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We tested 24 of the best men's ski gloves and mittens from Gordini, Hestra, Black Diamond, Outdoor Research, and others to find the best.
The 2025 selection of ski gloves.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
By Jeff Dobronyi ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated April 25, 2025
The Best Ski Gloves for Men
Are you seeking the best ski gloves for your snow adventures? Cutting your day short because of cold fingers is the pits. Luckily, it is easy to avoid this problem if you come prepared with the right outerwear.
We have been testing gloves since 2013, using over 70 pairs in total. Our selection today pits 24 of the top gloves and mittens against each other, the best of which earned top spots in our lineup. Our testing grounds are the same places you will use your gloves — ski resorts, backcountry laps, cross-country routes, on snowmobiles, and ski mountaineering missions around the world. We also put them through controlled in-house tests to measure insulation abilities and water resistance.
Our favorite glove overall is the Rab Khroma Freeride Gore-Tex Gloves, which proved to be amazingly warm while still leaving us with enough finger movement to zip up jackets and operate avalanche transceivers.
If you prefer to house all your digits in the same pocket, our favorite pair of mittens is the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt, which takes the cake for warmth, but loses out on some points due to the inherent lack of dexterity.
If you're looking to upgrade your skis or snowboard or searching for the final pieces of your winter wardrobe, our extensive reviews of snow sports gear can help take the guesswork out of your purchases.
Editor's Note: Our ski glove review was updated on April 25, 2025, to share some new insights on our award winners.
Good dexterity, affordable, solid performance across the board
Warm, great features, comfortable, inexpensive
Dexterous, comfortable, perfect warmth level for touring
Warm enough, reasonable price
Warm, touchscreen-compatible, comfortable, good battery life
Inexpensive, heavily featured
Good features, fairly dexterous, inexpensive
Sweet features, included pair of liner gloves, screen sensitive thumb and index finger, comfortable wider fit
Inexpensive, warm, great features
Dexterous, comfortable, durable leather
Tough, windproof, durable
Tough, waterproof, warm, dexterous for a mitt
Cons
Light on features, expensive
Expensive, lacks some features, funky fit
Not very dexterous, take time to break in, if in between sizes you should consider sizing up
Not the most dexterous, expensive
Not waterproof, expensive
Expensive, leather needs to be retreated slightly more than other models
Expensive, not that warm
Poor dexterity, could have better features
Not that dextrous, gauntlet rides up and out of sleeves
Not very durable, light on features
Bulky, small gauntlet, velcro strap isn't durable
Expensive, not dexterous
Not warm, absorbs water
Not dexterous, bulky and cumbersome
Wet out easily, not warm enough for the resort, light on features
Poor dexterity, slightly tight fit around the knuckles, absorbs water
Not waterproof, poor dexterity
Don't seem very durable, unimpressive dexterity, not as warm as expected
Not warm, absorbs water, limited touchscreen compatibility
Average dexterity and weather resistance, below average durability particularly on the palm
Bad dexterity, low water resistance, not durable,
Not warm, not waterproof, lacks features
Bulky stitching, not very warm, not waterproof
Sweats out easily, must apply Sno-Seal often to avoid soaking up water
Bottom Line
These are excellent gloves for the worst winter conditions, and our overall favorites
With top-tier performance across the board, the only downsides to this glove are its lack of features and tricky sizing
For really cold activities, where giving up some dexterity for some serious warmth is a must, these gloves are hard to beat
With three heat settings, these gloves will keep you warm in any winter weather
Warm and comfortable gloves that sync effortlessly with Leki poles, but they aren't waterproof
A solid all-around winter glove with excellent water resistance and durability
This stylish and heavily featured glove is a good choice for everyday use
These mitts provide extreme warmth and weather resistance at a good price, nailing the two most important aspects of ski mittens
Solid all-around gloves with enough warmth and weather protection for most days
A decent performer providing a dexterous and lightweight alternative to double gloves
Warm, comfortable, and weather resistant, these gloves perform well across the board
A highly featured and warm glove, but it's expensive and lacks dexterity
Decent gloves for the price, but they don't stand out from the crowd
