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They're often considered an afterthought when gear shopping. But getting the right ski gloves can make all the difference to your day on the hill.

Best ski gloves

There are plenty of variations in glove design out there, from standard gloves and mitts to three fingered hybrid designs, all offering different levels of warmth and dexterity. If you feel the cold or are dealing with higher altitude, or a continental climate (like you'd find in Canada, for example) you’ll want to prioritise warmth. Lower level piste-bashing will probably call for a more breathable, lightweight glove design. If you're touring, you'll often want two pairs—a lightweight set for the way up and then thicker waterproof "over-gloves" for the descent.

Of course, there are cost implications to bear in mind here, so don’t over-spec if you don’t need to - especially if you run warm. Although the best ski gloves will last for many years, the insulation will compress over time (especially when it gets damp) and gradually offer less warmth, so upgrading can become a regular - and enjoyable - process. 

Best ski gloves

The North Face Montana Luxe Fl Men's Ski Gloves

The North Face Montana Lux

Best for: All round performance.
RRP:  £90

If there was an all-rounder award, the Montana Luxe gloves would probably swing it. They’re immediately and obviously burly and built to last, strong on insulation, but still tactile enough to manage most hill-based operations without fumbling. 

TNF’s flagship Futurelight waterproof membrane stars here, offering breathable weatherproofing without fuss, and both palm and back of the hand are protected by durable goat leather. A key extra here is the ‘etip’, which simply means you can operate a touchscreen while wearing them, which is a considerable plus in chilly temperatures. 

There’s also a veritable kitchen sink of strong eco points to the Montana Luxe too, from the recycled polyester shell and Heatseeker Eco insulation (70% post-consumer recycled), to the non-PFC DWR finish, boxes are ticked with aplomb. A final gesture is the wrist leash and generous thumb loop for ease of use and difficulty of loss. The only negative is the price, which is definitely in the upper-midrange at £90. However, for a top-quality set of gloves that look and act the part, it’s a small price to pay. 

Buy North Face Montana Luxe Gloves: £89.99 at Ellis Brigham <<Best Deal>>

Buy North Face Montana Luxe Gloves: £98 at Amazon

Black Diamond Spark Mitts

Best for: All round performance, if you're after mittens

Mitts vs. gloves is really a question of personal preference. If you like mittens, then these Spark Mitts from Black Diamond are awesome value for full leather, waterproof model. They’re made from durable, flexible goat leather and have finger inserts for better dexterity. The neoprene cuff feels snug and secure under your jacket and there’s foam padding on the knuckles for added protection. 

Inside, the soft fleece lining is super cozy while a layer of PrimaLoft Gold insulation—the warmest the company makes—is guaranteed to keep your digits toasty, even in the depths of winter. Oh, and they just look cool, too. 

Buy Black Diamond Spark Mitts: £94 at alpinetrek.co.uk

Decathlon Wedze 900 Ski Gloves

 

Best for: Budget conscious skiers.
RRP: £49

The Decathlon Wedze 900 Ski Gloves impress immediately with their build quality, being made entirely of soft leather (sheep on the main body of the glove and goat on the palm, according to Decathlon). There’s 200g/sqm of insulation on the backs of the hand, and a decent 60g/sqm on the palm to keep things cosy, but not so much that you can’t grip a pole comfortably. 

A brushed knit lining allows easy donning and doffing as required, even when hands are a little damp, and there’s a built-in membrane to keep real wet at bay - as will the leather DWR treatment to a certain extent. They’re thus also windproof, which is hopefully more of a concern in pleasant piste conditions. 

A standard rip-tab cuff fastening is perfectly serviceable, and a neatly designed elastic drawstring and wrist loop allow them to be removed at will without dropping them off a lift - an essential addition. Overall an excellent leather glove for the price, albeit one with a proprietary membrane and insulation that may not retain peak performance as long as a more expensive competitor - although most insulation will become compressed with use anyway. 

