The best ski gloves are essential gear for your snow days, whether you’re zooming groomers on the resort or attacking the hill on skins. When you’re wearing a pair of the best ski gloves, you can forget about the cold and focus on the joys of winter – whether for you that’s coasting through the trees in deep powder, zooming down the slopes or gliding along cross country skiing tracks.
The best ski gloves prioritize warmth and protection from wet snow and high wind, but don’t sacrifice dexterity. After all, you need to be able to adjust your clothing and bindings and handle your poles without restriction. Some ski gloves have added reinforcements for more vigorous use, while others are more lightweight and designed for working up a sweat in. The very best ski gloves provide warmth, performance, and protection, and are durable enough to last many winters on the hill.
For us, the best ski gloves all-round are the Black Diamond Recon Gloves, which we found thoroughly waterproof and windproof. Sacrificing a little dexterity was worth it for the protection they offer in the gnarliest conditions.
Make sure to also check out our guide to the best hiking gloves to have you covered for winter hiking and snowshoeing, and the best trail running gloves to keep you moving in cold weather.
The best ski gloves
You can trust Advnture Our expert reviewers spend days testing and comparing gear so you know how it will perform out in the real world. Find out more about how we test and compare products.
Best all-round ski gloves
When it comes to shredding the soft stuff, these gloves pack a serious winter protection punch. The Black Diamond Recon gloves are meant to shield your paws against cold, wet conditions, with a Pertex exterior to keep off wet snow and rain even in the worst storms. Sturdy weather protection is combined with a breathable BD.dry insert that wicks sweat away from your hands if you’re working up a sweat thrashing powder or skinning uphill, and a double layer of Primaloft insulation to keep your digits toasty even in negative temps.
On the hill, a goatskin leather palm protects these gloves from any abrasion caused by your poles, and the long, drawstring cuff keeps cold drafts and snow out. These gloves trade a little dexterity for the bulk required for skiing in temperatures as cold as -11°F/-24°C, but they are burly enough to wear in the gnarliest conditions. They don’t mess around with touch screen compatibility because they’re meant for lapping lifts from first chair to last bell, not checking your phone. Priced for the serious skier, these gloves will hold up to the test of time and keep you warm on the coldest days.
These super soft, ultra-light gloves provide plenty of warmth for chilly winter hikes and cold ski days without being bulky or sweaty. Their slim fit packs a lot of punch, with a windproof and water-resistant Pertex shell combined with a brushed fleece lining for warmth that still allows for some breathability once you get moving. They weigh only 55 grams and come with a tiny stuff sack which they easily pack down into so you can tuck them away unnoticed in your pocket or backpack or clip them on a belt loop using a carabiner.
The Montane Prism have a wrist loop which makes it easy to pull them on in cold weather and an elasticated wrist to keep the heat in and the cold and snow out. The index finger and thumb boast a precise, touch screen compatibility pad combined with a snug fit that allows you to perform technical tasks without taking them off, while the fit of the wrist is snug enough to fit inside most winter jacket sleeves,
They are made using recycled materials and while they won’t stand up against extreme cold or abrasive surfaces during winter climbing and scrambling, they’ll give you all the warmth you need for skiing, winter hiking and even trail running on chilly days, all at a fair price point.
Presented primarily as a glove for skiers and snowboarders, this wonderfully warm glove is perfect for cold-weather hill walkers too. TNF’s proprietary Heatseeker Eco insulation (70% recycled) does an excellent job of heating hands. On top of this, brand’s Futurelight membrane insert is both breathable and waterproof, preventing moisture from getting in or building up inside the glove, even during stiff climbs. The outer also has a water repellent finish.
The full-length gauntlet stays securely in place under jacket cuffs, and the elasticated fastener pulls the mouth of the glove tightly shut, keeping out snow and cold air. A ladderlock wrist-cinch on the top of the hand keeps body-heated air in, and your fingers stay warm right to the tips, thanks to the fourchette-box construction of the glove. The synthetic leather palms are durable, and work well with poles, and the glove’s shape keeps hands in a naturally neutral, comfortable position.
