HomeHOWHow Much Should I Spend On Ski Gloves

How Much Should I Spend On Ski Gloves

Updated January 8th, 2024

Skiing is the best winter sport without question. The fun can get ruined in a hurry if you don’t have the right gloves and have cold hands and fingers. There are so many choices out there for ski gloves that it’s hard to choose. If they aren’t warm enough, you can get cold fingers or worse, frostbite. If they are too warm you get sweaty hot palms that make you uncomfortable. We are here to help you find the right ski gloves with our decades of skiing experience.

See below for our top picks for best ski gloves. Keep reading for a ski glove guide and FAQ.

About our ratings

We look at a few key factors when we make ratings for ski gloves. Warmth, dexterity, water resistance, construction, and features.

  • Warmth – How warm are the gloves? The insulating material matters most here.
  • Dexterity – How easy is it to move your fingers and do things while wearing the gloves.
  • Water Resistance – How waterproof are the gloves? Will they keep your hands dry in the snow or rain?
  • Construction – How well put together are the gloves? Do they use durable materials and parts such as zippers?
  • Features – Do the gloves have wrist leashes, cuff elastics, zipper pockets and other nice to have features.

Ski Glove Guide

So you are looking for new ski gloves? Ski Gloves are not a one size fits all solution. That set of $20 gloves at Costco aren’t going to be the best choice for everyone. If you ski in a colder location you want something with heavier insulation. If you are somewhere that doesn’t often see cold polar climates, you are more concerned with finger dexterity and features like touch screen compatiblity. Lets dig in to what is important in a set of ski gloves.

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How do I choose the right ski gloves?

Decide what is most important for you. How cold is it where you ski? Do you care about features such as touch screen compatibility? Do you do a lot of uphill or ski touring? You want gloves designed around active use that have good breathability. Understanding how you will use your ski gloves is important to finding the best set of gloves for you.

Are mittens or gloves better for skiing?

Gloves have better dexterity. Mittens are a bit warmer. Things such as insulation and fit can make more of a difference than whether you are using ski gloves or ski mittens. See our guide to mittens vs gloves for skiing to learn more.

What features should I look for in ski gloves?

There are a number of important things to take into consideration when selecting ski gloves. Insulation comes first and foremost because comfortable and safe thermal protection is essential. Another vital aspect to consider is waterproofing, since your gloves must be able to tolerate damp environments.

Durability and functionality are also significantly influenced by the materials utilized in the exterior shell. Finally, how well the gloves fit and match your other ski clothing depends on the cuff style. With these elements combined, you can be confident that your gloves will not only keep your fingers warm but also greatly improve your overall skiing experience.

Insulation

The core component of a pair of ski gloves is the insulation. Ski gloves are useless if they don’t keep your hands warm and dry. These days Thinsulate, Primaloft, wool, and down are the most popular insulations for ski gloves.

  • PrimaLoft insulation is a synthetic, highly water-resistant and breathable material that provides exceptional warmth and comfort, even in extreme cold and wet conditions. While both offer excellent thermal efficiency, the key difference is that PrimaLoft Gold offers a higher warmth-to-weight ratio, making it the premium choice for those seeking maximum heat retention with minimal bulk.
  • Thinsulate, which was developed by the 3M Company, is well known for its capacity to keep you warm without adding bulk to your gloves. Its employment of microscopic microfibers that capture air molecules is the key to its effectiveness. Your body heats these molecules, which provides additional warmth without making the gloves heavy. It’s also not expensive. You will find Thinsulate in many cheap ski gloves.
  • Wool is a natural insulation. Merino wool is well known for being lightweight and having good insulating properties. Your hands stay dry and naturally toasty thanks to its wicking qualities. It frequently has to be combined with synthetic materials for efficient resistance against wind and water. For the ideal balance of warmth, comfort, and durability, a lot of the best ski gloves combine synthetic and wool materials.
  • Down sourced from duck and goose feathers, is a popular choice for ski glove insulation because of its superior warmth. However, it’s not the best in wet conditions. So, if you’re going for down-insulated gloves, make sure they come with a water-resistant, breathable outer shell to stay warm and comfy.
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How do I determine the right size for ski gloves?

