protection and durability makes these beasts more than worth the price in the long run. Still, some limitations to dexterity are the trade-off you need to accept.
Specs & Features
- Nylon and goat leather shell
- Removable boiled wool and Primaloft liner
- Gauntlet cuff
- Foam knuckle padding
- Soft fabric nose wipe
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Built for the coldest temperatures
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One of the toughest gloves on the market
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Available as a finger glove
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Waterproof liner comes in handy on the chairlift
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Extra padding and hand protection
Things we don't like:
Sizing is tricky and takes some time to break in
Pretty expensive
Hestra is a workhorse ski glove brand. The Army Leather Extreme is a warm mitt that will survive arctic fallout while providing decent dexterity to the skier.
This is a premium ski mitt, intended for cold conditions and used often. Be prepared to pay for this and be prepared to be satisfied too.
Specs & Features
- Shell: 3L Polyamide and Goat Leather
- Liner: Bemberg/Polyester
- Insulation: G-Loft (Polyester)
- Cuff Style: Gauntlet
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Available as a glove, mitten, and three finger glove
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Interchangeable liner options
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One of the best winter gloves for extreme cold
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A ton of colors to choose from
Things we don't like:
Like most quality gloves, you need to stay on top of the waterproofing
Can feel a little bulky even without the liners
Where to buy:
Burton Gore-Tex gloves are going to appeal to spring skiing. The waterproofing and dexterity–along with the brand name–will attract snowboarders.
As far as the price and performance of these–in particular, their durability–they compare well to the North Face Apex. Fewer features and a lower price tag make these stand out.
Specs & Features
- Shell: DRYRIDE 2L/Leather Accents
- Liner: Removable Fleece Liner
- Insulation: Synthetic Fill
- Cuff Style : Gauntlet
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Great affordable resort glove
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Touch screen compatibility
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Available as a glove and a mitten
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Screen Grab Touchfit: Leather on the thumb and forefinger of the shell help grip slippery surfaces of your phone and let your tap away without taking your gloves off
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Screen Grab Liner: Inner liners separate from the rest of the shell- and feature touchscreen compatible fingertips
Things we don't like:
Bulky and not as comfortable as other options
Where to buy:
Kinco gloves are the humble solution to keeping the budget down without making too much of a compromise. With a little work, the 1927KW can function as a ski glove for a few seasons without losing its worth (ie. keeping your hands dry and warm).
This is the answer to sometime-skiers and snowboarders struggling to get kitted out with gear designed for serial slope stars weary of withdrawal from the mountain.
Specs & Features
- Shell: Leather/Canvas
- Liner: Polyester
- Insulation: HeatKeep Thermal Lining
- Cuff Style: Undercuff
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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The high quality and the low price
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They’re also pretty cool
Things we don't like:
Not great for wet weather
Where to buy:
REI’s in-house line of outdoor products offers budget-conscious recreators a middle ground between industry leaders and the bare minimum. Over the years, they’ve upped the quality of their products to the point of competing with premium brands- their First Chair series of ski gear is a prime example.
This Gore-Tex glove garnered attention for its extensive feature set and reasonable price point.
The First Chair lineup is a good enough option at a reasonable price for most entry level skiers and snowboarders. While it falls behind name brand alternatives in aspects like durability and detail polish. They are, however, good enough for most casual resort riders and widely available from your favorite big box outdoor retailer.
Specs & Features
- Shell: Polyester
- Liner: Tricot
- Insulation: Synthetic Fill (Polyester)
- Cuff Style: Undercuff
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Solid feature set for a solid price
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Easy to swing by the store and pick up a pair
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Screen Compatible: Leather on the thumb and forefinger of the shell help grip slippery surfaces of your phone and let your tap away without taking your gloves off
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Gore-Tex Insert: Gore-Tex membrane inserts aid both waterproofing and breathability- two foundational attributes of the best gloves.
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Hand Warmer Pocket: Internal pocket lets you add a hand warmer for extra heat on cold days.
Things we don't like:
Falls behind the competition in durability and integrity of construction
Where to buy:
The Fall Line is a longtime favorite for industry and technical skiers who value durability and dexterity over warmth. I’ve traditionally associated Hestra with the warmest ski gloves on the market. The Fall Line is a departure, but retains adequate warmth in all but the coldest weather while offering compelling compromises in other areas.
