This is a review of the best ski gloves for cold hands.
I am Aspen, an NSZIA certified ski instructor, and APSI certified snowboard instructor. I also hold an NZSIA Children’s Ski Teaching Certification.
I have been teaching skiing for over ten seasons, and I have cold hands. After testing many gloves, I am glad that I find the perfect pair to keep my hands warm and dry.
I highly recommend Hestra Army Leather Ski Gloves because they are very breathable, able to keep my hands warm even if it’s raining like cats and dogs, durable, and with high dexterity. I just love that they come with removable liners.
I have tried other great options, and I will list them one by one.
Let’s get ready for some pow!
Quick Summary
- Hestra Army Leather Ski – Best Overall
- Outdoor Research Lucent Heated Sensor Gloves – Best for Extreme Cold Days
- Burton Gore-Tex – Best for Comfort
- Gordini GTX Storm Trooper II – Best Budget
Best Ski Gloves for Cold Hands – Top Picks
As a skier (or snowboarder), the one thing you want to avoid is icy fingers, and choosing the best ski gloves will increase your chances of having a good time on the slopes.
While ski gloves may look similar, they differ in comfort, design, and features. Several options are available in the market, so scroll down for buying advice as we list down some of the best ski gloves for cold hands.
Hestra Army Leather Ski
- Key Features: Windproof, water-resistant, long cuff length, removable liner
- Material: Polyester (durable Army Goat Leather on palm and fingers and Breathable Hestra Triton fabric on the backhand)
- Insulation: Quick-drying insulation that maintains its insulation properties even in wet conditions
- Style: Eagle grip design that follows the hand’s natural curve
- Best for: Overall
Hestra is a pillar in the world of ski gloves. They’ve been around since 1936, and ski professionals have trusted the brand for decades, so you can never go wrong with a pair of Hestra.
The glove is made from very thin polyester fiber with high insulating capacity, which means that it can hold heat even in wet conditions. It’s also soft and cozy, making it a perfect partner for your ski trips during winter.
This is the pair of gloves I would bring along for freeriding, ski touring, and backcountry days, the long cuffs do a great job at preventing the snow from going into your wrist.
Very high dexterity as well, I’ve used it for my backcountry training and have no problem using the transceiver, shovels, and probes. I can adjust my helmet, GoPro, goggles and ski boots covers wearing these gloves!
I love all these gloves a lot and can’t think of any cons.
Outdoor Research Lucent Heated Sensor Gloves
- Key Features: Waterproof, windproof, quick-drying, battery heated
- Material: nylon, polyester, goat leather, touchscreen-compatible leather for thumb fingertips, fleece, molded EVA foam
- Insulation: Enduraloft synthetic fibers insulation. Electrically heated.
- Style: Full finger
- Best for: Warmth
The Lucent Heated Sensor Gloves of Outdoor Research uses a technology called ALTIHeat™, and it comes with customizable heat settings powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. These two years, I had been teaching in extremely cold conditions (-30°) a lot, heated gloves, heated socks, together with heated vest had saved my life, fingers, and toes.
Although this glove is more on the expensive side, they ensure that your snow adventures can last all day long with the warmth that Lucent Heated Sensor Gloves provide. The problem with most heated gloves is, because of the wires, they tend to be more on the stiff side. But these outdoor research gloves are still pretty soft and offer you maximum flexibility.
Just take caution, though. Outdoor Research recommends not to use this heated glove with avalanche beacons as it can interfere with signals and may impair your ability to conduct searches in the cold or be located.
Burton Gore-Tex
- Key Features: Ergonomic pre-curved fit, hidden heater and vent pocket, waterproof, removable liner
- Material: DRYRIDE 2-layer fabric with Gore warm technology for a dry and breathable level of performance
- Insulation: Thermacore insulated
- Style: Over the cuff
- Best for: Comfort
Burton’s Gore-Tex ergonomic pre-curved fit gives superior dexterity and makes your hands stay warm and mobile, so you can move with comfort. This pair also has a good size range, and the palm and all five fingertips are fully touchscreen-compatible. It’s the perfect pair if you are looking for comfort and versatility.
