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The Best Ski Gloves of 2024-2025

For the resort or backcountry, we've got your digits covered with the best field-tested ski gloves from Swany, Hestra, Black Diamond and more.
Testing ski gloves in extremely cold conditions in a crucial step in our processWill Brendza testing ski gloves in extremely cold conditions at Crested Butte Mountain Resort; (photo/Jason Hummel)
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Cold fingers can ruin a day on the slopes, and a warm pair of ski gloves can be a game-changer. There are a lot of different designs on the market. It’s essential to choose a high-quality pair that’s ergonomic, reliable, fits well, and will last through the seasons.

The Best Ski Gloves of 2024-2025

While assessing ski gloves we consider the product’s insulation, warmth, waterproofness, durability, materials, sustainability, malleability, break in period, ergonomics, dexterity, comfort, cut, overall fit, liner, and value. We also consider the accessory details including the nose wipe, vents, wrist leash and cinch, eyelets, and carabiners. We test every pair of ski gloves in a variety of conditions over many days in the field.

You’ll find our favorite all-around ski gloves on this list like the Swany Men’s X-Cell Glove and Black Diamond Guide Gloves, as well as what we’d use on a tight budget or as a backup: the Kinco Lined Heavy-Duty Premium Grain Ski Glove with Omni-Cuff.

If you’d like to learn more about ski glove designs, drop down to the Buyer’s Guide tips or jump to the Price & Value summary. Also, make sure to scope out our Comparison Chart to help steer your decision-making. Otherwise, scroll through our awarded picks and selection for the 2024-2025 season.


Pros

  • Extremely durable
  • Super warm — we never go in the backcountry without this pair
  • 100% waterproof
  • Friendly price for the excellent value

Cons

  • Too warm for those sunny 40-degree spring mogul days

Pros

  • Reinforced leather pull tab
  • Economic price
  • Very durable

Cons

  • Waterproofing needs to be reapplied intermittently
  • Gloves can be a bit stiff when they get wet and then freeze
  • If your hands tend to get super cold, more than the average skier, invest in a different glove

Pros

  • Durable, moderately stiff and supportive
  • Customizable glove through add-ons
  • Interior pocket for goggle wipe
  • Removable, washable liner

Cons

  • Pricier option
  • Some skiers and rider prefer an undercuff design
  • Not the most malleable ski glove out-of-the-box

Pros

  • Very warm
  • Durable
  • Long, comfortable cuffs

Cons

  • Limited dexterity

Pros

  • Solid battery life
  • Performance fit and build
  • Three unique warmth settings
  • Touchscreen compatible

Cons

  • A little heavy due to the dual batteries
  • Narrow fit for average to large hands
Best Ski Gloves for Touchscreen Capability

Dakine Impreza GORE-TEX Glove

Pros

  • Great dexterity
  • Touchscreen capability works really well

Cons

  • Not the most durable palm zone but gets the job done
  • Doesn’t offer enough warmth for below-freezing temps

Pros

  • Super-warm glove for most days
  • Long enough gauntlet to keep out snow
  • Extremely durable leather
  • Connects to LEKI ski poles with the Trigger System loop

Cons

  • Gauntlet doesn’t fit beneath most ski jacket cuffs

Pros

  • Great glove for protection while working hard skinning uphill or on warm spring days
  • Lower price point

Cons

  • Need more warmth for cold days
  • If you sweat out this glove on the climb, consider bringing a dry pair for the downhill

Pros

  • Well-made
  • Durable
  • Great dexterity

Cons

  • Relatively expensive for lightweight gloves

Pros

  • Durable goatskin construction
  • Protective design
  • Dexterous performance-oriented fit
  • Unique strapless ski pole attachment system

Cons

  • Not fully waterproof
  • Need compatible LEKI poles to utilize strap-free ski pole system

Pros

  • Very warm
  • Leather repels water but is fully breathable so hands don’t get sweaty
  • Extended wrist cuff

