Its pretty obvious, cold hands = bad day on the slopes. After skiing for over 20 years I have tried out quite a few pairs of gloves and mittens.

Personally I prefer gloves over mittens because I am primarily a skier, so for me its easier to grip my ski poles.

Choosing a good pair ski gloves is a compromise of thickness, dexterity and warmth. The ideal ski glove needs to be as thin as possible while being warm and water resistant.

Ladies: We created a separate list of Women’s ski gloves.

Best Ski Gloves

For more of my ski gear recommendations, have a look through these popular Outside Pursuits guide links: Ski Helmets, Ski Goggles, Ski Jackets.

Quick Answer: The Best Rated Ski Gloves For 2021

1. Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves
2. Black Diamond Guide Gloves
3. Outdoor Research Revolution Gloves
4. Burton Men’s Baker 2-in-1 Under Gloves
5. Arc’teryx Fission SV Gloves
6. Dakine Men’s Titan Ski Gloves
7. Columbia Sportswear Tumalo Gloves

Let’s take a look at the top rated ski gloves, then we’ll talk about how to choose the right pair for you in our buyers guide below.

Ski Glove Reviews

#1 Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves

The Swedish company Hestra has been making gloves for well over a 100 years, so you have to assume they know how to make a pair of gloves. The Leather Heli Ski Gloves are one of the most comfortable ski gloves I have ever worn, and among the warmest.

The “bemberg” liners are what make them so comfortable, while at the same time they are breathable and wick away any moisture if you work up a sweat.

The liners are removable and interchangeable and there are a variety of thicknesses available to allow you to choose the warmth you need.

Video: How to properly care for the Hestra Heli Gloves.

Perhaps the first thing I noticed about these gloves vs some other gloves with removable liners was the fact that the liner neither pushed down into the glove or pulled out when I took my hands out of the gloves.

If you don’t know what I mean, then you haven’t tried on gloves with cheap removable liners. It really is a big deal.

The quality is apparent the instant you pick them up, the leather is very soft and supple.

The goatskin leather is durable and doesn’t really require a break in period to get to maximum flexibility.

I would treat them before taking them out for the first time and at the end of the ski season.

They are a longer and wider “gauntlet” style glove which I highly recommend. They do a better job of keeping out the cold and snow because they fit over your jacket and can be cinched up if need be.

They also have the wrist “leash” which you will probably come to appreciate as much as I do on the ski lift.

No more worrying about accidentally dropping your expensive gloves. The leash keeps them securely attached.

They are also available in the “lobster” or 3 finger style. While they look odd, they combine a mitten and a glove. I didn’t think I would like the design but after a bit I got used to it and may switch to this design as my regular ski glove.

Here is a link to Hestra glove sizer, Amazon doesn’t seem to have a link, also be sure to use a leather treatment on them like Hestra leather balm

BackCountry Amazon

#2 Black Diamond Men’s Guide Gloves

If your hands tend to get cold then the Black Diamond Guide gloves are for you. With 100g of fleece lining insulation these are probably the warmest ski gloves and will keep your hands warm.

They also have one of my required features of having removable liners so you can take them out to dry at the end of the day or for spring skiing.

Now the extra warmth does come at bit of a price, these are not the most flexible and dexterous gloves. The goatskin lining, while tough and soft does take some time to break in.

However after a few days they are pretty flexible allowing you to do most functions without taking them off.

The fleece lining is extremely soft, comfortable and breathable so if you’re really tearing it up on the slopes and your hands start to sweat, the fleece liner wicks away the moisture to keep your hands dry.

The goatskin not only looks great in my opinion, it is incredibly durable. The rest of the glove has a thick abrasion resistant shell that adds to its durability.

These gloves are going to last you a long time, provided you take care of the leather.

The Black Diamond Guide gloves have a foam padding in the fingers that not only provide some extra warmth but protection for your fingers as well.

The combination of goatskin leather and tight nylon weave shell make these gloves completely water proof.

This is not normally your biggest consideration in cold weather but when skiing in sleet or spring conditions when it’s warm and wet out, you will definitely appreciate how waterproof they are.

The Black Diamond Guide glove has been well designed and has some useful features like a cinch closure to keep the snow out, a nose wipe on the thumb and the liners are held in place securely with Velcro strips.

In my opinion these are best ski gloves if your hands get cold easily. All in all, if you’re looking for a warm, stylish glove the Black Diamond Guide is your best bet. If your looking for ski mittens check out our reviews here.