These hard-working and durable gloves allow the necessary mobility for complicated tasks over multiple seasons of heavy use. Design considerations like baffled knuckles and palm padding outseams facilitate wiggling fingers and keeping hold of slippery slopeside objects.
Specs & Features
- Shell: Cow Leather
- Insulation: Foam
- Liner: Removable Fleece Liner
- Cuff Style: Undercuff
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Allows enough mobility for tying knots, working your 2-way radio, or grabbing your skis in the air
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Built to handle hard work and sharp edges
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Padding offers even more protection for your hands
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Removable Liner: The liner is fully removable to make cleaning and caring for the gloves easier- while giving you the opportunity to replace your liner if it wears out.
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Leash: Wrist cuffs on a leash allow you to remove your gloves without worrying about dropping them down a slope or off a chairlift
Things we don't like:
Notably less warm than other models from Hestra
Where to buy:
This spring skiing performer, Apex eTip Gloves from the North Face, are softshell options that provide comfort and usability for uphilling too.
With touchscreen finger tips, these reasonably inexpensive gloves will also be favorites for some working their phones on the chairlift as well as scrolling through pictures in the apres scene.
Great in many conditions, wet, slushy weather is not one of them though.
Specs & Features
- Shell: Polyester
- Liner: Fleece
- Insulation: Polyester
- Cuff Style: Undercuff
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Softshell build opens up the possibility for multisport applications
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Breathable and pliable out shell keeps you comfortable spring skiing
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Touchscreen fingertips
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Usefulness off the hills
Things we don't like:
In wet or particularly cold weather you’ll want something else
Where to buy:
Outdoor Research’s Prevail Heated Gloves represent the best of what the industry has to offer in terms of heated equipment.The price of these premium gloves reflects this.
Heated ski gear is tough to get right. But every few years the technology that goes into heated gloves, boots, and more grows by leaps and bounds.
With three settings of heat intensity, OR promises 2.5 hours on high and 8 hours of heat on low. We’ve not yet tested them, but we assume 2 hours and 7 hours to be more reliable. We’ll update as soon as we have more data.
Specs & Features
- Shell: 2L Polyester/Nylon
- Liner: Polyester Fleece
- Insulation: EnduraLoft
- Cuff Style: Gauntlet
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Couples a high quality build with a functional and rechargeable heating element
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Three heat settings so you can crank up the heat on cold days
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Best looking heated gloves out there
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Push button control is a good design
Things we don't like:
Like all heated gloves, comes at a premium
Dexterity is limited by the amount of insulation and internal wired components
Where to buy:
The newest Gordini gloves are the GTX Storm. This is a value-focused model that aims to appeal to the majority of skiers and snowboarders with a quality-cost nexus that impresses.
On top of the sound quality and reliable waterproofing (torrential rains will seep in), there are also features that make the GTX Storm one of the more versatile mid-level ski gloves.
Specs & Features
- Shell: Polyester/Goat Skin
- Liner: Fleece
- Insulation: Megaloft
- Cuff Style: Gauntlet
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Long proven build based on one of our favorite resort gloves
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Decent feature set and Gore-Tex layer for a reasonable price
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Hand warmer pocket
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Decent dexterity
Things we don't like:
No standout features or aspects to that make it a more compelling choice than premium models
Where to buy:
The Mercury Mitten from Black Diamond is a mid-level option for colder days. Skiers that get 10 days a year in will appreciate this when temperatures drop further away from freezing.
At the same time, the liner and the breathability of the material doesn’t make this exclusive to cold days either. Given the reliable waterproofing, this mitt is versatile enough to be an all-season handwear–as long as you won’t miss using your digits.
Specs & Features
- Shell: Polyester/Goat Skin
- Liner: Polyester Fleece
- Insulation: PrimaLoft Gold
- Cuff Style: Polyester
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Warmth comparable to the Guide Gloves but a little more practical for casual skiing
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Bombproof build and premium warmth at a fair price
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Removable liner has several benefits
Things we don't like:
Your mobility is severely limited by the build and insulation
Where to buy:
The Storm Trooper II is a pair of Gordini gloves for backcountry skiers. As such, they do quite alright on the front end of the resort too.
They have a decent balance between warmth and breathability. Combined with good dexterity, durability and a feature or two–that may or may not be useful–the Storm Troopers II are a better value ski glove than most of the serious options out there.
