I hope you’ll agree with me when I say:
Many people would love to have a good time while out skiing without fear of being failed by their gear.
See, other than having fun, we all know the top priorities on the slopes is staying warm and dry.
After all, nothing can kill an incredible day of skiing like cold fingers; there're barely any more terrible things on the ski field than having blue, numb, and wet fingers.
This is where ski gloves come in; the best ski gloves ensure that your fingers stay protected from the rough terrain of ice during skiing.
While the best ski gloves are by far costlier than winter gloves, you'll be a lot happier at last. This is because ski gloves offer more protection, and even better, they provide increased dexterity and waterproofing-the most essential elements required while skiing.
To this end, we’ve compiled a list of the top five ski gloves in the market.
Quick Comparison Table & Our Pick!
Product | Material | Insulation | Type | Waterproof | BUY NOW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Polyester | 3M Insulate | Under Cuff | Yes | ||
Goat leather- palms | Thin polyester fabric | Under Cuff | Yes | ||
Leather | Primaloft Liner | Gauntlet | Yes | ||
Other Great Recommendations | |||||
Leather | Primaloft Liner | Semi-Gauntlet | Yes | ||
Leather | Bemberg | Semi-Gauntlet | Yes | ||
Top 5 Ski Gloves In The Market For The Money
MCTi Waterproof Men’s Ski Gloves - Editor’s Choice
The best skiing gloves don’t need to be expensive.
The MCTi Waterproof Men’s Ski Gloves are proof that even while being affordable, you can still find a functional skiing glove.
Despite the budget-tag, these pair of gloves are well-made for the extreme cold weather.
Let's have a detailed look at what this model has in store for us.
Features and Benefits
Multi-Layered Soft Shell
MCTi Waterproof Men’s Ski Gloves consists of a three-layered composite material construction.
At the top, we’ve a windproof polyester shell that prevents the cold breeze and snow, making it easier for you to concentrate on the slope.
The second layer is the waterproof TPU insert, and though I prefer materials such as Gore-Tex for waterproofing, I found that this material moderately keeps the water and moisture from getting into your hands.
I say moderately because while the manufacturer claims the gloves are waterproof, the user opinions say otherwise.
For instance, some of the users claim that the gloves soak water like a sponge, and it's hard for them to dry.
However, as I found out, it’s easier to avoid dealing with the wet gloves by wearing glove liners and avoiding keeping them in direct contact with water for long.
Moving on, the last composite material, which is direct contact with your skin, is the 3M Thinsulate material, which we shall discuss in detail below.
Insulation
One of the best things on these gloves is the insulation element.
The 40 grams of 3M Thinsulate alongside the 140 grams of soft cotton offer plenty of warmth, and provide an incredible way to shield your hands, even when temperatures dip to minus 10 degrees.
The insulation here works by trapping and holding onto your body heat.
However, despite trapping heat, the insulation element is breathable and will allow the escape of moisture to prevent soaking in sweat.
Grippy
Each of the MCTi Waterproof Men’s Ski Gloves features a Nubuck palm alongside reinforced rubber fingers for promoting durability and grip when skiing.
However, don’t confuse grip with dexterity.
If anything, MCTi gloves are winter gloves, meaning they’re kind of bulky. So, they’re not suitable for activities such as fishing or cycling, where the fine motor skills of the fingers are required.
Nonetheless, they're quite versatile and will allow you to perform general tasks such as skiing, shoveling, or even snowmobiling.
Accessories
With the MCTi gloves, you get to benefit from the numerous add-on features.
The zippered pockets, for instance, are ideal for keeping your essential on the slopes when you don’t want to carry a bag or have too much stuff in your pockets.
The adjustable wrist wraps, connect clips, and one pull closure, on the other hand, helps to promote ease of use, comfort, and a form-fitting experience.
Pros
- Windproof
- Warm
- Adjustable
Cons
- Waterproof abilities are somewhat limited
Check MCTi Waterproof Men’s Ski Gloves Price On Amazon
Hestra Army 3 Finger - Best Mitten Glove
With the Hestra Army 3 Finger, warmth, convenience and durability is the name of the game.
Whether you're skiing or snowboarding, these gloves will provide you with great insulation and a barrier to the cold and water.