REI Amazon

#3 Outdoor Research Meteor Gloves

Coming in on the mid-range of the price scale is the Outdoor Research Meteor gloves. For a bargain price you are getting a well above average glove.

They are one of the warmest gloves tested and still managed to be pretty dexterous. We were able to zip our jackets, buckle ski boots and helmets with the gloves on.

The gloves are just about 100% water resistant so these gloves are ideal for wet and warm conditions like those found in spring skiing.

I really like the pre-curved design of the gloves, it make them much more comfortable over the course of the day.

The removable fleece linings on the Outdoor Research Revolution gloves feels very warm and comfortable on your hands. Not only is the EnduraLoft lining warm, they are breathable so if you start working up a sweat, the fleece blend will wick away any moisture keeping your hands comfortable.

They have some nice features like a cinch closure to keep the cold and snow out.

Plus the design of the wrist leash is nice as not only are they removable, they don’t seem to get in the way like they do in other gloves. Probably the best ski gloves under $100

Amazon

#4 Burton Gore-Tex Ski Gloves

When it comes to winter gloves I have pretty high standards – spending more than 100 days a season in gloves will do that to ya.

That being said, if I were in the market for gloves, the Burton Gore-Tex gloves might just give the competitors a run for their money.

Why? Let’s find out.

Removable fleece liner gloves are a great addition and when your glove gets wetted out from a serious day of shredding the slopes like Bode, you’re going to be grateful you can just pull out the inner liner.

I would never recommend a glove without a liner (unless you’re buying an oversized glove or mitt and adding your own liner). If you want to use hand warmers, they have a zippered compartment to put in a “HotHands” handwarmer pouch.

The Gore-Tex waterproof membrane is arguably useful or not – depending on your persuasion. I find that for mid-winter conditions, where wet precipitation is unlikely, I would rather not have the waterproof membrane at all to begin with.

It really just makes it harder for sweat to get out. The second your gloves get wet with sweat, you’re in for cold fingers!

If you’re expecting wet conditions then look for waterproof membranes, otherwise… they’re kind of negligible.

Touch screen finger adaption in the Burton gloves is pretty much industry standard at this point so it’s good that Burton is keeping up with the tech crowd and including some touch functionality.

On top of that there’s a separate hand warmer pocket on the back of the glove. This is perfect for those of you with cold hands or parents looking for a glove for the kids.

Keep ‘em warm and stick a hand warmer in that back pocket – it’s super useful. But being these are very warm ski gloves you probably won’t need them.

While there are better gloves you can buy, you will need to spend a lot more money. I would say the Burton Baker’s are the best budget ski gloves.

Amazon REI

#5 Arc’teryx Fission SV Glove

Arc’teryx is like the Rolex of outdoor gear. They’re known for excellent quality but with a high price tag. These leather gloves with Gore-Tex insert are waterproof and breathable.

I love that they used Polartec Wind Pro insulation in the liners and can be removed. This is an insulation I’ve had in several pieces of gear before and I’ve come to swear by it.

The gloves have articulated fingers and are touch screen sensitive so you can use your smart phone without having to take your gloves off.

When you are trying to use your phone on the ski lift with wind blowing you will appreciate this feature!

These gloves are for skiers looking for a quality, high-end product with tons of all-winter warmth and the best waterproof ski gloves.

My only knock on the gloves is that I would have liked to see a larger cuff, but it’s a minor negative.

REI

#6 Dakine Men’s Titan Ski Gloves

Dakine has given skiers a completely waterproof pair of gloves with a Gore-Tex waterproof breathable inner liner and a DWR treated polyester shell.

Not sure why they did not use nylon for more durability and abrasion resistance instead of polyester. Unless you seriously abuse them, the gloves will hold up just fine.

On the plus side we have long powder cuffs for keeping out the snow and cold.

I love that they put a pocket on the back of the glove for hand warmers. I don’t understand why every manufacture of gloves doesn’t include this feature.

If your looking for a reliable ski glove at a moderate price with most of the nice features of a high-end product these gloves are for you! Probably the best ski gloves for the money.

Amazon REI

#7 Columbia Sportswear Tumalo Mountain Gloves

One of the coolest things Columbia has got going these days is their inclusion of “Omni-Heat” technology. Okay, so you know I’ll cut through the BS and explain it – here it is:

Omni-Heat is just a dumb trade name for aluminized reflective dots adhered to the inner surface of the fabric.

This adds a great deal of radiation insulation (the part of heat which travels by electromagnetic physics) but doesn’t do much for conduction, convection, or evaporation.