Cons

  • Not touchscreen-compatible

Pros

  • Perfect warmth-to-dexterity ratio
  • Durable
  • Warm

Cons

  • Not for use in extreme cold

Pros

  • Super waterproof
  • Streamlined silhouette
  • Offers excellent dexterity

Cons

  • Short cuff might to be the prime choice for deep snow days
  • Might not be warm enough for super cold or windy conditions

Pros

  • Trigger S loop clips to compatible Leki ski poles
  • Warm
  • Durable leather

Cons

  • Difficult to put on and take off
  • Requires compatible poles for best performance
man pulling ski gloves out of dump pocket
Drop pockets in an interior ski jacket are a good spot to store ski gloves for bare-handed breaks; (photo/Jason Hummel)

Ski Gloves Comparison Table

Scroll right to view all of the columns: Price, Shell/Material, Cuff Type, Warmth.

GlovePriceShell/MaterialCuff TypeWarmth
Black Diamond Guide Gloves$180Nylon shell with goat leather palmGauntlet9/10
Kinco Lined Heavy-Duty Ski Glove $54Suede and full-grain pigskinElastic knit undercuff6/10
Baist Gloves Women’s Baist Classic Glove
$180Goatskin leather exterior topped with microfiber nose wipe, cordura gauntlet, and a Thinsulate-Thermolite synthetic insulation linerGauntlet
Swany X-Cell Men’s Glove & Women’s Glove$180LeatherShield & Nubuck Leather plus Triplex-Alpha insulationDouble gauntlet10/10
Outdoor Research Prevail Heated GORE-TEX Gloves $359Polyester ripstop outer material with goat leather palm and EnduraLoft insulationGauntlet9/10
Dakine Impreza GORE-TEX Glove$7561% recycled polyester, 39% polyester with PFC-free DWR, 220g fleece liner, ePE GORE-TEX waterproof insert that’s PFC-free Short gauntlet7/10
LEKI Copper S Ski Gloves
$120Goatskin and water-resistant neoprene plus polyester fiberloft insulationAdjustable undercuff with Velcro closure7.5/10
Hestra Windstopper Touring$75Melange fleece with a goat leather palmShort gauntlet4/10
Gordini Men’s Cache Gauntlet Glove
$95Waterproof, bluesign-approved nylon canvas, synthetic leather fingers and reinforcements, 100% recycled and Bluesign-approved Primaloft insulationGauntlet with drawcord closure and leash
Outdoor Research Women’s Sureshot Pro Gloves & Men’s Sureshot$652L 2-way stretch woven nylon and spandex, goat leather palm, EnduraLoft 100% polyester insulation, brushed tricot liningUndercuff6/10
Leki Griffin Pro 3D$160Goat leather with water-resistant neoprene cuff and synthetic reinforcements, PrimaLoft insulationNeoprene with pull strap8/10
Leki Xplore S $140100% leather goatskin, waterproof, PrimaLoft insulationDouble gauntlet8.5/10
Oyuki Tamashii GTX Glove
$140Goatskin leather and softshell with GORE-TEX waterproof membrane, 133 g PrimaLoft Gold on top and 80 g on palm, and NIKWAX waterproofingUndercuff7/10
Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski
$160Water-repellent leather with a removable polyester linerGauntlet9/10
woman pulling up size zipper on ski pants with white ski gloves on
Streamlined gloves can be helpful for grabbing tiny zippers; (photo/Jason Hummel)

How We Tested Ski Gloves

The GearJunkie team is made up of avid skiers who head to the resort or backcountry regularly — and we universally prefer to enjoy the slopes with warm, dry hands. From the frozen hills of Minnesota to the champagne power of Colorado, we’ve been testing ski gloves for decades.

