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Our team of experts found the best ski gloves for 2024. Whether you're heading to the resort or into the backcountry, we've got your digits covered.
Cold fingers can quickly ruin a day on the slopes, but a reliable, ergonomic pair of ski gloves can be a game-changer. There are a lot of different ski gloves on the market. It’s essential to choose a high-quality pair of gloves that fits well and properly suits your skiing style.
Our team has combed the ski glove market over many years and put hundreds of pairs to the test. From the frigid and icy Midwest to the deep powder of the Cascades, the gloves on this list have proved themselves against all sorts of conditions.
Scroll through the list to view our recommended buys or the category you’re looking for. If you are unsure of what to look for, be sure to check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide and frequently asked questions for helpful tips, and have a look at our comparison chart to steer your decision-making.
Otherwise, read our full gear guide and check out our awarded picks below for the best ski gloves of 2024.
Editor’s Note: We updated our Ski Gloves guide on January 9, 2024, to include the Dakine Team Bronco GORE-TEX Glove Karl Fostvedt, which won an award.
The Swany Men’s X-Cell Glove ($180) has a special place on our mantle. This toasty, tenacious silhouette is the one we grab during a blizzard at the ski area. Equally, the X-Cell is our backup pair we don’t leave home without when we head to the backcountry. The design is available for women, too, with the Swany Women’s X-Cell Glove ($180).
What do we love? Our hands have never been cold in these gloves even in arctic wind, ice, snow, heavy moisture, and long 12-hour days out. The insulation combines PrimaLoft Gold — with an equivalent of 750-fill down — and aerogel fibers. Developed by NASA, aerogel is tagged as the lightest solid material on the planet and serves as a temperature barrier.
Our eco-hearts are happy that the insulation includes more than 35% recycled content. For even more warmth, the back of the hand has a heat shield insert, called Volcotek, which absorbs and reflects far-infrared energy to promote blood circulation.
Even in a wicked snowstorm, and if we’re managing a snowmobile or skins and multiple ski or splitboard transitions, the waterproofing on these gloves sets a new bar. Called Dryfinger, the membrane is 100% waterproof and remains breathable. Inside, the lining is a cozy, high-performance textile called Dyna-therm, which wicks moisture and dries well though generates heat even if your palms sweat. Yes, we found this to be true. Another bonus is that the fabric is both hypoallergenic and anti-microbial.
Overall, materials are more densely stacked on the back of the hand and leaner on the palm for better grip. The linings that frame the fourchettes are more malleable to support dexterity. While this glove isn’t the leanest for fine operations, like grabbing our front jacket zipper while wearing a full-face helmet that blocks the view, the shape performs most tasks just fine. Safety and unwavering warmth come at a very small compromise.
On the back of the hand, there’s a small zipper that opens for ventilation or to pop in a hand warmer — we’ve used the zip for both. The double gauntlet cuff typically fits best over ski jacket arms unless the circumference is on the broader side. The quick-release strap took about five years of beatings to finally break. Throughout that time, no holes have appeared in the nubuck and top-grain leather.
The Swany Men’s X-Cell Glove design is available in small through 3XL, while the Swany Women’s X-Cell Glove is offered in small through large: the sizing charts differ between those gendered options. Be sure to measure the circumference of your hand in inches, to find an ideal fit.
Kincos are the best trick for budget-seekers whether you’re heading to the hill a handful of times or skiing 100 days. Diehards and novices alike appreciate the simplicity, durability, and price point of this classic pair, officially deemed the Kinco Lined Heavy-Duty Premium Grain & Suede Pigskin Ski Glove with Omni-Cuff ($54).
If you beat up your gloves or do work, this design is lined, made of pigskin, and the digits are lined with a streamlined foam padding for extra reinforcement, say if you’re handling ropes, carrying equipment, or handling machinery.
Protecting hands from the cold, this ski glove is outfitted with thermal insulation, called Heatkeep, which is made from finely spun polyester. To waterproof the exterior, wearers simply need to add the Nikwax waterproofing wax before use, which is included in the bundle. A reapplication is likely needed, and that timeline depends on the amount of moisture the glove is exposed to throughout a given season.
The wrist cuff is streamlined, elastic, and stretchy. The band slides easily beneath ski jacket arms.
