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How to Buy Ski/Snowboard Gloves & Mittens


Gloves and mittens are some of the most important accessories for skiing or snowboarding. Choosing the right pair may seem straightforward, but there are some important differences and numb fingers can completely ruin a day in the mountains. Gloves that are specifically designed for skiing and snowboarding have the warmth, dryness, and features necessary for a day in the mountains. This guide will help you understand the different materials that make up each part of the glove as well as explain some other features that you may want to consider before making your purchase.
 

Gloves vs. Mittens

This is your first decision. Do you prefer the dexterity of gloves or the warmth of mittens? There are gloves and mitts for all occasions and conditions, and manufacturers will often make both gloves and mittens with the same basic construction and materials. Mittens generally provide more warmth because your fingers will share one compartment  and generate more heat that way, as opposed to being separated like in a glove. However, mittens limit mobility in certain circumstances and may have to be removed to access your pockets, answer your phone or adjust your goggle strap while on the slopes (to be fair, you might have to take off your gloves to do these things as well). You'll also find 3-finger hybrids (sometimes called "lobster mitts") that fall between gloves and mittens. While mittens were once considered the sign of a gaper, some elite level athletes (see Bode Miller) prefer them for comfort reasons.

Much like a jacket, gloves and mittens are made up of several components that help keep you protected, dry, and warm. These are the shell material, membrane, insulation, lining, and palm.

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Warmth

Gloves and mittens vary in the amount of warmth they provide. It is important to find a pair that fits your personal needs. If you are skiing or snowboarding in warmer conditions, you'll probably want gloves or mittens that aren't too warm but have good waterproofing. On the other hand, if you ride in colder conditions you'll need warmer gloves. The amount of warmth you need varies from person to person. Some people tend to get cold hands while others seem to stay warm in any conditions. Glove warmth is dictated by the type of shell material, type and amount of insulation, and how waterproof and breathable a glove's membrane is. As you will read below, dry gloves equal warm gloves, and to be dry, a glove must breathe.

We have divided our selection of gloves and mittens into three tiers of warmth to help you choose.

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Shop Warmest Gloves & Mittens


Shell Material

Synthetics

Most ski and snowboard gloves and mittens start with a body of synthetic fabric, usually nylon. High quality models use waterproof breathable fabric, and utilize a membrane or coating of ePTFE (expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene, also known as Teflon®) or PU (Polyurethane). GORE-TEX® models include a separate ePTFE insert between the outer fabric and the insulation layer. Waterproof breathable fabrics come in both hard and softshell versions, and both are used for gloves and mittens. Usually, these fabrics are combined with leather or synthetic protective materials in high abrasion areas like the palms and fingers.

Leather

Leather is the tried-and-true material for gloves and mittens. Leather is normally cowhide or goatskin, can be more durable and pliable than nylon materials, and is naturally water-resistant. With a combination of treated leather (leather that has had grease, wax, or resin added to it) and a microporous membrane, leather gloves can be waterproof, windproof, and warm. When maintained properly with leather waterproofing treatments, these gloves can last for years.

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Membrane

Wet hands quickly become cold hands. The major cause of wet gloves is actually your own perspiration and lack of breathability from the inside of the glove or mitt. In a waterproof breathable glove or mitten, the membrane is placed between the outer shell and the insulation and has microscopic pores too small to let liquid water enter but large enough to allow water vapor (sweat) to escape. How waterproof and breathable a glove is depends primarily on the membrane.

There are many good waterproofing materials used in ski glove membranes. Here are some of the more common membranes:

GORE-TEX®

GORE-TEX® membranes for gloves and mittens are an insert placed between the outer shell and insulation. They typically offer the highest level of waterproof breathability for ski and snowboard handwear.

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Hipora®

Gloves made with Hipora® fabrics are waterproof, windproof, and breathable with a polyurethane (PU) coating, which is famous for being more stretchable than other PU coatings. It has microscopic pores all over the polyurethane coating to prevent liquid water penetration, yet allow moisture to evaporate out.

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Polyurethane

Most waterproof/breathable fabrics have a laminated membrane or coating made of polyurethane (PU). PU coated fabrics make up a large portion of the glove and mitten market, offering a good combination of waterproof breathability and cost. Many manufacturers offer their own proprietary PU membrane, and combine this fabric with leather or synthetic materials in high wear areas.

WINDSTOPPER®

GORE WINDSTOPPER® fabric is made with an ePTFE membrane that is only windproof and breathable, not waterproof. By combining durable wind protection and high breathability, this type of ski and snowboard glove will keep you warm and comfortable with fewer layers and less bulk and is suitable for cold and dry climates. Like most soft shell fabrics, WINDSTOPPER® products are typically coated with DWR (Durable Water Repellent), which provides them with a modest degree of water resistance. They may wet through in heavy rainfall but can be worn comfortably in light drizzle.