Both gloves in the pair feature an elasticated wrist leash, for keeping them secure if you remove them to perform a task, which is good, because we found the ‘Etip’ material disappointingly ineffective at operating touchscreen devices (possibly because the glove is so well padded).
If you’re after a tough and weatherproof glove that won’t let you down in challenging conditions, pick Sealskinz. Their range of waterproof gloves are actually fully waterproof, unlike ‘water-resistant’ gloves that will only withstand light rain. We’ve been wearing Sealskinz’ gloves for years now and they reliably keep our hands dry even in a storm, and are ideal for cycling and hiking or even sailing in wet weather.
There are plenty of other great features here, including a fleece panel on the thumb, a touchscreen-compatible index finger and a wide Velcro strap at the wrist to keep warmth in and water out. We also like the tough yet tactile suede palms, which offer good grip even when wet. Add a liner glove for really cold weather – or pick Sealskinz’ insulated version of the glove, ($70/£50) and you’ve got the perfect quiver-of-one glove well worth its price tag. Highly recommended.
These technical, highly dextrous gloves are designed with performance in mind, offering superior warmth and wind protection combining Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper technology with a fleece lining and leather palm. They boast great finger flexibility and precision when fastening boots, adjusting bindings and handling poles. Moisture-wicking technology keeps your hands dry when you're powering uphill and superior wind-protection has you covered on the downhill. The snug fit keeps the wind out and is enhanced by the adjustable wrist strap.
These are great for dry weather touring, but you wouldn't bring them for excursions in extreme wet conditions. They don't offer touchscreen technology so you'd need to remove them to check your phone or GPS device, which isn't ideal in extreme cold conditions and they do run pricier than other gloves, owing to their superior quality. These gloves will do you well for cold-weather pursuits and should last you a long time.
Best gloves for cross-country skiing
Unlike other types of skiing, cross country skiing is a high intensity workout which means you want less insulation while still protecting your skin from the cold air. The best ski gloves for cross country skiing are thin gloves, such as a liner glove, that won't have you overheating on the trails. Learn more in our article on what to wear for cross country skiing.
These lightweight gloves are intended for use on the high hills in the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn. Although they are not fully windproof (and definitely not waterproof) they provide decent thermal coverage when you need it, coming out of the treeline and heading towards the summit, when the temperature rapidly drops and the windchill factor becomes a much bigger deal.
They are relatively thin, so dexterity levels are good and you can continue to operate zips, take photos, access pockets and tighten pole straps without taking them off. Unlike some other gloves we have tested that claim to be touch sensitive and are not, you genuinely can operate phones and screens with these gloves on, which is extremely handy when using navigational apps.
On the downside, they are missing a bit of soft material on the top, which is found on many gloves for the purpose of wiping your nose (yeah, gross, but noses run in cold conditions and you need to deal with it).
The Trek 500 gloves are breathable, comfortable and light – so they’re a good option year round, as a throw-in-the-pack-just-in-case back-up, either for stand-alone use or as a baselayer for some waterproof gloves or mittens. They clip together, so you can keep the pair happily married, and boast pull loops that make them easy to put on. Oh, and the price is exceptionally reasonable.
There are various good features on this excellent lightweight multi-activity thermal glove from Italian mountain-savvy brand Karpos, but the defining factor is that it is made from Polartec Power Stretch Pro fabric. This means the gloves are comfortable, durable and dynamic, with four-way stretch and top-shelf tensile strength and abrasion resistance. They hold their shape perfectly, and the outer fabric of the palms boasts a branded sticky grip, for keeping hold of poles, bottles and handlebars.
The glove has a silicone-printed logo on back of the hand, which is small but relatively luminous, the fingers are nicely shaped for dexterity, comfort and warmth, and it features touchscreen fabric on the index finger, which actually works (unlike some gloves we’ve tried). They’re not waterproof, and are relatively thin, so there is a limit to the protection they can provide, but allow hands to breath freely and wick sweat away superbly when you’re engaged in high-intensity aerobic outdoor activities. Tip: carefully cut the oversized label out before use.
