10 Best Ski Gloves to Get in 2024 (Expert Guide) (2024)

Gloves are a critical piece of equipment you’ll need to stay warm and active while skiing. There are nearly an endless amount of glove styles and varieties out there, and they are absolutely essential for spending long periods outside in winter weather.

Skiing is more than a hobby for me – it’s a lifelong passion. I started this blog to create a valuable resource for other skiers who share a similar interest. I’ve also worn many different gloves over the years, and I know how to find the best options.

The Hestra Army Leather Heli is my top choice for the best ski gloves of the season. These are a fantastic pair that delivers outstanding performance in severe weather. They also have a rugged construction that will give you many seasons of heavy use.

With so many options for ski gloves out there, it can be difficult to decide which option is best for you. That’s why I made this post – to give you only the top models so you can spend less time shopping and more time on the mountain.

Let’s get after it.

Who Should Get This

Every skier needs to be well-equipped for winter weather. Ski gloves are a critical element that every skier, regardless of ability or preference, needs to have. When your body gets cold, blood leaves your extremities to prevent your internal organs and brain from shutting down.

When you’re out in the snow, your fingers and toes are the first parts of your body to get cold. Weak clothing doesn’t help that process. If you want to make the most of your time on the mountain, you need quality gloves. There’s no way around it.

Good ski gloves are the number one line of defense in keeping your fingers warm, which helps keep the rest of your body warm. If you’re a serious skier who loves to stay out all day long, you need gloves that can keep your hands both warm and dry.

Even if the temperature plunges far below freezing, or if you can barely see your hands in front of your face because it’s snowing so hard, your gloves need to keep you warm.

Each glove listed here is an excellent choice for every skier at any level. Not only do they have the quality construction needed to stand up to the harshest elements, but they also have a range of other handy features perfect for any mountain.

Top Picks of the Best Ski Gloves

Here are my picks for the best ski gloves of the year. Every model you find on this list comes highly recommended, and there are plenty of options to meet the needs of a variety of skiers.

1. Hestra Army Leather Heli

• Best for: Overall
• Key features: Warm, comfortable, very durable, excellent waterproofing, breathable, velcro snow lock
• Style: Gauntlet gloves
• Construction: Army goat leather/synthetic fiberfill/3-layer polyamide
• Cost: $$$

The Hestra Army Leather Heli is the best ski glove model of the year. This is a pretty amazing model that will give you exceptional levels of warmth and comfort, no matter how or where you like to ski.

Hestra is a quality company that has made many different types of high-performance ski gloves over the years. These gloves make the top of the list due to their construction and attractive look. They are built with quality in mind, are very durable, and will last for many ski seasons.

The Heli Gloves are a style that Hestra has been putting out for many years. They feature a synthetic and leather outer shell that easily keeps water and wind at bay and come with a warm, comfortable liner for added insulation.

If you are looking for a practical, warm, and comfortable glove, these are an excellent choice.

These are expensive, but that’s the only negative comment I have on them.

==> You can also get it on LD Mountain or Evo or Jans.

2. Black Diamond Women’s Recon

• Best for: Women
• Key features: Comfortable, women’s fit, good dexterity, grippy, warm
• Style: Gauntlet gloves
• Construction: Primaloft/goat leather palm/4-way stretch
• Cost: $$

The best ski gloves for women are the Black Diamond Women’s Recon. This is another gauntlet-style glove that will block out wind and snow and keep your fingers warm all season long.

They are also extremely comfortable, thanks to a 4-way stretch fabric design that helps increase dexterity so you can hold onto anything while you ski.

The goat leather palm gives you added grip while keeping the gloves very durable for a lasting value. Primaloft insulation gives you reliable warmth that will pay off when the temperature starts to drop.

These gloves look pretty basic but are solid all-around when it comes to performance.

==> You can also get it on Black Diamond Equipment or Backcountry or Steep and Cheap.