Potential drawbacks of this design include that if the glove does get wet, such as when the surface needs to be waxed, it becomes incredibly stiff and uncomfortable — it basically freezes. Maintaining care of the glove can prevent that debacle.
Some folks that tend to get super cold hands don’t generally reach for this glove, because other designs offer more insulation. Overall, the Kinco Lined Heavy-Duty Premium Grain & Suede Pigskin Ski Glove with Omni-Cuff is a fan favorite as one of the best budget options out there for skiing.
The Black Diamond Guide Gloves ($180) from Black Diamond are the ultimate hand protection for skiers. With a tough exterior, impressive warmth, and quality materials, this glove has very few flaws. For good reason, the Guide is among the most popular skiing handwear options on the market.
Though this is a great glove by any standards, the Guide’s standout trait is its warmth. During testing, we found that this glove felt at least as warm as several top-notch mittens.
Thanks to a combination of PrimaLoft synthetic insulation and wool, the Guide is an ideal choice for frigid conditions. If you are looking for high-end warmth but don’t like the added complexity of battery-heated gloves, we strongly recommend the Guide.
As with any piece of cold-weather gear, extra insulation and durability tend to decrease freedom of movement. The Guide gloves are not the most dexterous option on this list, which is not surprising given their warmth and burly leather and nylon shell.
Still, the main job of ski gloves is warmth and protection, and the Black Diamond Guide Gloves delivers. At the resort or in the backcountry, these gloves are fully capable in any weather conditions. We’re confident they remain among the best ski gloves available today.
For skiers whose always-cold hands keep cutting their days short on the ski hill, heated gloves can be a game-changer. They’re also a simpler solution than constantly squeezing hand warmer packets which don’t cover as much surface area and cause a mess if you accidentally blow them apart. The Outdoor Research Prevail Heated GORE-TEX Gloves ($339) set a gold standard for battery-powered handwear. If you have trouble keeping your hands warm while skiing, look no further than the Prevail.
This heated option isn’t a bulky, soft glove for chilled grandparents at the tubing hill. They have a pre-curved shape and performance materials including a GORE-TEX liner and water-resistant goat-skin palm, since even heated gloves can’t overcome wetting out your insulation. Our testers have appreciated the low-profile battery system that powers the heating elements but doesn’t get in the way or make these gloves hard to take on and off.
We found the (rechargeable) battery life to be about average for heated gloves. On the medium setting, the battery tended to last for most of a casual-start ski day at the resort with a lunch break. There are low, medium, and high heat settings. The brand estimates the high heat setting will burn through battery life in about 2.5 hours while the low setting can extend it out to 8 hours on a full charge, so you can charge fully over a bell-to-bell ski day if you need to.
Our biggest hang-up with the gloves was an oddly narrow fit in the middle of the glove where the fingers meet the hand. Clearly, this wasn’t a quirk of our tester’s hands: Outdoor Research has a disclaimer on the product page that reads, “These gloves are more narrow than other OR gloves. People with average and above-average width hands should order up one size.”
Electric heating system aside, the Outdoor Research Prevail Heated GORE-TEX Gloves come with all the bells and whistles of top-notch skiing handwear. Touchscreen compatibility and easy-to-cinch cuffs are an added bonus.
This warm five-finger wonder is streamlined and stylish for dexterity and good looks. The Dakine Team Bronco GORE-TEX Glove Karl Fostvedt ($85) is a solid contender for most warm, moderate, and chilly days shredding at the hill.
We love being able to easily grip our phone — that touchscreen capability works stupendously — and we appreciate the generous nose wipe on the thumb, all the way from the fingertip to the wrist, and a full 3-inch wrap at the widest point.
The slender, long gauntlet is easy to fit beneath jackets and the wide Velcro strap quickly sticks in place. There’s a unique 2.5-inch long wrist hook, so you can easily tug the glove into place, like a heel hook on the back of a snow boot.
A plush fleece liner hugs the inside of the glove, a lovely welcome against the hand. Overall, the glove kept our hands warm until extreme windchill and temps dropped into the 10 to 20-degree range. Otherwise, our hands were stoked. The Hi Loft insulation, which is 50% recycled polyester and 50% polyester, does the job. So does the waterproof GORE-TEX insert and PFC-free DWR treatment on the shell, which kept our hands dry all day even on snowy laps. A tiny buckle clips the two gloves together during travel.
