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We put women's ski gloves from Black Diamond, Burton, Outdoor Research, and others to the test to find the best
Three of the top performers including the BD Mercury Mitt and the Arc'teryx Fission SV glove showing off their water beading capabilities during hands-on testing.
Our snow sport experts have tested more than 35 of the best ski gloves for women over the last 11 years. This review features 13 of the most popular and best options on the market. Each has seen snowy conditions, icy cold chairlifts, and explorations into the backcountry. We've tested across the continent, from Alaska to Ontario, in warm spring conditions and icy cold snowstorms on the Continental Divide. Not only does our team ski, but we snowboard, dig pits, climb mountains, hack into ice waterfalls, and shovel driveways. After years of testing, we offer our insights to help you find the best women's ski glove or mitten for your needs this ski season.
Editor's Note: Our women's ski glove review was updated on April 24, 2024, to share some additional info on how we tested these products and to remove a discontinued product from our lineup. As we move out of the winter season, some of these gloves may be harder to find as retailers don't always stock winter gear during the summer season.
Arc'teryx continues to impress us with the quality of the Fission SV glove. It is our favorite glove for its balance of versatility, warmth, and dexterity. The PrimaLoft Gold and Silver insulation-filled single-glove construction excels at breathability and warmth at the resort and in the backcountry alike. The liner feels silky smooth when you slip your hand in, and the lofty warmth mimics the feel of the fluffiest down. The shell is completely waterproof and durable with surprising dexterity. Fine motor tasks are a breeze, and your fingers don't feel like they're wrapped up in pillows.
The price is rather steep. Yet if you can afford it, we think these gloves are worth the investment. While the single-glove design is great for resort skiing, the liner is not removable. Probably the most significant caveat for the ladies model is the unisex sizing runs large. Our main tester regularly wears a size Medium for most ski gloves but had to size down to a Small to achieve a proper fit. The fit is also somewhat wider than a normal women's glove, so those with super small hands may find the extra small unisex size does not fit. Concerns aside, if you're seeking excellent breathability, warmth, and dexterity, Fission is our top recommendation. If you're willing to give up some dexterity, we also love the Outdoor Research Arete II GTX gloves.
If a well-insulated mitt is your preference, check out the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt. Built for both the recreational skier and professional in the field, it offers superb durability and warmth all season long. The fluffy Primaloft Gold insulation bundles your fingers together, keeping them toasty warm from first chair to the closing bell, and the BD.dry shell keeps your hands dry (and therefore, warm). The liner is removable, allowing for rapid drying after long days or on extended trips.
While we couldn't find cold that the insulation couldn't handle, we also found that it impeded dexterity. The trade-off for this level of warmth is worth it to skiers and riders who frequently ball up their fingers in the palm of their gloves on cold chair lifts. Since you need to remove these mittens for most tasks with your hands, we think it's unfortunate that they don't have wrist leashes. Beyond that, the Mercury Mitt is one of the most functional and high-quality mittens we've ever tested, making it a good option for any winter excursion where extra warmth is a must. If you can't quite swing the price, check out the Burton Gore-Tex Mitten below.
Insulation: Polyester | Shell: Dry-Ride Two Layer & Gore-Tex Insert
REASONS TO BUY
Weather resistant
Quality palm material
Cute style
Touchscreen-compatible removable glove liners
Nimble for a mitt
REASONS TO AVOID
Least warm of all mitts tested
Material will eventually saturate in wet weather
We are quite impressed with the performance and warmth of the Burton Gore-Tex Mitten for women. With cute style and enough versatility for both the backcountry and resort, it seems to have it all — including durable palm materials, lots of features, and touchscreen-compatible liner gloves, all wrapped in a warm and surprisingly dexterous package. The thinner construction and gloved liners allow you to perform tasks both small and large while keeping your hands protected. Plus, they come at a reasonable price.
These affordable mittens leave little to complain about. They're not as warm as heavier or more insulated models, partly due to the separation of the fingers with the five-fingered liner and thinner insulation. The outer shell is solid, but other premium mittens feel more durable. Still, the Burton Gore-Tex Mitten is a prime choice for most women. Enjoy its benefits while skiing, snowboarding, or playing in the snow at a price that quickly helps one overlook its minor shortcomings.
