Buying guideWinter Sports section

Best ski gloves for cold and wet conditions: Amazon picks

Ski glove insulation type (down versus synthetic), waterproof membrane (GORE-TEX versus proprietary), gauntlet versus under-the-cuff length, wrist strap cinch, touchscreen compatibility on the fingertips and warmth rating determine which ski gloves keep hands dry and warm on the mountain.

By Pickspry EditorialUpdated September 28, 20264 picks

The short answer

Black Diamond Mercury Mitts at $55 is the best ski gloves for most cold-weather skiers: the PrimaLoft Gold synthetic insulation maintains warmth when wet (unlike down, which collapses when damp), the BD.dry waterproof membrane keeps hands dry in wet snow, and the extended gauntlet cuff fits over or under ski jacket sleeves.

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Quick picks

01
Best ski gloves for most conditions
Black Diamond Mercury Mitts
All-mountain and backcountry skiers who ski cold, wet conditions and need waterproof insulated mitts that maintain warmth in deep wet snow, where Black Diamond Mercury Mitts use PrimaLoft Gold synthetic insulation that retains 95 percent of its insulating value when wet, unlike down insulation which can lose warmth when it absorbs moisture.
02
Best budget ski gloves
Dakine Titan Gore-Tex Glove
Skiers who want GORE-TEX waterproof membrane construction at the lowest price in a five-finger glove, where Dakine Titan uses a GORE-TEX insert that is fully bonded to the glove interior to provide a completely waterproof barrier for full-day skiing in wet snow conditions.
03
Best leather ski gloves
Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves
Experienced skiers who want maximum durability, warmth and terrain feel in a leather ski glove used for high-mileage resort and backcountry skiing, where Hestra Army Leather uses a full goat leather exterior that is more abrasion-resistant than nylon synthetic gloves and provides a closer, more tactile grip feel on ski poles.
04
Best ski gloves for extreme cold
Outdoor Research Arete II Gore-Tex Mitts
Backcountry skiers and alpine climbers who face temperatures below 0F and need the warmest available mitts for extreme-cold mountain conditions, where Outdoor Research Arete II uses a GORE-TEX shell with 170g PrimaLoft insulation, which is significantly more insulation than resort ski gloves designed for standard mountain temperatures.

How we chose

Ski gloves are evaluated by waterproof membrane, insulation type and warmth rating, gauntlet versus under-cuff length, wrist closure, leather versus synthetic shell durability, touchscreen compatibility and price. Specs from manufacturer product pages. We did not test these products.

The picks, in detail

4 picks reviewed

Best ski gloves for most conditions

Black Diamond Mercury Mitts

Brand: Black Diamond

Best for

All-mountain and backcountry skiers who ski cold, wet conditions and need waterproof insulated mitts that maintain warmth in deep wet snow, where Black Diamond Mercury Mitts use PrimaLoft Gold synthetic insulation that retains 95 percent of its insulating value when wet, unlike down insulation which can lose warmth when it absorbs moisture.

Skip if

Five-finger dexterity for pole grip and jacket adjustments while skiing is needed. Mercury Mitts are mittens rather than gloves, which limits individual finger movement. For skiers who frequently adjust goggles, operate zipper pulls or make fine adjustments with gloved hands on the mountain, a full-finger glove design (Dakine Titan or Hestra Army Leather) provides individual finger function that mittens do not.

Check price on Amazon

Black Diamond Mercury Mitts use a nylon exterior shell with the BD.dry waterproof-breathable membrane and PrimaLoft Gold insulation filling. The single cavity of the mitt design provides more warmth per gram of insulation than a five-finger glove construction, as shared air space between fingers reduces heat loss. The extended gauntlet cuff cinches over a ski jacket sleeve to prevent snow entry.

Black Diamond is a Utah-based climbing and skiing equipment brand with products used in technical mountaineering alongside ski resort use.

At $55, Black Diamond Mercury Mitts are the best value warm-conditions ski mitt in this guide.