Specs & Features
- Nylon shell with goatskin reinforcements
- Gore-Tex inserts
- Megaloft synthetic fill
- Moisture-wicking liner
- Zippered handwarmer pocket
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Great glove for a great price
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Surprisingly warm and durable
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Feature set close to a premium model
Things we don't like:
Big limitations where mobility is concerned
Falls short on warmth in extreme conditions
Handwarmer pocket leaks in extremely damp conditions
Where to buy:
The Alti line is Outdoor Research’s high performance series. Falling in line just behind the Black Diamond Guide Glove in terms of toughness, the Alti glove offers out-of-the-box comfort along with the high degree of warmth and dexterity you’d expect out of a performance glove.
The Alti excels in light-technical applications and is also a top contender for resort skiers with cold hands and big demands.
The Alti is marketed as a high-mobility expedition glove, and while there’s no reason it couldn’t be applied under such circumstances, it does best in a more casual setting. If you’re debating between premium glove models our advice is to look toward the Guide Glove above for toughness and technical suitability, and always the Alti if you want warmth and comfort.
Specs & Features
- Nylon and spandex shell
- Removable synthetic liner
- Gauntlet cuff
- Silicon grip rubber palm
- 3DFit Technology
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Gauntlet allows access to wristwatch, easy to get over jacket cuff
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Solidly priced expedition glove
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Really nice removable liner
Things we don't like:
The sizing for this glove is very finicky and won’t fit all hands
Not as much dexterity as other similar options.
The Lucent line from Outdoor Research has a reputation for reliable heated gloves or mitts where others have failed. This line of products, particularly the mittens, are warm by design, but can’t really be judged by the same standard as typical gloves and mittens when you take the heater into consideration.
Though they’re impressively warm, people often have unrealistic expectations for what’s possible when it comes to heated gloves.
The shell is made of weatherproofed nylon and polyester with goat leather overlays capable of using touchscreens.
The Lucent gloves and mittens offer unparalleled comfort for a steep price. But if you’ve exhausted your other options and never want to worry about your hands while you’re out skiing again, they’ll do the trick.
Specs & Features
- Nylon shell with goat leather overlay, filled with synthetic insulation
- Removable fleece liner
- Gauntlet cuff
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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The frontrunning option in heated glove technology
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Removable and rechargeable batteries
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Includes adapters that charge all over the world
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Never have cold hands again
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Smartphone friendly
Things we don't like:
They have a really big price tag
Heated gloves as a whole often leave people disappointed
The Black Diamond Spark offers the additional warmth of a mitten, with all the benefits of a free finger. In keeping with all of other freeride gloves on this list, the Spark series is a no punches pulled, tough-as-nails, full-leather cuff glove.
The Spark series features a range of options from traditional gloves to mittens, but their finger glove is our favorite for snowboarding. The high degree of water resistance and extra dexterity makes fiddling with your binding much less of an inconvenience.
The biggest appeal of the Spark series is the price. It falls right in the Black Diamond target zone of professional standards and affordability, it’s a fully functional freeride glove appropriate for extreme weather conditions.
The flexible seamwork is fully sealed so you can get the maximum amount of movement without worrying about dampness leaking in, and is available in an alternative model with a gauntlet if you’re worried about snow leakage.
Specs & Features
- Full goat leather shell
- Non removable fleece liner
- EVA foam impact protection on the back of the hand
- Undercuff/ Glove has a gauntlet variation
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Full leather shell looks great, adds toughness, and is effectively waterproof
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Available in as a glove, mitten, and finger glove
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Comes in a range of colors
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Great price
Things we don't like:
Not as warm as other freeride gloves
There are complaints about the sizing being tricky
Hestra makes somewhere in the ballpark of 400 different styles of gloves, and this is the one that they make for ski pros. It could be the best ski glove you can find. The durability and versatility they offer is hard to match. If you expect to find yourself at the resort every morning, stamping your ski boots and anxiously squinting at the predawn horizon, you can take comfort in the fact that your hands aren’t cold.
The first Hestra gloves were built for lumberjacks using rivet-reinforced leather. In their “Heli” professional-grade model, they’ve kept the leather and added the better part of a century’s worth of ski industry experience. Hestra has a reputation for quality winter gloves, and though some may groan about the price and the “hype”, my hands have never gotten cold in mine.