3. Hestra Gauntlet Czone Junior

• Best for: Kids
• Key features: Warm, durable, kids sized fit, reinforced fingertips, velcro closure
• Style: 3-finger
• Construction: Polyester/CZone/Synthetic
• Cost: $$

The Hestra Gauntlet Czone Junior is the best ski glove for kids. This model has many of the same features as the Hestra gloves for adults, so you can count on them to deliver reliable performance for your little shredders.

A 3-finger design creates additional warmth by keeping fingers closer together while still allowing enough dexterity so kids can hang onto their poles or anything else they need to grab.

The Czone construction makes the gloves highly waterproof for long-lasting comfort, and a breathable membrane ensures they don’t overheat on warmer days.

The gloves also come with a velcro closure that helps secure them in place to prevent them from falling off and keep the snow out as well.

They might be a bit bulky for kids just getting used to using poles.

==> You can also get it on Backcountry or Skis or Buckman’s.

5. Black Diamond Spark Finger

• Best for: Warmth
• Key features: Very warm, durable, 4-way stretch fabric, goat leather palm, padded back
• Style: 3-finger
• Construction: Goat leather/PrimaLoft/EVA foam
• Cost: $$

If you want a very warm option that will have you covered when severe winter weather hits, check out the Black Diamond Spark Finger. This is another 3-finger style option that gives you added warmth without limiting dexterity.

A goat leather construction makes them highly durable and a lasting value you can count on. This also provides good grip, whether you want to hang on tight to your poles or reach into a pocket.

Sixty grams of PrimaLoft insulation gives you an extra layer of cold-weather protection, and this material has microfibers that help trap body heat. It also keeps its insulating properties when wet, which is pretty awesome.

These can run small, and the heavy leather construction means that you’ll need to treat them with a waterproofing product at some point.

==> You can also get it on Evo or The Last Hunt.

5. Dakine Titan Gore-Tex

• Best for: Under $100
• Key features: Affordable, very waterproof, removable storm liner, insulated, comfortable
• Style: Gauntlet glove
• Construction: Polyester/Gore-Tex/High Loft Synthetic
• Cost: $

The Dakine Titan Gore-Tex (review) is the best ski glove model under $100. Even though these are cheaper, you still get quality performance.

High loft insulation provides plenty of warmth that stays true when wet, and a Gore-Tex membrane provides excellent waterproofing.

Other solid features include a removable storm liner that is touch screen compatible, a cuff cinch closure to block out wind and snow, and an external pocket for heat packs.

This isn’t the most durable option, but it can still hold up pretty well under regular use.

==> You can also get it on Curated or Evo or Skis.

6. Hestra Fall Line

• Best for: Backcountry
• Key features: Durable, warm, flexible, good dexterity, neoprene cuff
• Style: Gloves
• Construction: Cowhide/Polyester/Foam
• Cost: $$$

The Hestra Fall Line makes for a solid backcountry ski glove, thanks to a low-profile construction that retains plenty of warmth and dexterity.

The outer shell of the Fall Line is made from an Aniline cowhide leather that is both waterproof and breathable. They also have a layer of polyester foam insulation for warmth alongside a neoprene wrist cuff that’s secured by a sturdy velcro strap.

These gloves have a classic look that will fit in with any outfit and never go out of style.

They are not the warmest option, but if you want an excellent leather glove suited for the demands of the backcountry, these are the way to go.

==> You can also get it on Backcountry or Evo or DICK’S.

7. Flylow Tough Guy

• Best for: Lightweight
• Key features: Lightweight, flexible, comfortable, durable, insulated
• Style: Gloves
• Construction: Pigskin/Canvas/SpaceLoft Insulation
• Cost: $$

The Flylow Tough Guy (review) is exceptionally comfortable and has a low profile that makes them excel in spring skiing or other warm weather conditions. They are also great for shoveling the driveway or taking the dog out for a walk.

They are incredibly versatile, functional, and affordable. That combination makes them one of my favorite all-around winter gloves.