There’s no wrist guard to ensure loss on the lift — so mindfulness is key. Another drawback: the external PU material along the palm, which stretches from the wrist to the tips of the fingers, is not the most durable. Before the end of a season, we saw nicks developing especially in the fingertips along the seams.
All around, we love how functional and svelte these gloves are for inbounds rips. The Dakine Team Bronco GORE-TEX Glove Karl Fostvedt might not be the warmest ski glove but they’re among the most functional and work most days on the hill.
Seeking a balance between a streamlined yet warm, waterproof, and super durable ski glove? Introducing the Leki Xplore S unisex ski glove and Xplore S Women’s ski glove ($140), which are among our favorite models we’ve pulled on. Topped with Primaloft insulation, this waterproof-windproof hand shield is a great everyday driver for the hill.
For how svelte this design is, we’re surprised that our fingers hardly ever get cold. Temperatures need to plummet — around 10 degrees F — or the scene is ravished by harsh gusts for us to swap out to mittens.
We like the hybrid material choice: 100% goatskin leather is on the back of the hand, palm, and Velcro wrist belt for durability and protection. The tops of the digits and gauntlet are a pliable synthetic blend. We’re only starting to see the seams wear out at the tips of the fingers after several seasons.
These gloves are among Leki’s designs that have the Trigger System, a small integrated loop between the thumb and forefinger that clips into Leki ski poles, so you can ditch ski pole straps altogether. If you prefer a wrist guard, there’s no downfall of the loops on the Xplore, which are minimal enough that you can’t feel ’em.
On the back, you’ll find a zippered pocket for ventilation or tucking a hand warmer on those coldest days. The leash is elastic, easy to pull on and off, and has kept us from dropping or misplacing our pair.
Simply put, the Leki Xplore S and Xplore S Women’s ski gloves are a great-fitting, high-performance choice.
For Nordic skiing, less is more. We picked the Hestra Windstopper Touring ($60) for its lightweight profile, grippy goat leather palm (that never got saturated with snowmelt or sweat), and stylish look.
The Windstoppers are internally lined with GORE-TEX Infinium micro-check material, which keeps the windchill out without sacrificing breathability. Though these gloves include minimal insulation, a layer of fleece on the backhand provides just enough warmth for cross-country touring and other active outdoor activities.
Like all Hestra products, these gloves are well-made and plenty durable for regular use. From a versatility standpoint, we love that these gloves also work well for jogging, running errands, and simply getting your hands warm throughout the winter.
For multi-use versatility, the Hestra Windstopper Touring are some of the best Nordic ski gloves to have around in cold temps.
When you need just enough protection against the wind and cold air, but you’re on a climb in the backcountry and don’t want to sweat out your gloves, consider pulling on the Outdoor Research Women’s Sureshot Pro Gloves and Men’s Sureshot Pro Gloves ($65). This is one of our favorite guardrails for human-powered ascents or super-toasty spring days at the ski area. These ski gloves are also more streamlined, so they can offer a nice hand feel for Nordic skiing, driving, or when you’d prefer more dexterity like running errands.
Outdoor Research rates this glove as a medium-grade warmth among the brand’s designs, and we find that to be true. The glove is insulated with 133 grams of EnduraLoft 100% polyester. The ski glove is also treated with ActiveTemp, a Bluesign-approved polymer, to help with thermo-regulation, so your hands don’t get too hot or moist.
The amount of water resistance, offered via a waterproof insert, serves the purpose of protecting our hands on a climb if the snow happens to fall or we need to reach through deep snow to our bindings. We dig the durable goat leather insert, which wraps across the palm, the undersides of the thumb and two forefingers, and the back of the pointer finger.
We also really appreciate the touchscreen compatibility of the fingertips, which is among the best designs we’ve tested to date.
We wouldn’t want to wear these gloves for freezing descents but when we want protection on a wind-beaten ridge, this glove delivers. The Outdoor Research Women’s Sureshot Pro Gloves and Men’s Sureshot Pro Gloves have a defined spot in our quiver.
Leki draws heavily on the brand’s racing heritage for these padded, protective gloves that have a bit of a Darth Vader meets Hermann Maier vibe but are neutral enough to fit with most any ski kit. We dig the Leki Griffin Pro 3D ($160), and they’re durable, too. From the exterior material to the EVA pad reinforcements along the tops of the fingers and backs of the hands plus the grip pads along the palm and underside of the knuckles, this design is built to last despite repetitive motion.