Great, now that you’re drooling and bored, what I’m really saying is that all things being equal, those fancy reflective dots actually do keep you warmer than other gloves. It’s pretty sweet!

Columbia Tumalo Gloves have a waterproof/breathable membrane that comes with inherent pros and cons but all things said and done, I think it’s better for the everyday skier than not having a waterproof glove.

Especially for the kids who are sometimes prone to sucking on gloves or getting them wet with snow.

Yeah… kids love to suck on gloves until they’re soaked. It’s not a joke.

The liner on these gloves is also removable and features a touch screen finger which I think is more thoughtful than most other models.

Bulky gloves even with touch screen ability are almost impossible to use with a phone.

Using the much thinner and nimbler liner gloves will result in improved phone enjoyment.

Weighing in a bit lower on the price scale than most comparable gloves, I think you’d be hard pressed to be let down by these Columbia gloves. In my opinion they are the best ski gloves under $50.

Amazon

How to Choose the Best Ski Gloves – Buyers Guide

• Considerations for Ski Gloves
• Snowboard vs Ski Gloves
• Tips For Fitting
• Mittens Vs Gloves
• Single Layer vs Dual Layer Gloves
• Gauntlet vs Under Cuff Gloves
• What to Look for in Ski Gloves
• FAQ For Ski Gloves & Mittens
• Best Ski Gloves Brands

To a lot of people, all gloves are pretty much the same and just buy a pair based on cost or style. But on the contrary, there are significant differences. It is just that the differences may not be obvious. I will cover the differences and major features of the best ski gloves on Amazon.

Considerations for Ski Gloves

Of primary importance to the skier is fit and comfort. Have a form fitting glove will allow you to make clothing and gear adjustments, grip your poles all day (if you are a skier) and use your smartphone while wearing them.

While warmth is of course important, in my mind a snug, form fitting glove is the most important feature because once you start skiing and boarding your body is going to heat up.

I honestly cannot remember having cold hands after a run or two. The only time my hands get cold is when I am on the ski lift.

So when thinking about how warm a glove you need, of primary concern is to think about what type of skier you are.

If you are the type of person likes to spend their time in the lodge when the temperature dips below 25 degrees then fit and comfort should be a priority because almost any glove will keep your hands warm at 25 degrees and above.

If you wear thick, bulky gloves in warm weather, your hands are just going to get hot and sweaty after a run or two. In this case you really need a pair of gloves that have moisture wicking like the Black Diamond Guide Gloves.

So make sure you seriously consider what will be the primary type of conditions you will ski in before purchasing your gloves.

It is best if you can try on a few pairs of gloves in a ski shop to get an idea of how each glove manufacture sizes their gloves. There can be a difference between sizings on gloves even from the same manufacturer.

To get a good fit, you should take a tape measure and get an exact hand size, then use this to pick the correct size from the sizing chart on the product page.

All the gloves reviewed above come in a variety of sizes so you should be able to get a good fit.

Some glove makers will supply a temperature rating on the gloves where they feel the gloves will provide adequate warmth down to.

Of course this is subjective, what is warm to one person may not be to another. So don’t take them too seriously, at best you can use it as a rough comparison.

Ski Glove Shell: Leather vs Synthetic

You have two choices with a shell for your ski gloves: leather or synthetic and each have their advantages and disadvantages. We’ll cover them now.

Synthetic

Synthetic shells are made from either nylon or polyester. Of the two nylon is tougher and more water resistant but less dexterous. Polyester on the other hand is more flexible but less water resistant and will wear out faster.

Either type will give you better breathability than leather and will keep their water resistance longer than leather where water will inevitably soak through. To counter this, better gloves use a combination of leather palms for flexibility and synthetic for waterproofing.

Leather

Ski gloves with leather shell are usually more comfortable, have better flexibility and just look better! Unfortunately they have some drawbacks. The biggest being they need periodic maintenance to keep their water resistance.

You cant just throw them in the attic or basement and expect them to just take them out on the slopes. To keep your gloves in good condition and water resistant, use a leather treatment like Hestra leather balm or Sno-Seal.

Snowboard vs Ski Gloves

I have worn gloves marketed to skiers and gloves marketed to snowboarders and honestly there is no significant difference. Skiers and boarders are going to want the same thing from their gloves: Comfort, Fit and Warmth.

While I notice snowboarders tend to like the “gauntlet” style of glove that are longer and reach further up the arm than skiers. I have a separate review on snowboard gloves here.

