7 Best Ski Gloves Guide [Ratings, Tests, Reviews] (2024)

Updated April 9th, 2024

Skiing is the best winter sport without question. The fun can get ruined in a hurry if you don’t have the right gloves and have cold hands and fingers. There are so many choices out there for ski gloves that it’s hard to choose. If they aren’t warm enough, you can get cold fingers or worse, frostbite. If they are too warm you get sweaty hot palms that make you uncomfortable. We are here to help you find the right ski gloves with our decades of skiing experience.

See below for our top picks for best ski gloves. Keep reading for a ski glove guide to help with all your questions.

About our ratings

We look at a few key factors when we make ratings for ski gloves. Warmth, dexterity, water resistance, construction, and features.

• Warmth – How warm are the gloves? The insulating material matters most here.
• Dexterity – How easy is it to move your fingers and do things while wearing the gloves.
• Water Resistance – How waterproof are the gloves? Will they keep your hands dry in the snow or rain?
• Construction – How well put together are the gloves? Do they use durable materials and parts such as zippers?
• Features – Do the gloves have wrist leashes, cuff elastics, zipper pockets and other nice to have features.

1. Overall Best – Black Diamond Guide Glove

Specifications

• Insulation – 170g Primaloft & 100g boiled wool
• Waterproofing – Gore-Tex
• Shell Material – Nylon
• Palm Material – 2 layer goat leather

What we liked:

• Very warm on very cold days
• Thick wool insulation inside
• Removable liners
• 2 layer goal leather palms
• Heavy duty stitching and construction
• Large enough cuffs to easily go over jacket sleeves

What we didn’t like:

• All that insulation makes the fingers stiff
• Tight fitting elastic around the wrists
• No touchscreen material in the fingers
• Wrist straps not included

Bottom line:

Very thick and warm gloves built for to keep your hands warm through a polar mountain expedition

Summary

The Black Diamond Guide Gloves are ready for the most severe cold ski day. The Guide Gloves have a removable liner with boiled wool and Primaloft Gold insulation. They have a nylon shell with Gore-Tex insert and goat skin around the fingers and palms. They are the warmest ski glove I have ever used, not counting gloves with a built in heater.

Black Diamond Equipment makes gear for mountain climbing expeditions and backcountry use. The Guide Gloves construction looks like it would stand up to any ski day you can throw at them. They have gauntlet style cuffs that easily go over most ski jackets to keep your wrists warm and protected from snow. Their thick insulation makes the fingers a little stiff. Their warmth more than makes up for it.

They do not have many extra features such as touch screen compatible fingers. I have never warn a pair of really warm gloves that had enough dexterity to grab my phone out of my pocket without removing them. I don’t really miss that feature at all. If I’m wearing Guide Gloves it’s because I want to keep my fingers warm on a cold day. They excel at doing that.

Review

See our full review of the Black Diamond Guide Gloves to learn more.

See Best Deals!

Black DiamondBackcountryevoAmazon

2. Top Pick – Swany X-Change Glove

Specifications

• Insulation – Tri-Plex Alpha Primaloft Gold
• Waterproofing – Swany Dryfinger II Insert
• Shell Material – Soft Shell with LeatherShield Trim
• Palm Material – Leather

What we liked:

• Zipper vents allow gloves to work for a wide temperature range
• Waterproof and breathable shell
• Cuff elastics are easy to tighten with gloves on
• Soft feeling with good finger dexterity
• Come with removable wrist leashes

What we didn’t like:

• Not as warm as some of the really heavily insulated gloves

Bottom line:

A very versatile and waterproof ski glove that is works well on cold or warm days thanks to the zipper vents.

Summary

I have skied with a set of Swany X-Change Gloves for years. I’m on my second pair of them now. The Swany X-Change gloves are very waterproof and use Primaloft Gold Insulation. I have skied with these on an awful week at Whitefish Montana where it poored rain everyday and had dry hands the whole time. I have worn them on 50F days in the spring with the zipper vents open and found them very comfortable.