Insulation: 350-g/150-g high loft polyester | Shell: Nylon/leather
REASONS TO BUY
Relatively warm
Great dexterity
Great price
Smartphone compatible liner
Breathable construction
REASONS TO AVOID
Water-resistance is subpar
The Dakine Camino ski glove offers excellent value. Constructed with a nylon shell and leather palm, it provides dexterity with the insulation packed strategically towards the back of the hand. It also comes with a thin synthetic liner to enhance its warmth on super cold days. The thinner construction at the palm provides breathability, making it functional for backcountry touring and resort use. When choosing a glove for more moderate temperatures, we often reached for this glove. You also can't go wrong with the price.
With a lower price comes notable tradeoffs. For instance, these gloves are not wholly protective in super wet conditions. They are also not the warmest option on the market. The fit with the included liner feels rather snug, so if you're on the fence, we recommend sizing up. The Dakine Camino is best for those who seek a low-priced glove and run warm.
Insulation: Enduraloft and Electric Heat | Shell Material: Water-resistant Goat Leather
REASONS TO BUY
Three heat settings
Super warm
Lots of features
Excellent water and weather resistance
Less expensive than other heated models we tested
REASONS TO AVOID
Still pretty expensive
Not the best dexterity
The Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gore-Tex Gloves are a unisex model that we tested for our men's ski glove review. They are the warmest gloves we tested, perfect for those with chronically cold hands or the coldest powder days on the mountain. The three heat settings offer a nice range of added warmth to fight off the cold, and the Enduraloft insulation is pretty warm even when you don't turn on the electric heating elements. The water-resistant goat leather and nylon shell with mid-sized gauntlets ward off the elements, backed up by a Gore-Tex membrane that keeps water from entering the glove and aids in breathability. Considering all of the insulation and heating elements, the dexterity proved to be a little better than we expected. They are also less expensive than other heated models we tested.
While we found the dexterity of the Prevail Heated Gore-Tex Gloves to be okay, they can't compete with some of the non-heated models when it comes time to use your fingers for certain tasks. As a unisex model, the fit may not be as dialed for the female hand, and we'd definitely recommend referencing the size chart before buying. Despite the fact that they are less expensive than other heated models, they are still far more expensive than non-heated options. That said, if you ski where it's super cold or have constantly cold hands, they could be the solution you've been looking for.
The Kinco Pigskin is a marked staple for guides and budget-savvy skiers. This is an inexpensive ski glove alternative and a long-loved favorite for its stellar value. The leather breathes well enough while offering sufficient warmth for aerobic days on the mountain. Because of its bigger fit, you can add a small liner to enhance this warmth. It is essentially a work glove that easily doubles as a mid-weight ski glove for backcountry skiing, warm-ish resort days, or winter tasks around the house.
Compared to the competition, this model is not as warm, and the leather (and cloth exterior) is susceptible to water absorption. Although it did not perform as well as other contenders we tested, it does get the job done for a fraction of the cost. If you're looking to spend the absolute minimum on ski gloves, check out the all-leather pigskin Kinco, best for any penny pincher looking for a great deal.
The Kinco Pigskin gloves offer decent dexterity for tasks like operating zippers and removing skins from your backcountry setup. However, they're definitely not as warm as some pricier options.
Credit: Amber King
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Breaking trail is always a great way to test the breathability and warmth of a glove, especially when it's super cold outside. Here we test gloves in the backcountry of the San Juans in Colorado.
Credit: Amber King
How We Test Women's Ski Gloves
This review started with plenty of research into the ski glove and mitten market to decide which models to include in our selection for hands-on testing. After an initial cut of over 80 models was identified, we selected the most compelling group of women's gloves and mittens to test in the field and lab. We use them in real-world situations for several months, skiing and snowboarding in both wet and dry climates, as well as hiking, riding chairlifts, and playing in the backcountry. We employ controlled in-house tests, too, for warmth retention and water resistance, which involves putting the gloves in a freezer with a temperature sensor and submersion in water. See more info in our dedicated How We Test article.