A quality mitten that is super warm, comfortable, and relatively inexpensive
Lightweight and dexterous gloves that are perfect for backcountry skiing
A warm and fully featured ski glove for a great price
An affordable pair of battery-heated gloves that performs well enough for most skiers
These gloves don't match up to the best on the market, but they are a lot more affordable
These gloves are comfortable with a removable liner, but they fall short when the weather gets cold or wet
A solid glove at a great price, which offers a plethora of features and above average warmth, but only so-so durability and dexterity
Inexpensive gloves that perform just fine for the occasional skier
Minimalist, dexterous gloves for warm ski tours and ski alpinism
Trendy and stylish, but lacking in key aspects of versatility for skiing, these gloves are solid winter work gloves, so don't hesitate if you're looking for that utility
A tough, trendy, and affordable choice for resort or backcountry skiing
If we could only have one glove for hitting the slopes, the Rab Khroma Freeride would be it. This is the all-around highest-performing glove we tested. Other gloves might be better for specific tasks, but nothing performs as well. This glove excels in almost all of our tests for weather resistance, dexterity, construction quality, and warmth. We found it to be one of the most storm-proof gloves on the market, with a Gore-Tex membrane and water-resistant materials. The fingers are packed with toasty insulation, yet they are still the most dexterous gloves that provide this level of warmth. Guide and tester Jeff Dobronyi says, “This glove has impressive dexterity — I can keep them on while zipping zippers, buckling boots, and using an avalanche transceiver.” He has been wearing the same pair of these gloves for three seasons without much wear and tear to show for it.
SPECIFICATIONS
Gauntlet or Cuff
Gauntlet
Double or Single Glove
Single
Palm Material
Pittards Armor-Tan® Goat leather
Inner Glove Material
Pile
Waterproof Material
Gore-Tex Plus Warm
One feature we wish these gloves included is an adjustable wrist cinch strap; it offers only an internal elastic wrist strap to keep the glove tight on the hand. Compared to other contenders, these gloves have fewer features overall, but the set of features it does include works very well, and our testers weren't complaining. We recommend these gloves for most skiers and riders demanding the highest performance from their gear. One of our testers summed it up well, saying, “These are a great choice for skiing on the coldest days of winter.” They are also perfect for snowshoeing and even cold urban travel. If you want the absolute warmest glove we tested, check out the heated Outdoor Research Prevail. We also like the Arc'teryx Fission SV, which performs nearly as well and even provides just a hair more weather resistance, but the Khroma is slightly more dexterous thanks to more precise tailoring.
The Black Diamond Mercury Mitt is the best overall mitten in our test group. Users who prefer to use mittens generally due so for their improved warmth compared to ski gloves, and these are the warmest mittens on the market thanks to their insulated liners, fleece lining, and roomy hand cavity where fingers can share warmth. They are also effective at sealing out liquid water, thanks to a waterproof membrane and large gauntlets. The construction is solid as well, promising a long life. We also like the additional features like the hanging loop for quicker drying and the comfortable nose wipe patch on the thumb. Our lead tester says, “These mittens are a lifesaver for cold hands on the most miserable days of winter.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Gauntlet or Cuff
Gauntlet
Double or Single Glove
Double
Palm Material
Goat leather
Inner Glove Material
Recycled fleece
Waterproof Material
BD.dry
Like all mittens, the Mercury Mitts don't let you use your individual fingers. Not only that, but our tests found they have the worst dexterity out of all our contenders (even other mittens). Dexterity may take a backseat when warmth is the primary concern, but these mitts are hard to use for even the most basic tasks, like zipping up a jacket or buckling boots. One tester said, “I have to take these mittens off to do literally anything with my fingers.” They lack a wrist leash, increasing the odds of losing them when removed. If you can tolerate less water resistance and want to save some money, check out the The North Face Montana Ski Mitts below. The Black Diamond Guide is a thick glove that is almost as warm as this mitten but offers a touch more dexterity. With all that in mind, most individuals seek mittens because they find gloves too cold. If that's you, the Mercury Mitt is still one of the best mittens we've ever tested.