The insulation on these gloves is good but not as heavy as some other gloves. I have worn them skiing on days as cold as -14F. That day required frequent warm up breaks. I have skied them on plenty of 25F average ski days and these gloves are more than adequate at that temperature.

See Also

The best ski gloves and mitts of 2023, tried and tested on the slopes by a ski expertSwitchback Travel | Best Ski Gloves and Mittens of 2024The 4 best ski gloves of 2024, tried and tested | CNN Underscored12 Ski Gloves That Will Actually Keep Your Hands Warm

The X-Change gloves have a lot of other good features. They come with wrist leashes (I never use them on any gloves). The cuff elastics have nice large pull handles for tightening them with gloves on. They also have a webbing around the wrist. They have a zipper pocket on the back of the hand. It works very well as a vent zipper. You can also squeeze a hand warmer in there for colder days.

Review

See our review of the Swany X-Change gloves to learn more.

See Best Deals!

BackcountryevoAmazon

3. Best Value – MCTi Waterproof Ski Gloves

Specifications

• Insulation – Thinsulate 3M C40
• Waterproofing – Fan-Tex TPU Insert
• Shell Material – Polytex soft shell
• Palm Material – Rubber synthetic leather

What we liked:

• Low cost
• Warm enough for not too cold ski days
• Water proof lining for getting your hands in the snow
• Elastic cinch around the cuffs
• Small pocket on back of hand that is big enough for hand warmers

What we didn’t like:

• Not that warm on really cold days
• Not built to last more than a few ski seasons
• Insulation takes a long time to dry out

Bottom line:

A low cost ski glove that will work well for casual resort skiing on average ski days that aren’t too cold

Summary

The MCTi Waterproof Ski Gloves are one of the most popular winter gloves on Amazon. They can be had for a very low under $25 price. They will keep your hands warm on an average 25F-35F ski day. I would want something with more heavy insulation for anything colder. If your new to skiing and don’t want to spend a ton on a set of ski gloves these are a good choice for your first ski days to find out if you like it or not. If you don’t, they will make a good set of gloves for shoveling snow or other outdoor activities.

These MCTi Gloves have Thinsulate Insulation and a generic waterproof insert. They aren’t super thick and heavy gloves. They are a lot more than a thin set of knit gloves. They use a rubber synthetic leather palm and fingers that lets you grip things. They won’t stand up to a lot of rope tow use.

They have a zipper pocket on the back of the hands that you can shove a handwarmer into to help stretch the temperature range a bit. You can also store keys or some other small item there. They have a webbing strap around the wrists and an elastic to cinch the cuffs against your ski jacket.

See Best Deals!

MCTiAmazon

4. Best Mitten – Black Diamond Mercury Mitts

Specifications

• Insulation – 170g Primaloft Gold Cross Core & 133g Primaloft Gold Grip Control
• Waterproofing – BD.dry and GTT Empel DWR finish
• Shell Material – Nylon
• Palm Material – Goat leather

What we liked:

• Very warm on cold freezing days
• Thick wooly feeling insulation on the inside
• Removable liners to make drying easier
• Waterproof insert and coating make them dry on wet days
• Reinforced goat skin leather palms for good grip and durability
• Elastic wrist and cuff bungee to help keep the gloves on and snow out

What we didn’t like:

• No wrist straps included
• No touchscreen compatible finger or thumb surface

Bottom line:

Very warm and well made mittens good for the coldest polar ski day on the mountain

Summary

The Black Diamond Mercury Mitts are the second warmest mittens that Black Diamond Equipment makes. Why do we recommend them over the warmest? The Black Diamond Absolute Mitts are so big and bulky they are overkill for almost anything short of an Everest expedition. The Mercury Mitts have 170g of Primaloft Gold Cross Core insulation making them warm for very cold ski days. They use their own BD Dry waterproof insert so your hands will stay dry and warm.

The construction of the Mercury Mitts is first rate with a nylon shell and goat leather palms. They look like gloves built to stand up to a backcountry expedition and will give you many ski seasons worth of use. They have elastic around the wrist to keep them tight. They have a cinch strap around the cuff to seal against your ski coat. They do not have any touch screen compatible areas which is one of the few downsides.