Features and Benefits
Glove-Mitten Design
The design of the Hestra Army 3 Finger is a cross between the regular glove and a mitten.
Much more like a mitten, however, the Hestra is available with only three finger slots, and so, it tends to be warmer because it keeps your fingers next to each other, providing the extra warmth.
Expectedly, however, the warmth on this glove-mitten comes at a cost, and the tradeoff here is the loss of dexterity.
With this pair of gloves, it would almost become impossible for you to make gear adjustments, or zipper your jacket.
But here's the thing, the Hestra is designed for warmth first, and according to some users, these pair of gloves can protect in conditions below minus 20 degrees.
Composite Outer
The outer shell on the Hestra Army 3 Finger is constructed from durable fabrics, mainly consisting of Hestra Triton fabric and Army Goat leather.
The Triton fabric, located on the backhand, is breathable, waterproof, and windproof, too.
On the other hand, the Army goat leather material on the palms offers unmatched durability as well as grip.
However, the leather is not as waterproof as I would have preferred, and probably the only material that can leak with enough pressure.
Nonetheless, while leather palm doesn't have the toughness look, but surprisingly, it can hold up in great condition. Unless you puncture it with a sharp object, it's going to last you for several winter seasons.
Insulation
I understand synthetic materials usually don't offer the nest insulation insulation, but surprisingly, the polyester fiber on this glove has an exceptionally high insulating capacity and will retain warmth even in the extremely wet conditions.
Waterproofing
A major downside with the MCTi, we had reviewed earlier was waterproofing.
But fortunately, with this pair, you’ll not have to worry about the water getting into your fingers.
The location of the Hestra liner is on the exterior, and so, it won't allow the insulation to get wet even in the grossly wet conditions.
Better yet, the liners are removable, and in case the insulation packs out, it’s easier to replace with new warm liners.
It's also worth noting that the removable liners make drying these gloves way faster.
Comfort
The interior lining on these gloves feels cozy, and though it at times gets hot, the lining optimizes the conditions in the gloves for a comfy feel.
Even better, the lining is highly flexible and will allow me to combine with other liners for even greater adaptability.
Drawbacks
While I love that the cuffs go back a little longer than the wrist, the wrists guards are frustrating, and they seem not to perform as intended.
I find them clunky, and though it’s easy to remove them, I would have preferred the simple cord wrist guards that are easy to operate.
Pros
- Warm
- Incredible insulation
- Durable
Cons
- Maintenance-intensive
Check Hestra Army 3 Finger Price On Amazon
Black Diamond Men's Guide Glove - Best Gauntlet Style
The Black Diamond Men's Guide Glove is a beefy glove that will keep you warm, even in the wettest and coldest conditions.
BD Guide Gloves are built for anyone who asks a lot of their gloves and expects them to lasts.
These BD gloves have all the desirable properties that you would wish to see in a glove suited for backcountry skiing and mountaineering.
Features and Benefits
Material Construction
Black Diamond gloves feature a burly shell that is almost entirely synthetic, save for the leather palm area.
The nylon construction is sturdy and, more importantly, water-resistant.
Even after months of consistent use, these gloves don’t show any signs of wear.
This is not to mention that the gloves are double reinforced with a “palm patch” in the typical fast wearing areas.
So, what you get with the purchase of this offering is an extremely durable and tough pair of glove that won’t easily break down even after heavy use.
However, the strength of the gloves makes them fairly heavy, and less dexterous, perhaps their biggest drawback.
Waterproof
Black Diamond gloves are a highly waterproof pair, and this is largely because of the Gore-Tex insert.
Now, if you ask many experts, they'll tell you that Gore-Tex is at the pinnacle when it comes to waterproof materials.
The Gore-Tex membrane acts as a moisture barrier and will delay and prevent water from getting into your hands.
Surprisingly, despite the moisture barring properties, the Gore-Text membrane doesn’t hold on your sweat because it’s highly breathable.
PrimaLoft Liner
A combination of PrimaLoft Gold and boiled wool g fleece palm lining is responsible for the insulation capability on this pair of gloves.
Combined, these elements will trap the heat inside your fingers and will go a long way to ensuring that your hands are provided with the warmth they need during skiing.
