Nothing can ruin a day on the ski slope quite like being cold and wet. Making sure you have a good pair of ski gloves can go a long
way in keeping you comfortable.
You’ll want to find the best gloves for skiing to ensure that your hands stay warm and dry. But with so many options out there, trying to find the right pair can be overwhelming – so we put together this buying guide to help you find the best ski gloves.
Best Ski Gloves 2022
Ski gloves | Style | Materials | |
---|---|---|---|
Terra Hiker Ski Gloves | Gauntlet; 5-Finger | Premium PU leather; High-tech Taslan fabric; 3M Thinsulate material | |
RunRRIn Ski Gloves | Gauntlet; 5-Finger | High-Quality Cotton Insulation With Fleece; Soft PU, PVC Anti-Slip Palm | |
Yidomto Ski Gloves | Gauntlet; 5-Finger | High-Quality Cotton Insulation With Fleece; Anti-Slip Silicone Printing on Palm | |
Andake Ski Gloves | Undercuff; 5-Finger | 3M Thinsulate Insulation; PU Grip Non-Slip Palms | |
Hestra Ski Gloves | Undercuff; 5-Finger | Bemberg / polyester ; Foam | |
MCTi Womens Ski Gloves | Gauntlet; 5-Finger | Windproof Polyester; 3M Thermal Thinsulate; Waterproof TPU; Anti-slip PU leather | |
KINEED Ski Gloves | Undercuff; 5-Finger | Windproof Polyester; 3M Thinsulate Insulation; TPU Waterproof Insert; Anti-Slip Palm | |
Livingston Ski Gloves | Undercuff; 5-Finger | Polyester; Olefin; 3M Thinsulate Lining; PU Palm | |
Dakine ski Gloves | Gauntlet; 5-Finger | Nylon; Polyester; High Loft Synthetic; Tricot; Gore-Tex; Rubbertec | |
Andorra Ski Gloves | Gauntlet; Mitten | Polyester; Olefin; Waterproof Exterior; 3M Thinsulate Insert; PU Palm |
1. Terra Hiker Gloves – Best Minimalist Pick
However, these gloves don’t come equipped with any additional features, so they’re probably best suited for those who are happy with a minimalist design.
If you’re looking for an affordable ski glove that will keep your hands warm, the Terra Hiker ski glove might be what you need. There’s nothing fancy about these gloves, but they contain everything you need to stay comfortable in mild and cold conditions.
The water-resistant Taslan shell should keep your hands dry throughout all but the wettest conditions. These gloves also feature a 3M Thinsulate liner that works to keep your hands warm and comfortable.
These gloves feature an ergonomic design that allows them to comfortably conform to the shape of your fingers and palms, giving them good dexterity. They also feature durable palm grips to assist in their handling.
Unfortunately, these gloves aren’t as breathable as some other options which means the lining is prone to getting moist as your hands perspire, so they might not be the best option for extended ski sessions. This also results in the gloves taking some time to dry out if they do get wet.
You won’t find any fancy features like pockets or smart-phone compatibility in these gloves, but that doesn’t take away from their overall value. They’re also very simple in terms of style – only available in a plain black with minimal details.
If you’re going to be skiing in a climate that isn’t frigid and don
- Lightweight
- Good dexterity
- Great grip
- Affordable
- Not very breathable
- Lining takes a long time to dry
- Not as warm as other gloves
- No additional features
2. RunRRIn Gloves – Great for Kids
The RunRRIn Gloves feature fun designs and are constructed to keep hands warm and dry.
Providing multiple layers of waterproofing and a comfortable fleece lining, these gloves are available in fun colors and patterns that are especially popular with kids.
If your kids are in need of ski gloves that will keep them warm and dry, these could be a great pick. These gloves are also available in men’s and woman’s sizes so that they can be a good option for the entire family.
These gloves feature warm cotton insulation and a comfortable fleece lining. The outside is composed of a waterproof coating along with a TPU insert that further assists in waterproofing, so your hands are likely to stay warm and comfortable.
They also feature an anti-slip palm grip, but the thick cotton insulation makes them bulkier than some other options.