Good liner gloves are the bit of outdoor kit you never knew you needed. We’ve been using the same pair of Rab liner gloves for a few winters now, and reckon they’re worth their weight in gold. These light, stretchy gloves are thin, breathable and very comfortable – wear them alone on warmer spring days or stick them underneath thicker gloves or mittens for bitter winter conditions, such as for ski trips or when hiking in snow.
These liner gloves are also very useful when you’re cross country skiing or need to fiddle with backcountry gear – they offer good dexterity without ending up with freezing hands. Rab’s liner gloves feel well-made, and the soft fleecy lining inside is a treat in cold weather. The thicker cuff stops wind well, and help the liners to stay put under larger gloves. It’s a pity they don’t clip together for easier storage.
| Hiking gloves | Weight | Style | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Diamond Recon | Heavy | Insulated, waterproof gloves | Cold weather skiing |
| Montane Prism Gloves | Light | Insulated cold weather gloves | Spring skiing |
| The North Face Montana Futurelight Etip | Medium | Insulated, Futurelight cold weather gloves | Wet, whiteout conditions |
| Sealskinz Waterproof All-Weather | Medium | Fully waterproof hiking glooves | Wet, whiteout conditions |
| Rab Khroma Tour Infinium Gloves | Heavy | Insulated, Gore-Tex cold weather gloves | Ski touring |
| Forclaz Mountain Trek 500 Gloves | Light | Lightweight hiking gloves | Cross country skiing |
| Karpos Polartech | Ultralight | Lightweight running gloves | Cross country skiing |
| Rab Flux Liner | Light | Lightweight liner glove | Cross country skiing |
| Row 8 - Cell 0 | Row 8 - Cell 1 | Row 8 - Cell 2 | Row 8 - Cell 3 |
How to choose ski gloves
Obviously there’s lots to consider when choosing the best ski gloves, from the conditions to the type of skiing you're doing. The following are a few factors we advise taking into consideration before making a decision on what to buy.
Gloves or mittens?
One of the major design differences you’ll come across in gloves designed for the cold is gloves versus mittens. Mittens are warmer than gloves, but you’ll lose a lot of dexterity, so they are best suited for very cold weather or for when you don’t need to move your hands much. Read more in our article on gloves vs mittens.
Fit
The best ski gloves are no good at all if they don’t fit properly. Ideally, your gloves leave about 1/4 inch of space at the end of your finger tips. If they’re any bigger, you’ll lose body heat, and if they’re too small, they’ll restrict your dexterity and affect your performance.
Insulation
The best ski gloves come with both down and synthetic insulation. As we’ve discussed in other articles, down is warmer and more expensive, but doesn’t work when it gets wet, whereas synthetic gloves will be a bit bulkier but will still keep you warm if they get wet and will dry faster. If you’re likely to be out in more humid conditions or getting your hands in the snow, you’ll probably want synthetic insulation, but for arid climates, down may be preferable.
Waterproofing
Most ski gloves will come with some degree of waterproofing and again, how much you require will depend on the conditions and what you plan to do. Perhaps more important is considering how they will handle getting wet from the inside, meaning if you intend to work up a sweat skinning or skiing powder, you’ll want to make sure they are breathable so you don’t end up with clammy, chilly hands.
Reinforcements
Lots of the best ski gloves are being made with leather reinforcements on the palms, fingers, inner hands and knuckles. These will help with durability if you’re handling poles or touching abrasive rock surfaces, but add extra expense.
Gauntlet cuffs
Basically these are just long cuffs that go over the sleeves of your jacket to help keep out cold drafts. They make for a bigger glove or mitten, and you might opt out of these if you have an airtight jacket sleeve already and want to keep things super light.
Drawstring wrists
In addition to helping to keep drafts out, wrist cuffs that drawstring tight are useful for keeping snow out, so if you’re planning to head out in whiteout conditions or having your hands in deep snow, look for these.
Wrist leash
Out of every item in your kit, ski gloves are the easiest to lose which makes for an annoying and expensive day outdoors. Many gloves come with a wrist leash so if you take them off on the lift or pull them off while you’re hiking, they won’t disappear. Of course, you can always sew your own leashes on so don’t let this dissuade you from purchasing an otherwise perfect pair of gloves.