Gauntlet-Style
Now a standard feature on most gloves, the extended gauntlet will keep the snow out and cover any bare skin, including the areas beyond your wrist further up to the elbow.
Better yet, the gauntlet section comes with a built-in drawstring that you can use to clinch the gauntlet uptight.
However, I found out that loosening the gauntlet takes some practice as the release mechanism is small and finicky.
Pros
- Durable
- Heavy duty
- Waterproof
Cons
- High admission price
Check Black Diamond Men's Guide Glove Price On Amazon
Arc'teryx Fission SV Glove
In more than one way, the Arc'teryx Fission resembles the Black Diamond we’ve just reviewed above.
For instance, they’re both constructed from leather; they both have the same material for insulation and are both semi-gauntlets.
But what’s the distinguishing element?
Let's dive deep into the Arc'teryx Fission abyss and see what is unique about this model.
Features and Benefits
Material Construction
The outer on the Arc'teryx Fission is constructed from a mix of leather and softshell polymer.
The leather material is primarily based on the underside, or rather the palm area, and it’s responsible for providing the much-needed flexibility and ease of use.
I found the leather supple, too, and I was able to hold all my skiing essential with ease.
More importantly, the leather construction was sturdy, and it could take a beating without compromising on the strength of my grip.
However, what I loved most about the leather construction is that it offered an extra layer of protection against the elements.
The upper, on the other hand, is constructed from a softshell exterior that is not only breathable, but water-resistant too, and will prevent moisture or water from accessing your hands.
Waterproof
The softshell and the leather are just but one of the first line of defense against water.
Under the hood of the Arc'teryx Fission, you'll find a Gore-Tex insert, a membrane that is quite functional at preventing moisture from accessing your hands.
This membrane acts as a barrier against the moisture, and so, it’ll keep your hands from the moisture.
The good thing about the Gore-Tex membrane is that it’s breathable, and so, it allows the free flow of air, and you’ll not have to worry about getting wet from your sweat.
Insulation
A combination of 133g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation and 200g PrimaLoft Silver Insulation offer the insulation on the Arc'teryx Fission.
Now, if you know anything about insulation, that PrimaLoft is among the best synthetic insulation materials.
The PrimaLoft insulation has incredible warmth to weight ratio, perfectly retaining my body heat, without being too bulky, either.
The performance of the insulation material was further bolstered by a soft lining that wicks away the moisture to ensure efficient passage of moisture vapor to ensure you don't get cold or clammy.
Fit
Arc'teryx Fission would’ve beaten Black Diamond, were it not for the fitting issues.
The sizing on these gloves is off, either too small or too big.
Secondly, many users claim the gloves were annoying to put on.
For this reason, we recommend trying them on before taking them outdoors.
That said, these gloves are good all-around gloves and a perfect choice in most conditions for skier who prefer over-the-cuff design.
They're similarly lightweight and comfy, too.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Waterproof
- Lightweight
Cons
- Sizing issues
Check Arc'teryx Fission SV Glove Price On Amazon
Hestra Junior Heli - Best for Kids
Even small hands need exceptional gloves.
If you want your kids to have fun the slopes, you need to keep them warm, and getting them the Hestra Junior is the best that you can do for them.
The Hestra Junior pair of gloves is my top recommendation for the kids for several reasons.
Most notable, however, is the excellent customer reviews that indicate that Hestra Junior excels in every department and offers the maximum level of protection.
Features and Benefits
Material Construction
The outer on the Hestra Junior is a composite layer consisting of Hestra Triton fabric alongside goat leather.
The goat leather palm, located at the palm of this glove, is exceptionally durable and won't rip or tear. If anything, your little one will enjoy this product for several skiing seasons without needing to replace a new glove.
The Triton fabric, on the other hand, comes with some desirable elements required for skiing, such as waterproof, breathability, and windproof.
So, regardless of the weather conditions, your young one is at, the gloves will protect them, and when it's snowing heavy, the moisture won't seep in.
The breathability element on the Triton Fabric is also quite handy when your little one gets hot as they sweat wicked away, and so, they don't easily get damp.