The gloves certainly get points for style. But our primary tester was able to use the Griffin Pro 3D with a pair of compatible Leki ski poles that are free of wrist loops and felt that’s what really set these gloves apart. Called the Trigger System, the design allows compatible pairs of ski gloves, which have a small loop integrated between the thumb and forefinger, to click into the pole handles instead of using a strap.
Straps can cause hand and wrist injuries in crashes. And the Trigger System has an automatic release with a firm yank to protect you while making connecting to your ski poles easier at the same time.
The Leki Griffin Pro 3D ski gloves kept our hands warm down into the teens thanks to PrimaLoft insulation throughout the design. The secure neoprene cuff also eliminated drafts. While skiing in a blizzard that lasted several days, we were able to check the water resistance, which performed well under the pressure. But it’s worth noting that these gloves are water-resistant, not waterproof like other ski gloves with a GORE-TEX waterproof membrane.
Read our full GearJunkie review of the LEKI Griffin Pro 3D.
Slipping your hand into the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski ($160) is like putting on your favorite sweater. The three-layer dobby polyester melange is soft and molds to your hand over time. The proofed goat leather outer material is durable and water-resistant. Overall, this is a reliable glove that is fully equipped for harsh conditions.
Inside, the removable five-finger liner is deliciously cozy and warm but not bulky. We like the extended wrist cuffs and integrated Velcro cinch. Even on the deepest of days, these gloves keep bits of snow from entering at the opening.
We recommend the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski to skiers who spend lots of time in cold conditions with lots of snowfall. They are certainly on the more expensive end of the glove spectrum, but if you’re looking for high performance and durability, this glove is a solid value.
While the Oyuki Tamashii GTX Glove ($140) is a streamlined ski glove, we’re thrilled to see the sleek fit offered with a GORE-TEX waterproof membrane for full protection against moisture. GORE-TEX is a hard technology to beat when you’re searching for the best waterproof benchmark, gloves included. And this pair offers great dexterity.
With a unique touch, the wrist cuff is secured via a zipper. To easily slide in, open the zipper, pull on the glove, and then zip ‘er up. The design relinquishes the need for a pull loop.
The goatskin leather material, which comprises the uppermost region of the hands, along the fingers, is also water resistant. For more flexibility, the wrist is protected by a softshell material.
Inside, the glove is lined with a super soft tricot fabric. For coziness, the design has 133 g of PrimaLoft Gold insulation against the tops of the hands and another 80 g of PrimaLoft Grip insulation in the palm.
If you’re hungry for a maneuverable pair of gloves that’s also waterproof with moderate insulation, check out the Oyuki Tamashii GTX Glove.
While testing out the new Leki Copper S ($120) ski glove, we finished our ski days pleased. These gloves are well-built, ergonomic, and comfortable. Plus, the Copper S is made to be compatible with the brand’s releasable ski pole strap design called the Trigger 3D system, an alternative for skiers who dislike the management of traditional straps.
The Copper S has an undeniable out-of-box comfort that we love. Softness is the golden trait of this glove’s exterior and 100% polyester liner. Made of goatskin leather, these gloves feel more pliable than other stiffer, beefier leather gloves we’ve worn. The potential tradeoff is that they might not be as robust as other leather gloves in our toolkit, which our female testers noted more than the males.
That streamlined undercuff has a wide Velcro strap that’s easy to tighten and the slender fit slides easily into the arm of a ski jacket. No fuss.
If you’re eager to skip the break-in period for a softer pair of quality leather ski gloves, the Leki Copper S fits the bill.
To learn more, read the full GearJunkie review on the Leki Copper S.
Cold hands and feet can interfere with winter fun. When you’re wearing the Black Diamond Solano Heated Gloves ($400), even arctic temperatures won’t keep you off the ski hill.
For an electric glove, the Solano is relatively low-profile, with a rechargeable battery pack in the cuff and heating elements that wrap around the inside of your wrist, where blood is close to the surface and can best absorb the heat.
The new Solano has more synthetic insulation in the back of the hand and the palm than previous versions, but not so much it’s hard to grip a ski pole. And you get to pick how warm you want your hands to be.