If you want ski mittens that are first and foremost warm and built to last, you can’t go wrong with these.

Review

See our full review of the Black Diamond Mercury Mitts to learn more.

See Best Deals!

Black DiamondBackcountryevoAmazon

See Also

Best ski gloves 2024: keep your hands warm on the slopes

5. Best Heated Ski Glove – Black Diamond Solano

Specifications

• Insulation – Primaloft 200g-100g
• Waterproofing – Goretex insert
• Shell Material – Nylon & Goat Leather
• Palm Material – Goat leather

What we liked:

• One of the warmest gloves available thanks to heavy insulation and strong heating
• International adapters are included for the charger making them easy to travel with
• Goretex membrane and Primaloft insulation keep your hands warm and dry
• Primaloft 200g and 100g insulation
• Goatskin on all glove surfaces from the cuff forward

What we didn’t like:

• Stiffer fingers reduce finger dexterity
• Very high price
• No touch screen compatible surfaces on these gloves

Bottom line:

Very thick and warm gloves with built in battery powered heating for those special really cold days on the mountain

Summary

The Black Diamond Solano Heated Gloves are very warm ski gloves with 200g Primaloft Insulation. Then they threw in some battery powered heating elements to make them even warmer. I find that my hands are almost sweating hot on 25F days with the heating power turned off. I save these gloves for those special days when it’s well below freezing and nothing else will keep my hands warm.

The Solanos are built to withstand severe winter use on the mountain with goatski around both sides of the hand with the nylon shell on the cuff only. They use PrimaLoft Gold insulation along with Gore-Tex inserts so you will stay warm and dry. The batteries are stored in zipper compartments in the cuff so they don’t restrict your hand motion. They are good for 3 to 6 hours of heat on high or medium power.

See our guide to the best heated ski gloves for other good heated glove options.

Review

See our full review of the Black Diamond Solano Heated Gloves to learn more.

See Best Deals!

Black DiamondBackcountryMoosejawAmazon

6. Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Glove

Specifications

• Insulation – G-Loft
• Waterproofing – Water Resistant
• Shell Material – Hestra triton polyamide
• Palm Material – Goat leather

What we liked:

• Durable leather construction
• Removable liner that can be worn separately
• Hooks allow gloves to hang with opening facing down to dry
• Includes wrist leashes
• Available as a glove, mitten or 3 finger style

What we didn’t like:

• Leather palms and fingers aren’t waterproofed
• Not warm enough for polar cold days

Bottom line:

Gloves designed for professional ski guides that need versatile warm gloves for their time on the mountain.

Summary

The Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Glove was designed for professional ski guides in Western Canada. It is a glove designed for hard working skiers who need performance and versatility. Hestra makes nothing but gloves and has been doing it since 1936 and are known for producing some of the best gloves available.

The Army Leather Heli Ski Glove uses Hestra’s G-Loft insulation and uses goat skin construction on the palms and fingers. The rest of the glove is covered by a waterproof shell. The goat leather palms and fingers are not waterproof and water will seep in through them. If you are skiing somewhere that tends to be wet, you should look at their Gore-Tex heli-ski glove instead which has waterproofing.

These gloves are warm enough for most ski days until it gets really polar. If you are standing around and not exerting yourself you may find your hands get cold fast on below 20F days. They are soft feeling and provide above average finger dexterity. They use a removable insulated liner so you can take it out for drying or when you need less protection than the full gloves give you.

The Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Glove is available as a glove, mitten or 3 finger glove. It’s available in several colors for each style.

See Best Deals!

BackcountryevoREIAmazon

7. Kinco Premium Ski Glove

Specifications

• Insulation – Kinco Heatkeep
• Waterproofing – Nikwax
• Shell Material – Pigskin
• Palm Material – Suede Pigskin

What we liked:

• Heavy duty pigskin construction
• Very warm for cold days
• Suede palms and fingers for good grip
• Low price
• Comes with Nikwax for waterproofing

What we didn’t like:

• Pig skin leather requires some break in to soften up
• Nikwax must be reapplied to keep them waterproof
• Large and bulky.

