Staying warm on the slopes can be a struggle, even while being active by skiing and snowboarding, and it's often your hands that have to deal with the worst of the cold weather. If you want to enjoy your trip without experiencing the pain of icy fingers, the most practical way to protect them is by wearing a good pair of waterproof gloves.
We've searched high and low for the best cold-weather gear online at Amazon, eBay, John Lewis, ASOS, and Decathlon and we'll be reviewing our favourite gloves from trusted brands such as Hestra, The North Face, and Dakine. We've got pairs for men and women in all kinds of materials, from leather and polyester to GORE-TEX. Read on to discover our top picks!
Quick List - Top Ski Gloves
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Anyone who's been skiing knows how essential a good pair of gloves is - permanently cold fingers can be a huge distraction and may even ruin your ski trip! To avoid chilly hands, here's our guide to finding gloves that can cope in sub-freezing temperatures.
The catch-all term does tend to be ski gloves, but you don't have to stick to a 5-fingered design. There's also the option of ski mittens (or mitts) which have one big section for all your fingers - they have some brilliant advantages that may just win you over!
If you don't normally struggle with freezing fingers, gloves are a viable option that give you more control. It's much easier to do things like open and close zips when you're able to move each finger separately!
It's this separation, though, that means each individual finger gets less heat from your palm and the rest of your hand. This makes gloves colder than mittens - when the temperature dips, you're more like to feel it (or not!) in your fingertips. They also have less leeway when it comes to sizing, so you'll want to make sure you select the right size when shopping.
Perfect for people who can't seem to keep hands warm in cold weather no matter how hard they try, mittens trap more air and allow heat from the rest of your hand to circulate. They also fit a wide range of sizes, so it should be easy to pick a pair that'll keep your hands feeling snug.
The lack of separation between your fingers does make it harder to do basic tasks that require a bit of dexterity though - you won't have as much control over the things that you want to hold or pick up, but you'll still have enough to keep hold of your poles!
When it comes to ski gloves, you can either choose those made from a mixture of real leather and synthetic fabrics or those made from just man-made materials. Leather is versatile but not ideal for everyone, so it's worth exploring your choices.
Leather has been used for millennia and is a popular material for ski gloves, thanks to its various properties. It's hard-wearing, waterproof, and warm but it can also be made soft and flexible, especially when combined with different textiles.
However, leather is not vegan-friendly so some might have ethical objections to wearing this type of material. Furthermore, although leather is very durable and waterproof, it doesn't take well to being machine washed.
If you prefer to avoid leather, be that for ethical or economic reasons, there are lots of options that use only synthetic textiles. The most common one is polyester, a versatile fabric which can be used as a waterproof outer layer, an insulating middle, or a soft lining layer.
Polyamide and nylon also pop up as popular ski glove materials, as do rayon and TPU, all of which are soft and stretchy so they're comfy to wear. However, while these gloves tend to be a cheaper option, this means that they're not as warm as those made from leather and may not be as high-quality either.
The material that a glove is made from is obviously important for keeping the cold out, but all that is pointless if your gloves are baggy! To keep draughts out, you need to be able to secure your gloves in place around your wrist; there are a few ways to do this.
Around the wrist part, gloves tend to have an elasticated band that will stop your gloves from falling off as well as keeping the cold from coming in. It's totally normal for one pair of gloves to have multiple fastening methods, so a strap might also be used and held in place by velcro or a buckle.
As ski gloves tend to be longer than other gloves, some brands add a drawstring cord too which allows you to tighten the material around your forearm.
You're probably aware that shoes come in numerical sizes, but did you know that some gloves do too? Certain brands offer ski gloves in sizes ranging from 5 to 10, and they'll usually provide a size guide which explains how these match up to the circumference of your hand.
If all that sounds a bit confusing, don't worry - most manufacturers stick to the more recognisable system of small, medium, and large. It's still worth checking measurements though as they could vary from brand to brand.
The perfect ski glove should be snug while allowing enough room at the end of the finger part for you to pinch about a quarter of an inch of fabric. For maximum warmth, you should also make sure that your wrist is fully covered.
While you'll probably spend most of your day on the slope feeling cold and desperately trying to warm up your hands, some sessions might see you breaking into a sweat. Over time, this will lead to sweaty hands and smelly gloves, so it's important to know how to clean them properly.
Throwing your gloves in the washing machine is only an option for a very small number of products. Most brands, especially those that include leather, will specify that they need to be wiped clean with a damp cloth. This won't give you the deepest of cleans but it'll ensure that your gloves don't get damaged.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski | ![]() | The Warmest Gloves on the Market, Hands Down! | |
2 | OZERO Thermal Ski Gloves | ![]() | Keep Warm in the Coldest of Conditions | |
3 | The North Face Futurelight Etip Ski Mitten | ![]() | Comfy Flexible Mitts That Won't Cramp Your Style | |
4 | Hestra Army Leather GORE-TEX | ![]() | Designed for Those Who Spend Days on the Slopes | |
5 | Dakine Wristguard Glove | ![]() | Simple Gloves With a Size for Everyone | |
6 | Columbia Men's Whirlibird Glove | ![]() | Clever Tech That'll Keep Your Fingers Toasty | |
7 | Roxy Jetty Solid Mitten | ![]() | Chic White Mittens to Match the Snow | |
8 | WEDZE Adult Skiing Gloves FR 900 | ![]() | Extra Long Cuffs to Keep the Cold Out | |
9 | Barts Basic Unisex Ski Gloves | ![]() | Basics Gloves That Are Great for Beginners | |
10 | Oakley Factory Winter 2.0 Ski Gloves | ![]() | Hit the Pistes With a Retro Look |
Hestra has already received a shout-out on this list but we feel it deserves another because it really is the top brand when it comes to warm, wearable ski gloves! These mittens will keep your fingers far warmer than gloves, due to the brilliant G-loft polyester fibre layer which provides the ultimate in insulation.