Heli series products are available as gloves, mittens, and three finger “gloves”. All are compatible with a series of interchangeable liners. The mittens are definitely the warmest by design, but all are insulated with Hestra house “G-Loft” polyester fill with a breathable fabric and goat leather shell. The gauntlet cuff makes them pow-proof, and the cinching “snowlock” keeps out the sluff. They’re also ergonomically designed, with a velcro strap and curved hand shape.
Specs & Features
- Made of polyamide and goat leathe
- Removable liners
- Gauntlet cuff
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
-
Available as a glove, mitten, and three finger glove
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Interchangeable liner options
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One of the best winter gloves for extreme cold
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A ton of colors to choose from
Things we don't like:
Like most quality gloves, you need to stay on top of the waterproofing
Can feel a little bulky even without the liners
Where to buy:
The Burton Oven Mitt is about the warmest thing that you can put on your hands outside of a battery-heated mitten. They’re comically overbuilt and are the waterproof equivalent of down booties for your hands. It’s probably the warmest mitten on this list that doesn’t have a full gauntlet cuff. But unlike some down products, the Burton Oven Mitt won’t get torn up the first time you hit the snow or snag a branch.
The shell of the mitten is made of the waterproof Gore Windstopper fabric. Burton combines synthetic insulation with triple goose down. The palm and thumb are reinforced with touch-screen ready leather.
The Oven Mtt are perfect if you’re constantly troubled by cold fingers, or want a pair of emergency cold-weather gloves that you can ski in
Specs & Features
- Windstopper shell with leather palm and thumb
- Fleece liner
- Undercuff
- Priced around $150 USD
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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One of the warmest options out there
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Sleek undercuff
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Down fill is really unique in a functional glove
Things we don't like:
Down isn’t warm if it gets wet
Where to buy:
The Gordini Voyager Mitten occupies a similar space to Black Diamond’s Mercury. Gordini’s model is more versatile, and it offers a similar degree of protection without the bulk. They’re a classic take on the mitten constructed from top quality materials, an all-around great product that runs somewhere in the middle of the price pack.
They have everything you’d want out of a cold weather garment of this quality- a totally waterproof shell with sheepskin leather trip, a removable sheepskin merino wool glove liner, a full cuff cinching gauntlet. The liners can be worn without the shell as a lightweight option, but as far as features go the Voyager is relatively simple. A solid mitten with an elegant look and the promise of warm fingers.
The Voyager is a beautiful mitten, that much can’t be argued. But it backs up aesthetic appeal with quality performance, and does all this without being outrageously expensive. Overall it’s a high-performance mitten with more than a little flair, with a very reasonable price tag.
Specs & Features
- Waterproof synthetic and sheepskin leather shell, synthetic insulation
- Removable merino sheepskin liner
- Gauntlet cuff
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Looks great, and performs just as well as anything similar on the market
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The merino liners are awesome, reduce ski glove stink
Things we don't like:
Though they often work longer, batteries only have a one year shelf life
The North Face Montana glove and mitten line is yet another excellent contender in the running for the best budget resort glove. It’s a low profile option that keeps you dry while giving you enough freedom to adjust your equipment without taking your gloves off. They offer all the protection you could want for your average season of resort skiing. With additional features such as touchscreen functionality, heat warmer pockets, and dexterity-boosting finger sleeves in the mittens, they’re perfect daily drivers for getting your laps in at your local mountain.
The North Face Montana line shell is made of Gore-Tex with synthetic leather overlay. It’s completely waterproof and features a full gauntlet cuff to keep slush from sliding down your hands. They’re ergonomically shaped and built for getting the best grip you can on your ski pole, binding strap, or boot buckle. Using an appropriate amount of synthetic fill for the resort environment, with a polyester fleece lining.
While there are warmer gloves out there, the Montana shouldn’t be overlooked as an option for any serious alpine skier testing their options. They’re a tough, no-nonsense option for a reasonable price.
Specs & Features
- Gore-Tex shell with synthetic leather overlay and synthetic insulation
- Nonremovable synthetic lining
- Gauntlet cuff
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Totally waterproof gauntlet style
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Available as glove and mitten
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High performance and good dexterity
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Touchscreen access
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Great price
Things we don't like:
Not as warm as other options
We’ve spent quite a bit of time getting to know Wildhorn Outfitters and their array of affordable winter outerwear. From helmets to snow pants, we’ve found their lineup to be serviceable across the board and a sensible investment for 5-10 ski day seasons.