You can utilize the helpful size chart that most ski glove brands provide to make sure your gloves fit properly. In order to use these charts, you typically need to measure the length and circumference of your hand and compare the results to the ones shown on the chart. When it comes to ski gloves, size counts since a snug, comfortable fit guarantees the best possible warmth and dexterity for skiing.

Remember that loose gloves improve mobility but reduce warmth. Tight gloves offer better heat insulation but may restrict your range of motion.

What are some reputable ski glove brands?

Choosing a trustworthy and reputable brand might make all the difference when it comes to ski gloves. For example, Black Diamond Equipment is renowned for producing high-quality ski equipment, and their gloves are no exception. They have superior waterproofing and insulating qualities and are made to withstand harsh weather conditions.

The 80-year-old Swedish company Hestra is well-known for its fine craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. They provide a large selection of ski gloves that combine premium materials and cutting-edge design to satisfy a variety of demands and tastes.

Redefining and improving outdoor gear is the focus of another industry leader, Outdoor Research. With high-performance features like touchscreen-compatible fingertips and breathable waterproof materials, their ski gloves are true representations of this dedication.

An established name in the outdoor products market, Gordini provides a wide selection of inventive ski gloves. Gordini gloves, which are well-known for their enhanced grip components and heating technology, provide comfort without sacrificing performance. They produce some of the best budget ski gloves out there.

Dakine is well-known for its equipment for windsurfing, kiteboarding, mountain biking, surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding. Their stylish and functional ski gloves are highly regarded for their exceptional comfort and durability in inclement weather.

How much should I expect to pay for good quality ski gloves?

Some gloves, such as the MTCi gloves on Amazon, can be as cheap as $25. Are these the best gloves out there? No. Will they work for an average not super cold ski day? Yes. If you want gloves with more insulation or better breathability you’ll need to spend more. The average price for a good set of ski gloves is $100-$200. My top pick Swany X-Change gloves will set you back $80- $130. My favorite cold day gloves, the Black Diamond Guide Gloves run $130-$150.

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What are some common mistakes to avoid when buying ski gloves?

Buying gloves for the wrong temperature range. Don’t assume that you need the warmest, highest degree of insulation out there for skiing. Skiing is an athletic sport and you’ll get your heart rate up while going down the hill. This will warm your hands up. Black Diamond Guide Gloves are great on days under 25F. If you are out on a 30F day doing a lot of hiking, your hands will be sweating hot.

Buying gloves based on looks. The best looking gloves may not be the warmest or have the best breathability or be waterproof. Look at more than just how they look hanging on the store rack.

Buying gloves that are only water resistant instead of water proof when you ski in a wet climate. If you happen to ski at Whitefish Montana all the time where fog and rain are common (we took a 5 day ski trip there and it rained all 5 days), you want gloves with good waterproofing. Rain and wet slushy snow will soak into water resistant gloves and leave your hands cold and wet.

Buying the wrong size gloves. Gloves that are too small can constrict your movement and blood flow leaving you with cold hands. Gloves that are too big can have too much air flow inside of them and also leave your hands cold. Extra large fingers that are way too big for your hands can wreck your finger dexterity.

Heated Ski Gloves vs Regular Gloves

Heated ski gloves can add an extra dose of warm to your hands. They have heating elements around the back of your palms and around your fingers. They can have anywhere from 2 to 5 hours of heating power. If you suffer from Raynaud’s Syndrome, they can be the only way to keep your hands warm while skiing.

The downside to heated gloves is their cost. A cheaper set of heated gloves will run you $80-$100. They may not be as warm as a set of heavily insulated non-heated gloves for the same price. If you want really warm heated gloves with heavy insulation to go with the heat you really need to spend more and get something like the Black Diamond Solano or Outdoor Research Prevail gloves.

See our guide to the best heated ski gloves to learn more.

Are you still confused about what to buy? Talk to an expert at Curated.com

Ski Gloves FAQ

You might also like:

  • The Best Toe Warmers For Skiing
  • Mittens Vs Gloves For Skiing? How To Decide?
  • The Best Heated Insoles For Ski Boots
  • What To Wear Skiing? Helpful Layering Guide For Winter

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