With winter knocking on the door, the search for the best ski gear has also begun. That is why we’ve rounded up the best ski gloves, whether you are looking to upgrade or buy your very first ski gear.
Below are our top picks for the best men’s ski gloves for 2022.
Best Overall
1. Hestra Power Heater Gauntlet Electric Ski Glove
Click to view on amazon.com.
Material: Flextron Softshell, Goat Leather Palm
Insulation: Fiberfill
Closure: Elastic Wrist
What we like about the Hestra Power Heater Glove is that they are suitable for anyone who gets cold hands and fingers easily. They feature three levels of warmth provided by the electric heating system and are warm enough even without turning it on due to the synthetic insulation.
These gloves feature power heaters that do not produce too much heat, which makes it barely noticeable, although the lowest setting is enough to keep your fingertips from getting too cold. If you prefer more heat, adjust to the middle or high settings.
In terms of dexterity, these gloves will allow you to perform the most detailed tasks, including pulling up zippers, buckling your boots, cinching your jacket, and will also allow you to feel small items inside your pockets.
The Hestra Power Heater also features a proprietary waterproof and breathable membrane, which works as advertised. The zipper that holds the heating component is waterproof, and its cuff can easily fit underneath your jacket’s sleeves.
What we do not like about the Hestra Power Heater is that the heating system does not last all day. The middle seating only lasts for three to four hours, while the highest one can drain its batteries in just two hours. Besides, this pair does not include many features. However, it is a high-performance pair of ski gloves with the best heat-to-weight ratio that can outperform others.
A ski trip is best enjoyed with company. Make sure your loved ones’ ski gloves are just as good as yours. Check out our recommendations for the best ski gloves for women and best ski gloves for kids to find the perfect pair.
Best for Warmth
2. Outdoor Research Capstone Heated Sensor
Click to view on amazon.com.
Material: 85% Nylon, 15% Spandex stretch nylon twill shell, Goat Leather Palm
Insulation: PrimaLoft
Closure: SuperCinch Gauntlet
What we like about the Outdoor Research Capstone is that they can produce more heat than you’ll ever need since each glove features two dual-cell rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
The lowest setting with one battery will provide enough warmth for most ski slopes conditions, as well as ice fishing, snowmobiling, or any other winter sports. On the lowest setting, the battery can last up to 6 hours, and up to 4 hours if you only use one battery per hand. Like most heated gloves, these have a high, medium, and low setting but are warm enough without turning on the heating component.
In terms of dexterity, these gloves will allow you to perform basic tasks, like opening a zipper, pushing a large button, or taking a phone out of your pocket. However, you may not be able to type a text message with the gloves on as they are a bit bulky.
The Outdoor Research Capstone feature a Gore-Tex membrane with a leather exterior fabric and large gauntlet cuffs to effectively prevent any water from entering.
What we do not like about this pair of ski gloves from Outdoor Research is that it is bulky and might impede your range of motion in the wrist. The weight of the battery is also noticeable when you are raising your gloved hands. But overall, you will not find any durability issues with these gloves, and they are comfortable and very suitable for anyone who needs the warmest heated gloves for skiing and engaging in other cold-weather activities.
Aside from wearing a quality pair of ski gloves, there are other additional ways for you to keep your hands warm as you enjoy a day in the snow. We shared in this article our tips and tricks on how to keep your hands warm while skiing.
Best for Touring
3. Outdoor Research Alti Gloves
Click to view on amazon.com.
Material: 90% Nylon, 10% Spandex, Synthetic Palm
Insulation: PrimaLoft
Closure: SuperCinch Gauntlet
What we like about the Alti Gloves is that they are very water-resistant and warm. They feature inner gloves and heavily insulated outer gloves. And if you use a thin liner and an extended gauntlet, you can seal in warmth near the wrist.
With this pair, you will be able to manipulate zippers or buckle your boots. However, you may have to remove the gloves to perform more dexterous tasks.
The Alti do not feature any leather and other natural materials, so you won’t need any waterproofing treatment and maintenance. The synthetic materials are enough to keep the elements from getting in.