In the outdoor industry, products tend to come and go as materials improve and designs evolve, but the Gordini GTX Storm has been around for a long time, and we hope it stays that way. Our testers are continually impressed by how well this glove can hang with the high-end competition while costing significantly less. Our field tests proved the Storm Trooper is more than capable of meeting the needs of the average resort skier. It's warm enough for the average cold day on the slopes and does a decent job of keeping moisture out. It has reasonable dexterity and enough leather on the hand to provide good durability. Our lead tester observed that “these gloves can take a beating and have already lasted a few years of periodic use.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Gauntlet or Cuff
Gauntlet
Double or Single Glove
Single
Palm Material
Polyurethane
Inner Glove Material
Polyester
Waterproof Material
Gore-Tex
We found these gloves warm enough for most days at the ski resort during our testing, but they can't compare to other well-insulated or heated models like the Outdoor Research Prevail. The Gordini GTX Storm packs insulation around the fingertips, which hinders dexterity and rules out general tasks that require fine motor skills, like opening small zippers or searching for items in pockets. We'd recommend a more dexterous glove like the Black Diamond Legend for users like on-snow professionals or parents. Still, given the affordable price, we can forgive these minor drawbacks, and we recommend the Storm Trooper II to anyone needing high-performance gloves at a bargain price.
If you're looking for a toasty, comfortable pair of mittens that fits into a tighter budget, The North Face Montana Ski Mitts is an affordable option worth considering. They score only a little lower than the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt but are half the price. The lofty synthetic insulation and fleece lining combine to provide impressive comfort and plenty of warmth for those uber-cold days. The nylon shell fabric is coated with a durable water-repellant (DWR), and these mitts feature a DryVent waterproof membrane that keeps moisture from penetrating. The last physical barrier against the elements is a gauntlet cuff that can be cinched closed around your jacket. They also come loaded with convenient and user-friendly features like a soft nose wipe, elastic wrist leashes, a wrist cinch strap, and a touchscreen-compatible thumb material. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised by this mitten, and our lead tester remarked, “I'm content to wear these mittens on mellow days at the ski hill during average temperatures.”
SPECIFICATIONS
Gauntlet or Cuff
Gauntlet
Double or Single Glove
Single
Palm Material
Synthetic leather
Inner Glove Material
Raschel fleece
Waterproof Material
DryVent
By design, mittens offer less dexterity, and the Montana Ski Mitts are among the least dexterous we've tested. Users will likely have to take them off for practically any tasks requiring fine motor skills due to their design and relative bulk. However, most people wanting the warmth and comfort of a mitten are aware of this issue and willing to accept the tradeoff in dexterity for happy hands. If the lack of dexterity is a dealbreaker, but you like the looks and specs of this mitten, The North Face also has the Montana Ski Gloves we recommend looking at. Nevertheless, these are a great pair of mittens that will keep your digits toasty on the coldest days without breaking the bank. If you're in the market for a basic version that's even more affordable than these, check out the Flylow Oven Mitt.
The Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gore-Tex is packed full of performance in every metric that we test except for dexterity. It has three battery-powered warmth settings to keep you warm all day on the slopes and plenty of insulation to keep you toasty if the batteries die. It has excellent construction quality, protecting your investment, and the gloves effectively seal out unwanted water and snow from the outside environment. We saw the tightly sewn seams and the Gore-Tex lining do their jobs, keeping almost all moisture out during our dunk test. Our lead tester sings their praise, saying “These gloves are impervious to wet weather, which makes them seem even warmer.” With leather reinforcements on the thumbs and fingertips, you can count on these gloves to hold their own through heavy use.
