With so many women’s ski gloves available out there, you need to make sure to choose a pair that can withstand the cold weather and snow while also allowing adequate dexterity.
Thus, if you are packing for your ski trip this year and do not know which ones to buy, here is a list that can help you narrow down your choices in terms of the best women’s ski gloves.
Best Overall
1. Black Diamond Guide – Women’s
Click to view on amazon.com.
Material: Nylon Fabric, Leather Palm
Insulation: Primaloft
Closure: Cinch
What we like about the Black Diamond Guide for women is that they keep your hands warm during cold chairlifts and even during nasty winter weather. They were designed to keep anyone’s hands warm, even when the temperatures drop to single digits.
The 170 grams of PrimaLoft Gold insulation in the liner is distributed behind the hand and around the cuff to keep the warmth and heat inside. In addition, the 100-gram fleece lining can wick moisture away.
The overall design of the Guide ski gloves for women is fairly waterproof. It features a nylon and leather-based shell that can also wick away moisture. Although the exterior gets saturated after a long day in a humid climate, the Gore-Tex liner will still keep your hands dry.
The Black Diamond Guide are designed for professionals and guides who need to use their hands while in the mountains for long periods. They feature downward curving fingers to grasp and pick up objects or tools. Ski poles and rappel lines are also more manageable to hold onto due to the leather palm.
What we do not like about the Black Diamond Guide for women is that the density of the liner is so thick that it can make it difficult to fully grab onto an item. Although the thickness adds to the warmth, it still hinders precision when it comes to dexterity.
Overall, this pair of gloves for women is designed to handle the cold weather all day long. It is suitable for skiing, snowboarding, and even working at the ski hill. It is also tough, durable, and can keep you comfortable for many seasons to come.
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 men and best ski gloves for kids to find the perfect pair.
Best for Warmth
2. Outdoor Research Alti Mitt – Women’s
Click to view on amazon.com.
Material: Nylon, Leather shell palm
Insulation: Primaloft
Closure: Elastic Wrist, SuperCinch Gauntlet
What we like about the Outdoor Research Alti for women is that they are excellently warm. They are also breathable and have a double construction that features one of the best insulation available as of yet.
These mitts are designed with unique features to allow them to breathe and still provide insulation and protection in the worst weather conditions. One of these features includes the double mitten construction, wherein the outer shell is made with weather-proof Gore-Tex and the inner plush layer is made with high loft Moonlite Pile fleece with 170 grams of Primaloft Gold insulation, making the mittens suitable for both wet and dry winter days. Plus, they can wick sweat away.
Another unique feature is these gloves’ water-resistant liner mitten that is made up of 340 grams of PrimaLoft Gold insulation to offer additional warmth. It can also be worn on its own on warmer days at the resort.
What we do not like about the Outdoor Research Alti for women is that they are not that dexterous at all. While these mittens provide enough insulation and can help you zip your jacket up, they sadly can’t help you perform basic tasks, like unlocking the car or fiddling with your bindings.
Overall, the Alti are still a good choice for anyone looking for super warm mittens with a 3-in-1 construction that is suitable for heading at the top of a 26,000 ft. summit or really cold places. They are water-resistant, warm, and versatile.
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 Arete – Women’s
Click to view on amazon.com.
Material: Nylon Oxford Shell, AlpenGrip Palm
Insulation: Radiant Fleece
Closure: Elastic wrists, SuperCinch Gauntlet
What we like about the Outdoor Research Arete for women is that they boast a versatile double construction with a water-resistant shell and a super breathable construct.
They feature a nylon outer shell and a Gore-Tex insert, making them suitable for both wet and dry days. For ski-touring or hiking the backcountry, it is best to only wear the gloves and leave the liners in your pockets to avoid saturation.
In terms of dexterity, the Arete will allow you to zip up, pick up, clip on, and put down objects or tools. They will also allow you to clip your ski leashes, remove your climbing skins, and even put your splitboard back together. This dexterity and versatility are due to the removable inner liner that has a silicone gripping material on both the fingertips and the palm, allowing you to use your hands without having to take the liners off.
The Arete glove for women features a soft nose wipe, a removable liner, and big loops at the cuff. Plus, they have a removable leash, a carabiner loop, and a pair of hand warmers for when it gets colder outside.
What we do not like about the Outdoor Research Arete for women is that they are not the warmest. Thus, we do not recommend them for cold resort days, although you can still choose to add a warm liner or additional hand warmers under. The removable liner of the Arete is incredibly thin and lightweight, and only works well in temperatures above 20°F. It will not insulate below that number without extra hand warmers.
Overall, this pair of gloves is suitable for all sorts of aerobic activities during winter. You can take it to go cross-country skiing, on early morning winter ruins, or even in summiting mountains. It is breathable, versatile, and features a good double-glove construction to suit your backcountry adventures.
Best Value
4. Dakine Camino – Women’s
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Material: Nylon Shell, Goat Leather Palm
Insulation: Synthetic
Closure: One hand cinch gauntlet
What we like about the Dakine Camino for women is that it is an all-around well-performing, available pair of gloves. It features 100% polyester insulation with 350 grams at the back of the glove’s hand and 150 grams at the front, as well as a removable liner to offer extra insulation when the temperatures drop.
This pair of gloves will keep you warm on most days on the ski hill, while its breathable design will wick sweat away. The Camino will surely keep you warm while on a chairlift, skinning, or working on your turns on your favorite track.
In terms of dexterity, you can still perform everything you need to with the gloves on due to the thinner construction. The right size will allow you to perform basic tasks like zipping up your jacket, transitioning your skis, and buckling your boots. If you plan to use liners, the dexterity will go down a bit, so make sure to size up.