Tips For Fitting Ski Gloves

• With the glove or mitten, your fingers should just barely touch the end of the glove or mitten or just a fraction of an inch gap.
• Your gloves should fit firmly around your fingers and hand, but not too tight so that they would become uncomfortable after wearing them all day. You need gloves that fit your fingers firmly but ensure the material is of the type that expands slightly.
• When they fit properly, you will be able to buckle your ski boots without removing them and you will also be able to get a firm grip on a trail maps or your phone.
• The types of materials that the gloves are made of are going to have a major significance on how well they fit and their comfort. If you buy gloves that are made from leather like the Black Diamond Guide Gloves or the Outdoor Research Revolution Gloves, there will be a break in period of several days. Make sure so you follow the manufactures recommendations for break in and care.
• Some gloves come with a pre-curved or articulated fingers, meaning the fingers are made with a slight curve. This is especially useful for skiers who have to grip poles all day. I highly recommend this feature.

Mittens vs Gloves

I am often asked, which are better; mittens or gloves? Certainly there is a gender difference, most guys will not be caught dead in mittens! I personally have never worn them, but my girlfriend swears by them. Here are some things to consider before choosing.

Ski mittens tend to be warmer because they keep your fingers next to each other providing extra warmth. The trade off of course is the lack of dexterity. It is almost impossible to make gear adjustments, read trail maps or zipper your jacket with mittens on.

Try and use your smartphone with mittens on, its almost impossible! You will have to take them off to do most anything.

If you’re on the lift having to take your mittens off, you risk losing them and have to suffer with freezing hands while you try and read the trail map.

Mittens tend work a better for snowboarders because they don’t have to hold ski poles all days and their boots are easier to adjust or loosen.

There is a new type of glove that is a cross between a glove and a mitten.

These gloves group together 3 of your fingers while leaving your index finger free for extra dexterity. I personally have not tried them, I have heard they work well and you may want to consider them.

Single Layer vs Dual Layer Gloves

I HIGHLY recommend dual layer gloves. These gloves feature a removable liner, typically made of fleece. Having a pair of these is like owning three pairs of gloves. Wearing both layers giving you extra warmth and the wind/water resistance of the outer shell.

If conditions warm up significantly, use the liners. Doing some spring skiing? Just use the outer shell for water resistance because you’re really not going to need the extra warmth.

If you ski almost exclusively in cold weather, this will not be a big concern and the cost saving of a thicker single layer glove might be a better option.

Gauntlet vs Under Cuff Gloves

A gauntlet style glove comes farther down your arm providing extra protection against cold and snow getting into your gloves. I personally recommend this feature and use this style of glove.

Especially for the beginner skier who will tend to fall more often and is more likely to get snow in their gloves. They do offer a measure of extra warmth. If given the choice, there is no disadvantage to not use this style of glove.

What to Look for in Ski Gloves

Here is a checklist for you to consider before buying a pair of gloves.

Waterproofness

No matter how thick your gloves may be, they can’t keep you warm when they are soaked. Your gloves need to be waterproof not just water resistant so that your hands stay dry and your hands will stay warm in the wettest of conditions. If your hands are wet, you are going to miserable!

Most manufacturers achieve this by using a membrane in between the liner and the shell. One of the most common is Gore-Tex. It’s probably the most popular and best option to keep the water out and let your hand breath by allow perspiration out.

Another cheaper method is a treatment on the outside of the shell with a DWR finish. While this works, it does eventually wear off and does nothing more making the gloves breathable.

Leather is inherently water resistant but does require some type of treatment to maintain the water resistance and keep them from deteriorating. Probably the best option is a leather glove and synthetic combination shell.

Durability

This is going to be primarily a function of the shell of the glove. But you can’t tell the durability of gloves just by looking them and feeling their texture.

If you choose gloves made from goatskin or cowhide you can be assured the gloves will be durable provided you take care of them.

The newer synthetics used in ski gloves is a solid choice as well. They are cheaper and don’t have the care consideration of the leather.

If you’re not going bother with maintaining the gloves you are better off with the synthetic. They will last much longer with no care, especially if your going to store them in the off season in hot and dry conditions.

How to care for leather gloves:

Warmth

Since all good gloves must keep your hands warm, they must have a good quality insulation. I personally highly recommend gloves with a removable fleece liner.

For the ultimate in flexibility and warmth. While a thicker glove the warmer it may keep your hands warm, the trade-off is getting wet and sweaty hands.