Our testing of women's ski gloves is divided into five rating metrics:
Warmth (25% of overall score weighting)
Water Resistance (25% weighting)
Dexterity (25% weighting)
Durability (15% weighting)
Features (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
This review is brought to you by two experienced testers,Amber King and Jackie Kearney. Originally hailing from the cold north of Canada, Amber moved to the US in 2011 and landed in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. She has a healthy appreciation for warm hands in cold conditions, and you can bet she's packing a good pair of ski gloves on her backcountry splitboard missions. She gets out for at least 100 days in the winter, playing at Telluride Ski Resort and backcountry splitboarding locally on Red Mountain Pass, just South of Ouray, CO.
Jackie is also no stranger to the challenges of warming hands in the mountains. She has skied all over North America and works professionally as a ski patroller. Her first home in the mountain west was in the San Juan Mountains, but she left for several seasons to gain an appreciation for the wet and windy Sierra Crest, working at Kirkwood Ski Resort. She has since returned to her home in the San Juans to patrol at Telluride Ski Resort. Her experience has familiarized her with skiing in every kind of condition that Mother Nature has to offer.
The author testing women's ski gloves while descending the Coleman Headwall of Mount Baker.
Getting down to the details with these gloves and mitts.
We skied resorts, backcountry, and Nordic tracks to find out which gloves performed best! We went from the North Pacific, to Colorado, east to Canada and back! Here we pose on top of Mount St. Louis Moonstone in Canada.
Analysis and Test Results
A good pair of ski gloves or mittens will help keep your hands warm while you carve your way down powder runs at the resort or while descending sweet couloirs in far off-lands. We've tested each glove and mitt across the areas of warmth, water resistance, dexterity, durability, and features to help you find the one that's the best fit for your needs.
Value
Finding a glove that doesn't blow your entire gear budget for the season is always nice. With all of the wear and tear we put on these little pieces of equipment, finding a glove or mitten that doesn't feel precious may be a priority for you. The REI Guide Mitten strikes us as a lower-priced option, just a little more expensive than your standard work glove, with performance adequate for most days out. With diligent water resistance treatment, this model can keep your fingers happy. This said, this mitten isn't warm enough for absolutely frigid days, and its water resistance is variable. Its price reflects this.
The Burton Gore-Tex Mitten is another favorite. Though slightly pricier than the REI Guide Mitten, it's a noticeably higher-quality product. We think it's one of the more versatile mitts out there and is a great value. The Dakine Camino also stands out as one of the most inexpensive options with performance to match most resort days that aren't too cold or wet. We are also impressed by its breathability, which makes it versatile enough to extend to backcountry use.
One of the warmest ski gloves we tested is the Gordini Gore-Tex Down III, which is loaded with down insulation. It's about the same price as the Burton Deluxe Gore-Tex Glove, another high-value glove, but not as dexterous. Check out any of these models if you're trying to keep costs low without sacrificing too much performance.
The BD Guide Glove kept our hands warm at the resort.
Credit: Amber King
Warmth
Exploring at the ski resort or skiing in the backcountry requires a glove or mitt that will keep your hands warm, whether you're working up a sweat or hanging out on a chairlift. A solid option will not only provide ample amounts of high-quality insulation that stays warm when wet and breathes well to wick away moisture when you sweat. Both these metrics work together to keep you warm when the temperatures plummet.
We skied with each pair of mittens and gloves at resorts and hiked uphill for hours on backcountry tours. Conditions ranged from warm and sunny to cold and blustery. When assessing warmth and breathability, we first looked at the glove's anatomy, noting insulating features and points of ventilation. We also looked at how well the liners wicked away sweat to keep the skin dry for warmth all day long. We also performed objective tests that involved sticking each pair into the freezer and measuring the temperature change. These tests helped us assess which ski gloves and mittens were the warmest and which simply didn't perform.
During a cold winter, when the temperatures drop and you're left sitting on a cold (and slow…) ski lift, warm mittens should be considered. Mitts are far warmer than gloves because you keep your fingers together, generating and capturing heat. That said, finding a mitt that can breathe and that retains basic dexterity is the key.
Cold days on the chairlifts requires a warm glove for all-day comfort in the dead of winter. Here, we ride up Telluride Resort on a cold day.