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See our Waterproof Ratings and Breathability Guide for more detailed information on how membranes work.

Insulation

Finding a ski glove with the proper insulation is very important. Properly insulated gloves provide superior warmth and breathability, without restricting movement or compromising fit. The conditions and temperatures you ski in as well as how warm or cold your hands run will determine how much insulation you require, and you may want to consider more than one pair if you ski in varying temperatures. Also, just because a pair of ski gloves is thicker does not necessarily mean that it is going to be warmer.

Here are some different types of insulation found in gloves:

Down

Best for dry conditions, down is nature’s best insulator and makes an excellent choice for very cold conditions with moderate activity. Made up of a combination of down plumules and feathers, this material traps air, which helps keep your hands insulated. Higher rated down garments will have greater insulating ability for their weight. Down's insulating qualities are hard to beat in cold and dry conditions, but its advantages are reduced when wet and it can be slow to dry.

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Primaloft®

Primaloft® uses a patented synthetic microfiber insulation material to help the body retain warmth and conserve energy. This is a very good insulation choice if wet conditions are expected. Primaloft® is not as warm as down by weight, but it’s breathable, compressible, water-resistant, and provides good insulation even when wet.

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Thinsulate™

Made of unique ultra-thin microfibers, 3M™ Thinsulate™ insulation provides excellent insulating properties with less bulk, making it ideal for use in gloves and mittens where dexterity is a priority.

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For more information on insulation types, both natural and synthetic, check out our guide:

How to Choose Insulated Garments Guide

Lining

The lining is an extra layer of material built into ski gloves to create a comfortable feel, increasing warmth and comfort. Lining material will vary depending on the brand and glove. Fleece and wool are two examples. Typically the lining uses a synthetic material that has moisture-wicking qualities to help pull sweat away from your skin and pass it through the membrane.

 

You may also want to consider separate glove liners. They fit inside of an exterior shell glove as an extra layer of protection against those chillier days, giving you the ability to add warmth when needed. Some gloves come with their own removable liners.

Palm

Most ski gloves and mittens have grips and reinforcements located on the areas that get the most use, like your palms, fingertips, and thumbs. Grips are included on gloves for durability and better grip on your poles as well as for protection from your edges. The palms may be made of various materials, such as leather or vinyl, which adds to their longevity.

Cuff Style

Choosing the right cuff length is mainly a personal preference when it comes to ski and snowboard gloves. Your main concern is keeping snow from getting into your gloves and jacket. The style of your jacket may be a factor in determining which cuff length and style will work best - some styles are designed to be worn under your cuff while others are meant to go over.

Under The Cuff

Short cuff lengths generally end at the base of your wrist, offering greater mobility in the wrist area and the ability for your jacket cuffs to overlap your gloves. This "under" style generally works best with a jacket sleeve with velcro adjustment tabs.

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Over The Cuff

Longer cuff lengths extend over and past the sleeve of your jacket and will offer more protection against snow creeping in. The choice of whether your gloves overlap your jacket cuffs or not is a matter of personal preference, but check the cuffs of your jacket for adjustability before deciding.

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Additional Features

Here are some other glove and mitten features that can add comfort and convenience:

Articulated Fingers
Some gloves have pre-curved fingers, allowing you to grip poles or chairlift bars more easily.

Zippered Pockets
This is typically for disposable hand warmers that you can insert for colder days. The opening may double as a vent when temperatures increase.

Wrist Loops
Often referred to as “idiot straps,” these are strings that attach to your wrists or coat so your gloves can't go far if you drop them.

Wrist and Cuff Closure System
This closes around your wrist to keep the gloves securely on your hands. It is typically a zipper or an adjustable strap with a velcro closure.

Nose Wipe
Ultrasuede or other soft, absorbent material on the outer surface of the thumb to wipe your nose with; easier than fishing in your pocket for a Kleenex.

Mini Squeegee
To help wipe your goggles clear, a rubber squeegee is sometimes sewn on the thumb.

Padding
Some gloves have pads on the back of the hand and on the knuckles to protect against rocks, trees, and race gates.

Size and Fit

It’s important that your gloves or mittens fit you properly. Properly sized gloves or mitts provide greater dexterity, warmth, and comfort. For the best performance, a proper fitting glove should fit snugly and allow enough room at the end of outstretched fingers for you to pinch about a quarter of an inch of fabric. Also, make sure your palm is completely inside the cuff so your wrist remains covered. When you make a fist, the fit shouldn’t be so tight that it constricts your fingers from curving fully. Manufacturers use different numeric and letter sizing systems to measure handwear, normally measuring the circumference around the widest part of the hand in inches or centimeters, so consult their sizing chart when buying.

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