A switch on the back of this GORE-TEX-lined goat leather glove lets you choose from three settings. We wore these gloves in the deepest freeze Vermont could muster, alpine skiing, and fat biking down to -20 degrees. Through it all, our hands were toasty warm in the Black Diamond Solano Heated Gloves.
Three-finger gloves combine the warmth of mittens with the dexterity of gloves. For skiers with chronically cold hands, three-finger gloves offer a great solution without the added complexity of a built-in battery. The Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski 3-Finger ($160) easily rises to the top of this niche handwear category.
Hestra consistently crafts handwear from quality, long-lasting materials. The Heli Three-Finger gloves feature supple goatskin palms, removable insulated liners, and a waterproof yet breathable outer fabric. As yet another mark of Hestra’s attention to detail, the Heli’s finger design is pre-curved, resulting in a wonderfully anatomical fit.
Though every skier has a different comfort zone, users of these gloves report feeling warm down to -20F. The standalone index finger does have a tendency to become colder than the other fingers when wearing the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski 3-Finger, which should be expected given the three-finger design.
Scroll right to view all of the columns: Price, Shell/Material, Cuff Type, Warmth.
The GearJunkie team is made up of avid skiers who head to the resort or backcountry regularly — and we universally prefer to enjoy the slopes with warm, dry hands. From the frozen hills of Minnesota to the champagne power of Colorado, we’ve been testing ski gloves for decades.
While assessing the quality of a pair of ski gloves, we consider the warmth, waterproofness, durability, comfort, overall fit, and value. We test every pair of ski gloves in a variety of conditions over many days in the field.
GearJunkie Senior Editor Morgan Tilton specializes in the snowsports category and grew up in the mountains of Southwest Colorado, where she still lives and plays all winter from the slopes to the backcountry. Based in Gunnison Valley, Tilton tests ski gloves in tough conditions with teeth-chattering temps, windchill, and ample snowfall. She’s been a gear journalist including snowsports coverage for more than a decade, holds a Wilderness First Responder certificate, and has three certifications from the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education.
While she teams up with many gear testers, Tilton likewise tests ski gloves — technically, she’s beat up ski gloves for three decades. In 2023, she’s tested pairs on 59 days and throughout 177 hours of recreation. That doesn’t include the countless hours of shoveling or commutes.
The entire team also gathers annually for a ski week at Crested Butte Mountain Resort to compare notes on our favorite products. This roundup is a living document — whenever a new pair of ski gloves earns a spot, we’ll update the list with the best ski gloves available.
When selecting the best ski gloves for you, there are many important factors to consider. Not all gloves are created equal, and we want to help you make a well-informed decision.
Though we thoroughly recommend all of the gloves on this list, certain styles are better suited for certain skiers. In this handy how-to-choose guide, our goal is to match your personal needs with the perfect pair of ski gloves.
Choosing between gloves and mittens is a matter of personal preference. Each option has pros and cons, and it is important to understand these before choosing.
Gloves offer improved dexterity but reduced warmth. Because every finger can move independently while wearing gloves, this option is better for gripping ski poles, swinging ice axes, or performing manual labor.
Mittens are very warm, but they do reduce dexterity.
Keeping your hands warm on the mountain is a ski glove’s primary job. Almost all ski gloves will be advertised as “warm,” but the proof is in the pudding. Some gloves are much warmer than others.
If you tend to have uncomfortably cold fingers while skiing, a warm pair of gloves is an invaluable investment. When the temps dip into the teens and single digits, there is no substitute for ultra-warm hand protection.
If you’re seeking top-notch warmth, expect to pay at least $100 or so. Though cheaper gloves can be well-made, they generally don’t possess the ability to insulate your hands in the coldest conditions.
All of the gloves on this list are built with some form of insulation. Most modern ski gloves have synthetic fill. While some gloves specify the exact weight of their insulation, fill weight isn’t always the best way to measure true warmth.
Though many brands create great results with their own synthetic insulation, PrimaLoft remains the gold standard of synthetic insulation. As always, trying on gloves is the best way to assess warmth and overall comfort.
If top-notch gloves still aren’t enough to keep your extremities happy, mittens or heated gloves could be a better choice for you. Mittens heat more effectively by keeping your fingers close to one another. Heated gloves have a built-in battery and heating element that produces electric heat from within.