Since they’re available in such a wide variety of sizes, you’re almost certain to find one that will fit comfortably in your hand. The adjustable wrist straps will allow you to get a great fit and keep snow and ice out.
They come in a variety of fun colors and patterns which can make them a great option for kids or for adults who prefer to sport a funkier style on the mountain.
- Waterproof
- Breathable
- Comfortable
- A bit bulky
- Not as dexterous as other gloves
- Not the most durable option
3. Yidomto Gloves – Great Value Buy
They also feature a zippered pocket for convenient storage or can serve as a place to put a hand warmer.
If you’re looking for a combination of affordability and function these ski gloves by Yidomto could prove to be an excellent selection. The gloves provide style, comfort, and durability without breaking the bank.
The exterior is constructed of a waterproof and windproof material to keep the elements off of your hands. They feature cotton insulation and a soft fleece lining to keep your hands comfortable during long ski sessions.
The cotton insulation does make these gloves a bit bulky, but the silicone grips on the palms still allow for a decent grip on ski poles. While they aren’t the most dexterous option available, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting a good grip when you need to.
While these gloves aren’t loaded with extra features, they do feature a zippered pocket which makes a great place to store your keys, cards, or lift tickets. And since they’re available in a few different colors, you’re likely to find one that matches your style.
We think that if you’re looking for an affordable option that still gives you a few bonus features, these gloves provide great value for your money.
- Waterproof
- Warm
- Convenient pocket
- Bulky
- Low dexterity
- Little breathability
4. Andake Gloves – For When Dexterity Matters
While they aren’t the best choice for extremely frigid conditions, they’re ideal for resort skiing and the upgraded option is great for skiers who like their gloves to have a lot of features.
Sometimes you need a glove that provides you with a great range of motion and grip while providing you with warmth on the coldest days. These gloves have struck up a great balance between the two.
They are waterproof, windproof and made with 3M Thinsulate insulation to help keep your hands protected from the elements. They also feature an adjustable strap to help keep water and ice out.
While these gloves are still a bit bulky, they are ergonomically designed to curve along with your palm and fingers, giving them a level of dexterity not often found in similar gloves.
The palms and fingers have a good grip surface, which is especially important if you’re trying to grip a pole or lift that might be wet.
These gloves do have convenient clips which make it easy to keep track of them – either clip them to your jacket or together, so they don’t get lost when you aren’t using them.
Another great feature is the soft fabric on the thumb which is great for clearing off goggles or even wiping your nose.
These gloves are also available in an upgradable version. For a slight increase in price, the upgraded option features a zippered pocket and touch-screen compatibility.
- Warm
- Great dexterity
- Waterproof
- It takes a long time to dry once wet
- Not very breathable
- Not as durable as other gloves
5. Hestra Gloves – Best Leather Option
If you’re willing to invest a bit more money into a pair of leather gloves, then Hestra Gloves might be what you’re looking for. These gloves are a favorite amongst professional skiers and will keep your hands warm and dry.
This leather glove is made of durable and water-resistant cowhide while the inside has a soft and comfortable Bemberg lining. They’re definitely made to last and should serve you well even if you tend to find yourself wearing gloves quickly.
The Foam/Fiberfill insulation provides plenty of warmth without the usual bulk which is great for skiers who like to maintain as much movement of their hands as possible.
The leather also means you’ll have a good grip on the entire surface of the glove, which makes these a popular option amongst backcountry skiers and those who enjoy venturing off trail.
The cuffs have easy-to-handle velcro fastenings, which is great for easy on and off.
They are available in quite a few different colors, so you don’t have to settle for “boring” standard leather colors.
Because these gloves are made of leather, it’s important that they’re treated with the recommended leather conditioner regularly to extend their life and ensure they remain waterproof.
Unfortunately, these gloves don’t come with any added features, so you might find yourself taking them off quite frequently to take care of things. However, we don’t think that the lack of fancy features detracts from the overall quality.