The Tough Guy glove gets its name from its work-glove-like look, but don’t let appearances fool you. These gloves are made of water-proofed pigskin leather and have a fabric backside designed to handle severe snow.

I love the fit and feel of these gloves. They are my go-to option under warmer weather ski conditions.

These aren’t the best in heavy snow or extremely cold conditions.

==> You can also get it on Evo or Curated or Jans.

8. Black Diamond Guide

• Best for: Durability
• Key features: Rugged construction, padded knuckles, warm, very waterproof, 4-way stretch
• Style: Gauntlet Gloves
• Construction: Nylon/Gore-Tex/PrimLoft/Boiled Wool/Goat Leather
• Cost: $$$

The Black Diamond Guide gloves (review) are some of the most durable ski gloves you can find. If you ski tough or tend to beat up your gear, this is a good option to explore.

These gloves have a great design and come constructed with warm, durable materials. Any skier who wants to spend long days on the mountain will love this option.

The Guide Gloves have a nylon and spandex shell combined with a water-proof goat leather palm that provides excellent warmth. That combination makes these gloves both tough and durable.

They come with a removable liner made of synthetic and boiled wool fibers that offer excellent comfort, feel, and insulation.

These are very expensive, but their durability makes them a lasting value.

==> You can also get it on Black Diamond Equipment or MEC or Backcountry.

9. Flylow Magarac

• Best for: Dexterity
• Key features: Lightweight, flexible, comfortable, waterproof, breathable, insulated
• Style: Gloves
• Construction: Pigskin/SpaceLoft/Polyester
• Cost: $$

Another lightweight option that will give you excellent dexterity and freedom of movement is the Flylow Magarac.

These are made with pigskin leather that is very comfortable and unrestrictive. It also comes with a DWR treatment to make the gloves very waterproof.

Spaceloft insulation gives you a lot of insulation for a small profile glove. These can be used in most conditions, other than the most severe.

After a season or two of heavy use, you’ll need to retreat the leather to maintain waterproof capabilities.

==> You can also get it on Evo or Jans or Backcountry.

10. Burton Profile

• Best for: Budget Option
• Key features: Affordable, good design, waterproof, insulated, breathable
• Style: Gauntlet gloves
• Construction: Poly/DryRide/Thermacore
• Cost: $

If you are looking for a budget ski glove but don’t want to sacrifice good performance along the way, the Burton Profile is my recommended pick.

These are made from Burton’s respected DryRide two-layer fabric that gives you excellent waterproofing while also being breathable.

Thermacore insulation will keep your hands warm in heavy snow or sub-zero temperatures. The gloves are also lightweight and flexible.

These are gauntlet-style gloves, but they run a little short, which means you’ll want to cinch them up tight in heavy snow or wind.

==> You can also get it on Curated or DICK’S or Evo.

Best Ski Gloves: What to Consider

Here are some essential factors to consider when looking for the best ski gloves. Be sure to keep the tips and information in this section in mind to help you find a good option that will meet your needs this ski season.

Warmth

The primary purpose of your ski gloves is to provide warmth for your fingers and hands. That insulation comes from several different factors, such as glove thickness.

The thickness of your gloves depends on the materials used in their construction, a topic we will explore further in this guide. An easy way to check how warm a glove will be without testing it in the snow is by analyzing how it appears and feels.

A thinner glove will provide less warmth, and a thicker glove will offer more warmth. Like a jacket or any other garment, the more material it has, the warmer it will be. Some gloves have zippered pockets or compartments where you can insert a hand warmer.

This is a nice feature to have if you’re prone to cold fingers because it provides another level of warmth. Liners are another critical factor that adds warmth and protection against the cold.

Fit

The fit of a ski glove should match your hand size. Some gloves are available in various sizes to properly fit different-sized hands. These available sizes are standard in that they come in small, medium, large, and extra-large.

If you don’t know the size of your hand, you might want to try and figure this out before you purchase a pair of gloves.