Here we’ll be taking a closer look at their Tolcat gloves, which keep in running with the rest of Wildhorn’s selection of affordable gear. Probably more resorted-oriented, they have touchscreen fingertips and a mixture of synthetics and goat leather.
I tested them in harsher backcountry and found them to be just enough glove to sneak by for a few laps on chilly days and a pretty nice low-profile option on the shoulder ends of the season.
Below we’ll dig into the Tolcat layer by layer and see how they stack up against other gloves we’ve tested over the years.
Specs & Features
- Triple Layer Protection and Insulation
- Thinsulate Insulation
- Lightweight and Ergonomic Pre-curved Build
- Goat Leather Palm
- Removable Wrist Cuff
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
-
An affordable glove that keeps your hands protected in mild weather
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Touchscreen compatibility lets you stay in contact without cold hands
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Lightweight and low profile enough for performing essential tasks
Things we don't like:
Certainly not warm enough for colder days or extended skiing
Certainly not warm enough for colder days or extended skiing Doesn't hold up to more expensive gloves in terms of waterproofing
Durability may become a concern after a few seasons of use or abuse
Where to buy:
In high-output or during demanding winter sports, you’ll need a glove that can juggle breathability, mobility, and warmth without compromise. Arc’teryx claims the Fission SV is their warmest “multi-sport” glove, meaning if you see yourself spending a lot of time off the resort you likely won’t find a better option.
The range of motion of this model is unmatched, ensuring hassle free backcountry transitions and saving you the frustration of taking off your glove for specific tasks.
The Fission SV shell is made of lightweight, windproof polymer overlain with goat leather, with an additional waterproof Gore-Tex insert. They’re filled with Primaloft insulation suitable for subfreezing temperatures, but not necessarily for extreme cold. That being said, you may find the Fission SV a little too warm for uphill travel in the springtime.
Specs & Features
- Waterproofed synthetic shell with goat skin trim
- Gore-Tex insert liner with synthetic fill
- Carabiner clip loop
- Gauntlet cuff
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
-
High dexterity glove that offers adequate warmth
-
Low-profile and slim fitting
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One of the toughest gloves on the market
Things we don't like:
Definitely not the warmest glove
High price point for something that doesn’t work at very cold temperatures
Where to buy:
The 2023 Glove and Mitten Buyer’s Guide
We outlined many different options in this list, all of the gloves that we included are high-quality and objectively “good”, but are definitely built with different purposes in mind. There are wide degrees of variance in the conditions and stress that recreators will put their gear though. While they’re both great products, there’s a stark contrast between the Burton Oven Mitt and the Arc’teryx Fission SV series.
Ultimately, your criteria for a perfect glove is going to depend very much on what sport you’re doing. In the following guide we’ll lay out the parameters for the kids of performance that you can expect out of different glove features, and help you figure out what style suits you best.
Gloves vs. Mittens
Before making any serious considerations about the brand or model, you should figure out what style of fit interests you the most. There are benefits and drawbacks to all different approaches, but speaking across the board, mittens are typically going to be warmer than gloves, and gloves are going to offer more control and dexterity than mittens.
Differences in shell and fill mean there are warm options in every style, but you should first consider how much you need to use your fingers. Snowboard bindings and some ski boot buckles can be hard to operate through the bulk of a solid mitten, but then again, they’re definitely hard to operate with cold fingers.
If you’re indecisive then you could always try out one of the cheeky “Finger Mitts” like the Black Diamond Spark, this approach leaves only your index finger to brave the elements alone.
Look into the specifications of every product, manufacturers have wildly different approaches to striking a balance between warmth and range of motion, and all of them are going to work differently depending on the user.
Gauntlet vs. Undercuff
Another consideration you may wish to make is on the type of cuff that you want. On burlier gloves that cater towards total weatherproofing and maximum warmth, you’re more likely to see a full gauntlet that, while undoubtedly tougher, can really restrict both your freedom of movement and the versatility of the garment.
Under cuffs are great for those who need immediate access to their hands. It can be really difficult to tie a knot, make adjustments to your gear, or grab a hold of a kid stuck in a downhill death wedge. All this dexterity comes at a cost.
The bottomline is that you’re going to get snow poured into your glove at some point, and your hands are going to get wet. If this sounds like a dealbreaker to you, take a look at some jacket shells with tight-fastening sleeves.
