The 10 Best Ski Gloves of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Jun 05, 2023

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Tripsavvy / Frank Corona

Hands and feet are usually the first body parts to get cold on the slopes and can end a ski day prematurely if you don’t have the right gloves. Skiing is a leg-driven sport, so warmth is usually the top priority when shopping for ski gloves, but dexterity and grip matter, too, since you want to be able to operate ski boots and jacket zippers without removing your gloves and exposing your hands to the elements.

Weather resistance is also key, as wet gloves are cold gloves, and blocking the wind keeps the warm air inside insulation close to your hands. For warmer days, breathability is also a key attribute since sweaty hands can wet gloves from the inside, which causes cold hands when you start cooling down. Our testers took 17 different ski gloves and mittens out in the cold and onto the slopes to evaluate the top models for all the essential attributes above, plus comfort, cost, and style. Keep reading to learn why our testers loved these top picks to find the gloves right for you and your skiing style.

Our top pick was the Swany X-Cell Glove, a fully featured ski-specific leather gauntlet-style glove and proprietary insulation liner. Learn more about the X-Cell gloves and the rest of our favorites below.

Amazon

Waterproof-yet-breathable membrane inserts

Zippered handwarmer pocket for extra-cold days

Full nubuck leather exterior

Expensive

Our top overall pick is a performance ski glove from Swany—an upstate New York glove manufacturer specializing in sport-specific, high-end winter gloves. This gauntlet-style, all-leather glove is one of the most expensive options among our picks, but in return, you get quality and all the features Swany could pack into a single glove.

Glove leashes help keep the X-Cells attached when you need full finger dexterity, and quick-release cinch drawstrings make it easy to seal the gloves to your jacket, keeping snow out and warmth in.

Despite being a technical glove, the X-Cell gloves are incredibly comfortable, and our tester said that’s thanks in part to the Dynatherm liner paired with a pliable nubuck leather which goes from cuff to finger and are panel cut to fit fingers for a more tailored fit.

The leather features a LeatherShield treatment for water repellency, but the gloves also use a breathable membrane in the same way that performance ski jackets do to let the moist air out when you’re heating up while blocking moisture from getting in. Insulation is, of course, key to keeping your hands warm (and the X-Cell uses a blend of high-end PrimaLoft insulations), but keeping the gloves from getting damp is just as important. Our tester has owned the mitten X-Cell version of these gloves for years and attests that they’ve retained their waterproofing.

Price at time of publication: $180

Sizes: S to 3XL | Materials: Nubuck leather | Insulation: Triplex-Alpha Insulation system | Waterproofing: Smooth Grain LeatherShield, Dryfinger II inserts | Sustainability: 35 percent recycled insulation

REI

Comfortable, secure neoprene cuff

Flexible, buttery leather

The removable liner allows them to adapt to the climate

Expensive

Hestra’s Leather Fall Line five-finger glove is a classic leather ski glove from this Swedish glove maker that’s been making ski-specific gloves since the 1960s. While the Fall Line doesn’t look that different from a basic leather work glove from the outside, the details make it stand out from the hardware store models.

Unlike cheaper leather work gloves that come as raw leather that needs treatment, the Hestra Fall Line gloves are factory impregnated with waterproofing treatment that sheds water right off the shelf. They also come with a leather balm for refreshing the waterproofing as needed, though our tester noted that when brand-new, the gloves rejected water even when run under a faucet.

A lot is going on inside as well. Removable liners add warmth via brushed polyester and a Bemberg brushed fleece for comfort. There’s also G-Loft insulation in the outer gloves themselves, making these above average in warmth, but removable liners help for warmer days or more dexterity.

Small details nod to the skier DNA behind the design, including wrist straps to keep them secure when removed and a carabiner for connecting them together and to your pack or jacket when needed.