There is no exact recommendation for how a ski glove should fit. It is not like a ski boot where the fit can have a significant impact on performance. To an extent, the fit of your gloves comes down to personal preference.

As a general rule, however, you don’t want your gloves to be too tight or too loose. Gloves that are too tight could potentially restrict blood flow and reduce warmth. In contrast, if it’s too loose, it could fall off while skiing or allow snow and cold in.

Material

Always consider your gloves’ material. All of the options on this list are made of warm, durable, and waterproof materials. This is essential for a ski glove. Some gloves are not intended for use in cold or wet conditions, such as work gloves and driving gloves.

It’s pretty safe to say that you wouldn’t try to ski in gloves that aren’t intended for the snow. Always double-check for waterproofness before you venture into the cold.

Ski gloves can be made of different materials and still be highly effective. Many gloves have a Gore-Tex outer shell that provides excellent water-proofing and wind-proofing capabilities.

Some are made with nylon, spandex, or other synthetic materials. Others are made of leather. Often, a glove design will utilize several of these materials to offer benefits of each. Just make sure that the glove you choose is fully water and windproof.

Insulation

Insulation is another crucial glove element. Basic glove construction consists of the inner layer that makes direct contact with your hands and an outer shell that keeps weather and moisture away.

As we touched on above, the thicker the insulation, the warmer the glove. Regardless of what material a glove uses for insulation, the more of it, the more warmth it will provide.

Common insulation materials include fleece, polyester, and even fur. Synthetic materials are much more common these days, as they provide both warmth and durability. Many gloves will label the insulation as a measurement.

For example, a 100-gram fleece lining is a leaner type of insulation that will still keep you warm. The kind you choose is up to you. Just make sure the gloves you go with have enough of it.

Style

Ski gloves come in a variety of different styles. Such options can match any preferences you have in both warmth or the type of skiing you like to do.

A solid ski glove style will cover your hands comfortably and have an extended wrist cuff designed to help keep snow and cold out. Many models also have straps and bands to help secure them to your wrists for added protection against the elements.

Spring skiing gloves will look more like a simple work glove without the added straps and wrist cuffs. These are nice in warmer weather conditions.

Ski mittens are another option that many skiers enjoy. I like to wear mittens on really cold days because I find them to be warmer than the more traditional finger gloves.

Useful Tips & Resources

Now that you have a good idea of some of the best ski gloves out there, you should also know how to take care of them. Some gloves don’t require any upkeep during their lifetime. However, some styles, such as leather, might require waterproofing or other conditioning after a while.

If you want to learn how to take care of your Gore-Tex gloves, check out this link. If you want to learn how to take care of your leather gloves, look at this.

If you’re prone to cold hands, sometimes even the best gloves in the world won’t be able to keep your hands warm. If that’s the case, you can do some other things to encourage your hands to stay warm.

A little trick I often tell people is to make sure you eat a big breakfast with plenty of carbohydrates before skiing. This will increase your body’s metabolism in a way that promotes blood flow throughout your extremities.

Another trick to staying warm on the slopes is to simply ski. The more you work, the warmer your body becomes. Some people swing their arms up and down or back and forth in an attempt to warm up their fingers.

That works a bit, but the general rule is the more you move your body, the faster you’ll warm up. It’s also a good idea to stay hydrated, which allows you to ski harder but can also help keep you warm.

Massage and some other techniques can keep your hands warm in cold weather. Take a look at the video below for some additional methods for keeping hands and fingers warm.

Remember that it is pretty challenging to warm your hands up once they’ve gotten cold. The more you can do to prevent them from getting cold in the first place, the longer you will have to enjoy your ski day.

Final Verdict

The Hestra Army Leather Heli earns my pick for the best ski gloves of the season. This model has a long-standing reputation for keeping skiers warm and comfortable when they ride. It also has exceptionally rugged construction that will last for years.

Good gloves are essential for every skier to have. If your fingers get cold, it can quickly ruin a great day of skiing. Every option on this list will give you quality performance and comes highly recommended.