Our Expert Testers

GearJunkie Senior Editor Morgan Tilton specializes in the snowsports category and grew up in the mountains of Southwest Colorado, where she explores the local ski area’s slopes and the backcountry. Technically, she’s beat up ski gloves for three decades, and she’s been a gear journalist including snowsports coverage for more than a decade. In 2023, Tilton tested pairs on 59 days and throughout 177 hours of recreation. In 2024, she has tested pairs during 216 hours of recreation. Those numbers don’t include the countless hours of shoveling or commutes.

Other testers for this guide include Matt Hart, Austin Beck-Doss, Will Brendza, and Sean McCoy, as well as professional ski guide Kaylee Walden.

Contributor Austin Beck-Doss testing ski gloves at Crested Butte Mountain Resort; (photo/Eric Phillips)
Contributor Austin Beck-Doss testing ski gloves at Crested Butte Mountain Resort; (photo/Eric Phillips)

Our Testing Grounds

Today, Tilton primarily tests ski gloves in the tough, teeth-chattering conditions of Crested Butte, Colorado, and the wider Gunnison Valley.

Contributor and diehard ski tester Matt Hart hails from Mount Washington Valley, NH. Other contributors to this guide include Austin Beck-Doss, who is based in the hardy state of Wyoming, as well as Colorado-based Editorial Director Sean McCoy. GearJunkie Section Editor Will Brendza is likewise based in Colorado. Walden travels all over the world ski guiding but is based in Southwest Colorado.

Our Testing Process

While this guide was originally written by writer Austin Beck-Doss in 2021, the guide was resurrected in October 2023, with additions based on lifelong testing done by Senior Editor Morgan Tilton, who started skiing at age 4. In 2024, gear tester Matt Hart also joined the ski glove testing ring in addition to GearJunkie editors.

The GearJunkie team has gathered twice annually for a ski week at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in 2022 and 2023.

man walking with ski gloves and ski poles and skis over shoulder
Durability goes hand in hand with warmth for the most important variables of a ski glove design; (photo/Jason Hummel)

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Ski Gloves

When selecting the best ski gloves for you, there are many important factors to consider. Not all gloves are created equal, and we want to help you make a well-informed decision.

Though we thoroughly recommend all of the gloves on this list, certain styles are better suited for certain skiers. In this handy how-to-choose guide, our goal is to match your personal needs with the perfect pair of ski gloves.

Gloves vs. Mittens

Choosing between gloves and mittens is a matter of personal preference. Each option has pros and cons, and it is important to understand these before choosing.

Gloves offer improved dexterity but reduced warmth. Because every finger can move independently while wearing gloves, this option is better for gripping ski poles, swinging ice axes, or performing manual labor.

Mittens are very warm, but they do reduce dexterity.

woman holding palms open while testing ski gloves
Often the majority of insulation in a ski glove is on the backside of the hand rather than in the palms, so the interior of the hands remains more pliable; (photo/Jason Hummel)

Warmth & Insulation

Keeping your hands warm on the mountain is a ski glove’s primary job. Almost all ski gloves will be advertised as “warm,” but some gloves are much warmer than others. If you tend to have uncomfortably cold fingers while skiing, a warm or heated pair of ski gloves is an invaluable investment. When the temps dip into the teens and single digits, there is no substitute for hand protection.

All of the gloves on this list are built with some form of insulation. Most modern ski gloves have synthetic fill. While some gloves specify the exact weight of their insulation, fill weight isn’t always the best way to measure true warmth.

Though many brands create great results with their own synthetic insulation, PrimaLoft remains the gold standard of synthetic insulation. As always, trying on gloves is the best way to assess warmth and overall comfort.

If top-notch gloves still aren’t enough to keep your extremities happy, mittens or heated gloves could be a better choice for you. Mittens heat more effectively by keeping your fingers close to one another. Heated gloves have a built-in battery and heating element that produces electric heat from within.

woman pulling up vent on ski pants while wearing gauntlet ski gloves
A double gauntlet on a ski glove is longer and protects against snow reaching the wrists and hands but doesn’t fit inside a jacket cuff; (photo/Jason Hummel)

Waterproofing

After warmth, waterproofness is the most important quality of ski gloves. In most mountain conditions, wet hands are cold hands. In snowy and stormy environments, reliable waterproofing is absolutely essential.