SPECIFICATIONS
Gauntlet or Cuff
Gauntlet
Double or Single Glove
Single
Palm Material
Water resistant goat leather
Inner Glove Material
100% polyester fleece 320 g
Waterproof Material
Gore-Tex
Due to the amount of insulation, the Prevail Heated Gore-Tex isn't very dexterous or sensitive in the fingers. As one might expect, adding batteries and heating elements to a pair of gloves comes with a cost, and these gloves will put a dent in your wallet. Check out the Black Diamond Guide if you want the warmest option that doesn't require recharging and won't break the bank. On the other hand, when looking at the big picture, the OR Prevail gloves are less expensive than some others we have tested, and we feel they perform better. The price might scare away some potential buyers, but for folks with chronically cold hands or who ski in particularly cold climates, it might be worth the extra cash.
The Savior Heat Rechargeable is one of the most affordable heated gloves on the market, and it performs decently well in other regards, making it a good choice for users with cold hands and tight budgets. The heating element works well, providing gentle warmth on the lowest setting and scorching heat on the highest. As is the case for most electrically heated gloves, the impressive warming ability is the main draw, but in the case of the Savior, a collection of useful features makes it stand out from other budget models. The gauntlets offer full coverage and are easy to cinch down around jacket sleeves, and a hook-and-loop adjustment allows you to get the wrist fit nice and snug. The battery lasts about as long as other heated gloves on the market, and our lead tester noted that “the touchscreen-compatible fingertips are super useful,” another positive attribute.
SPECIFICATIONS
Gauntlet or Cuff
Gauntlet
Double or Single Glove
Single
Palm Material
Sheep leather
Inner Glove Material
Wool, cotton
Waterproof Material
Wind and water-resistant polyester with unspecified impermeable layer
During testing, the main issue we encountered with the Savior Heat Rechargeable was the lack of weather resistance. In our submersion test, these gloves were waterlogged in less than two minutes, effectively meaning that they aren't waterproof at all. The fingers didn't offer enough dexterity for us to get our keys out of our pockets, but we were at least able to zip our jackets and buckle our ski boots. The palm design leaves us to question their longevity, even though we had no issues during our initial test period. If you're contemplating heated gloves but are scared off by their steep price point, these offer a solid compromise. That said, some folks might be better off with a more durable and waterproof option like the cozy Leki Xplore S, which delivers great performance across the board for a similar price. The Swany X-Change also provides great warmth and costs about the same. However, both of these models count on your fingers to generate their own heat, so if you have chronically cold hands, the Savior might still be your best bet; just don't let them get wet.
The Black Diamond Tour is a backcountry-specific glove with minimal insulation and a light set of features. It's perfect for skinning, bootpacking, and ski descents in warmer conditions, but it doesn't pack enough punch for most resort skiing. It has a soft fleece lining and a proprietary waterproof and breathable membrane, both of which our testers found effective enough for staving off backcountry cold, where your body heat is enough to keep your hands warm and dry. However, these gloves don't offer enough protection in cold winds and driving snow at the ski resort, where you're spending a good portion of your time sitting on a ski lift. Others, like the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt, are made to shine in this environment.
SPECIFICATIONS
Gauntlet or Cuff
Cuff
Double or Single Glove
Single
Palm Material
Goatskin leather
Inner Glove Material
150 g fleece
Waterproof Material
Pertex Shield
Compared to other options we tested that offer extensive feature sets, these gloves are pretty minimal, with only a nose wipe and a keeper clip. That might not seem like much, but to be honest, we found these are the only features we really need in the backcountry, and we appreciate saving on weight. Our lead tester, ski guide Jeff Dobronyi, says, “These are my go-to gloves for nearly every day of the winter in the backcountry.” They are also surprisingly durable, given their soft leather construction. Usually, our professional testers burn through leather gloves quickly, but these gloves are still going strong after an extensive test period. The Hestra Ergo Grip Active is a similar glove with even less insulation, and we know plenty of people who ski the backcountry with the Flylow Ridge. If you are looking for good dexterity for the backcountry but a bit more warmth, the Black Diamond Legend is a good choice.