Furthermore, the Alti gloves feature a one-hand adjustable cinch and release, so that you can fully seal the forearm area and easily take the gloves on and off. The fingers feature a dongle to be able to attach the outer glove to your harness, a double-stitched pull tab for cinching the outer glove, and another cinch for the inner glove’s wrist.
What we do not like about the Alti gloves from Outdoor Research is that it lacks dexterity. There is a gap between the thumb and the palm, making it harder to perform some tasks, including tying shoelaces or opening a snack. To fully utilize and move your fingers, you need to remove the shell and keep the liners on. Overall, these gloves are very suitable for multi-day ski tours, backcountry skiing, or ski-mountaineering missions.
Best Value
4. Gordini GTX Storm Trooper II
Click to view on amazon.com.
Material: 94% Nylon, 6% Spandex, Polyurethane Palm
Insulation: Megaloft
Closure: Drawcord & Wrist Cinch
What we like about the Gordini GTX Storm Trooper II is that they are inexpensive and can provide warmth even around 0°F and in high winds. They feature a zippered pocket at the back of the palm to hold a handwarmer pouch, which is particularly useful when temperatures drop below zero.
This pair of gloves is dexterous enough for most resort skiers but has thick insulation through the fingertips that can prevent backcountry skiers, ski patrollers, and parents from performing more dexterous tasks.
The Storm Trooper II can handle the worst winter weather due to their tight seams and Gore-Tex membrane that keep the elements from getting in. They also have long cuff gauntlets that can reach high up your jacket’s sleeves.
Additional features include a cuff drawstring and a wrist cinch that can easily be manipulated with gloved hands, a soft fabric panel on the outer thumb for wiping your goggles’ lens or nose, removable leashes, and a clip for easy hanging.
What we do not like about the Gordini GTX Storm Trooper II is that they are a bit tight around the knuckles, and the handwarmer zipper is not waterproof, which can waterlog the gloves if immersed in the water. Although it does not reach your hand, the gloves will still feel heavy and soaked. Overall, this is a warm, durable, fully-featured, and weather-resistant pair of gloves that is ideal for heavy use and provides nearly the same performance as the top-rated gloves on our list.
Once you’ve found the perfect pair of ski gloves, you need to maintain them and keep them clean so that they will last longer. If you’re not sure about how to clean your gloves, we have written an article about how to wash ski gloves that you can check out for information.
Best of the Rest
5. Black Diamond Guide
Click to view on amazon.com.
Material: Stretch nylon, Goat Leather Palm
Insulation: PrimaLoft, Boiled Wool Lining
Closure: Drawcord
What we like about the Black Diamond Guide is that they use a combination of Primaloft One Insulation and boiled wool, making them warm even in the coldest weather conditions. The boiled wool can regulate temperatures and has moisture-wicking abilities to keep your hands warm and dry.
The palm of the glove’s liner is made of 100 grams of fleece that has moisture-wicking abilities and dries more quickly than wool. The Guide also features a Gore-Tex insert, a water-resistant leather, and a waterproof nylon shell to keep you dry, even in harsh weather conditions.
Additional features include goat leather on the palms, inside the fingers, and on parts of the back of the hand. This pair of gloves also has a small EVA foam padding on the middle of the back of the hand, stretchy woven nylon shell covering the rest of the glove, and a Gore-Tex insert inside.
The Black Diamond Guide is durable and tough enough to be used even in the harshest weather conditions.
What we do not like about the Guide is that they lack dexterity due to the bulky insulation. The leather parts of the glove are also very stiff at first, thus needing break-in time.
With these Guide ski gloves, you will be able to buckle your boots and unlock car doors, but you will not be able to perform more dexterous tasks.
Overall, these gloves from Black Diamond are a good option for arctic conditions. And although they can be an overkill for resort skiers, they will keep your fingers warm and dry and can last for many adventures.
6. Hestra Army Leather Gore-Tex
Click to view on amazon.com.