After warmth, waterproofness is the most important quality of ski gloves. In most mountain conditions, wet hands are cold hands. In snowy and stormy environments, reliable waterproofing is absolutely essential.
Gloves that are truly waterproof will come with a built-in membrane that sits between the shell and the liner. Though many brands produce their own membranes, GORE-TEX is the most widely recognized name in the entire waterproof outerwear universe. If you plan to regularly wander into wet territory, we think it’s worthwhile to go with GORE-TEX gloves.
As always, truly waterproof gear tends to come with a decrease in breathability. This isn’t usually a huge issue with gloves, since hands don’t tend to overheat as readily as the torso and core. However, when skiing in warm weather or skinning uphill, hot and sweaty hands can become wildly uncomfortable.
A few solutions exist for this problem. First, you can opt for a ski glove with less insulation on warm spring days and while skinning uphill. Some designs have vents on the upper side, to allow a window for heat to release at the top of the hand.
Another option is to choose a design that pairs a glove shell with an interior liner or adding your own. When the going gets warm, pop off the outer shell for increased breathability and dexterity. When the storm rolls in again, put the shells back on for full-strength waterproofing.
On this list, we have included several pairs of gloves with removable liners.
Trying to manipulate your fingers while wearing ski gloves can be frustrating. Unfortunately, warm insulation and burly outer shells seriously reduce the dexterity of the human hand. However, some ski gloves are certainly more dexterous than others. As a general rule, gloves with less insulation tend to be more dexterous.
Removable glove shells with a liner beneath offer a simple solution to the dexterity problem. Standalone liners provide improved dexterity without having to fully expose your bare skin to the cold air.
Removing your gloves to operate your phone can be both annoying and potentially dangerous. To avoid this, look for a pair of gloves with touchscreen compatibility. In touchscreen-capable gloves, the tips of the fingers are outfitted with a special material that your phone screen will respond to.
There are two primary styles of ski glove cuffs. Gauntlet-style cuffs extend beyond your wrist and sit on the outside of your ski jacket. A double gauntlet offers two tiers for extra length that’s a bit more streamlined compared to a single, super-tall gauntlet.
Generally, gauntlet cuffs are ideal for cold or super powdery conditions, as they are often insulated and can seal out cold air with a drawcord. They can also block snow from flying inside your glove. If you regularly ski in deep powder or wet conditions, we recommend a pair of gloves with long gauntlet-style cuffs.
Undercuffs are shorter and more streamlined cuffs that more easily tuck underneath your ski jacket cuff. This style is less bulky than gauntlets, which results in better wrist dexterity but slightly reduced warmth and protection against the elements.
Durability is an important consideration when choosing ski gloves. Ultimately, a glove’s durability comes down to its construction and materials. The longest-lasting gloves tend to feature polyester or nylon outer shells with high-quality leather palms.
The downside of gloves made with leather is that they require regular maintenance. A waterproofing treatment such as Sno-Seal or Nikwax can significantly help maintain the waterproofing ability and general quality of a pair of leather ski gloves.
Aside from nylon and leather, many thin and lightweight ski gloves are made from wool, fleece, and cotton. Though fleece and wool gloves can be plenty sufficient for warm and wind-free conditions and nordic skiing, we recommend gloves with waterproof membranes and durable outer shells for most skiing purposes.
For downhill skiing at the resort, most people prefer durable, warm, and waterproof gloves. Though all of the styles on this list could be used at a resort, some are better used for Nordic or backcountry skiing.
Backcountry skiing involves uphill travel and prolonged exposure to the elements. Generally, gloves with removable outer shells are ideal for the backcountry thanks to their premium versatility. When skinning uphill, shedding a few layers is common. By removing your glove’s outer shell and wearing solely a liner, you can prevent your hands from overheating and sweating. When the temps drop and the snow begins falling, put the outer shell back on for maximum warmth and protection.
Better yet, choose two pairs of gloves for backcountry days: A lighter pair for uphill travel and a warmer, more insulated pair for the descent or, at the very least, to have stashed for emergencies. Backcountry skiing gloves should also have reasonably long cuffs that can successfully prevent snow from entering at the cuff.