- Warmth without bulk
- Good dexterity
- Extremely durable
- Requires maintenance
- Expensive
- No extra features
Best ski gloves for women
6. MCTi Womens Gloves – Loaded with Features
If you find yourself looking for a pair of gloves that are loaded with features, these gloves by MCTi might be what you need. They include just about every feature you could hope to find in a pair of good ski gloves – including reinforced grips, touchscreen compatibility, an adjustable wrist strap, and a nose wipe.
While they won’t work well for the coldest conditions, they are waterproof, windproof, and insulated with 3M Thinsulate to keep your hands comfortable while skiing. They are a bit bulky, but the reinforced grips still allow you to maintain a good hold on your poles.
We like these gloves for all of the features they provide, making them great for a day at the resort.
- Lots of features
- Waterproof
- Comfortable
- Not the warmest
- Not breathable
- Bulky
7. KINEED Gloves – Great Combination of Style and Practicality
These gloves might be a good choice if you’re looking for a pair of women’s gloves that combine style and function. These gloves come in several different colors, all of which feature a plaid print combined with solid black.
The exterior is waterproof and windproof, so your hands will be protected from the elements. They are insulated with 3M Thinsulate insulation to keep your hands warm.
These gloves also feature a TPU insert that assists in waterproofing but is also moisture wicking to help keeps your hands dry when they start to sweat. This is great because you don’t want your gloves to feel moist from perspiration after you’ve been skiing for a while.
To provide grip, the palms and fingers feature rubber dots. Since the grip isn’t reinforced, these gloves aren’t quite as durable as other options on the list.
Unfortunately, these gloves are only available in one size, so getting a good fit might not be possible.
- One of the most breathable options
- Stylish
- Waterproof
- Not as durable as other gloves
- Not good for extremely cold weather
- Only available in one size
8. Livingston Gloves – Best for Warmth
If you are in search of the warmest ski gloves for women, you might want to consider these gloves by Livingston. They provide a simple but warm solution for the coldest days on the slopes.
The waterproof outer layer should keep your hands dry throughout most conditions. These gloves also feature a 3M Thinsulate liner that works to keep your hands warm and comfortable without getting too bulky.
There aren’t any additional features here, but the minimalist design still provides a lot of warmth and is available in a variety of colors. The gloves do have a grip that spans the palm and fingers, so you’ll be able to hold on to your poles without any trouble.
Unfortunately, these gloves do run a bit large so that they won’t be the best option for women with smaller hands.
We think that these gloves are a great choice for women who aren’t concerned with features and have warmth as their top priority.
- Slim design
- Warm
- Waterproof
- Run large and aren’t the best option for women with smaller hands
- Not as durable as other gloves
- No additional features
9. Dakine Gloves – Best Goretex Choice
For skiers who prefer Goretex insulation, these gloves by Dakine are a great choice. The Goretex insulation makes these some of the warmest ski gloves for women. They also feature excellent waterproofing and breathability.
The outer shell is made of water-resistant nylon material which will further help to keep your hands dry. They are a bit bulkier than other gloves but are still flexible enough to grip comfortably.
These gloves are rich with features like touchscreen compatibility and soft thumb fabric nose wipes. They also include a removable liner which is great to remove while skiing on warmer days or to use on it’s own as a driving glove.
However, these gloves are narrow and might not comfortably fit women with larger hands.
Overall, we like these gloves for their breathable, waterproof construction and mix of features.
- Warm
- Well-constructed
- Waterproof
- Lightweight
- Bulky
- Too narrow for wider hands
- Liners aren’t as durable as the outer shell
10. Andorra Ski Mittens – A Durable Mitten Choice
In addition to being warm and waterproof, they offer some convenient features like touchscreen compatibility and zippered pockets.
For some skiers, no glove ever seems to be warm enough. Women’s ski mittens like these by Andorra provide the extra bit of warmth you might be looking for on the colder days.
The exterior is waterproof, and the insert is made of 3M Thinsulate, which is great for keeping your hands warm and dry. The entire surface of the palm is covered with a non-slip grip material, which is what you need to keep a good hold on your gear, poles, or lifts.
There is a wrist strap which allows you to adjust the fit as well as a drawstring chinch to help keep out snow.
These mittens have some nice additional features too. The zippered pockets are a convenient storage area, and both thumbs have a soft bit of fabric which are perfect for wiping off goggles.