Price at time of publication: $165

Sizes: 6 to 11 | Materials: Cowhide, neoprene | Insulation: G-Loft | Waterproofing: Pre-impregnated leather | Sustainability: Fair Trade certified, Leather Working Group-rated tannery

TripSavvy / Anna Popp

Amazon

Comfortable, secure neoprene cuff

Flexible, buttery leather

The removable liner allows them to adapt to the climate

Bulky/clunky compared to many pricier ski gloves

Flylow’s co-founder Dan Abrams told me their glove line started as a giveaway at trade shows. They’d buy a bunch of work gloves, treat them one by one, brand them with the Flylow logo, and hand them out for free. Then people started asking if they could buy them, and a new product line was launched.

The Flylow Ridge Glove isn’t too far off from that original swag, and the pigskin leather still features Sno-Seal beeswax waterproofing treatment. The look is very much leatherwork glove-inspired, and thankfully, the price isn’t far beyond what you’d pay for untreated gloves in a hardware store.

The gloves are triple-baked with waterproofing, and our tester sprayed them down, ran them under water, and said they “shed water on contact.” They also come with additional waterproofing wax for after you’ve broken them in a bit and broken down the waterproofing.

Our tester noted that these gloves felt slightly bulky and stiff but would likely break in over time. My experience with Sno-Seal-treated gloves like these is that they only get better with age and use and eventually form to your hands.

While they have that classic work glove look, they come in several different colors—something you won’t find at the hardware store—including black and dark brown.

Price at time of publication: $55

Sizes: S to XXL | Materials: Pigskin leather | Insulation: Spaceloft micro puff insulation, 180 grams back of the hand, 100 grams palm | Waterproofing: Triple-baked Sno-Seal coating | Sustainability: Fair Trade certified, Leather Working Group-rated tannery

Tripsavvy / Madeleine Armstrong

Amazon

Pre-curved palm improves mitt dexterity

Down insulation for warmth on the coldest days

The entire back of the hand and thumb is a nose wipe

No removable liner to strip it down for warm days

Mitts (or mittens) are the answer if you struggle with cold hands. They limit the surface area of the glove exposed to the cold and allow your hands' natural heat to stay inside the glove instead of escaping from around the fingers. Gordini's Polar Mitt II is a down-insulated mitten that combines leather and stretch nylon for a glove that's warm without being too bulky.

Our tester found them soft and plush without bulk and said, "They fit just as expected, keeping my hands warm and snug with a bit of wiggle room." Unlike cheaper gloves, the Polar Mitt IIs are pre-curved, so the palm material doesn't bunch up in your fingers when flexed, allowing dexterity where mittens usually score poorly.

Warmth comes from 750-fill goose down from Downtek and is combined with the gauntlet-style construction and the cinching cuff above the wrist to keep cold air and snow out. An Aquabloc waterproof membrane lets the gloves repel water but still releases moisture from the inside. A Hydrowick liner in the palm also helps carry away moisture, keeping hands from feeling even colder.

One underrated feature is the soft nose wipe back of the glove and thumb, which provides a large soft, absorbent surface instead of searching your pockets, gloves off, for tissue and freezing your hands in the process. Also, while they don't claim to be touchscreen-compatible, our tester could operate their smartphone without removing the gloves.

If the mittens have a drawback, it's that they're too warm and don't have a removable liner to cool them down on warmer days. Our tester used them on some early season days and said, "They are a bit overboard for the weather I've been using them in, and my hands did get a bit sweaty because of that." The Hydrowick microdenier liner on the palm is there to help, but it may be just too warm for certain conditions.

Price at time of publication: $120

Sizes: S to XL | Materials: Deerskin, stretch nylon | Insulation: Downtek 750-fill down | Waterproofing: Aquabloc | Sustainability: Not listed

TripSavvy / Lydia Price

Amazon

Recycled materials

Thin but warm insulation

Limited breathability

Touchscreen functionality limited by glove bulk

Ski brands have made a strong push toward eco-friendly business practices, and The North Face has set ambitious sustainability goals via their parent company over the last few years. Made with mostly recycled and vegan materials, the Montana Glove is a preview of products from The North Face as they transition toward 100 percent recycled and responsibly sourced materials.