Its removable four-way stretch fleece liner dries quickly and makes it very versatile for any weather. However, some users may find the liner is quite difficult to put back into place, especially the liners for the fingers.
Gordini GTX Storm Trooper II
- Key Features: Waterproof, windproof, breathable GORE-TEX insert,
- Material: 94% Nylon, 6% Elastane
- Insulation: Megaloft synthetic insulation
- Style: Gauntlet cuff with drawcord closure and wrist cinch
- Best for: Budget
If you are budget conscious, the Gordini GTX Storm Trooper II could be the perfect choice for you. To keep your hands warm and dry, its Gore-Tex technology keeps water out while allowing perspiration from the inside to easily escape. Textured palms also provide better grip. The price starts at $58, and it is available in three colors.
It is an all-around ski glove with high insulation. However, it has low ratings when it comes to dexterity. Users reported that it’s slightly fit around the knuckles, and not having a wrist leash can be an issue for some. But other than that, it is a good option when you’re looking for a budget-friendly pair.
Best Ski Gloves for Cold Hands – What to Consider?
Now that we’ve listed some of the best ski gloves available in the market, let’s go to the things you should consider when getting a new pair.
Warmth
Gloves vary in the amount of warmth they provide, mostly depending on the material they’re made of. Wool or leather are great at warming your hands, but you also have to consider their waterproof ability.
Being on the slopes, you’ll come into contact with snow a lot on a day with heavy snowfall. For kids, snowboarders, and free-style skiers, sitting down or falling over is something we can’t avoid.
So to prevent wet hands, look for gloves that are also made with polyurethane, and material with great waterproof ability.
Material
When it comes to the material or the fabric, leather is preferred because it is waterproof, durable, and provides a good level of dexterity. If you are not comfortable wearing leather, you can also look for outer shells made with nylon or polyester blend with a soft fleece interior lining.
Insulation
There are different technologies used in insulation to keep your hands warm. However, too much insulation can cause overheating and discomfort, so get gloves suited to the weather you usually ski in.
In any case, if your gloves do not have enough insulation, you can also get inner liners for added warmth. Some are even touchscreen compatible.
I love using biking gloves as my inner gloves because they are breathable and dry very quickly. If you have read my review about the best base layer you would understand the breathable and quick-dry capacity for ski wears touching your skins.
Comfort
You’ll want to make sure that your gloves fit you correctly so that you can move with ease and dexterity. Always choose the right size for your hands as ill-fitting gloves can be very dangerous when skiing.
Suppose you tend to wear inner gloves or wrist guards (for snowboarders). You may need bigger gloves. So always bring along other gears for fitting.
FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions relating to the best ski gloves for cold hands and their quick answers.
What is the best ski glove to buy?
The best ski glove to buy is the one that fits your needs the most, think about where you will be skiing is a good idea. I have two gloves: heated gloves for extreme cold day and night skiing. Together with a pair of regular gloves with a vent pocket for spring days.
Generally speaking, Hestra, Burton, Dakine makes the very best quality ski gloves.
Which are the warmest skiing gloves?
The warmest skiing gloves are always heated gloves, worry that the battery may run off?
You can choose ski gloves made with waterproof material outer shell and down as insulation are the warmest regular skiing gloves.
Outdoor Research’s Lucent Heated Sensor Gloves is one of the warmest skiing gloves available in the market. It is battery operated and uses a technology called ALTIHeat™ to keep your hands warm.
Is leather better for ski gloves?
Leather is naturally water-resistant and provides better dexterity and warmth than nylon, making it a better option for ski gloves. They’re also durable. A good pair of leather gloves can last for years with the proper care.
I also love the vintage look of leather ski gloves.