Come the colder months, most of us dig our hands into our jacket pockets to keep warm. But for skiers and snowboarders, that’s not an option. Whether it’s stabilizing yourself on the snow or gripping ski poles, your hands get a lot of use. That’s why having a trusty pair of ski gloves is so important.
The best ski gloves are typically designed to be padded but lightweight enough to maintain some of the dexterity that you would have barehanded. They also should be water-resistant (look for ski gloves with GORE-TEX material) and of course, warm. The level of warmth you want will depend on how cold the ski conditions are and how hot you typically run. Simply picking super warm winter gloves might not be the answer, especially since during physical activity you’ll start to sweat. That’s why opting for a warm but breathable glove is a good idea. Moisture can get trapped in suffocating gloves, leading your hands to feel cold and damp, even in warm and waterproof gloves. Letting some air through will actually help keep you warmer.
Of course, if you’re not a skier or snowboarder, there are no rules against buying ski gloves. If you just need something to keep you warm while you carry your coffee cup from the cafe to the car, there are stylish options out there that will slot in nicely with your regular work attire. These are the ones to get.
1. Hestra Ski Gloves (Fall Line Leather)
BEST BRAND
Odds are, you could pick any type of ski gloves — five-finger, mittens, trigger — and Hestra would have one of the best pairs on the market. The Swedish-based manufacturer is known for its impressive collection of ski gloves, including its Fall Line Leather option. Its rugged, cowhide leather design is both elegant and effective, with foam insulation for all-day warmth. These leather ski gloves come in eight different colors, but it’s hard to argue with the sexy brown leather look.
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2. Black Diamond Guide Gloves
ALSO CONSIDER
Boasting a more industrial look, Black Diamond’s Guide Gloves feature a waterproof GORE-TEX exterior with leather reinforcements for added durability and swagger. The built-in polyester fleece liners keep your hands extra warm, and are removable in case they need a wash (or, more likely, a dry).
3. Outdoor Research Lucent Heated Sensor Mittens
HIGH-TECH PICK
If staying warm is your ultimate priority — and money is no object — we recommend splurging on these heated ski gloves from Outdoor Research, which utilize a high-tech internal heating system that you can adjust at the touch of the button. They include rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which are stored in a small compartment in each glove. Simply hit the button on the outside of the glove to cycle between heat settings. That fancy tech warrants a high price tag, though, as these gloves will run you $359. Still, that might be worth it for one of the warmest ski gloves out there.
4. Swany X-Cell Mitten
BEST MITTENS
Generally speaking, mittens are warmer than five-finger gloves because they house all four of your fingers in one compartment, allowing them to transfer warmth to each other. This makes a huge difference on colder, stormy days. Swany’s X-Cell mittens accomplish this with a sturdy and handsome Nubuck leather shell, combined with a toasty lined interior. You can also cinch the cuffs to keep a tight seal between your jacket. You don’t want any snow sneaking in when the powder starts flying. The cinching mechanism also acts as a connecter for the two mittens.
5. Flylow Maine Line Gloves
BEST TRIGGER
Mittens are warmer. Five-finger gloves offer more dexterity for handling your gear. Want the best of both worlds? Allow us to introduce the “trigger” style glove, which keeps your index finger in its own sleeve, but lets your other three fingers party in their own compartment. This gives you the warmth of mittens and the maneuvering of standard gloves. Aptly named thanks to its lobster-claw-like shape, Flylow’s Maine Line comes in two colors, with a pigskin leather construction and nylon details on the back of the hand. It also falls on the more affordable side of $100 compared to the brands mentioned above (who also offer some impressive, high-end trigger mittens).
6. Dakine Titan GORE-TEX Gloves
BEST VALUE
Skiing is an expensive hobby. Lift tickets alone can run you upwards of $200 per day. Once you start factoring in overpriced mountain food, transportation costs and gear, things add up quickly. Most of the ski gloves we’ve ranked so far land somewhere north of $100, a worthy price if you’re a serious skier. But you can get a great pair of ski gloves for less than $100, too. These GORE-TEX gloves from industry stalwart Dakine offer some of the best value for the price — not to mention the waterproofing benefits you need on the slopes — and include a pair of touch-screen friendly liners.