Specifications

Specifications for Black Diamond Mercury Mitts
Style	Mitt (no individual fingers)
Insulation	PrimaLoft Gold synthetic
Waterproof	BD.dry membrane
Cuff	Extended gauntlet
Price	$55

Specs from Black Diamond Mercury Mitts ski PrimaLoft insulation waterproof, gauntlet cold Amazon search

Best budget ski gloves

Dakine Titan Gore-Tex Glove

Brand: Dakine

Best for

Skiers who want GORE-TEX waterproof membrane construction at the lowest price in a five-finger glove, where Dakine Titan uses a GORE-TEX insert that is fully bonded to the glove interior to provide a completely waterproof barrier for full-day skiing in wet snow conditions.

Skip if

Extreme cold (below 10F or -12C) is the primary condition. Dakine Titan has moderate insulation appropriate for typical ski resort temperatures (10F to 30F). For arctic-cold skiing conditions where temperatures regularly drop below 0F, a thicker insulation level in a dedicated expedition glove or a heated glove liner provides the necessary warmth rating.

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Dakine Titan uses a GORE-TEX insert (Gore's waterproof-breathable membrane under license) with a durable nylon exterior and 100g synthetic insulation. The five-finger design allows individual finger movement for pole grip and equipment adjustments. The gauntlet cuff covers the jacket sleeve for a waterproof overlap at the wrist.

Dakine is a California surf and mountain sports brand founded in 1979. The Titan is their entry-level GORE-TEX ski glove and is consistently among the most sold affordable waterproof gloves in ski retail.

At $40, Dakine Titan is the most affordable GORE-TEX ski glove in this guide.

Specifications

Specifications for Dakine Titan Gore-Tex Glove
Waterproof	GORE-TEX insert
Insulation	100g synthetic (moderate)
Style	Five-finger glove
Cuff	Gauntlet
Price	$40

Specs from Dakine Titan Gore-Tex ski gloves waterproof insulated five finger, gauntlet Amazon search

Best leather ski gloves

Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves

Brand: Hestra

Best for

Experienced skiers who want maximum durability, warmth and terrain feel in a leather ski glove used for high-mileage resort and backcountry skiing, where Hestra Army Leather uses a full goat leather exterior that is more abrasion-resistant than nylon synthetic gloves and provides a closer, more tactile grip feel on ski poles.

Skip if

Low budget is the primary criterion. Hestra Army Leather at $80 is the most expensive standard ski glove in this guide. The premium buys long-lasting leather construction that outlasts synthetic gloves when properly maintained, but the upfront cost is significantly higher than the Dakine or Black Diamond options.

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Hestra Army Leather Heli uses a full goat leather palm and back with a Triton waterproof insert membrane and Superfleece lining. Leather ski gloves require occasional conditioning (leather conditioner applied to the dry exterior) to maintain the waterproofing treatment and prevent the leather from stiffening and cracking. Properly maintained leather ski gloves last 5 to 10 years of regular skiing.

Hestra is a Swedish glove manufacturer founded in 1936 in Hestra, Sweden. They produce gloves for ski racing, backcountry and resort skiing used by national ski teams in Scandinavia.

At $80, Hestra Army Leather is the premium durability glove in this guide.

Specifications

Specifications for Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves
Shell	Goat leather exterior
Waterproof	Triton waterproof membrane
Insulation	Superfleece lining
Cuff	Extended gauntlet
Price	$80

Specs from Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski gloves goat leather waterproof five finger, gauntlet Amazon search

Best ski gloves for extreme cold

Outdoor Research Arete II Gore-Tex Mitts

Brand: Outdoor Research

Best for

Backcountry skiers and alpine climbers who face temperatures below 0F and need the warmest available mitts for extreme-cold mountain conditions, where Outdoor Research Arete II uses a GORE-TEX shell with 170g PrimaLoft insulation, which is significantly more insulation than resort ski gloves designed for standard mountain temperatures.

Skip if

Standard ski resort use at typical mountain temperatures (10F to 30F) is the only use case. Outdoor Research Arete II at $120 is over-specified for normal resort skiing conditions. The extra insulation of extreme-cold mitts causes the hands to overheat during active lift-and-ski cycles at typical resort temperatures. The Black Diamond Mercury or Dakine Titan is more appropriate for resort-temperature skiing.

Check price on Amazon

Outdoor Research Arete II uses a GORE-TEX waterproof shell with 170g PrimaLoft synthetic insulation, which is roughly 70 percent more insulation fill than standard resort ski gloves. The mitt construction with the high insulation level is designed for sustained cold exposure in backcountry ski touring and alpine climbing where temperatures regularly reach 0F to -20F.