The cloth-like outer material is 100 percent recycled polyester, and a polyester/polyurethane faux leather reinforces the palm. Besides the product itself, The North Face is working to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions in their supply chain in half by 2030 and eliminate single-use plastic from their packaging in the next couple of years.

Aside from the eco-friendly features, this glove has plenty of performance features to celebrate. The non-PFC waterproofing DWR keeps melting snow from soaking the face fabric, and the SLayerWarmth insulation uses a layered approach to keep hands warm without adding too much bulk. The DryVent layer lets the gloves breathe while keeping moisture out, though our tester felt the gloves were occasionally claustrophobic and too warm.

The gloves claim touchscreen compatibility with their Etip Functionality, but our tester felt the gloves were too large and clunky for it to be realistic to use a phone with the gloves still on. That said, the gloves come pre-curved, which helps eliminate bulk when flexing the fingers to improve dexterity and minimize the times you need to remove the gloves on the hill.

Price at time of publication: $65

Sizes: S to XXL | Materials: Recycled polyester shell, 55 percent polyester, 45 percent polyurethane faux leather | Insulation: Heatseeker Eco 70 percent post-consumer recycled polyester | Waterproofing: Non-PFC DWR | Sustainability: Recycled materials, vegan leather

Tripsavvy / Danielle Yersin

Amazon

The removable liner makes the glove practical in warmer temps

A balance between mitten warmth and glove dexterity

Wind- and waterproof Triton shell

Could use more dexterity

Between a five-finger glove and a mitten lies the three-finger glove, which gives the thumb and index finger their own zone, creating a crab claw appearance and giving you back some of the dexterity of a five-finger glove and retaining some of the warmth of a mitten.

Sweden’s Hestra maximizes warmth in the Army Leather Heli glove by combining synthetic fiberfill insulation with a breathable and waterproof membrane beneath the DWR-treated nylon face fabric. The palms are made more durable and grippy by goatskin panels.

If you’ve never used a three-finger glove, it can be a relief for converts from mittens. Our tester says, “this a great design for those skiing in intense conditions or those who are skiing backcountry because you can easily unbuckle/re-buckle your boots, etcetera.”

While these still aren’t going to offer the dexterity of a more fitted five-finger glove, the liners are removable, making them more practical for warm days, and has the side benefit of bumping up the feel by removing some of the bulk.

Price at time of publication: $160

Sizes: 7 to 12 | Materials: Nylon, goatskin leather | Insulation: Fiberfill | Waterproofing: DWR | Sustainability: Not listed

TripSavvy / Ellie Nan Storck

Amazon

Great features for a budget glove

Removable liners for all-season use

Limited touchscreen functionality when used with liners

Burton’s mainstay Gore-Tex glove offers a gauntlet glove complete with a removable liner for half the cost of other gloves with all the features and warmth you need. The main face fabric is a durable nylon paired with a synthetic leather palm. The polyester fleece liners offer additional warmth on top of the Thermocore insulation in the main glove, and if that’s not enough, there’s a zippered handwarmer pocket for the back of your hand, so it doesn’t interfere with your grip.

Thanks to the synthetic fabrics, these gloves offer more dexterity than bulkier, stiffer leather gloves while still offering the grip of leather thanks to the polyurethane faux leather palm and fingers. They’re also touchscreen-compatible, though our tester struggled to work their phone due to the bulk of the glove plus liner material.

We subjected them to a faucet pour-over water test, and the Gore-Tex waterproofing passed with flying colors. While our Northeastern United States-based tester didn’t have sub-freezing temperatures to test the gloves, we’re confident the combination of insulation plus liners will keep hands warm on the slopes.

Most importantly for budget-conscious skiers, you get an adaptable glove with removable liners and category-leading waterproofing from Gore-Tex for about $50 or less.