Bottom line:

Great value heavy duty leather work gloves with thick insulation

Summary

Kinco Premium Ski Gloves are the heavy duty leather work glove style ski glove available cheap on Amazon. I see these come up regularly on a few Facebook ski groups when people ask for cheap ski gloves that are actually warm. Kinco leather gloves always pop up.

They are made with thick heavy duty pig skin with lined with thick insulation. They are not light duty super flexible ski gloves. They are bulky and need some break in to soften them up. They are a favorite among lifties and the snow making crew who work outside in the cold in harsh condition to being us the goods.

They include some Nikwax for waterproofing the leather. It needs to be reapplied a few times a winter to keep them waterproof. They don’t have a Gore-Tex or any other kind of waterproof insert.

See Best Deals!

BackcountryREIAmazon

Ski Glove Guide

So you are looking for new ski gloves? Ski Gloves are not a one size fits all solution. That set of $20 gloves at Costco aren’t going to be the best choice for everyone. If you ski in a colder location you want something with heavier insulation. If you are somewhere that doesn’t often see cold polar climates, you are more concerned with finger dexterity and features like touch screen compatiblity. Lets dig in to what is important in a set of ski gloves.

How do I choose the right ski gloves?

Decide what is most important for you. How cold is it where you ski? Do you care about features such as touch screen compatibility? Do you do a lot of uphill or ski touring? You want gloves designed around active use that have good breathability. Understanding how you will use your ski gloves is important to finding the best set of gloves for you.

Are mittens or gloves better for skiing?

Gloves have better dexterity. Mittens are a bit warmer. Things such as insulation and fit can make more of a difference than whether you are using ski gloves or ski mittens. See our guide to mittens vs gloves for skiing to learn more.

What features should I look for in ski gloves?

There are a number of important things to take into consideration when selecting ski gloves. Insulation comes first and foremost because comfortable and safe thermal protection is essential. Another vital aspect to consider is waterproofing, since your gloves must be able to tolerate damp environments.

Durability and functionality are also significantly influenced by the materials utilized in the exterior shell. Finally, how well the gloves fit and match your other ski clothing depends on the cuff style. With these elements combined, you can be confident that your gloves will not only keep your fingers warm but also greatly improve your overall skiing experience.

Insulation

The core component of a pair of ski gloves is the insulation. Ski gloves are useless if they don’t keep your hands warm and dry. These days Thinsulate, Primaloft, wool, and down are the most popular insulations for ski gloves.

• PrimaLoft insulation is a synthetic, highly water-resistant and breathable material that provides exceptional warmth and comfort, even in extreme cold and wet conditions.While both offer excellent thermal efficiency, the key difference is that PrimaLoft Gold offers ahigher warmth-to-weight ratio, making it the premium choice for those seeking maximum heat retention with minimal bulk.
• Thinsulate, which was developed by the 3M Company, is well known for its capacity to keep you warm without adding bulk to your gloves. Its employment of microscopic microfibers that capture air molecules is the key to its effectiveness. Your body heats these molecules, which provides additional warmth without making the gloves heavy. It’s also not expensive. You will find Thinsulate in many cheap ski gloves.
• Wool is a natural insulation. Merino wool is well known for being lightweight and having good insulating properties. Your hands stay dry and naturally toasty thanks to its wicking qualities. It frequently has to be combined with synthetic materials for efficient resistance against wind and water. For the ideal balance of warmth, comfort, and durability, a lot of the best ski gloves combine synthetic and wool materials.
• Down sourced from duck and goose feathers, is apopular choice for ski glove insulation because of its superior warmth. However, it’s not the best in wet conditions. So, if you’re going for down-insulated gloves, make sure they come with awater-resistant, breathable outer shell to stay warm and comfy.

How do I determine the right size for ski gloves?

You can utilize the helpful size chart that most ski glove brands provide to make sure your gloves fit properly. In order to use these charts, you typically need to measure the length and circumference of your hand and compare the results to the ones shown on the chart. When it comes to ski gloves, size counts since a snug, comfortable fit guarantees the best possible warmth and dexterity forskiing.