The thumbs and palms are also touchscreen compatible which helps minimize the number of times you’ll need to take off the mittens.
For the price, these are well-constructed ski mittens that should prove to be durable and long-lasting. This is great for people who tend to wear through their gloves quickly since you shouldn’t have to replace them as often.
- Touchscreen compatible
- Durable construction
- Waterproof
- Pocket doesn’t work well with hand warmers
- No finger slots inside
- Might need to wear a liner glove on the coldest days
Ski Gloves Buyer’s Guide – What to Look for
Some ski glove features are going to be important to everyone. No matter what, you’re going to want gloves that are warm, comfortable, and waterproof.
But there are a lot of nuances and variations in different ski gloves. So you should have an idea of which features are important to you before you select a pair.
You definitely don’t want to find yourself on the slopes halfway through the day only to realize that you bought something that just isn’t performing the way you thought it would.
Warmth of glove
Warmth is probably the most important feature to consider when comparing best ski gloves. You’ll want a warm glove to stay comfortable on the slopes all day.
Most manufacturers provide a temperature rating to let you know what kind of conditions its suitable for. So having a good idea of the type of conditions you plan on skiing in will give you a guideline of how warm of a glove you’ll need to purchase.
There are some different materials used for insulating gloves, and other than the temperature rating, you probably won’t know exactly how warm it’s going to be until you try it on. Keep in mind that the temperature ratings are just guidelines provided by the manufacturer and shouldn’t be used as a definitive benchmark.
What’s it made of? Leather vs. Synthetic
Concerning outer material, ski gloves fall into two different categories: leather or synthetic. You’ll even find that there are many gloves that are made of a combination of both materials.
The material that a skier prefers is usually just down to personal preference, but each one has some clear characteristics:
leather:
- extremely durable
- comfortable
- offer better dexterity
- require regular maintenance like wax or balm to remain waterproof
synthetic:
- best waterproofing
- breathable
- cheaper options don’t hold up as well
- are often bulky
Grip
The grip is partially determined by the fabric that the glove is made of. Leather will provide a better grip, but many synthetic gloves have leather palms or some other sort of material to better the hold.
It’s important to check that the gloves are capable of giving you a good grip so that you won’t have any trouble gripping your poles even in wet conditions. Some gloves will be pre-shaped to the natural curve of a hand so that you won’t be fighting with the bulk.
If the grip of your glove isn’t up to par, you might find the glove sliding around on the pole when it gets wet, so it’s an important feature to investigate before you buy.
Comfort of glove
Since you’re likely going to be wearing your gloves for long periods of time, it’s going to be important that they fit comfortably. There are a number of factors that can contribute to overall comfort, but some include inner material, breathability if it conforms to the shape of hand, and size.
A comfortable glove is going to be one that fits well. The most comfortable gloves will fit snuggly to your hand, but won’t be so tight that they restrict movement.
Sizing varies between brands and models, making it hard to assume that you’re going to be a medium in one glove just because you’re a medium in another. So it’s important to try the gloves on or take measurements when ordering online.
Is it Waterproof?
It goes without saying that wet hands are cold hands, so waterproofness is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a ski glove. You don’t want cold snow or water on your hands, but you’ll also want a glove that is breathable enough to ventilate perspiration.
To determine this, you’ll want to pay attention to the type of material the waterproof membrane is made of. Gore-Tex offers the best combination, but other materials like Dryride or BDry will get the job done in less expensive models.
You’ll find that some gloves are only water resistant instead of waterproof. This can be fine for experienced skiers or in drier climates, but we recommend going for a fully waterproof option.
Cuff Length: Gauntlet vs. Undercuff
The cuff length is largely a personal preference, and each style has its benefits. If you’re a beginner or someone who ventures into deeper snow, you’ll likely benefit from the added protection of a gauntlet style glove since they offer a bit more protection.
Gauntlet
Gauntlet gloves cover and extend past your wrists and are designed to go over your coat sleeves. They offer less range of motion since there is bulky fabric covering your wrists. Gauntlet gloves are easy to get on and off since you don’t need to tuck them under your sleeves.
