Reliable Winter Protection Without a Premium Price Tag: REI Switchback GTX Ski Gloves Review

A good winter ski glove has a tough job. It needs to be warm enough to survive cold resort days, dexterous enough to adjust bindings or boots, and durable enough to last more than a season. That’s why I was curious to see whether the REI Co-op Switchback GTX ski gloves could realistically hold their own in real mountain weather for less than $100.

There’s no shortage of ski gloves on the market at double or triple the price. And many of them earn their price tag with premium insulation, leather construction, or ski-guide–level durability. But most skiers just need a winter glove that keeps their hands reasonably warm, dry, and functional without requiring a second mortgage.

After several days of testing on-snow and off, the Switchback GTX gloves surprised me in some ways and fell short in others. On paper, they have a great feature set: GORE-TEX waterproofing, a removable liner glove, touchscreen compatibility, synthetic leather palms, and a long gauntlet cuff. For something targeted at resort skiers and general winter use, they definitely provide value.

In short: The REI Switchback GTX Ski Gloves ($100) are affordable, waterproof winter gloves with thoughtful characteristics, functional dexterity, and removable liners that make them versatile for everyday winter use — especially if you have decent circulation.

Check out how these ski gloves compare to our top choices in our Best Ski Gloves buyer’s guide.

REI Switchback GTX Ski Gloves: Review

I tested these ski gloves in early-season conditions in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado, where I live outside of Aspen. Winter came very late this year, so I was able to use this pair during 3 days of skiing at Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort, three driveway-clearing sessions behind a snow blower, and two snowy hikes with the dog.

Conditions ranged from stormy and snowy to bluebird and frigid. The coldest ski day topped out around 10-12 degrees Fahrenheit with a “feels like” temp hovering around 3 degrees Fahrenheit. The warmest day was in the low 20s with heavy snowfall; Snowmass picked up 8 inches that day.

Across all of these outings, I paid close attention to warmth, waterproofing, dexterity, and whether these winter gloves felt like a realistic companion for everyday winter use and resort skiing.

Cozy Factor: Warmth and Insulation

The Switchback GTX ski gloves are insulated with synthetic polyester fibers and wrapped in a full GORE-TEX waterproof/breathable insert. The removable liner is fleece-lined, and the glove uses GORE-TEX’s warmer construction style (called GORE-TEX Plus Warm) to help keep heat in without making the glove feel bulky.

That’s all great on paper. And in testing, I did appreciate the lighter, more flexible feel compared to stiffer gloves. But still, these gloves ran cold for me. I have cold hands to begin with, topped off with Raynaud’s syndrome, which means my fingers get severely and oddly numb when exposed to cold temps. But I’ve learned to deal with this over the years and can tell if a glove is going to keep me warm or not.

Ultimately, the Switchback gloves did not keep me warm. On my first testing day with daytime temperatures hovering around 15 degrees Fahrenheit and lots of sunshine, my fingers were cold enough that I needed to pack in some hand warmers.

During the single-digit ski day where the “feels like” was around 3 degrees Fahrenheit, I had to switch to mittens after an hour. My fingers simply weren’t getting enough warmth, even though the gloves themselves were doing a decent job of blocking the wind.

On the plus side, waterproofing was solid during the storm skiing. The gloves resisted moisture, even with repeated contact with snow, but warmth still lagged. For someone with warm hands or average circulation, these gloves may perform more reliably. But for cold-handed skiers or storm-day enthusiasts, they aren’t quite enough.

Versatility and Dexterity

One of my favorite details while reviewing the REI Switchback GTX ski gloves is the removable liner. In terms of real-world functionality, I loved being able to pull my hand out and still have coverage to adjust boots, zippers, or bindings.

No matter the ski glove, I can rarely adjust ski boots while wearing them. That’s why it was so nice to have a liner glove on my hand when I needed to help tweak my daughter’s ski boots or rummage around in my jacket pocket for the (frozen) bag of gummy bears.

However, there’s one catch: no wrist leash. It doesn’t sound like much, but this drove me bonkers. Whenever I pulled the outer glove off, I needed to tuck it under my arm or prop it on my ski pole to avoid losing it (and that was a pain when it was nuking snow).

On chairlift rides, I was just waiting for the moment I’d accidentally drop the glove onto the skiers below. That detail alone makes these less convenient than some glove competitors that include wrist retention systems.

Still, the versatility of three setups — liners only, shells only, or liners plus shell — adds value. For casual winter use, dog walking, or shoveling, that flexibility is genuinely useful. Dexterity is decent for a waterproof insulated glove, and I didn’t struggle with holding ski poles or buckling ski pack straps.

Drawstring Gauntlet, Wrist Enclosure, and Nose Wipe

These ski gloves use a drawstring gauntlet design intended to be worn over jacket cuffs. The cuff opening isn’t massive, so I had to really cinch my jacket sleeve down to get the glove fully in place. Frankly, it was a little cumbersome if I didn’t have the jacket just right, but it got the job done.

The adjustable webbing strap around the wrist keeps the glove secure and helps seal out snow, which I appreciated when I took a small fall in powder and used my hands to push myself upright. Snow stayed out and the warmth stayed in. The drawstring cinch was easy enough to operate one-handed.

There’s a soft material on both thumbs meant for wiping goggles or your nose. In practice, it worked fine on my face, although it’s not exactly the softest fabric I’ve ever used. On goggles, it mostly smeared moisture rather than clearing it. Still, I’ll take the added detail when you have a price point like this.

Room for Improvement

When you’re dealing with value-oriented gear, there are always going to be some tradeoffs, and the Switchback GTX ski gloves are no exception. As I’ve mentioned, these gloves are not especially warm, at least during very cold ski days and for skiers like me who are more cold-sensitive.

That’s the biggest drawback. For quick errands, daily winter use, or moderate-temperature ski days, they’re passable. But when temperatures drop, they struggle.

I also really wish these ski gloves had wrist leashes. Every time I pulled one off to help my daughter or handle something small, I had to grip it like a precious egg to avoid dropping it in the snow. A simple bungee system would solve that.

Finally, durability is something I’m watching. I haven’t seen any durability issues yet, so no complaints there. But traditionally, synthetic leather (as found on the palm) doesn’t age as well long-term as real leather. But again, real leather costs a lot more, so that’s one of the tradeoffs for this screaming deal.

Final Thoughts

The REI Switchback GTX Ski Gloves are not perfect. But, they are practical, waterproof, moderately warm, and affordable. They do a fine job for everyday winter tasks and moderate-temperature skiing, especially if you don’t run super cold.

For casual winter athletes, dog walkers, or weekend resort skiers who prioritize a budget-friendly option, these ski gloves are a decent choice and will help get you out there.

But if you’re someone who already spends hours outside in deep winter conditions, skis a lot of storm days, or has chronically cold hands, you may want something warmer.

At under $100, REI’s Switchback winter gloves offer plenty of value. Just know their limitations before heading out into winter’s worst.