Gloves that are truly waterproof will come with a built-in membrane that sits between the shell and the liner. Though many brands produce their own membranes, GORE-TEX is the most widely recognized name in the entire waterproof outerwear universe. If you plan to regularly wander into wet territory, we think it’s worthwhile to go with GORE-TEX gloves.

As always, truly waterproof gear tends to come with a decrease in breathability. This isn’t usually a huge issue with gloves, since hands don’t tend to overheat as readily as the torso and core. However, when skiing in warm weather or skinning uphill, hot and sweaty hands can become wildly uncomfortable.

A few solutions exist for this problem. First, you can opt for a ski glove with less insulation on warm spring days and while skinning uphill. Some designs have vents on the upper side, to allow a window for heat to release at the top of the hand.

Another option is to choose a design that pairs a glove shell with an interior liner or adding your own. When the going gets warm, pop off the outer shell for increased breathability and dexterity. When the storm rolls in again, put the shells back on for full-strength waterproofing.

On this list, we have included several pairs of gloves with removable liners.

person adjusting a ski pole strap with ski gloves on
Ski glove designs have a range of dexterity and insulation; (photo/Jason Hummel)

Dexterity & Phone Compatibility

Trying to manipulate your fingers while wearing ski gloves can be frustrating. Unfortunately, warm insulation and burly outer shells seriously reduce the dexterity of the human hand. However, some ski gloves are certainly more dexterous than others. As a general rule, gloves with less insulation tend to be more dexterous.

Removable glove shells with a liner beneath offer a simple solution to the dexterity problem. Standalone liners provide improved dexterity without having to fully expose your bare skin to the cold air.

Pulling your ski gloves off to operate your phone can be both annoying and potentially dangerous. To avoid this, look for a pair of gloves with touchscreen compatibility. In touchscreen-capable gloves, the tips of the fingers are outfitted with a special material that your phone screen will respond to.

skier using pull loop on the wrist of LEKI ski gloves
Pull tabs on wrist cuffs can help get a ski glove on faster and easier; (photo/Jason Hummel)

Cuffs

There are two primary styles of ski glove cuffs: Gauntlet and undercuff.

Gauntlet-style cuffs extend beyond your wrist and sit on the outside of your ski jacket. A double gauntlet offers two tiers for extra length that’s a bit more streamlined compared to a single, super-tall gauntlet.

Generally, gauntlet cuffs are ideal for cold or super powdery conditions, as they are often insulated and can seal out cold air with a draw cord. They can also block snow from flying inside your glove. If you regularly ski in deep powder or wet conditions, we recommend a pair of gloves with long gauntlet-style cuffs.

Undercuffs are shorter and more streamlined cuffs that more easily tuck underneath your ski jacket cuff. This style is less bulky than gauntlets, which results in better wrist dexterity but slightly reduced warmth and protection against the elements.

The Best Ski Gloves of 2022
The choice between gloves and mittens comes down to personal preference; (photo/Eric Phillips)

Durability & Materials

Ultimately, a ski glove’s durability comes down to its construction and materials. The longest-lasting gloves tend to feature polyester or nylon outer shells with high-quality leather palms.

The downside of gloves made with leather is that they require regular maintenance. A waterproofing treatment such as Sno-Seal or Nikwax can significantly help maintain the waterproofing ability and general quality of a pair of leather ski gloves. Leather gloves also feel stiffer and take a bit longer to break in compared to synthetic materials, which feel great out of the box.

Synthetic leather feels and looks a lot like authentic leather. Though, it’s softer, more malleable, and offers great durability. But the material does not outlast leather, which is superior for tenacity.