Remember thatloose gloves improve mobility but reduce warmth. Tight gloves offer better heat insulation but may restrict your range of motion.

What are some reputable ski glove brands?

Choosing a trustworthy and reputable brand might make all the difference when it comes to ski gloves. For example, Black Diamond Equipment is renowned for producing high-quality ski equipment, and their gloves are no exception. They have superior waterproofing and insulating qualities and are made to withstand harsh weather conditions.

The 80-year-old Swedish company Hestra is well-known for its fine craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. They provide a large selection of ski gloves that combine premium materials and cutting-edge design to satisfy a variety of demands and tastes.

Redefining and improving outdoor gear is the focus of another industry leader, Outdoor Research. With high-performance features like touchscreen-compatible fingertips and breathable waterproof materials, their ski gloves are true representations of this dedication.

An established name in the outdoor products market, Gordini provides a wide selection of inventive ski gloves. Gordini gloves, which are well-known for their enhanced grip components and heating technology, provide comfort without sacrificing performance. They produce some of the best budget ski gloves out there.

Dakine is well-known for its equipment for windsurfing, kiteboarding, mountain biking, surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding. Their stylish and functional ski gloves are highly regarded for their exceptional comfort and durability in inclement weather.

How much should I expect to pay for good quality ski gloves?

Some gloves, such as the MTCi gloves on Amazon, can be as cheap as $25. Are these the best gloves out there? No. Will they work for an average not super cold ski day? Yes. If you want gloves with more insulation or better breathability you’ll need to spend more. The average price for a good set of ski gloves is $100-$200. My top pick Swany X-Change gloves will set you back $80- $130. My favorite cold day gloves, the Black Diamond Guide Gloves run $130-$150.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when buying ski gloves?

Buying gloves for the wrong temperature range. Don’t assume that you need the warmest, highest degree of insulation out there for skiing. Skiing is an athletic sport and you’ll get your heart rate up while going down the hill. This will warm your hands up. Black Diamond Guide Gloves are great on days under 25F. If you are out on a 30F day doing a lot of hiking, your hands will be sweating hot.

Buying gloves based on looks. The best looking gloves may not be the warmest or have the best breathability or be waterproof. Look at more than just how they look hanging on the store rack.

Buying gloves that are only water resistant instead of water proof when you ski in a wet climate. If you happen to ski at Whitefish Montana all the time where fog and rain are common (we took a 5 day ski trip there and it rained all 5 days), you want gloves with good waterproofing. Rain and wet slushy snow will soak into water resistant gloves and leave your hands cold and wet.

Buying the wrong size gloves. Gloves that are too small can constrict your movement and blood flow leaving you with cold hands. Gloves that are too big can have too much air flow inside of them and also leave your hands cold. Extra large fingers that are way too big for your hands can wreck your finger dexterity.

Heated Ski Gloves vs Regular Gloves

Heated ski gloves can add an extra dose of warm to your hands. They have heating elements around the back of your palms and around your fingers. They can have anywhere from 2 to 5 hours of heating power. If you suffer from Raynaud’s Syndrome, they can be the only way to keep your hands warm while skiing.

The downside to heated gloves is their cost. A cheaper set of heated gloves will run you $80-$100. They may not be as warm as a set of heavily insulated non-heated gloves for the same price. If you want really warm heated gloves with heavy insulation to go with the heat you really need to spend more and get something like the Black Diamond Solano or Outdoor Research Prevail gloves.

See our guide to the best heated ski gloves to learn more.

Kate Ryan
Co-Founder & Editor

Kate is from Taiwan and came to the US after meeting her husband Doug. She has degrees in Fashion Design, Sales, and Marketing. The first thing we did her first winter here was go straight to the mountains and start ski lessons. These days she is an expert black diamond skier and waits for no one at the bottom. She also loves hiking and biking. She comes from Taiwan where people ride scooters way more than cars. She would rather bike or scooter and only drives when she absolutely has to.

kate@adventuregearinsider.com