Reviewed: the best ski gloves for 2020
Gloves can make or break a holiday in the mountains, since it’s hard to keep going with freezing cold hands. Ski and snowboard gloves are always designed to keep hands warm and dry, though some are better at it than others, but when choosing a pair, there are other things to consider too.
For example, it helps if hands can move enough to deal with zip pulls, laces, buckles and all manner of intricate tasks. While gloves often give more dexterity, mittens can be the best answer for anyone who feels the cold, since warm air can move around the fingers.
Whichever the choice, and whether it’s for a day of cruising perfectly groomed pistes in resort or a powder day off piste, here’s our selection of the best gloves and mitts available.
Need some help choosing? Find out everything you need to know before buying a pair of gloves.
Best for stormy days
Black Diamond Recon, £90
Mitts are the way forward on icy-cold snowy days - and these also have top of the range insulation and a nice long cuff to keep hands toasty warm
Black Diamond’s own waterproof, breathable membrane keeps hands dry in snowy surroundings // Long but lightweight waterproof cuff gaiter keeps out the elements // Primaloft Gold insulation gives excellent warmth without bulk // Two layers over the top of the hands // Single layer on the palm maintains warmth without losing dexterity and feel // Leather palm gives a tough, dependable grip
blackdiamondequipment.com
Best for backcountry missions
Dakine Kazu Kokubo Team Excursion, £85
This lime green powder-riding machine steps up to the mark for hiking and riding hard in the backcountry
Top end Gore-tex waterproof/breathable membrane keeps the weather out and means no sweaty hands while riding hard // Primaloft Gold insulation combined with natural wool keeps hands warm // Long cuffs keep snow out // Leather palm is durable and offers excellent dexterity // The chosen gloves of Japanese Olympic snowboarder Kazu Kokubo, famous for his backcountry-freestyle riding
dakine.com
Best for secret-agent style
Kjus BT 2.0, £299
It’s the future, right now - these well-connected gloves have in-built Bluetooth tech for phoning on the fly
Connects to phone via Bluetooth with a display to show who’s calling // Waterproof speaker and microphone built in so it’s easy to make and receive calls without having to fish out the phone // No need to remove gloves to operate a touch-screen thanks to Kjus’s Touch Skin tech // Stretchy and fully waterproof Dermizax EV membrane keeps water out // Durable and grippy full-leather palms // Warm polyester lining with 15 per cent wool // Compatible with iOS and Android // Recharge via USB // Do not wash
kjus.com
Best for elegance incarnate
Leki Stella S, £100
Sleek and feminine, these are perfect for stylish comfort on all but the coldest of days
Under-cuff design sits neatly inside a jacket wrist closure // Leki’s Lady Slim Fit shape works well for smaller hands // Soft-Tex waterproof and breathable membrane keeps hands dry // Primaloft insulation and fleece lining keep fingers warm // Grippy and durable leather palms // A small loop by each thumb means they can be attached seamlessly to Leki’s Trigger S system ski poles without the need for straps // This doesn’t get in the way when using other poles
leki.com
Best for planet protection
Picture Organic Clothing Anna, £75
Plentiful weather protection combines with Picture’s environmentally-friendly production values for added feelgood factor
As well keeping hands dry, Picture’s waterproof and breathable membrane is recyclable // Water repellent coating is made without environment-damaging PFC chemicals // The polyester used is over 60 per cent recycled // Insulated with Thinsulate // Plush brushed-fleece lining // Long cuffs effectively seal out the snow // Supple and hard wearing full leather palms
picture-organic-clothing.com
Best for freestyle flair
Planks The Peacemaker, £60
Rocking the svelte, bright looks of pipe gloves, these are insulated for all season warmth whether enjoying piste, terrain park or powder days
The streamlined Velcro cuffs sits sweetly under jacket sleeves // Available in a range of eyecatching, unisex colour combinations // Insulation on palms and top of hands is made from planet-friendly recycled plastic bottles // Fleece lining over back of hands adds comfort // Waterproof, breathable Planks membrane // Water repellent coating is solvent free, earning more enviro-friendly kudos
planksclothing.com
Best for good-value tech
The North Face Guardian ETIP, £45
These close-fitting heat keepers are packed with features for the money, including smartphone-friendly fingers so the gloves are truly on
No need to worry about missing a photo opportunity or a phone call when out on the mountain as the TNF Etip functionality makes these touch-screen friendly // Synthetic insulation reduces heat loss to keep hands and fingers warm // The North Face DryVent waterproof and breathable membrane means hands stay dry, and not sweaty, even when working hard // Cuffs fit under jacket sleeves for a sleek look
thenorthface.co.uk
Best for all-weather versatility
Helly Hansen Odin, £150
These 2-in-1 gloves for all seasons come with liner gloves to add to the outer shells on colder days
Fully waterproof, breathable shell outer gloves with Helly Hansen’s own-brand membrane seal out the elements // Tough leather palms offer durable protection and grip // Outer gloves are lined making them comfortable to wear alone on warmer days // Inner gloves useful when doing delicate jobs or on very warm days // Handy loop on back of ring finger for clipping gloves upside down on trousers for example, so snow can’t get in
hellyhansen.com
Best for retro style
Quiksilver Method Anniversary, £50
Featuring art inspired by Quiksilver’s bold and bright 1987 designs, these keep cold at bay as well as stand out on the hill
Quiksilver’s punk-style Warpaint art grabs attention on the slopes // Soft microfleece lining adds to that warm mitten feeling // Neoprene cuffs also have a hook-and-loop closure for an extra snug seal // Breathable and waterproof Quiksilver’s DryFlight membrane lets sweat escape while keeping water and snow out // Synthetic insulation reduces heat loss to keep hands and fingers warm
quicksilver.co.uk
Best for getting a grip
Mammut Nordwand Pro, £129
The Nordwand, aka ‘north wall’, is the coldest side of the mountain, but there’ll be no poles slipping from hands when wearing these
Gore-tex Grip technology, with the different layers cleverly bonded together, gives improved grip and feeling // Full leather palms also add dexterity and grip // Gore-tex membrane is superbly waterproof and breathable // Primaloft Gold insulation on the back of the hands gives excellent warmth for minimal bulk // Palms are reinforced in high-wear areas // Handy loop on back of one finger for clipping gloves upside down on trousers for example, so snow can’t get in
mammut.com
Best for years of wear
Salomon Propeller Plus W, £115
Mainly made of supple, durable leather, if you love these and treat them well, you’ll have a long happy life together
Leather’s durable and mouldable nature means they’ll not only last, but improve with age, especially if re-waterproofed regularly // Leather palms, fingers and back of hands give superb fit, comfort and dexterity // Primaloft Gold insulation delivers warmth without bulk // Salomon AdvancedSki Dry waterproof and breathable membrane to keep winter out and hands comfortable // Short cuffs fit under jacket sleeves // Handy loop on back of one finger, for clipping gloves upside down on trousers for example, so snow can’t get in
salomon.com
Best for dexterity in mittens
Wed’ze Lobster 900, £50
Half-mitt, half-gloves lobster-claw design both keeps fingers warm and makes more fiddly tasks a breeze
Separated out index finger increases the dexterity // Durable and grippy full leather outer is a bargain at this price // Thick insulation on the back of the hand and palm ensures fingers don’t get cold, even in the harshest conditions // Wed’ze waterproof membrane keeps the weather out // Reinforced in high-wear areas // Slim wrists sits neatly under jacket sleeves
decathlon.co.uk