7. Kinco 1927KW Pigskin Gloves
BEST DIY SKI GLOVE
There’s nothing quite like spring skiing style, when vibes are much more important than layers. When the sun’s out, you don’t need the industrial-strength waterproofing of some of the other options on this list. These pigskin working gloves from Kinco might be more at home on the ranch, but work great as a lighter glove for warmer days on the mountain. Most ski veterans recommend buying some Sno-Seal to apply added water protection.
8. MCTi Mens Ski Gloves
BEST AMAZON BUY
These don’t have nearly the amount of quality construction or waterproof technologies as other options on this list. But if Amazon reviews and a low price tag are important to you, check out these gloves from MCTi. With more than 8,000 reviews on Amazon, these gloves have an exterior pocket suitable for standard IDs or credit cards, one or two keys, and even a small hand-warmer. There’s also a clip across the wrist for tightening it. It’s filled with 3M’s Thinsulate to keep you warm.
9. Burton GORE-TEX Gloves
BEST SNOWBOARD BRAND
Though some purists might staunchly disagree, it’s perfectly fine to use snowboarding clothes for skiing. Most jackets, pants and apparel are fairly sport-agnostic, with only some style flourishes separating the two. Warmth is warmth, after all. And these GORE-TEX gloves from Burton — one of the most notable snowboarding brands on the market — mark a fine option for ski gloves. The gloves come with a removable liner, allowing you to air out the gloves when not in use. Across the top of the glove is a pocket, suitable for hand warmers and other small objects.
10. Tough Outdoors Winter Ski & Snowboard Gloves
BUDGET PICK
Though we recommend investing in quality gear to keep you warm, sometimes the budget route makes sense. These highly affordable winter gloves have a waterproof nylon exterior, and the palm is made from soft synthetic leather. Each glove has a detachable lanyard for carrying around the wrists when not being worn. There’s also a clip around the wrist for tightening the gloves.
From Beginner to Backcountry, These are the Best Skiing Boots
1. Burton GORE-TEX Gloves
Though some purists might staunchly disagree, it’s perfectly fine to use snowboarding clothes for skiing. Most jackets, pants and apparel are fairly sport-agnostic, with only some style flourishes separating the two. Warmth is warmth, after all. And these GORE-TEX gloves from Burton — one of the most notable snowboarding brands on the market — mark a fine option for ski gloves. The gloves come with a removable liner, allowing you to air out the gloves when not in use. Across the top of the glove is a pocket, suitable for hand warmers and other small objects.
Pros: GORE-TEX for breathable water resistance. Removable liner for easy cleaning. Includes a handy pocket.
Cons: Some options are sturdier.
2. Hestra Ski Gloves
Odds are, you could pick any type of ski gloves — five-finger, mittens, trigger — and Hestra would have one of the best pairs on the market. The Swedish-based manufacturer is known for its impressive collection of ski gloves, including its Fall Line Leather option. Its rugged, cowhide leather design is both elegant and effective, with foam insulation for all-day warmth. These leather ski gloves come in eight different colors, but it’s hard to argue with the sexy brown leather look.
Pros: Stylish and classic. Storied and established brand. Variety of color options
Cons: Some options may be more economical.
3. Tough Outdoors Ski & Snow Gloves
Though we recommend investing in quality gear to keep you warm, sometimes the budget route makes sense. These highly affordable winter gloves have a waterproof nylon exterior, and the palm is made from soft synthetic leather. Each glove has a detachable lanyard for carrying around the wrists when not being worn. There’s also a clip around the wrist for tightening the gloves.
Pros: Economical option. Includes adjustable buckle for greater insulation. Breathable and moisture-resistant.
Cons: Unlike the Burton gloves, these are limited in color options.