Price at time of publication: $80

Sizes: XS to XXL | Materials: Nylon, polyester liner, polyurethane palm | Insulation: Thermacore | Waterproofing: Gore-Tex | Sustainability: Not listed

Tripsavvy / Taylor Calta

Amazon

Easy one-hand-operable cuff cinches

Three gloves in one, thanks to standalone liners

Nothing yet

These Dakine Titan gauntlet-style ski gloves are really three gloves for the price of one, as both the liners and shells can be worn independently or combined for the coldest days. The polyester tricot liners are touchscreen compatible and, unlike some insulation-only liners, work well as standalone gloves for warm days or aerobic winter activities. Our tester wore the shells alone while snowshoeing, used the liners alone for ice skating, and found the combination great for midwinter skiing.

The gauntlet cuffs are one-hand operable, making them easy to take on and off on the chairlift, and the leashes help avoid the dreaded chairlift drop. Gauntlet cuffs also keep snow out and warmth in, but Hi-Loft synthetic insulation combined with a polyester fleece liner is what really cranks up the heat in these.

Each glove also comes with a zippered stash pocket on the back of the hand for hand-warmers, a key, or other small items. Our tester noted that while they didn’t test this pair of Dakine gloves long enough to assess their long-term durability, they have a 20-year-old pair of Dakine gloves that are frayed but still in use.

Price at time of publication: $80

Sizes: S to XL | Materials: 55 percent recycled polyester, 45 percent polyester melange | Insulation: Hi Loft 50 percent recycled polyester, 50 percent polyester fibers | Waterproofing: Gore-Tex | Sustainability: Partially recycled materials, PFC-free DWR

Tripsavvy / Frances Crouter

Amazon

Thinner, supple leather

Moisture-wicking palm insulation

Leather not waterproof

Kinco pigskin leather work gloves have been ski bum favorites for decades thanks to a low price point and long-lasting durability and performance. I personally have used those gloves and mitts from Kinco for years and appreciated the durability for skiing and winter outdoor work.

Realizing the popularity of their gloves with skiers and snowboarders, Kinco has started making gloves specifically for winter sports enthusiasts. The result is higher-end models such as the Skyliner Buffalo Ski Glove, which retains the leather work glove aesthetic, but delivers a more refined cut, more supple leather, and comes waterproofed for an effective ski glove out of the box. (Their cheaper leather work gloves require after-purchase waterproofing or other leather treatment.)

There’s also the usual Heatkeep insulation, but now it’s paired with aquaNOT! breathable waterproof membrane to help the gloves keep from overheating. Our tester felt that the gloves did a great job wicking away internal moisture but noted that the leather did get wet when exposed to running water. Kinco notes that the aquaHIDE buffalo leather is “water-resistant,” not “waterproof,” so this perhaps isn’t a surprising result. For fans of the pigskin leather Kinco gloves treated with Sno Seal, which leaves a water-repellent beeswax coating, this will be an adjustment as the leather may get damp in wet conditions.

The neoprene cuff is upgraded from cheaper models with a hook-and-loop power strap for a secure wrist connection. Another ski-specific feature is the addition of wrist leashes to keep gloves attached when removed.

Perhaps the most significant difference with the classic models is the more supple leather used compared to the thicker pigskin, which is traditionally very durable but limits dexterity. Still, our tester felt that “mobility was somewhat limited, which was the main reason why some comfort was compromised.”

Price at time of publication: $36 to $97, depending on size and style

Sizes: S to XL | Materials: Buffalo leather, neoprene | Insulation: Heatkeep polyester | Waterproofing: aquaNOT! Membrane | Sustainability: Not listed

Tripsavvy / Frank Corona

Backcountry

Extremely breathable despite heavy insulation

Removable liner removes insulation for warmer days

Roomy fit, run large

Most skiers are looking for a glove that balances many factors well, but those who run extra-cold or ski in sub-zero temps will prioritize warmth overall. Enter the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt, which pairs a heavy-duty insulating removable liner with a waterproof and breathable high-tech shell.

The star here is the Prima Loft Gold insulation which is strategically distributed with 170 grams on the back of the hand and 133 grams in the palm, allowing for a better feel in the grip and more warmth where you want it. Black Diamond packs this insulation into the removable liner, a key feature for warmer days where that level of loft would have your hands sweating. Unlike some lighter liners in other gloves, these light, fluffy liners don’t make sense to be worn on their own.