Nordic skiers commonly wear relatively lightweight and nimble gloves. Because skate and classic Nordic skiing typically involve high-cardio, heat-building movement and tend to take place on trails at lower elevations compared to backcountry travel, burly shells, and thick insulation are often unnecessary. As always, we recommend that you wear whatever gloves make you feel warm and comfortable.
Ski glove sizing is inconsistent. In other words, a size small in one brand may be a medium in another. At a single brand, a size small in the women’s category might not match the size small for men, or they might have mirrored dimensions.
Most brands offer a sizing chart that can help you decide which size to buy, so be sure to measure your hand according to the directions. We also recommend trying on a ski glove in person, if possible.
Ideally, your ski gloves should feel snug — not tight or restrictive. You should have less than a centimeter of open space at the tip of each finger, and there should be minimal resistance from the material when you make a fist.
Our top ski gloves range from $54 to $400. On this list, we have included options across a range of budgets without sacrificing baseline quality. The general price for the majority of our favorites is closer to $150.
Generally, more economical gloves will be less warm, durable, and waterproof than more expensive and higher-quality options.
Most high-performing gloves cost at least $100. If you are seeking battery-operated heated gloves, expect to pay at least $150.
The warmest ski gloves come with built-in battery-operated heating elements. While heated gloves are great for frigid conditions and people with chronically cold hands, they aren’t necessary for most skiers.
If you are seeking super-warm gloves without an integrated battery, look for lots of insulation, a waterproof membrane, and a gauntlet-style cuff. If that doesn’t do the trick, consider a pair of mittens.
Choosing between ski gloves and ski mittens is a matter of how cold the temperatures drop, as well as a bit of personal preference. Each option has pros and cons.
Gloves offer improved dexterity but reduced warmth. Because every finger can move independently while wearing gloves, this option is better for gripping ski poles and performing tasks with your hands. Some gloves are more streamlined than others and the insulation varies broadly between designs.
Mittens are very warm, but they reduce dexterity. We don’t find mittens as easy to use for fine and detailed applications like grabbing a small zipper pull on a backpack, closing a buckle, opening a snack bar wrapper, or basic tasks on a phone screen, for instance.
However, once the ambient temperatures reach 10 degrees Fahrenheit and if there’s added windchill, we are hard-pressed to find a glove design that withstands brutally cold conditions as well as a mitten, which allows the body heat from your digits to circulate in a single shell. The warmest glove we’ve consistently used in such conditions is the Swany Men’s X-Cell Glove and the Swany Women’s X-Cell Glove.
A couple of hybrid options include mitten designs that are paired with glove liners, so you can pull your hand out for tasks without exposing your skin to the cold. There are lobster-style gloves, too.
Most of the gloves on this list are designed with a waterproof membrane that sits between the outer shell and the inner liner. If you are seeking reliable waterproof gloves, we recommend purchasing a high-quality pair with a name-brand waterproofing system such as GORE-TEX.
Some designs such as the Kinco Lined Heavy-Duty Premium Grain & Suede Pigskin Ski Glove with Omni-Cuff need to be surface treated with a waterproof wax, such as the Nikwax treatment that’s included with a pair of Kincos.
Yes. For the most part, skiing gloves and snowboarding gloves are interchangeable. Because snowboarders need to adjust their bindings throughout the day, they tend to prefer more dexterous gloves.
Whether at the resort or in the backcountry, we found the best ski pants of 2024 to fit every style, budget, and adventure.
Whether you’re skiing in sunny or stormy conditions, here are our top picks for the most durable, protective, and comfortable ski jackets of 2024.
Based among the awe-inspiring peaks of Crested Butte, Colorado, Morgan Tilton is a Senior Editor for GearJunkie honing the SnowSports Buyer’s Guides alongside warmer coverage. More broadly, she’s an adventure journalist specializing in outdoor industry news and adventure travel stories, which she’s produced for more than a decade and more than 80 publications to date. A recipient of 14 North American Travel Journalists Association awards, when she’s not recovering from high alpine or jungle expeditions she’s usually trail running, mountain biking, or splitboarding in Southwest Colorado, where she grew up and lives today. From resort to backcountry and human-powered to motorized travel, she loves sliding across snow.
Austin Beck-Doss is a Staff Writer at GearJunkie. Austin has been writing about climbing, hiking, and snowsports for 6+ years. Prior to that, Austin worked as a rock climbing and wilderness guide.
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