Aside from nylon and leather, many thin and lightweight ski gloves are made from wool and fleece. Though fleece and wool gloves can be plenty sufficient for warm and wind-free conditions and nordic skiing, we recommend gloves with waterproof membranes and durable outer shells for most skiing purposes.

man holding two ski gloves up side by side for backside view of gloves
The exterior of some ski gloves includes padding along the fingers and back of the hand for warmth, durability, and protection; (photo/Jason Hummel)

Types of Skiing: Resort, Backcountry, and Nordic

We generally think of ski gloves in three buckets: resort days, backcountry outings, and nordic workouts.

Resort Ski Gloves

For downhill skiing at the resort, most people prefer durable, warm, and waterproof gloves. Though all of the styles on this list could be used at a resort, some are better used for Nordic or backcountry skiing.

Backcountry Ski Gloves

Backcountry skiing involves uphill travel and prolonged exposure to the elements. Generally, gloves with removable outer shells are ideal for the backcountry thanks to their premium versatility. When skinning uphill, shedding a few layers is common. By removing your glove’s outer shell and wearing solely a liner, you can prevent your hands from overheating and sweating. When the temps drop and the snow begins falling, put the outer shell back on for maximum warmth and protection.

Testing ski gloves in frigid temperatures at Crested Butte Mountain Resort; (photo/Morgan Tilton
Testing ski gloves in frigid temperatures at Crested Butte Mountain Resort; (photo/Morgan Tilton

Better yet, choose two pairs of gloves for backcountry days: A lighter pair for uphill travel and a warmer, more insulated pair for the descent or, at the very least, to have stashed for emergencies. Backcountry skiing gloves should also have reasonably long cuffs that can successfully prevent snow from entering at the cuff.

Nordic Ski Gloves

Nordic skiers commonly wear relatively lightweight and nimble gloves. Because skate and classic Nordic skiing typically involve high-cardio, heat-building movement and tend to take place on trails at lower elevations compared to backcountry travel, burly shells, and thick insulation are often unnecessary. As always, we recommend that you wear whatever gloves make you feel warm and comfortable.

two hands in ski gloves side by side with ski poles
Svelte ski gloves can more easily and quickly slide through ski pole wrist loops; (photo/Jason Hummel)

Sizing

Ski glove sizing is inconsistent. In other words, a size small in one brand may be a medium in another. At a single brand, a size small in the women’s category might not match the size small for men, or they might have mirrored dimensions.

Most brands offer a sizing chart that can help you decide which size to buy, so be sure to measure your hand according to the directions. We also recommend trying on a ski glove in person, if possible.

Ideally, your ski gloves should feel snug — not tight or restrictive. You should have less than a centimeter of open space at the tip of each finger, and there should be minimal resistance from the material when you make a fist.

two ski gloves showing the backside of the gloves
Testing Outdoor Research ski gloves at Crested Butte Mountain Resort; (photo/Morgan Tilton)

Price & Value

If you’re seeking top-notch warmth, expect to pay at least $100 or so. Though cheaper gloves can be well-made, they generally don’t possess the ability to insulate your hands in the coldest conditions.

Budget

All of our favorite picks under $100 are giving up insulation, waterproofness, and wrist coverage compared to our other picks. For instance, the Hestra Windstopper Touring ($75) is our choice ski glove for nordic skiing, and while it’s built to be breathable, it’s inherently not as durable, hefty, or waterproof.

Among the best deals we’ve found for alpine skiing is the Outdoor Research Women’s Sureshot Pro Gloves, which features a goat leather palm and EnduraLoft 100% polyester insulation. These are great gloves for backcountry skiing when you’re building body heat and don’t need emergency-level heat. You’re getting a 2-layer stretchy construction that’s not as dense or durable in higher-cost designs — but it’s still a killer glove for the right conditions and activity.

Mid-Tier

The majority of our favorite gloves are $100-$200. We’re incredibly happy with ski gloves like the Black Diamond Guide Gloves, Swany X-Cell Men’s Glove, and Baist Gloves Women’s Baist Classic Glove, all of which are $180. These designs offer top-notch leather blends with reinforcements, soft nose wipes, and well-functioning cuff closures. There’s plenty of heat and waterproofness to go along with the long-lasting construction. The dexterity is excellent, too, for the amount of protection.