The Black Diamond Tour has good dexterity and warmth for backcountry skiing, even in snowy weather.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
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Lead tester and IFMGA guide Jeff Dobronyi is at home in the mountains, logging around 120 days per year on skis.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
How We Tested
To find the best ski gloves and mitts available, we started by digging deep into the market. After extensive research of high-quality and popular gloves, we purchased the most intriguing models and sent them to our expert testers. Then we thoroughly used and evaluated each pair and scored them in key performance metrics. We tested warmth by riding chairlifts and skiing in the Cascades, Alps, Wasatch, British Columbia, Jackson Hole, and Northeast US, as well as working in the field with avalanche forecasting teams. We tested dexterity by buckling our boots, hand writing notes, tying boot laces, and unlocking car doors with gloves on. We tested water resistance by dunking the gloves in a bucket of water for two minutes and comparing the results. For more details on our testing, we spell it all out in our How We Test article.
We use five rating metrics in our ski glove testing:
Warmth (25% of total score weighting)
Dexterity (25% weighting)
Water and Weather Resistance (25% weighting)
Construction Quality (15% weighting)
Features (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
IFMGA Mountain Guide Jeff Dobronyi leads our test team for this comparative review. Jeff leads skiers on powder safaris worldwide, exploring the best resorts, side-country freeride runs, and backcountry ski tours. He logs over 120 days on skis each year and needs gloves that will keep his hands warm and keep water out. He typically goes through a few pairs of gloves each season, and over the years, he has gotten to know which gloves will last and which will fall apart after a few weeks. From rappelling into steep couloirs to digging snow pits and skiing deep powder day after day, Jeff's gloves take a beating.
We used objective tests on ski gloves, like measuring the internal temperature before and after five minutes in the freezer.
Testing ski gloves involved lots of days on the slopes.
The handwriting test was helpful in comparing gloves based on dexterity.
Our testing process includes both subjective and objective assessments.
Analysis and Test Results
As consumers, we have high expectations of our gloves, and there is a lot to consider before buying. First off, know that all of the gloves featured in this review are great products that already stand above the vast majority of the market offerings. A low score in our review doesn't mean that the glove is unworthy of your attention. We had to be picky to find the best of the best. All scores are relative to the other products reviewed, and each performance metric is weighted relative to its general importance, which produces an overall score.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
Every skier has a budget, and although we strive to test gear without regard for price, we also make a note of products that score above or below what we think is reasonable, given their price. While many of the best gloves are also the most expensive, there are a few options that provide excellent performance at a lower price than similar products. We bought several promising, affordable gloves, and the Gordini GTX Storm impressed us the most. It covers the bases better than any model in its price range. It keeps our hands warm and dry and has displayed excellent durability. Similarly, The North Face Montana Mitts are super warm, comfortable, and fully-featured mittens that rival the performance of more expensive options at a much lower price.
The Gordini GTX Storm Trooper II consistently impresses us with its value.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
In general, we find that the less expensive gloves put less emphasis on durability and dexterity in their materials and construction. When treated properly, real leather should last longer than synthetic fabrics, especially in high-use areas like the palms and fingertips. However, genuine leather is also more expensive, which means you'll have to pay more for higher-quality gloves. Warmth also usually correlates with price, as more (or more effective) insulation makes a glove more expensive. However, the Leki Xplore S delivers warmth and durability on par with the best gloves at a much lower price. Water resistance can be achieved without using expensive Gore-Tex, but in our testing, it's still hard to beat. The Gore-Tex gloves proved better weatherproofing in our tests than the less expensive alternatives.
The Rab Khroma Freeride Gore-Tex is an excellent ski glove that competes with the best of them, and costs a bit less.
Credit: Sam Willits
Lastly, it takes a skilled garment designer to combine all of the components into a warm, waterproof, and durable glove without sacrificing dexterity. We were impressed by the Arc'teryx Fission SV and Rab Khroma Freeride in this aspect because they combine all of the performance attributes into a comfortable and streamlined glove that is a pleasure to wear. However, you'll pay for this performance.