Removable Liner
Having a removable liner makes maintenance of your glove much easier, because the liners can be washed separately from the shell. It also adds to their versatility, some models allow for multiple liners to be swapped out, or worn separately as a lightweight option for warmer days. However, a common criticism of them is comfort based. Removable liners have the tendency to bunch up awkwardly, or get partially pulled out when you take your gloves off.
Liners come in as wide of a range and variety as gloves and mittens, take a look at the materials used in each model that interests you. More expedition based models will feature separate waterproofing, while resort style options shoot to optimize warmth and comfort.
Materials
It’s clear how the materials you put into the glove impact its performance, but the variety of approaches displayed on this list show that there’s no single best build for a given glove. Much depends, again, on the intended use.
In general, most high end gloves are constructed from a house synthetic and leather. Some opt for an almost entire hide shell while others use leather only as a trim across the fingers and palm. The insulation itself has a little more variety, and unique approaches ranging from down fill to boiled wool liners are available, with no shortage of proprietary synthetic insulations.
Again, a lot of what makes a glove or mitten is determined by its intended use, and there are no shortage of options more appropriate for resort use. They’ll typically be made of the similar materials to the high-end gloves, but not overbuilt for extreme conditions. Not to say they’re flimsy, you can still expect plenty of seasons of use out of a solid pair.
How Do I Care for Winter Gear?
Investing in a solid set of ski gear is expensive, and with a lot of the top-rated options easily exceeding $100 dollars, you’re going to want to properly care for your new pair of gloves to make them last long and to ensure they function to their fullest potential. As an across the board rule, make sure that you properly dry gear after each time you use it. Keeping things dry is 90% of keeping them clean and functioning well.
For leather gloves, keep an eye out for places on the shell where the shell looks dry and flakey. You should be prepared with some leather conditioner and expect to apply it around three times a season. Synthetic gloves you can expect to have to maintain less regularly, and spot-coating Nikwax should get your most of the way there if you should notice any saturation. In either case, make sure that you follow washing instructions stringently, likely these will advise you not to throw them in the laundry machine.
Frequently asked questions
The best possible pair of gloves for you depends on where, how, and how much you ski. With so many models, it can be hard to thin the pack down to a few workable options.
That’s why we’ve narrowed down the pack to a few of our favorites- and if you still need help choosing, check out our buyer’s guide.
Best Ski Gloves:
Whether you’re taking a trip to a frigid valley in the dead of winter, or suffer from chronically chilly fingers, finding the warmest pair of gloves is tough. When everyone advertises themselves as “warm”, it’s hard to develop a sense of scale- that’s why we’ve assembled a list of our favorites, and a buyer’s guide to help you parse out the best from the rest.
Warmest Ski Gloves
Ski gloves, like most cold weather equipment, ideally fit snugly but not so tight as to cut off blood flow. It should be noted in the case of gloves that sizing up is a little bit easier to get away with than other soft goods, while sizing down will likely make you colder, faster. If you have questions about gloves and how to choose the right pair for your specific needs, take a look at our buyer’s guide.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when washing your ski gloves. As a general rule
- Avoid Machine Washing, Bleach, Fabric Softener and fully soaking the gloves.
- Use a dry rag to remove excess dirt.
- Use a wet cloth to spot clean with water only.
- If the gloves are still dirty use a mixture of water and mild soap and spot clean with a rag.
- To remove smell from inside the gloves use a mild odor spray.
- For leather gloves treat the leather with a leather conditioner. Keep an eye out for dry and flaky places on the shell. You should be prepared with some leather conditioner and expect to apply it around three times a season.
- For restoring glove water-proofing use a leather water-proofer for leather and a spray DWR on non-leather material.
As an across the board rule, make sure that you properly dry gear after each time you use it. Keeping things dry is 90% of keeping them clean and functioning well.
Comments
Having a removable liner makes maintenance of your glove much easier, because the liners can be washed separately from the shell. It also adds to their versatility, some models allow for multiple liners to be swapped out, or worn separately as a lightweight option for warmer days. However, a common criticism of them is comfort based. Removable liners have the tendency to bunch up awkwardly, or get partially pulled out when you take your gloves off.
Thanks for your article. Pretty helpful. I’m gonna learn snowboarding this winter. Can I get away with using mittens? Is it really too difficult to open or close bindings?