Credit: Amber King
Warmth: Mittens
If your hands run cold and you need something that'll keep them toasty all day long, a mitten is by far a better option than a glove. The big tradeoff is dexterity, but if you're simply sitting on a chairlift and just need to be able to hold your ski poles, a mitten will work just fine. Those built with a double construction offer more dexterity than those with a single glove construction, and virtually all of the mittens are warmer than any of the ski gloves tested.
The fluffy pile of the Primaloft Gold liner of the Mercury Mitt not only insulates, but it helps to wick moisture away from hands.
A look at a few different liners. Top left is the BD Mercury Mitt which is plush and super warm. Top right is the Burton Gore-Tex Deluxe with medium warmth, and here we see the Arc'teryx Fission with a wicking liner and breathable interior.
Credit: Amber King
When looking at warmth, the mittens topped the charts. The Black Diamond Mercury Mitt is filled with 323 grams of PrimaLoft Gold and is the warmest mitt (or glove for that matter) that we tested. The Burton Gore-Tex Mitten is a lighter option that still provides enough warmth in its double-glove construction for most winter conditions in the lower 48. Of all the mitts, the Burton Gore-Tex is the most breathable, followed by the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt.
A stand-out difference between the Mercury Mitt and the rest is the puffy full mitten liner that is also removable. The Mercury's all-around awesome performance, both in the liner and its construction, wins it our top honors.
Warmth: Gloves
Gloves aren't as warm as mittens simply because the fingers are not articulated together. Most people that choose a glove probably do so for increased dexterity with the tradeoff of a slight reduction in warmth. While there are warm gloves out there, don't expect them to score as high as mittens in this metric.
The Gordini's down insulation elevates its warmth.
Credit: Ross Robinson
The warmest ski gloves that we've tested so far are the Gordini Gore-Tex Down III, Arc'teryx Fission SV and the Black Diamond Guide. Part of the warmth of a glove comes from your fingers' ability to move to generate warmth while you sit still. The Gordini Gore-Tex Down III glove is packed with insulation, making our fingers feel more confined than sleeker gloves, but as long as you get the fit right, the Down III offers great warmth. The Fission SV really stands out for its combination of warmth and dexterity. We didn't expect these gloves would keep our fingers warm when we unboxed them, but we were wrong. The Fission SV does as good a job of keeping fingers warm as any gloves we've come across while still remaining dexterous enough for most tasks.
We also like the Black Diamond Guide which has 170 grams of Primaloft Insulation. The insulation is packed around the back of the hand and the cuff, resulting in one of the warmest glove models we've had the pleasure of testing.
Riding on a cold day in Tahoe when the temps were well below freezing, the Black Diamond Guide gloves still kept our hands warm.
Credit: Amber King
Even though these gloves offer ample warmth, none of them have a double-glove construction. Most of the other gloves tested feature this construction, which has better versatility and the option for enhanced breathability. For example, the Burton Gore-Tex Deluxe Glove has a thin liner that helps to wick moisture away from the hands, and its nylon construction is surprisingly warm. The Dakine Camino has a removable liner but is not meant for the coldest of days. It has a thinner, more breathable construction that does well in the backcountry, but for sitting still in cold weather, you might find the need for a hand warmer or extra layer of insulation.
Make sure you get the fit of your gloves or mitts correct. If they fit too tight, circulation to the hands will be reduced, resulting in colder digits.
Water Resistance
Water resistance goes hand-in-hand with warmth. A product that gets wet and cold after a few hours is useless. It's important to find a ski glove or mitten that protects from the elements. When testing water resistance, we performed field and at-home tests. We wore each in sub-zero temperatures, made snow angels, and dug snow pits. We skied at the resort and snowboarded down mountains through both wet and dry climates. To verify our subjective field tests, we weighed them, put them in a sink of water, squeezed 100 times, and observed to see which ones absorbed a lot of water and which ones leaked. While you wouldn't normally put your hand in puddles at the resort, this helps us determine each glove and mitt's wet-weather limits.
If you buy a pair of gloves or mittens featuring a leather outer, make sure to treat the leather before use and continually throughout its life.