Material: Triton polyamide, Bemberg polyester, Goat leather palm
Insulation: Fiberfill
Closure: Hook and Loop strap, Elastic drawcord
What we like about the Hestra Army Leather is that they can withstand temperatures down to 0°F. The cozy fleece lining and leather Gore-Tex make them warm and, surprisingly, dexterous enough for you to perform fine motor skills.
The Hestra Army utilize a Gore-Tex insert inside a water-resistant leather to offer optimal protection. They feature wrist-leash, or keeper straps, that are low-profile and removable. They also have a hanging loop on the pinky finger to facilitate faster drying. Plus, they feature a carabiner to attach the gloves when not in use and a wrist strap that is low profile and does not get in the way while keeping the glove snug and dexterous.
What we do not like about the Hestra Army Leather Gore-Tex is that you need to apply a leather conditioner once or twice a year to keep the exterior water-resistant and to extend its life. This pair of gloves is water-resistant, durable, and can withstand cold weather. And although it is a bit expensive, you can be sure that this pair will last you a long time.
Ski Gloves: Comparison Table
| Foto | Best Ski Gloves | Material | Insulation | Closure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Hestra Power Heater Gauntlet Electric Ski Glove | Flextron Softshell, Goat Leather Palm | Fiberfill | Elastic Wrist |
| 2. Outdoor Research Capstone Heated Sensor | 85% Nylon, 15% Spandex stretch nylon twill shell, Goat Leather Palm | PrimaLoft | SuperCinch Gauntlet |
| 3. Outdoor Research Alti Gloves | 90% Nylon, 10% Spandex, Synthetic Palm | PrimaLoft | SuperCinch Gauntlet |
| 4. Gordini GTX Storm Trooper II | 94% Nylon, 6% Spandex, Polyurethane Palm | Megaloft | Drawcord & Wrist Cinch |
| 5. Black Diamond Guide | Stretch nylon, Goat Leather Palm | PrimaLoft, Boiled Wool Lining | Drawcord |
| 6. Hestra Army Leather Gore-Tex | Triton polyamide, Bemberg polyester, Goat leather palm | Fiberfill | Hook and Loop strap, Elastic drawcord |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is better for skiing, mittens or gloves?
In terms of warmth, mittens are better than gloves because they are designed to keep your fingers together to generate more body heat. However, gloves are better than mittens if you are looking for more dexterity. In the end, it depends on what conditions you will be using your gloves in and the activity you will be partaking in.
Should ski gloves be tight or loose?
A properly-sized ski glove should fit snugly and allow you enough space to still be able to pinch a ¼ of an inch of fabric at the end of your outstretched fingers. Your palm should also be completely inside the cuff while your wrist remains covered. Additionally, when you are making a fist, the fit of the glove should not be so tight that it hinders your fingers from bending.
Buying Guide
There are many factors you need to consider when choosing men’s ski gloves. We’ve listed them to help you understand why it is important to look into these factors closely.
Insulation
Choosing a properly insulated pair of ski gloves that caters to your specific type of skiing is important. For those who get cold very quickly or for anyone who prefers skiing in colder conditions, a pair of ski gloves with thicker insulation is the perfect choice.
However, thicker insulation in a pair of ski gloves does not necessarily mean your gloves are going to be warmer. Good insulation should also allow moisture to vaporize and pass through the outer fabric to keep your hands dry and warm.
Most high-quality synthetic insulators are woven tighter to make them thinner and provide more warmth while allowing for maximum mobility. Gloves with this type of insulation can be a bit pricey, but considering how they can positively affect your comfort, the extra expense will be worth it.
Down insulation is another good option, especially in dry winter climates. When choosing ski gloves with down insulation, the exterior must be waterproof. If it is not, make sure the gloves are always completely dry because if it gets wet, the down will lose its insulating properties.
Waterproof and Breathability
Skiing for several hours brings about very cold temperatures and changing weather conditions, so it is important to look for waterproof and breathable ski gloves.
Waterproofing is especially important in locations where the snow isn’t particularly dry. Wet ski gloves will result in cold and damp hands. Fortunately, there are many good waterproofing materials and technologies used in ski gloves.