Undercuff
Undercuff gloves are shorter and tuck into your coat sleeves which makes them more difficult to get on and off. Because they tuck into your coat, if you move in a way that makes your sleeve ride up your arm, you might get your skin exposed. Many skiers do prefer under cuff gloves since they aren’t bulky and improve your range of motion.
Dexterity
Warmth and dexterity are hard to find together. The warmer a glove is, the more likely it is to be bulky and difficult to maneuver. A glove that allows for a lot of dexterity is is usually thin and offers less warmth.
If most of your skiing is done on resort slopes, you probably shouldn’t be too concerned about dexterity. Basic tasks like gripping a pole or adjusting bindings can still be done with thickly insulated gloves. And removing them every so often won’t make you too cold, so unless you’re planning on skiing in really frigid conditions, it shouldn’t be a problem.
If you are a backcountry skier and find yourself consistently off the trail, you might find a greater need for dexterity. Gloves that offer both excellent warmth and dexterity are quite expensive.
Unless you have a real need, we don’t recommend sacrificing warmth for dexterity.
Durability
You are going to want to make sure the gloves you select are going to hold up to what you put them through. A durable glove will be made of quality material with well-constructed teamwork and reinforced grips.
Gloves or Mittens
One question you’re likely to have while shopping whether you should use gloves or mittens for skiing.
The biggest difference here is that gloves are far more dexterous than mittens. Zipping and unzipping your coat and pockets, adjusting your binding, and even holding your ski poles can be made easier by using gloves. Even if bulky, you’ll have the freedom to move each finger individually.
What mittens lack in dexterity they make up for in warmth. Mittens are often more heavily insulated than gloves and allow your fingers to group together for extra warmth.
Removable Liners
Removable liners are a pretty common feature in ski gloves. We think they’re great if you ski in a variety of weather condition – you can have the liners in the coldest conditions but remove them for when you’re out in warmer weather.
Pros:
- Warmer
- More Versatile
- easier to dry
Cons:
- Offer less dexterity
- bulkier than other gloves that offer similar warmth
Other Features of ski gloves
You’re likely going to notice that many gloves offer some non-essential features. These features probably won’t make or break your decision, but they can add to the overall value and convenience of the gloves.
You’ll find that some manufacturers try to pack in as many of these bonus features as possible while others might not include any of them.
Touchscreen Compatibility
Want to snap a photo of that gorgeous mountain view, check in to your favorite trail, or change your music without taking your gloves off? Plenty of gloves now offer technology that allows gloves to be touchscreen compatible.
You’ll more often than not find this technology in thinner gloves since the glove has to be able to transmit some warmth and energy through the fabric. It’s a convenient feature, especially if you like to have your phone at your constant disposal, but we wouldn’t recommend sacrificing warmth just to have this feature.
Wrist Cinches
If you’re worried about snow getting inside your gloves, you might want to look into gloves that offer wrist cinches. They’re most commonly found in gauntlet-style gloves and allow you to tighten the opening around your wrists. This can be a great feature that helps you stay dry and warm.
Nose Wipes and Lens Cleaners
Usually just a patch of soft fabric on the thumb or index finger, these are designed for wiping your nose or clearing off your goggle lenses. It can be difficult to grab a tissue or find a piece of cloth to get the fog off of lenses, so these can be quite handy in a pinch.
We don’t think they’re a big selling point, but they aren’t a bad thing to have around either.
There are other little features that you’ll find in gloves like clips that attach the gloves to your coat, small zippered pockets, and some are even heated by battery power. It’s unlikely that any of these features are anything you really ‘need’ in a glove, but you might enjoy the conveniences they offer.
OUR TOP PICK OF GLOVES FOR SKIING
Amongst these top-rated ski gloves, the Hestra Ski Gloves are our top choice. While they’re a bit more expensive than some other options, we love the warmth they provide while still maintaining excellent dexterity.
With care, the durable construction of these gloves will allow them to last a long time and hold up to the elements. You don’t need a lot of non-essential features to make a ski glove great, and the minimalist design still delivers in keeping hands warm and dry while skiing.