The Savior Heat Rechargeable gloves offer battery-powered warmth at a relatively low price.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Warmth
To most users, the primary function of ski and snowboard gloves is to keep the hands warm. Some skiers need gloves for extremely low temperatures, while others just need warmth for an average winter day on the slopes. A number of things come into play when figuring out how warm a glove will be and how warm of a glove you need. Insulation type, cuff style, and glove vs mitten are all factors that make a difference.
Ski Glove Warmth Features
Double or Single Glove
Gauntlet or Cuff
Insulation Type
Black Diamond Guide
Double
Gauntlet
170 g PrimaLoft Gold insulation, boiled wool blend (50% wool, 50% polyester) backhand lining, 200 g fleece palm lining
Rab Khroma Freeride
Single
Gauntlet
100 g Mapped Primaloft Gold (main). 133 g Primaloft Gold (back of hand), 133 g Primaloft Gold grip control (palm)
Leki Xplore S
Single
Gauntlet
Primaloft
Black Diamond Mercury Mitt
Double
Gauntlet
340 g PrimaLoft Gold, high-loft fleece
The warmest glove we tested was the Black Diamond Guide. Tester Ian Nicholson used this pair to summit two mountains over 20,000 ft above sea level and never changed into his mittens despite summit temperatures as low as -42 degrees Fahrenheit. The Rab Khroma Freeride, Arc'teryx Fission SV, Leki Xplore S, Swany X-Cell, and Swany X-Change also provide enough warmth for our testers on cold winter days at a ski resort.
The Leki Xplore S are among the warmest gloves on the market, and are less expensive than other gloves with the same amount of insulation.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
On the other hand, the Black Diamond Tour has little more warming capability than your average leather work glove and is best used by backcountry skiers who create heat while climbing uphill. The Hestra Ergo Grip Active has no insulation at all, and similarly, it should only be an option if you plan to work up a sweat on your ski days or if you typically run warm.
Mitten Warmth
This one was pretty easy to determine. We found the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt to be the top dog by a wide margin. The North Face Montana Mitt is nearly on par in terms of warmth with a similar overall design, lofty insulation, and cozy fleece lining. Both mitten options are warmer than nearly all of the unheated glove options.
The Black Diamond Mercury Mitt is the warmest mitten on the market.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Heated Glove Warmth
Many manufacturers now offer gloves that produce heat electronically instead of simply capturing and retaining your hand's natural warmth. We've tested several over the years, and the Outdoor Research Prevail Heated is our current favorite. These kinds of gloves usually have three heat settings. The lowest settings generally last all day on a full charge, while the highest setting usually drained the batteries within a couple of hours during our tests. Heated gloves are the only models that are able to take our hands from numb to warm in a matter of minutes at the press of a button. Some of our testers preferred to blast the heater on high for a few minutes and then turn them off to save battery power.
The cold is no match for the Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gore-Tex Gloves.
Credit: Jackie Kearney
Very occasionally, the men's and women's versions of the same glove score differently in our testing. For example, the women's Outdoor Research Revolution II earned a significantly better warmth score than the men's OR Revolution II. Why is this? While we can't say for sure, it often comes down to fit and sizing differences, which can then affect the insulation distribution and density. We strive to be as consistent as possible in our testing process, so when something like this happens, know that we are aware, and we are investigating the differences.
Dexterity
There's no point in wearing warm ski gloves if we have to take them off every five minutes in the winter cold to zip jackets, buckle boots, and take photos. Dexterity measures the ability of each glove to allow the user to perform basic tasks without removing their gloves or mittens. To test dexterity, we wore the glove through a full day of skiing and attempted to perform every necessary task without removing them. We also performed objective tests by doing a series of side-by-side tasks to make clear distinctions between products. These tests included reaching into pockets for car keys, attaching lift tickets to pockets, using zippers, adjusting goggles on a helmet, lacing up winter boots, tying climbing knots with rope, and writing legibly with a pen on paper.
The Hestra Ergo Grip Active easily wins the dexterity category with its thin fingers and nonexistent insulation. This glove is made specifically for backcountry users on the warmest days of the ski season. We also love the Black Diamond Tour for dexterity, which features excellent tailoring and soft leather for ideal grip. But again, this is a glove made for backcountry use.