During our tests, the gloves and mitts that do best in our tests are constructed from Gore-Tex fabric or use a Gore-Tex membrane inside. Leather is waterproof but requires constant care. Even when taken care of properly, the leather gloves tested eventually saturated after super wet days in the field. If your hands are going to be in the snow, opt for Gore-Tex instead of leather. Nylon will eventually absorb and stretch, so be sure you know your materials and look at what each is made from.
Water beading capability tested on three top performing gloves: from left to right, the OR Couloir, BD Mercury Mitt and Arc'teryx Fission SV.
Credit: Jackie Kearney
Water Resistance: Mittens
The Black Diamond Mercury Mitt provides complete water protection on both the ski hill and in our tests, only absorbing 2.5-oz of water. The Pertex shell and Gore-tex are quite waterproof, offering all the water resistance you'd need on the hill. It's much more water-resistant than the Hestra Heli-Mitt and only a little more water-resistant than the Burton Gore-tex Mitten.
The Hestra Heli-Mitt also offers provides great water resistance out of the package, but it breaks down after a few seasons of use. It is constructed of a Triton three-layer fabric that does saturate eventually, and during our squeeze tests, it leaked water through the seams. In the field, though, it managed to stay relatively dry and offered great protection at the resort during both wet and dry days. It just needs upkeep.
In order to enjoy a day like this in the mountains, you need to make sure you have the best gloves on your hands to keep you warm and dry. Here we test the Arc'teryx Fission SV gloves on Mt. Shuksan.
Credit: Stephanie Bennett
Water Resistance: Gloves
The Arc'teryx Fission SV and OR Couloir both offer awesome weather protection. The Couloir is constructed mostly of leather and polyester, finished with a Gore-tex insert, while the Fission is lighter, made with Arc'teryx's proprietary material Fortius 1.0 (nylon and elastane) along with a Gore-tex insert and a leather palm. When digging snow pits with both the Couloir and Fission SV, both provide sufficient protection. Both eventually had nylon materials saturate in the snow after a few months of use, but neither had the moisture penetrate to the interior. Both are great options for wet weather, with the Fission holding a little less water in its fabric than the Couloir.
The Fission's Gore-Tex shell is super water-resistant.
Credit: Amber King
Usually, synthetic materials treated with DWR resist water saturation better than leather. Generally, we found that all-leather construction gloves like the Hestra Fall-Line Five-finger and Kinco started to absorb water faster than their synthetic counterparts.
The Burton Deluxe Gore-Tex and Gordini Down III also do well in wet weather. Both are constructed with a Nylon shell and Gore-Tex insert, and both offer decent protection. In our water tests, the Burton Deluxe didn't leak at all. The Gordini Down III had a little more water penetration at the fingertips by the end of the test. This observation was further showcased when we saw the Down III saturate much more quickly than the Deluxe when digging pits and playing in the snow. Of the high-value options out there, we feel the Burton Deluxe offers the best protection for a low price.
While the Dakine Camino gloves didn't do so well in our water tests, they provide enough warmth and protection, even on days like these.
Credit: Amber King
Dexterity
Having dexterity in a ski glove or mitten simply means that you can perform simple tasks like zipping up zippers or transitioning to downhill mode on a ski tour without having to take off your gloves. If you're a professional in the field, this is important, and for all, it means better overall warmth. You don't risk losing your glove on a chair lift, and you stay warmer by simply keeping your glove on. To test this metric, we slipped each on, evaluated its materials and construction, and tried to perform simple tasks. Typically the higher scorers here were those with a gloved construction and thinner design, which both help offer better mobility.
The fit of a glove or mitten is imperative to its dexterity. If it's too big, you're going to have extra space at the tips of the fingers, which results in less dexterity. Conversely, a tight fit may also lead to less mobility, which also affects dexterity. Make sure you order the right size or try them on to ensure they work for your hands.
The OR Couloir glove does an excellent job of balancing dexterity with warmth, perfect for an outdoor professional.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Dexterity: Gloves
If you care about dexterity, buy a ski glove. The best performers in this category are gloves with a thinner design and flexible materials. The best performer is the Arc'teryx Fission SV as the most dexterous of the bunch. Even though it's warm, the insulation in the fingers and on the palm is not very bulky, and you can feel what you're doing. The materials are soft, supple, and flexible, which adds to the mobility of this glove. No other glove we tested comes close to its fluid motion. It's important to note this glove has a unisex fit, so be sure to consult the fit chart and possibly size down.