Outdoor Research is a Seattle-based outdoor gear manufacturer founded in 1981, known for technical apparel for mountaineering and skiing in Pacific Northwest and Alaskan conditions.

At $120, Outdoor Research Arete II is the extreme-cold specialist option in this guide.

Specifications

Specifications for Outdoor Research Arete II Gore-Tex Mitts
Waterproof	GORE-TEX
Insulation	170g PrimaLoft (high)
Style	Mitt
Use	Extreme cold backcountry
Price	$120

Specs from Outdoor Research Arete II Gore-Tex mitts extreme cold backcountry, ski alpine Amazon search

Ski glove comparison

Product	Style	Waterproof	Insulation	Price
Dakine Titan	Five-finger glove	GORE-TEX	100g synthetic	$40
Black Diamond Mercury	Mitt	BD.dry	PrimaLoft Gold	$55
Hestra Army Leather	Five-finger glove	Triton	Superfleece	$80
Outdoor Research Arete II	Mitt	GORE-TEX	170g PrimaLoft	$120

Compare the picks

Side by side comparison of every pick
Specification	Black Diamond Mercury Mitts	Dakine Titan Gore-Tex Glove	Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves	Outdoor Research Arete II Gore-Tex Mitts
Our verdict	Best ski gloves for most conditions	Best budget ski gloves	Best leather ski gloves	Best ski gloves for extreme cold
Style	Mitt (no individual fingers)	Five-finger glove	Not listed	Mitt
Insulation	PrimaLoft Gold synthetic	100g synthetic (moderate)	Superfleece lining	170g PrimaLoft (high)
Waterproof	BD.dry membrane	GORE-TEX insert	Triton waterproof membrane	GORE-TEX
Cuff	Extended gauntlet	Gauntlet	Extended gauntlet	Not listed
Price	$55	$40	$80	$120
Shell	Not listed	Not listed	Goat leather exterior	Not listed
Use	Not listed	Not listed	Not listed	Extreme cold backcountry
Buy	Check price	Check price	Check price	Check price

Questions people ask

How do I dry wet ski gloves after skiing?

Dry ski gloves by removing the liner (if it is removable) and turning the glove inside out. Hang both the shell and liner separately on a drying rack or radiator fin in a warm room. Do not place ski gloves directly on a radiator or heat vent, as concentrated direct heat above 100F degrades waterproof membrane performance over time. A glove dryer (a heated form that inserts into the glove) is the fastest drying method without heat damage, drying most gloves in 1 to 2 hours. If no dryer is available, stuff the glove loosely with newspaper to absorb interior moisture and replace the newspaper after 30 minutes. Leather gloves that dry stiff should have leather conditioner applied after drying to restore flexibility. Do not machine wash ski gloves unless the manufacturer label specifically allows it.

Gloves versus mitts for skiing: which is warmer?

Mitts are warmer than equivalent-weight gloves because the single cavity allows the fingers to share heat, while a glove construction isolates each finger in its own sleeve where heat is lost from four sides per finger rather than two sides per outer finger in a mitt. For equal insulation weight, a mitt provides approximately 20 to 30 percent more warmth than a glove. The tradeoff is dexterity: gloves allow individual finger movement for adjustments, pole grip and equipment handling. Most resort skiers find gloves sufficient for typical mountain temperatures (10F to 30F), while backcountry skiers in extreme cold benefit from mitts. Lobster-claw gloves (two groups of fingers rather than five or one) provide a warmth and dexterity level between standard gloves and mitts.

How should ski gloves fit?

Ski gloves should fit snugly without restricting blood circulation to the fingers. A properly fitted glove has minimal dead space at the fingertips (less than a half-inch of empty space beyond the fingertip) because dead air space reduces warmth. The palm closure should keep the glove from riding up the wrist during ski falls. With the gauntlet closed over the jacket sleeve, there should be no gap at the wrist where cold air can enter. Test the fit with a ski pole grip: the hand should close fully around the grip without the glove bunching at the palm. Gloves fit slightly different than regular gloves because of the insulation thickness; try on before purchasing when possible, or order two sizes to compare from brands with free returns.

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Best ski gloves for cold and wet conditions: Amazon picks