Montane Prism Gloves review: like tiny down jackets for your hands

Montane Prism Gloves review: first impressions 

On the shelf, these super soft, ultra-light gloves provide plenty of warmth for cold ski days and chilly winter hikes 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.

These gloves have a wrist loop which makes it easy to pull them on in cold weather and an elasticated wrist to keep 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.

For more options to keep your hands warm, take a look at our full roundup of the best hiking gloves.

Montane Prism Gloves: on the trails 

I have a hard time finding much to fault these gloves on. They are kind of like two tiny down jackets for your hands and I personally really like how the Narwhal Blue version look, with a slim fit and shell exterior, they’re just classic and unobtrusive. I’ve grown used to ski gloves being big and bulky and expect to have to pull them off with my teeth to rummage in my pack or take the skins off my skis, so the snug fit of these was a delightful surprise.

In addition to how astonishingly lightweight they are, the first things I noticed were how soft the lining is and how easy it was to perform technical tasks with them on. I was able to tie my shoelaces wearing them no problem, which is a huge advantage when the windchill gets below zero. I’ve tried on loads of gloves featuring touch screen capability that hasn’t worked all that well but with these I was able to tap out a quick email on my phone no problem. Not that I’d be doing this on the ski slopes ideally, but good to know I can if I get in a pinch with work!

On a cold day, they definitely kept my hands warm and cosy, but they have some breathability due to the fleece lining so my hands didn’t get sweaty. They’re also not so bulky that you wouldn’t just wear them out around town or to walk the dog on a cold day. 

They’re not completely waterproof so if you’re heading out in very wet conditions you might pick a different pair, and once your hands get wet, they're a little difficult to pull on. If it's not obvious, the shell outer isn’t meant for abrasive rock surfaces so don’t take them climbing or scrambling.

For a comfortable and non bulky alternative to standard ski gloves that work for cold weather hiking and camping, these are my new go to and the price is another plus.

Here’s how they performed:

Sizing

I have long fingers and tested a medium and these just fit with no room to spare. I think they fit true to size but if you have  larger hands or longer fingers, size up not down. 

Fit

These are snug and not bulky at all. An elastic wrist leaves enough room to tuck your base layer sleeve into, but also allows you to tuck the glove into your jacket sleeve. 

Comfort 

Very cosy, ultra-soft and comfortable with no annoying wind gaps. No scratchy seams at the wrists and not so tight that they’re annoying. Not having to take them off to tie your laces or pull your water bottle out will definitely increase your overall comfort too. 

Temperature regulation 

These insulated gloves are warm enough for skiing and most cold-weather activities, with the exception of extreme cold or wet days where I might choose a more classic ski glove instead. 

Breathability 

The fleece lining wicks moisture away so if you get sweaty hands or want to wear these for vigorous activity like trail running, you won’t find you have to take them off. 

Durability 

As I said, they’re a bit like tiny down jackets for your hands so you wouldn’t want to snag these on a branch or climb abrasive rock in them, but if you use them properly and take care of them, they’re a great quality pair of gloves. 

Here’s where we tested the Montane Prism Gloves: 

Ben Arthur, otherwise known as The Cobbler, is a distinctive peak at the head of Loch Lomond. The true summit requires some technical scrambling that many choose to miss.