There's leather too, which is combined with synthetic fabrics to make an amazingly warm pair. Best of all, the carabiner part means you can fasten these mittens together, saving you the frustration of losing one while out on the slopes. Trust us, you won't be disappointed with this duo!
Up in the mountains, temperatures can really drop so it's very fortunate that these gloves are effective during temperatures as low as -40°C! Frozen hands will well and truly be a thing of the past, but keeping out the cold isn't the only thing these gloves are good at.
The tough leather palms will also protect your hands and add grip, so there's no chance of you dropping your poles on the slopes. Furthermore, the TPU layer makes these gloves a super waterproof option. They're even available as mittens too if you prefer that style!
The North Face is one of the most recognisable activewear brands, thanks to its ability to create clothing and accessories that cleverly combine looks and functionality. The simple style of these mittens will appeal to all, while the Radiametric Articulation™ technology helps to keep hands in their natural relaxed position.
Much thought has been put into keeping the heat in, around both the hands and around the wrists - there's an adjustable strap, an elasticated band, and a drawstring opening, which all work together to stop any harsh winds from getting in.
Adventurous, committed skiers will need more protection than those who've just started out. These gloves provide extra barriers against the cold weather and more extreme surfaces. They've been designed for those who spend a lot of time on the slopes - ski instructions and guides, for example - so they're incredibly durable.
Four expertly-crafted layers come together to make a glove that's windproof and waterproof but still ultra-breathable. Since they're made for all genders and hand sizes, everyone can experience the wonders of a Hestra glove!
We love these gloves because they're available in a huge range of sizes. Although Amazon state that they're men's gloves, they come in unisex sizing so are in fact suitable for everyone! This is rather handy as they're a very budget-friendly option.
Two layers of waterproof protection will stop any moisture from coming in, plus there's an extra layer of insulation that makes these gloves ultra warm. In addition, the extra-long cuffs will stop draughts and also provide a decent amount of wrist support.
These gloves might not look particularly special, but it's what's hidden inside that makes them stand out. They use thermal reflective technology, with lots of small silver dots reflecting body heat back onto your hands. For the harder slopes, these gloves will let your hands breathe while still keeping water out.
The only downside is the lack of sizes - they're designed specifically for men, so they'll be too big for most women to wear. Even for men, these gloves are only available in two sizes, which is a real shame!
Roxy is a popular skiwear brand thanks to its ability to combine fashion-forward design with the best in winter weather technology. The monochrome look of these gloves will go most with most ski outfits and still manages to be far more interesting than a block colour. Plus, if you're thinking about the practicalities, you'll be happy to know that these mittens have touchscreen compatibility too!
White always looks chic and it matches the snow perfectly, but over time you'll likely have difficulty trying to keep these gloves sparkling. Once they lose their brilliance, it'll be hard to get it back with a damp cloth, which is the only way that the manufacturer recommends cleaning them.
Well-known in Europe and the UK for creating good quality winter sports gear that won't break the bank, Decathlon brand WEDZE has done it again with these gloves. With their extra-long cuffs and secure velcro straps, there's no chance you'll feel any cold draughts!
It is perhaps unfair to put these gloves further down the list for their looks, but we think appearance is important and these definitely aren't the most fashionable of 5-fingered options. Of course, this could be the trade-off you're willing to make for top-notch wrist protection!
If you're a first-time skier looking for an affordable pair of gloves, then these are worth a look. Getting hold of ski gear that's waterproof doesn't mean you have to splash the cash, as this set shows.
While a great option for beginners, these gloves are fairly simple and may struggle to provide the necessary warmth in more extreme conditions. They also don't cover much of your forearms, so the snow and wind could find their way in.
Retro ski wear is all the rage on the slopes, but real vintage gear can lack the mod-cons that skiers of today want. With these gloves, you get that old-school look in addition to technology that will keep you happy - like touchscreen-compatible fingers!
Although the soft leather is flexible, it can still feel a little restrictive - particularly when you take into account that these gloves only come in one size. They have a fun design, but they won't work for everyone.
The snow, the slopes, the sun... a ski holiday is always lots of fun! The extreme conditions can, however, cause issues - particularly if you're going on a trip as a family. Our selection of fab recommendations will ensure you can keep everyone happy and focused on skiing rather than the cold!
Cold hands can have the power to stop you in your tracks, which isn't exactly what you want when you're powering down a piste. Buying a pair of gloves from this list will make sure that sub-freezing mountain temperatures don't stop you from being able to enjoy yourself out on the slopes. Once you've chosen your favourite pair, you can wave goodbye to the chilly air for good!
Author: Emma Cramp
No. 1: Hestra|Army Leather Heli Ski
No. 2: OZERO|Thermal Ski Gloves
No. 3: The North Face|Futurelight Etip Ski Mitten
No. 4: Hestra |Army Leather GORE-TEX
No. 5: Dakine|Wristguard Glove
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