The Arc'teryx Fission SV offers the best mobility of any glove tested. Easily transition while keeping them on. Here we rip skins without needing to remove our gloves before descending.
Credit: Amber King
The Dakine Camino is a thick glove with less insulation in the fingers, which increases mobility, similar to the Burton Deluxe. These offer suitable mobility for most actions you'll perform at a resort or in the backcountry. We could easily do backcountry transitions and perform fine tasks with ease. The Kinco Pigskin (if you get the right fit) has thicker construction in the fingers, but the leather is pretty flexible, allowing you to easily grip your pole, open your backpack, and buckle ski boots without too much trouble.
Dexterity: Mittens
Mittens are less dexterous and earn quite low points in this category. This is because, in most designs, the fingers are locked together, and you can't use your index finger without a swath of material getting in the way.
The Mercury Mitt's full mitt liner was incredibly warm, but gave us trouble when we were trying to grasp small zippers.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Thinner mittens like the Burton Gore-Tex Mitten and Hestra Heli-Mitt have a surprising amount of dexterity for a mitten. The Heli Mitt has a very thin leather shell and compressible liner that allows you to grab items. The Burton Gore-Tex Mitt has a similar design but has a gloved liner that allows you to take off the shell when you need to perform fine motor tasks without exposing bare skin to the cold air. As a result of its thinner design and versatility, it's one of the most dexterous mittens we've ever tested.
The Burton Deluxe is another dexterous glove that isn't as bulky as it might look.
Credit: Amber King
Durability
It's a bummer to go out and spend money on an expensive pair of ski gloves that disintegrates after one season. Each model we tested endured double-digit hours of intense use in warm and dry climates to ensure that our scoring was not only fair but reflected what a glove would look like after a full season. We also washed each liner to see which bounced back and which didn't — reflecting which would lose warmth after just a few big days out.
Leather needs to be treated one to two times a season. If you buy a pair of leather gloves, treat them with a leather sealant as directed before using them, and possibly a couple times throughout the season, depending on the level of use. This will ensure the leather won't dry out, crack, and will maintain its water resistance.
The models with goatskin leather outers, such as the Arc'teryx Fission SV, Hestra Fall-Line 5-finger, and Black Diamond Mercury Mitt, have the most durable shells as opposed to those constructed of nylon, like the Gordini GTX Storm Glove. These gloves with leather palms are far more durable over time but require maintenance as wet later can wear out more quickly. Those that incorporate Gore-Tex into the external construction are also quite durable.
If you see yellow stitching, you know there's kevlar in the construction. Here we see gloves with bomber palms. Varying amounts of reinforcement and the type of materials changes with durability. The Arc'teryx Fission looks to be the best constructed.
Credit: Amber King
Liners are also important when considering durability. A liner that packs out and doesn't retain warmth isn't necessarily the best investment. For those with hi-pile liners, you can expect this to happen, though some wear out faster than others. Since we've been at this game for the last several years, we have the experience to comment on it. For example, the Hestra Heli-Mitt will eventually pack out, but it took about three years of hard use before we felt the need to replace it finally.
The shell and construction of the Mercury Mitts are solid, but the liners will wear down over time. The availability of replacement liners can save you money in the long run.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
The Arc'teryx Fission glove has proven to be very durable for our testers and has continued to work well even after a few years of use. The light and flexible construction has proven to be surprisingly durable and continues to last us through the years. The more we use it, the more we are sold on the initial investment.
Features
We also consider features that you might be looking for like wrist leashes, nose wipes, mini goggle wipers, and more. Below, we outline the gloves and mittens with the features that you might seek.
Removable Liners
Removable liners make gloves versatile for different conditions. Typically skiers find this feature helpful in the backcountry or for more aerobic skiing. Removable liners can be changed out for thicker or thinner options. The products featuring a removable liner in this review include the Hestra Heli Mitt, Burton Gore-Tex Deluxe, Outdoor Research Gore-Tex Arete II, and Burton Gore-Tex Mitten. The Black Diamond Guide Glove, and Black Diamond Mercury Mitt both feature water-resistant liners that can be used on their own as a secondary glove or mitt.
