One of the most important things to consider when heading out to the slopes is your skiing and snowboarding outerwear. No amount of perfect snow will keep you on the mountain if you’re drenched and freezing!
Both beginners and professionals alike should invest in quality protection against the elements. When it comes to putting your outerwear setup together, more than nearly any other piece of skiing clothing, many people struggle to find the perfect pair of gloves or mittens.
To start, there are a lot of options! Colors, mitts or gloves, leashes, insulation, waterproofing, leather materials, and more. Even if you pick the priciest pair you might not be warm enough on the coldest day if you do not know what you need. On the flip side, for spring slush sessions, you can leave your heavy insulation gloves at home and opt for something more low-key.
With a quality pair of skiing gloves, you can ski confidently knowing you’ve prepared for anything. No more frigid fingers sending you home! Discover our top picks and what you should look for in the perfect pair.
How to Choose Ski Gloves
When you’re shopping for a new pair, it helps to consider a few things, the type of weather you’ll be skiing in most often, how active you are on the slopes, and how cold you typically feel.
To get the most use throughout the season, consider a pair of gloves with a lower level of insulation and layer up underneath with glove liners. This way, you can add layers on cold January runs and skip the liners on casual preseason sessions. If the majority of your time on the mountain is spent on colder days during January or February, you’ll want a much warmer option.
How active are you? Are you throwing down in the park or sticking to the greens? If you are particularly physical when you ride, you likely will not need the most heavy-duty pair. For the more leisurely skiers and snowboarders, consider an option with a greater deal of insulation.
You should also factor in how easily you get cold, if you are a self-proclaimed freeze baby, you are going to want a glove with plenty of insulation. On top of that, you should always bring your glove liners, because sometimes it is just that cold! If you typically run warm, do not underestimate how cold your hands can get on the mountain, so if you prefer a thinner pair most of the time, just remember to bring some backup.
Shop men’s and women’s skis.
An underrated, but perhaps most crucial factor, is waterproofing. Whether it’s snowing, you’re wiping snow off your skis or board, you want to lounge in the snow to take a break, or otherwise, you’d be surprised just how much you handle the snow with your hands while skiing! Wet ski gloves do not do any good, so invest in quality waterproofing. Gore-Tex is going to be your best bet if you are looking for quality.
When you’re shopping for men’s and women’s ski gloves, and kids’ gloves, look closely at the specs, warmth, and waterproofing, to help you in your search, and here we’ve selected some of our staff favorites!
Oakley Silverado Gore-Tex Ski and Snowboard Gloves
Built to meet the need for versatility and warmth, the Silverado Gore-Tex provides the skier with unparalleled comfort and waterproof protection.
These gloves boast Gore-Tex waterproofing and 3M Thinsulate technology, if you are looking for the best of both worlds, these are a great pick at a solid price. With a slimmer design than many leather ski glove options, these are a comfortable choice, especially for handling ski poles.
Shop more men’s Oakley gloves.
Burton AK Clutch Gore-Tex Ski and Snowboard Gloves
This sleek pair from Burton has all the core components you want, and Screen Grab touchscreen capability for phone-friendly access, no more frozen texting fingers.
Offering up a quality premium leather on the palm and knuckles, and a softer, flexible fabric throughout, this ski option is extremely comfortable. High-quality Gore-Tex waterproofing will keep your hands dry all day, and moderate insulation makes these a versatile option.
Shop more men’s Burton gloves.
Dakine Blazer Ski and Snowboard Gloves
Coming in at a solid price, the Dakine Blazer in an over glove style is the perfect budget-friendly pair. With Hi-Loft 50% recycled polyester, 50% polyester 170/280g of insulation, and a durable water repellent (DWR), your hands will stay toasty warm with a 4/5 warmth index.
The removable wrist leash helps prevent ski lift losses and easy cinch gauntlet style offer a customizable feel that will seal out the cold and reduce bulk while skiing.
Shop more men’s Dakine gloves.
686 Linear Gore-Tex Ski and Snowboard Gloves
Offering up an affordable pick with Gore-Tex, this comfortable option from 686 boasts top of the line waterproofing with 3-layer softshell infiDRY fabric, DWR, and a Gore-Tex insert, you’ll enjoy the snow all day in these without worry.
The high-end infiLOFT insulation provides all-day warmth, with the addition of Gore-Tex Plus Warm technology. Regarding overall comfort, this option features a micro tricot lining for a soft feel, hand articulation technology that creates a natural movement, and adjustable wrists and cuffs to seal in the heat. With features galore and top of the line waterproofing and insulation, these gloves are a must-have.
Shop more men’s 686 gloves.
686 Halo Gore-Tex Ski and Snowboard Gloves (Women’s)
Sporting a stylish Nylon Dobby Matte Fabric, the Halo from 686 is a waterproof, warm, and highly breathable offering.
These boast 686’s infiLOFT insulation, Gore-Tex glove inserts, a DWR coating, and Gore warm technology, to keep you warm for full days in the snow. The Soundtouch Touchscreen Technology makes on mountain texts, calls, and social media updates easy!
They also have an elastic cord adjustable gauntlet, a handwarmer zipper pocket, and a wrist leash as added features.
Shop more women’s 686 gloves.
Dakine Lynx Ski and Snowboard Gloves (Women’s)
Another fantastic women’s glove option, the popular Dakine Lynx gloves. With a PFC free DWR for waterproofing, Hi-Loft 50% recycled polyester, 50% polyester 170/280g for insulation, and a 4/5 warmth index, these pack a punch at a lower price tag.
Change what you need with a removable wrist leash, internal heat pack pocket for extra chilly days, and a cinch gauntlet cuff closure to seal out the cold or allow some breathing room.
Shop more women’s Dakine gloves.
Burton Gondy Gore-Tex Leather Ski and Snowboard Gloves (Women’s)
One of the warmest options in the women’s lineup, the Burton Gondy Gore-Tex Leather Gloves will keep you warm all day, without the added bulk of extra liners or hand warmers.
Boasting top of the line Gore Warm technology and Thermacore insulation for warmth, waterproofing, and breathability, delivered with a quality leather shell, you will fall in love with this option on day one.
Stay warm all day through Insta updates and “which chairlift?” texts by utilizing the Screen Grab feature.
Shop more women’s Burton Glove options and enjoy the Burton Gondy in a women’s mitten style.
Ski and Snowboard Mittens
While ski gloves offer a bit more in terms of versatility, some may choose ski or snowboard mittens, which generally provide a bit more warmth. Some prefer the simplicity and warmth of a mitten over a glove. Others do not enjoy the somewhat reduced functionality. If you cannot seem to find a pair of gloves you like, consider shopping for mittens instead! It’s much easier to slide a pair of glove liners underneath mittens, so if you find yourself freezing, this is a great option.
The Wrap Up
And there we have it! Keep our top picks in mind while you shop and remember our buying tips as you browse. The perfect pair should be a balance of warmth, comfort, and waterproofing. It is always a good idea to invest in a decent pair of gloves, it can make or break your day on the mountain, so don’t underestimate them!