The Hestra Ergo Grip Active is one of the most dexterous winter gloves we've tested.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Among the warmer gloves, the recommended Rab Khroma Freeride has the most precise dexterity, followed closely by the Arc'teryx Fission SV, Leki Xplore S, Black Diamond Legend, and Outdoor Research Alpinite. All of these gloves have enough dexterity to perform most detailed tasks without needing to expose your hands to the cold.
The Legend easily handled tasks requiring fine motor skills like tying shoes or winter boots. These gloves are dexterous enough for outdoor professionals like ski patrollers and guides.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Water Resistance
In some climates, like the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast, wet weather is encountered regularly while skiing. In others, like the Rocky Mountains, dry snow is the norm. We wore each glove in soggy conditions in Washington and British Columbia and tested for water resistance using a 2-minute submersion test in a bucket of water. The best gloves keep all liquid water out of the interior chamber and resist soaking in the outer shell fabric. The worst performers lack an adequate waterproof membrane and soak through quickly.
The Black Diamond Legend was the most water-resistant glove in our submersion test when we measured the weight of water absorbed. The treated leather and soft shell exterior fabrics absorbed only 14% of the glove's weight in water when fully submerged for 2 minutes. The Arc'teryx Fission SV, Black Diamond Guide, Rab Khroma Freeride, and Hestra Army Leather Gore-Tex were close behind, absorbing 20-30% of their weight in water. Each shares the same design components, with a sturdy softshell fabric around the wrist and back of the hand and tightly stitched leather that makes up the palm and fingers. All of these gloves use Gore-Tex membranes to increase water resistance. The Montana and Mercury mitts also performed well during water resistance testing and kept water out completely.
Here we are testing the different models during our two-minute “bucket of water” test.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Aside from the fabric itself, snow can also enter a glove through the wrist opening. Most gloves in our review feature a large wrist gauntlet with a drawstring closure that overlaps with a jacket's wrist cuff, making a formidable defense against water trying to enter the glove. This gauntlet, as seen on many of the gloves including the Mercury Mitt, BD Guide, Fission SV, Rab Khroma, Swany X-Change, Swany X-Cell, and Hestra Army Leather Heli, can be worn on the outside or the inside of a jacket sleeve.
The Swany X-Change has a large storm gauntlet that easily cinches over the cuff of any hardshell jacket.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Construction Quality
Based on our experiences with each model, we assessed strength in construction and evidence of durability. We used these products in punishing conditions during the testing period with daily and prolonged wear, using them over multiple ski seasons when possible. We also gathered valuable input from dozens of other users and OutdoorGearLab friends.
We're continually impressed with Hestra's offerings, which feature high-quality materials and excellent design and craftsmanship, model after model. Other impressive gloves are the Black Diamond Guide, Rab Khroma, and Arc'teryx Fission SV. All have burly leather exteriors that stand up to whatever our testing team tosses their way. Regarding the budget-friendly options, the Gordini GTX Storm provides impressive longevity, and the inexpensive Black Diamond Tour was surprisingly durable, given its soft and supple leather.
After a few seasons of relatively heavy use, the Rab Khroma Freeride are still going strong with little sign of wear.
Strong materials and tight seams contribute to the Fission SV's excellent durability.
The best gloves in our review also have great longevity.
We were disappointed in the Black Diamond Legend's construction quality. It has incredibly supple palm leather, but unfortunately, it wore down and developed holes quickly. This was a bummer because if the leather were a bit more durable, the Legend would be a top contender for an award. Similarly, the soft leather of the Flylow Ridge and Flylow Oven Mitt softens from frequent use and wears out quickly.
After relatively gentle use, the Legend already showed signs of wear on the palm during our test period, including holes in the leather and thin spots.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Features
Ski gloves come with a set of features that augment their performance and make your day on the ski hill more convenient and comfortable. We inspected and used all of the features on each glove to get a good idea of which had a robust set of tools and which were bare-bones. We compared features such as gauntlet or cuff closures, wrist cinches, nose wipes, wrist leashes, clips, and heating elements. We also noted if the gloves came with liners.