Gore-Tex, Entrant, Omni-Tech, and other technologies provide waterproofing and breathability to ski gloves, along with state-of-the-art engineered textiles that can repel the cold and keep the air out.
Breathability in ski gloves is also a key feature you should look out for as it will allow much-needed airflow and will allow any sweat or moisture that condenses inside the glove to escape. All this will help keep your hands dry, warm, and comfortable.
Fit
Ski gloves that do not fit properly will not provide proper warmth nor will they give you the comfort you expect.
Ski gloves that are too big will make it more difficult for you to maintain a good grip and will also require more body heat to fill the excess space inside the glove.
On the other hand, ski gloves that are too small will decrease dexterity and comfort and will most likely leave your wrists exposed.
Properly fitting gloves should allow enough space at the end of your outstretched fingers and allow you to pinch about ¼ of an inch of fabric. A comfortable fit will also allow you to grasp your ski poles and keep your fingers toasty warm.
Lining
This is an extra layer of fabric built into the ski gloves to create a comfortable feel, add warmth, and protect the insulation. A lining is typically composed of one of the few synthetic materials that features moisture-wicking abilities to help keep your hands dry.
Cuff Length
There are two basic cuff lengths for ski gloves, a short length that ends at the base of your wrist and a longer cuff length that extends past your jacket’s sleeves. While ski gloves with longer cuffs will offer more protection against the snow, those with shorter cuffs offer greater mobility, especially in the wrist area.
The choice for this feature is based on your personal decision as longer cuffs or gauntlet-style cuffs can typically be worn over the sleeve, while shorter cuffs can be tucked inside.
Style
The most common style of ski gloves is traditional ski gloves featuring a synthetic outer shell and a warm lining. A traditional pair of ski gloves is best suited for most skiing conditions.
There also exist leather ski gloves, which are very durable and warm. However, they tend to lack waterproof abilities unless they are treated with a chemical treatment to provide extra waterproofing abilities.
Pipe gloves, on the other hand, are more appropriate for freeride or park skiers because they are usually made of waterproof synthetic materials and feature a grippy material on the palms. These gloves allow for more dexterity and grip but sacrifice insulation and warmth.
Some ski gloves are also made with non-treated leather, wool, or fleece. While these styles are not recommended for skiing, they are good enough for apres-ski activities.
Glove Liners
Glove liners provide extra warmth and fit snugly inside of the ski gloves. They act as an extra layer of protection on freezing days.
One advantage of layering liner gloves is that you can buy an exterior shell glove and switch up the liners based on the conditions.
A thin wool, silk, or synthetic liner will provide some more insulation. A thicker polyester liner, on the other hand, will give you better insulating properties but won’t have great moisture-wicking abilities when all the extra warmth adds up a little too much.
Glove liners are also convenient for after-ski tasks or activities because you can take them off your ski gloves and use them only for warmth, whether you are driving home or going out of town for a night.
You should keep in mind that most high-performance ski gloves will not need these liners for warmth as they will hold up well in any conditions with the same amount of warmth.
Extra Features
Ski gloves also come with extra features for convenience and comfort. Some come with zippered pockets for hand warmers or to use as ventilation. Some others have grips and reinforcements located on critical areas, like the palms and thumbs, for durability and better grip on ski poles.
Some ski gloves also feature nose wipes on the thumbs or a mini squeegee to help wipe your goggles. Another helpful feature available on some ski gloves is a wrist loop that is attached to the cuff, so that you can let your ski gloves dangle while helping your kids or while hanging out in the lodge. This is a useful feature that will allow you to keep track of your ski gloves when you need to take them off.
Conclusion
Freezing hands can completely ruin a ski day. Thus, it is very important that you choose the right pair of ski gloves that will keep you warm and safe on your winter adventures.
There are actually a lot of things to consider when deciding what you are going to use to protect your hands from the elements. Although the process can be a bit challenging, the right pair of ski gloves will provide your hands with the perfect blend of warmth and comfort for your hands. Therefore, you should consider these key features to help you find the perfect pair.