Bemberg Insulation
To provide your kid with the highest level of warmth possible, the Heli comes with a Bemberg insulation liner.
The good thing with this liner is that it can be removed on warmer days to reduce overheating. And in case the gloves get soaked, removing the liner will allow them to dry faster.
Snow Lock
The Heli might not be a full gauntlet, but it comes with a snow lock, a feature that prevents snow from getting in.
The snow lock is handy if your kid happens to take a stumble while skiing because they'll get up without getting wet or freezing.
However, this glove isn’t cheap, and it comes with a high admission tag
Nonetheless, I think they’re worth, especially when you factor in their lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Durable
- Waterproof
- Kid-oriented
Cons
- Expensive
Check Hestra Junior Heli Price On Amazon
Best Ski Gloves Buying Guide
While some would be inclined to think that ski gloves share universal construction, experienced skiers would tell you this isn’t the case.
If anything, to find the right ski gloves for your skiing needs, you need to consider several elements.
For instance, your ideal ski glove should be form-fitting, and more importantly, they should provide you with the insulation required to keep your hands from the freezing temperatures.
Here’s a look at some of the crucial factors to consider when purchasing the best ski gloves.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing the Best Ski Gloves
Insulation
Insulation is essential and seeing that you'll be wearing these gloves in frigid temperatures, you need a pair that will give you the warmth you need to protect against the frostbite.
Generally, synthetic materials such as Gore-Tex, PrimaLoft, and EnduraLoft tend to give users the most insulation.
You should also consider a pair’s thickness as it also determines the insulation they offer.
However, while thicker gloves might keep your hands warmer, the tradeoff is lack of flexibility and wet & sweaty hands.
Material Construction
Along with insulation, skiers must also consider the material construction of their gloves.
Generally, the choice is always between leather and synthetic materials, with each construction having its unique benefits and drawbacks.
Synthetic
The two popular materials used in the synthetic glove construction are nylon and polyester.
Nylon, however, is a more popular option because it's generally tougher and more water-resistant. On the flip side, though, it's less dexterous, and so, users normally have a hard time gripping object.
Polyester, on the other hand, has the upper hand on where nylon fails; it's more flexible and dexterous.
On the downsides, however, it's less water-resistant and tends to wear out easily.
Either way, synthetic materials offer better breathability and free-flow of air compared to leather.
Leather
Leather gloves are an ideal option for those looking to achieve greater comfort and flexibility.
However, this material is maintenance-intensive, and it demands constant maintenance to prevent water from sipping through.
Durability
While the durability of a pair of gloves is mainly related to the material construction to a large extent, it's the overall build, design, and stitching that you look at when determining the durability of a pair of gloves.
In this regard, you should consider how well your gloves are going to stand up against sweat, moisture, snow, and, of, course tearing.
However, we should point out that leather gloves are generally more sturdy and heavy-duty.
Flexibility
While warmth is always a primary factor to consider with ski gloves, you should ensure that they don’t sacrifice on your motion.
Ideally, the best gloves should not impede your movement too much, and they should allow the freedom of movement.
In terms of construction, some of the gloves have five fingers while others have three or two (mittens)
While the fingered gloves indeed offer plenty of mobility, they’re worse at keeping you warm than the 2-fingered gloves.
Fit
Finally, you need to consider it.
Some gloves run true to size, while others won't fit the way you want, simply, either because of the shape of your hands or their construction.
Either way, choose a model that you feel comfortable wearing.
Conclusion
As you can imagine, choosing the best ski glove can be quite subjective
Fortunately, we’ve scoured through the internet to bring you a list of the best gloves in the market.
With this, you should be able to ski confidently and keep your hands toasty.
Editor Notes:
All the gloves we’ve reviewed above play a similar role in protecting your fingers while skiing; the MCTi stood out in terms of quality. The pair of gloves are light, breathable, and prevent sweaty fingers. Better still, the gloves prevent heat loss thanks to the 3M insulate materials.
Still, the other two layers of the three-layered composite material construction are the windproof polyester shell and the waterproof insert that helps you ski in various weather conditions.
Additionally, the gloves will not soak under raindrops which make them ideal for skiing under light rain. The pair is simple to clean and dry compared to the leather competitors. It is also fairly priced.