That said, the loft makes these gloves extremely comfortable. Our tester said the liners felt like shearling, “very fuzzy and cozy,” despite being synthetic. The downside to all this loft and comfort is a looser fitting glove with some bulk that knocks this glove down on the dexterity scale.

While there are lots of gauntlet-style ski gloves available, these are on the long side, putting the cinch further up your wrist and ensuring minimal intrusions from snow and cold air outside. Our smaller tester said the cuffs ran nearly up to her elbows, so keep in mind that these gloves may look as extreme as their performance.

The insulation provides dry warmth thanks to Black Diamond’s proprietary BD.dry outer fabric, which uses a thin but durable material and breathable membrane to keep water moving out of the glove while remaining waterproof. Empel DWR helps repel water before it gets to the membrane.

Price at time of publication: $120

Sizes: S to XL | Materials: Polyester, goat leather palm | Insulation: Prima Loft Gold | Waterproofing: BD.dry | Sustainability: Recycled fleece liner

TripSavvy / Anna Popp

Black Diamond Guide Glove: Our tester found these warm and waterproof but was perplexed by the lack of cuff cinch and wrist leashes.

Arc'teryx Fission SV: Our tester lauded the warmth and quality but couldn't recommend these since other gloves provided similar performance for much less.

TripSavvy / Julia Sayers

Marmot Ultimate Unisex Gloves: We expected a more sport/performance-oriented glove from Marmot than this fairly workmanlike glove.

REI Co-op Guide Insulated Gloves: This is a great all-around budget winter glove but nothing ski-specific here to help recommend it over our other budget picks.

TripSavvy / Carolyn Malcoun

Seirus Men's HeatTouch Atlas Gloves: These very warm, heated gloves got demerits for poor waterproofing and dexterity.

Black Diamond Solano: A heated glove that's a good choice for extreme cold but is pricey if you don't need all that warmth.

Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gore-Tex Gloves: Another expensive heated glove that's plenty warm but suffers from a bulky design.

A group of eight testers evaluated 17 different gloves, mittens, and three-finger gloves on comfort, warmth, fit, dexterity, waterproofness, sustainability, durability, and style. Our testers were spread across different cold regions of the United States and tested gloves at home and on the ski slopes whenever possible. All gloves underwent the same tests, including running them under water, operating ski boots and jackets, and drying the gloves after wetting.

For face fabrics, most ski gloves use synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon, or leather, with some brands moving to faux leathers with similar performance. Synthetics can be thinner and lighter for a more flexible glove, but a more traditional leather glove usually provides more durability and better grip. On the grip issue, many synthetic gloves have a leather palm to try and get the best of both worlds.

Since synthetics can be thinner than leathers, those gloves may offer slightly better dexterity since the material and seams are all thinner. There are great gloves in either category, so your preference may come down to aesthetics.

There’s less of a split in insulation types, with most gloves using some sort of synthetic insulation, often with a brand name, i.e., Thinsulate, Hi Loft, Thermacore, or one of many others. That said, some gloves, such as the Gordini Polar Mitt II we recommend above, use down. These are generally meant for frigid weather where moisture isn’t usually an issue, and in the case of the Gordini gloves, they use a water-repellent Downtek down but still keep in mind that down can get wet, so only look at down insulation for very cold applications.

Ski gloves generally come with a water-repellent coating such as a Durable Water Repellent or DWR treatment. Some, but certainly not all, also have a waterproof membrane inside, like Gore-Tex. These membranes can help keep water out while retaining breathability, but you want a DWR or similar feature to ensure the fabric of your gloves doesn’t get soaked and heavy.

I’ve found that no matter what treatment a manufacturer uses, gloves need more waterproofing upkeep than other garments because of their high-touch. Like most Kinco models, some leather gloves come completely untreated, though they may come with a rub-on treatment such as Nikwax Waterproofing Wax or Sno Seal. While I know skiers that will wear untreated leather gloves, this makes them prone to getting wet and shortens their lifespan, so I recommend treating leather gloves. Even leather gloves that are pre-treated from the factory.