The Camino features everything you need from a resort glove. It has a double-glove construction, a liner you can use for your cold-weather runs and walks, a thumb with a goggle wipe, a single pull gauntlet closure, and removable leashes.
What we do not like about the Dakine Camino is that it is not a waterproof glove. However, it offers great weather resistance against light rain and snow. It is also not suitable for super wet winter climates. All in all, it is a versatile pair of ski gloves designed for the resort. It is breathable, offers good performance, and is warm through most conditions, making it suitable to use for winter activities and backcountry skiing.
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. Gordini Gore-Tex Down III – Women’s
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Material: 94% Nylon 6% Elastane, Polyurethane Palm
Insulation: Goose Down
Closure: Cinch Gauntlet
What we like about the Gordini Gore-Tex Down III is that they offer more warmth than their counterparts at a great price. They are loaded with 600-fill goose down, which is composed of 75% goose down and 25% goose feathers, and have an ultra-plush and soft inner liner.
These gloves are also decent in terms of breathability and water resistance. They feature a highly durable and water-resistant goatskin palm and reinforced thumbs to keep the moisture out of the gloves, making this glove suitable for days when the snow is still wet.
The Gordini gloves are packed with all the features you need from resort gloves. They have an integrated wrist leash, a small hand warmer pocket at the back of the hand, a simple wrist cinch, quick clips that can hold the gloves together when not in use, and a nose wipe on the thumb.
It is a durable pair of gloves with tough goatskin leather and insulation that does not pack out or lose warmth, even when washed and used for longer periods.
What we do not like about the Gordini Gore-Tex Down III for women is that they are not as dexterous as other thinner gloves available on the market. Although they offer more mobility than mittens, they are harder to use for finer tasks due to the amount of insulation. The gloves will allow you to put your boots on, zip up your jacket, and grasp your pole but will not allow you to perform finer tasks.
Overall, this pair will keep you warm on colder days at the resort, has a durable construction, and is water-resistant. It is definitely worth its price if you are looking for a very warm pair of gloves for resort skiing.
6. Burton Gore-Tex Mitten – Women’s
Click to view on amazon.com.
Material: Nylon, Leather Palm
Insulation: Synthetic
Closure: Adjustable Closure
What we like about the Burton Gore-Tex Mitten for women is that they suit both backcountry and resort use. They will keep your hands comfortable throughout most winter days, even when the temperatures drop to single digits.
They feature a fleece liner that can wick away moisture, an exterior pocket for breathability when it gets warm, and a hand warmer for when it gets colder. The thumbs are also heavily insulated, and the interior of the gloves offers enough warmth for winter days.
On ski tours, you can remove the outer shell and then use the liners when skinning uphill. It is built with a Dry-Ride and Gore-Tex membrane, which makes it waterproof with minimal maintenance required.
In terms of dexterity, these gloves will allow you to easily transition from tour to ski mode and to simply pull off the shell and use the liner to perform finer tasks. Even with the mitts on, you can slip your boots on, strip skins, drive a car, tie your shoelaces, and make a cup of coffee. Although some tasks may take longer, the dexterity these gloves provide is excellent.
What we do not like about the Burton Gore-Tex Mitten for women is that the gloved liner will prevent the fingers from huddling together. Plus, they are not suitable for the coldest days as they only feature an insulated shell and a thin liner glove. Overall, these mitts carry all the features you need for resort skiing, backcountry touring, sledding, and partaking in any winter outdoor activity. They are also affordable, well-built, versatile, and well-functioning overall.
Ski Gloves for Women: Comparison Table
| Foto | Ski Gloves | Material | Insulation | Closure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Black Diamond Guide - Women's | Nylon Fabric, Leather Palm | Primaloft | Cinch |
| 2. Outdoor Research Alti Mitt - Women's | Nylon, Leather shell palm | Primaloft | Elastic Wrist, SuperCinch Gauntlet |
| 3. Outdoor Research Arete - Women's | Nylon Oxford Shell, AlpenGrip Palm | Radiant Fleece | Elastic wrists, SuperCinch Gauntlet |
| 4. Dakine Camino - Women’s | Nylon Shell, Goat Leather Palm | Synthetic | One hand cinch gauntlet |
| 5. Gordini Gore-Tex Down III - Women's | 94% Nylon 6% Elastane, Polyurethane Palm | Goose Down | Cinch Gauntlet |
| 6. Burton Gore-Tex Mitten - Women's | Nylon, Leather Palm | Synthetic | Adjustable Closure |
Frequently Asked Questions
How to determine my ski gloves’ size?
To determine the size of ski gloves you need, simply measure your hand’s circumference by wrapping a measuring tape around your palm without including the thumb. Once you have this measurement, look at the manufacturer’s size chart to determine the right size.
If you plan to use liners, make sure to size up. If you are in-between sizes, choose your size based on whether you would like a loose or tight fit.
Do ski gloves wear out?
Ski gloves wear out over time depending on how often they are used, how thick the insulation is, and the quality of the gloves’ materials. Although ski gloves are designed to last for many seasons, some still wear out faster than others.
Buying Guide
There are many factors you need to consider when choosing women’s ski gloves. We’ve listed them to help you understand why it is important to look into these factors closely.
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.
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.
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.
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 feature 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 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.
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 hanging out in the lodge. This useful feature will allow you to keep track of your ski gloves when you need to take them off.
Conclusion
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. Therefore, you should consider these key features to help you find the perfect pair.