Premium

If you’re buying a pair of ski gloves that’s above $200, you’re investing in some serious technology. The Outdoor Research Prevail Heated GORE-TEX Gloves ($359) are not only built to be durable, comfortable, and waterproof, but are also integrated with a battery-powered heat, which works with a rechargeable battery. The gloves also have touchscreen capability, which is hard to find in the warmest five-finger gloves.

person putting ski glove into LEKI attachment point on ski poles
Leki designed a unique ski glove system with an integrated loop that clips into Leki ski poles; (photo/Jason Hummel)

Frequently Asked Questions

How expensive are ski gloves?

Our top ski gloves range from $54 to $359. On this list, we have included options across a range of budgets without sacrificing baseline quality. The general price for the majority of our favorites is closer to $150.

Generally, more economical gloves will be less warm, durable, and waterproof than more expensive and higher-quality options.

Most high-performing gloves cost at least $100. If you are seeking battery-operated heated gloves, expect to pay at least $150.

What are the warmest ski gloves?

The warmest ski gloves come with built-in battery-operated heating elements. While heated gloves are great for frigid conditions and people with chronically cold hands, they aren’t necessary for most skiers.

If you are seeking super-warm gloves without an integrated battery, look for lots of insulation, a waterproof membrane, and a gauntlet-style cuff. If that doesn’t do the trick, consider a pair of mittens.

KINCO ski gloves in ski pole straps
Shorter gauntlets can be easier to layer but don’t provide as much protection against snow as longer gauntlets; (photo/Jason Hummel)
Should I buy ski gloves or ski mittens?

Choosing between ski gloves and ski mittens is a matter of how cold the temperatures drop, as well as a bit of personal preference. Each option has pros and cons.

Gloves offer improved dexterity but reduced warmth. Because every finger can move independently while wearing gloves, this option is better for gripping ski poles and performing tasks with your hands. Some gloves are more streamlined than others and the insulation varies broadly between designs.

Mittens are very warm, but they reduce dexterity. We don’t find mittens as easy to use for fine and detailed applications like grabbing a small zipper pull on a backpack, closing a buckle, opening a snack bar wrapper, or basic tasks on a phone screen, for instance.

However, once the ambient temperatures reach 10 degrees Fahrenheit and if there’s added windchill, we are hard-pressed to find a glove design that withstands brutally cold conditions as well as a mitten, which allows the body heat from your digits to circulate in a single shell. The warmest glove we’ve consistently used in such conditions is the Swany Men’s X-Cell Glove and the Swany Women’s X-Cell Glove.

A couple of hybrid options include mitten designs that are paired with glove liners, so you can pull your hand out for tasks without exposing your skin to the cold. There are lobster-style gloves, too.

The Best Ski Gloves three-finger gloves
The Hestra Fall Line 3-Finger Glove is one of the best-looking gloves on the market — and it’s super warm, too; (photo/Eric Phillips)
Are ski gloves waterproof?

Most of the gloves on this list are designed with a waterproof membrane that sits between the outer shell and the inner liner. If you are seeking reliable waterproof gloves, we recommend purchasing a high-quality pair with a name-brand waterproofing system such as GORE-TEX.

Some designs such as the Kinco Lined Heavy-Duty Premium Grain & Suede Pigskin Ski Glove with Omni-Cuff need to be surface treated with a waterproof wax, such as the Nikwax treatment that’s included with a pair of Kincos.

Can ski gloves be used for snowboarding?

Yes. For the most part, skiing gloves and snowboarding gloves are interchangeable. Because snowboarders need to adjust their bindings throughout the day, they tend to prefer more dexterous gloves.

Testing Leki ski gloves at Crested Butte Mountain Resort; (photo/Jason Hummel)
Testing Leki ski gloves at Crested Butte Mountain Resort; (photo/Jason Hummel)

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