For synthetic fabrics, consider keeping Nikwax T.X. Direct or Scotchgard Outdoor Spray on hand if materials start to wet out. Check out our best waterproofing sprays roundup for more options.

The fit of your gloves can make a big difference in the warmth and dexterity they provide. Use a glove too small, and it can compact insulation and compromise warmth but may offer better dexterity. Choose a glove that’s too big, and it may actually help with warmth (air is an insulator), but can feel like a clown glove and hamper dexterity.

Trying gloves in person is the best way to assess sizes, but if you need to estimate size for online ordering, check if the manufacturer offers a size guide for gloves to measure your hand to get the best possible size. While most manufacturers provide small through XL or a similar sizing scheme, some offer numbered sizes that can offer a more precise fit if they make enough sizes.

Ski gloves cover a lot of ground in terms of price, but few decent options cost less than $20, and most higher-end options cost less than $200. You’ll find mostly the general use and work glove options at the lower end. An all-leather pair of work gloves that can be treated and employed as trusty ski gloves usually won’t cost more than about $35, depending on their features.

Work glove brands such as Kinco and Wells Lamont have caught on to the popularity of their gloves with skiers and have started making models specifically for snowsports or at least marketing them to the ski audience. These ski-specific models are often a bit more expensive than a basic work glove option but still not as expensive as gloves from big ski brands.

How you wash and treat your gloves depends on the material. Many leather gloves will come with a small amount of their recommended treatment product, and it’s always a safe bet to stick with that product. Pigskin and other leather gloves, such as the Kinco Mitts we recommend above, pair well with Sno Seal, which leaves gloves with a very waterproof and somewhat stiff beeswax coating and can last a whole ski season, depending on conditions and how much you use them.

Synthetic fabrics treated with a DWR coating will require different upkeep, and you have a few options. If the gloves are washable, you can use Nikwax’s Tech Wash and follow that up with a waterproofing treatment such as their T.X.Direct spray.

But before trying anything, consult the manufacturer, who will know the types of treatments that will work best with their materials.

The trade-off with wearing gloves for warmth is that they are usually bulky enough to make certain tasks, such as operating your smartphone, nearly impossible or at least frustrating. The cut of your gloves can make a big difference in how easy it is to use your hands while wearing them, but the biggest choice in favor of increased dexterity is picking a five-finger glove over mittens. Mittens keep only the thumb free, making all but the crudest tasks possible. You might be able to secure your boot buckles, but it’ll be challenging to open a granola bar wrapper.

The three-finger or lobster claw gloves offer a compromise, but if you really need finger dexterity, your better bet might be to choose a glove with a touchscreen-compatible liner glove. These gloves help you retain some warmth and block the wind if you take the outer shell glove off.

Finger dexterity isn’t usually ultra-important for recreational skiers, but if you’re a guide or other ski professional that needs to perform varied tasks outside in the cold, go with a pre-curved leather glove with a tailored fit to get the most function possible but also accept that sometimes you just have to take your gloves off for certain tasks.

Mittens are warmer than gloves. Whether that means you should buy mittens or not depends on where and how you ski. Thanks to the increased dexterity, I always prefer a five-finger glove whenever I can wear them. However, if it’s a deep midwinter day with subzero temperatures, I’m definitely reaching for the most insulated mittens I own to stay as warm as possible. If you ski someplace where temperatures are normally in the teens or even subzero Fahrenheit, I’d strongly recommend an insulated mitten. But if your skiing is usually in warmer conditions, you may not need that warmth, and if so, you may as well use a lighter five-finger glove that gives you better dexterity and won’t overheat your hands and make them sweat.

Justin Park is a lifelong skier based in Breckenridge, Colorado. He owns a dozen different types of gloves for skiing, chopping wood, and other outdoor sports and wears nearly all of them at some point during the year. He logs about 120 ski days each year between resorts and backcountry terrain, offering a wide range of conditions for testing gear. His current go-to gloves are the DPS Truck Gloves, as long as it’s not too cold.