A look at the removable water resistant Mercury Mitt liner.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Nose Wipe
This is a softer material on the thumb that some skiers might find helpful to wipe their noses or goggles. Products with a nose wipe include the Burton Gore-Tex Mitten, Burton Gore-Tex Deluxe Glove, the Outdoor Research Gore-Tex Arete II , OR Couloir, REI Guide Mitten, Gordini Gore-Tex Down III, Gordini GTX Storm Glove, Black Diamond Guide, Black Diamond Mercury Mitt, and Dakine Camino. The Camino has a nose wipe on one thumb and a goggle wipe on the other, which we appreciate. A nice touch.
The Dakine Camino has great features like a nose wipe and goggle wipe on the thumbs.
Credit: Amber King
Leashes
Leashes attach to your wrist, which helps to prevent that dreaded moment when you drop your ski glove off the chairlift. Most are removable. All gloves in this review featured this option except the Kinco Pigskin Leather Gloves, REI Guide Mitten, Black Diamond Mercury Mitt, and Black Diamond Guide Glove. While it takes a little effort, it isn't that hard to fashion one's own leashes if the gloves you buy don't already have them.
Removable leashes are always a helpful addition to any mitt or glove. You don't want to be the sorry sap that drops their glove or mitt off the lift. That's why the Burton Deluxe Gore-Tex is just wonderful for resort skiing.
Credit: Amber King
Hand Warmer Pocket
This is a small pouch or zippered pocket to place a handwarmer for extra cold days. Models with a hand warmer pocket include the Gordini Gore-Tex Down III, Gordini GTX Storm Glove, Burton Gore-tex Mitten, Dakine Camino, and the Burton Gore-Tex Deluxe.
The Gordini Gore-Tex Down gloves feature a pocket specially designed for a handwarmer.
Credit: Ross Robinson
Cinch and Release Cuff
A cinch and release cuff with a large enough mechanism that can be used with gloves on. All products we tested have this feature except the Kinco Pigskin Gloves and REI Guide Mittens.
Pull cords with large tabs on the Dakine Camino make it easier to adjust your glove or mitt on the go.
Credit: Amber King
Carabiner Loops
These are located on the finger, so climbers can attach gloves to a harness with the fingers up so snow or ice doesn't fall inside. The models that have this feature are the Arc'teryx Fission Glove, Black Diamond Guide, Black Diamond Mercury Mitt, OR Couloir Sensor, and Outdoor Research Gore-Tex Arete II. These gloves also work well for ice climbing or moving through alpine terrain while wearing a harness.
The carabiner loops of the OR Arete gloves are helpful if you need to clip your gloves to a harness. Many resort gloves do not have these feature, but those built for the alpine do.
Credit: Amber King
Touch Screen Compatibility
None of the outer gloves have touchscreen compatibility, which is a bummer considering how technology-driven our society is. However, some products have a touchscreen-compatible liner, so you don't have to have off the entire glove. Products include the Burton Gore-Tex Deluxe, Burton Gore-Tex Mitten, OR Gore-tex Arete II, and Dakine Camino. Notably, the OR Couloir Sensor's touchscreen compatibility did not function during our tests.
Features like touchscreen compatibility are becoming more common on ski gloves, although it doesn't always work reliably in the cold.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Of all the products tested, the Dakine Camino and Burton Deluxe gloves have the most features. Stacked with touchscreen compatibility, handwarmer pockets, a double-glove construction, and more, they are meant to keep you prepared and happy on the slopes. The Camino features most of these, with an added goggle wipe as a bonus.
Crushing fine powder lines in Alaska is just one of the many ways we test our gloves and mitts. Here we enjoy the Hestra Heli Mitt in these super cold environments, carving powder lines into the fresh powder.
Credit: Amber King
Conclusion
When you're out in the snow all day long, a great set of gloves or mittens is a key element of your kit. If you're looking for the top-rated winter gloves for general purpose use, we've tested those too. Our reviews include the best options on the market in the name of helping you find exactly what you're looking for. Now, all that's left to do is choose a pair that you think will work best for your needs and budget. Happy glove hunting, we'll see you on the slopes.