The Swany gloves have the best set of features, including wrist cinch straps, gauntlets, handwarmer pockets, removable leashes, clips, pull tabs, and touchscreen-compatible leather. These are all the features we could ever want. The Mercury Mitt has many of the same features, with the addition of a nose wipe and removable liners. We also liked the set of features found on the BD Guide, and the affordable Gordini Storm Trooper II packs a full set of components. The Leki Xplore S even has a small cord loop that clips onto compatible Leki poles in lieu of pole straps.
The Swany glove have tons of thoughtful design features, including large gauntlets, palm reinforcements, and a handy pull tab that helps get the gloves onto your hand.
The Leki Xplore S gloves have a loop that clips into select Leki poles instead of pole straps.
Useful features make a day at the ski area more convenient.
Phones are now baked into our daily lives. The glove market has recognized that many people are using their phones on the slopes and has started providing touchscreen-compatible gloves. Many gloves claim to include sensitive pads on the tips of the forefingers, but in our tests, cold phone screens and even colder gloves had a hard time getting along. The Swany products, as well as the Savior Heat Rechargeable and MCTi SkiPro Classic On-Piste all had excellent touchscreen compatibility. The liners of the Dakine Titan are touchscreen compatible, which also helps mitigate this problem.
The Swany gloves, like the X-Cell here, have impressive touchscreen compatibility.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
How to Choose The Best Ski Gloves
Finding a pair of gloves can feel overwhelming, with so many options on the market. To help narrow down your choices, we've put together a few key buying considerations that summarize our more complete Buying Advice article.
What Materials Should You Choose?
Ski gloves come in various natural and synthetic materials, the main idea being to protect your hands from the elements. Leather can prove great for its durability but takes more maintenance to maintain its waterproofing. For those who work in their gloves, leather is a popular choice, but synthetics tend to offer more dexterity and can provide better breathability. Synthetic gloves are often cheaper than high-quality leather gloves but typically don't last as long. If you're having a hard time choosing between the two, consider how important the longevity of your gloves is and how often you plan on using them. Leather will work best as a daily driver, but synthetic is cheaper and can be just as waterproof in many cases.
A water-resistant shell can be especially important in wet climates and extra damp days.
Credit: Amber King
How Important is Waterproofing?
While most ski gloves will have some level of waterproofing, deciding how much is necessary will largely depend on your environment and use on the hill. For those in wetter climates, a good pair of Gore-Tex layered gloves becomes necessary, while someone in a drier climate may opt for more layers of insulation. To narrow your choices, consider your climate and how much time you spend using your gloves in the snow, whether working or playing.
Does Cuff Style Matter?
The decision between gauntlet vs undercuff style gloves is largely a personal preference, but the cuff of your jacket is also a factor. If you prefer to keep your gloves tucked under your cuff, undercuff-style gloves can feel more comfortable and provide better dexterity. Gauntlet-style cuffs are best for folks who want to avoid any chance of snow creeping into your glove, as they usually offer a cinch that you can tighten over the sleeve of your jacket. When deciding between the two, factor in the size of your jacket's cuffs and make a call on whether your glove could reasonably fit under (or over) your jacket cuff.
How Much Dexterity Do You Need?
If your work exposes you to the elements, or you have to tend to your kids on the slopes, or just prefer more dexterity while on the mountain, finding gloves with mobility can be a high priority. Generally, thicker gloves are warmer but have less dexterity. Striking a balance between warmth and dexterity is key to finding a suitable glove on the slopes.
For tasks like tying shoes, you'll want a dexterous glove.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Conclusion
With so many ski gloves and mittens on the market, it can be daunting to try to find the best pair for your needs. Our expert testers sorted through the field and tested the best of the best. They assessed each pair's strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to easily find the best glove or mitten for your preferences and your budget. From light and dexterous gloves for warm spring days to heavily insulated options for the coldest winter ski trips, there is something in this review for everyone. See you on the slopes.