Fit and Dexterity

We covered this earlier and won’t go over it again in detail. Obviously the more dexterous the glove the better.

Features

Some of the newer gloves have the ability to use your touch screen device with your gloved forefinger. When it’s cold and windy and you need to use your phone on the slopes, you will really appreciate this feature!

You will  also find gloves with a mini goggle squeegee, zippered pockets and articulated (pre-curved fingers). While all these features are nice, I would only consider the articulated fingers worth the extra money.

FAQ For Ski Gloves

Q: What are liner gloves and should I use them?

A: Liner gloves are the most important part of ski gloves in my view. They’re lightweight, thin, form fitting gloves that go under larger gloves.

Some gloves come with included liner gloves such as large mittens with removable liners. Other gloves are one-piece. If you’re buying a one-piece glove and want to use a liner with it, consider going a size up to make room for the liner.

Adding a liner glove to existing gloves can fail if the liner makes the overall glove too tight. This will restrict dexterity and cause cold fingers quickly! You want a little space between the liner and the main glove.

Q: Are mittens or gloves a better choice?

A: I prefer mittens with liner gloves.

Mittens are warmer and help keep your digits warm longer. They also have just enough dexterity to hold the ski poles and that’s all you need. When it’s time to adjust your goggles, mess with your straps, or pull out your phone you can take off the mittens and use the liner gloves underneath.

Get liner gloves with touch fingertips so that when you take off the mittens you can pick up a phone call or take a pic.

Q: Do I need waterproof gloves?

A: In the late season like spring you may want waterproof gloves or at least waterproof liners. When temps warm up and rain is imminent or the snow gets slushy your gloves may soak through. In that case waterproof gloves are the right choice.

During the colder parts of the season you won’t need waterproof gloves. When the temps are below freezing the snow won’t be getting you wet anyways so any snow that gets on your gloves will come off “dry”.

Q: What is a hand warmer pocket?

A: Have you seen those little tear open hand warmers that slowly warm up and give off heat all day? They often fall out of people’s pockets and end up on the ski runs where they inevitably get run over and make big black streaks.

Hand warmer pockets on ski gloves or mitten are usually on the back of the hand. There’s a small zippered pocket that is just large enough for one of these hand warmers to slip inside.

The advantage over simply stuffing a hand warmer in your glove is that it won’t fall out when you take your glove off. Plus, some hand warmers can become dangerously warm if left in direct contact with skin.

If you can find a glove with hand warmer pockets built in, definitely go for it!

Q: What is a lobster claw mitten?

A: In order to make up for the complete lack of dexterity afforded by mittens, manufacturers offer lobster claw mittens.

With a lobster claw mitten the mitten is split in half with the pinky and ring finger in one pocket and the index and middle finger in another pocket. The thumb, of course, still has its own little pocket.

With two fingers per pocket they can share warmth while still having more dexterity than a traditional mitten. Many pros prefer this style of glove like the Hestra 3 Finger.

Best Ski Glove Brands

As you can imagine choosing the “best” ski glove brands is very subjective. Ask 10 skiers and you will get 6-7 different answers. However certain brands always come to the top like Black Diamond and Burton.

• Burton – Its no surprise that Burton is one the list as they are the originator of snowboarding, they produce some of the best winter gear available.
• Black Diamond – Based in Utah they make some of the best outdoor gear from climbing to skiing and snowboarding. You can trust anything they make to perform well.
• Outdoor Research – Founded by Ron Gregg in 1981 and based in Seattle, they have a full lineup of outdoor clothing including some of the best gloves you can buy at any price.
• Columbia – Probably the best value outfitter. They have one of the best lineups of quality outdoor clothing at very reasonable prices.

How We Researched

To come up with the top skiing gloves e researched a variety of sources for reviews such as REI, Backcountry, Moosejaw, EVO along with our own personal experience. We also consulted online magazines for product research and reviews to get as much unbiased information as we could.

With so much quality gear available, we had to narrow it down based on what we felt were the best options were for the price.

The author, Casey Fiedler was a full time ski instructor for Park City and The Canyons in Utah. To help narrow down the selection he used his personal experience along with recommendations from fellow ski instructors.

After extensive research, we came up with our list to help you choose the right pair of gloves for you.

Sources

I hope this guide was helpful for finding a good pair of ski gloves to fit your needs. If you want to comment or recommend a pair of gloves I didn’t include, please use my contact form to get in touch.

New to skiing? See my beginners guide to skiing for tips and advice.

Have fun and be safe out there!