Buy Decathlon Wedze 900 Ski Gloves: £49.99 at decathlon.co.uk

Dakine Phoenix Ski Gloves

Dakine Phoenix ski gloves

Best for: High-end performance
RRP: £180

Dakine has never been a cheap brand, but the quality is usually excellent, which results in very long life items indeed. These Phoenix gloves live up to that precisely, and are flexible in every sense too. A removable liner allows you to tune the warmth to suit the season or altitude, while the robust build will shrug off weather and cold stuff in all its myriad forms. A waterproof Gore Active insert delivers waterproof but breathable soundproofing, while the goat leather palm and back of hand will take a beating without a blink. 

In particular, the long gauntlet cut screams ‘warmth’, as do the easily-adjustable drawcords to really trap the heat and the wrist strap for a secure fit in the most dynamic of situations. 

Buy Dakine Team Phoenix Glove: £89 at absolute-snow.co.uk <SALE>

Decathlon Wedze Downhill Skiing Mittens

Decathlon Wedze ski mittens

Best for: Budget conscious skiers.
RRP: £40

Decathlon does decent good outdoor gear at ludicrously reasonable prices, and ski gear is no exception - the spec of these Downhill Mittens in particular will take a lot of effort to beat for the price. Insulation is provided via a down filling - mixed 85 percent duck down and 15 percent feathers as is often the case in Decathlon - and a thin polymer film creates a waterproof membrane. 

The good news continues on the palm, with a goat leather layer, textured on the fingertips for extra grip. A retainer drawstring will ensure you don’t drop them off the lift, and a wrist strap and generous pull-on loop gives easy-donning and security once they’re in place. Frankly, an impressive spec for the £40 price tag. As always, with Decathlon, the downside tends to be in the build quality, which means you may well need to replace these sooner than if you bought a pricier pair. But for many skiers who will only use them for one week a year, that's a trade-off worth making. 

Buy Decathlon Wedze Downhill Skiing Mittens: £34.99 at Decathlon

Hestra Fall Line 3 Finger Ski Gloves

Hestra Fall Line Ski Gloves

Best for: Women or those with small hands.
RRP: £140

Hestra are famous for building tough ski gloves that last the course, even if they're not cheap. We’re not saying that women necessarily feel cold more than male skiers, but the Fall Line 3 Finger is one of a handful of gloves here that's available in women's-specific fit. 

If you decide that the half-mitt might be the thing for you, then the Hestra fall line 3 finger is one of the best around. Forged from cowhide with outseams that improve grip and comfort, and with a really practical broad neoprene cuff that fits neatly into a shell jacket, the build quality and attention to detail is second to none.

The broad concept here is that the grouping of the three fingers together in a mitt keeps them warm, while the index and thumb finger are free to be as dexterous as you might need to be. There is some truth to this, although it’s equally easy to flip it around, and complain that dexterity vs gloves is compromised, and you get a cold index finger - ultimately, the choice is yours. 

Buy Hestra Fall Line Mitten: £140 at Ellis Brigham

Reusch Mens Kondor R-TEX XT Ski Gloves

Reusch Kondor Ski Gloves

Best for: mid-range, mid-price comfort
RRP: £64

Reusch might be best known for their goal keeping gloves, but being Austrian, the brand has made ski gloves for just as long. Their mid-range Kondor R-TEX XT’s are a study in practical function. The styling might be unremarkable, but they’re waterproof, windproof and breathable thanks to the proprietary membrane, with a softshell outer that majors in comfort and dexterity if not durability.

The long cuff keeps the wrist area warm, aided in keeping snow out of the glove by the elasticated closure, and R-LOFT insulation amps up the warmth on offer overall. Meanwhile the wristband adjuster increases security and helps a snug fit, and the elasticated storm leash prevents you dropping them off the button lift. Overall, a solid choice for resort use, or where budget is a key factor. 

Buy Reusch Kondor Ski Gloves: £80.00 at Ellis Brigham

Buy Reusch Kondor Ski Gloves: £80.00 at Snow & Rock

Reusch Nuria RTX Mittens 

Reusch Nuria RTX Mittens_Ellis Brigham

Best for: Warmth and quality at a reasonable price.
RRP: £90

The combination of wind, altitude and snow will make the hardiest fingers feel somewhat nippy, a fact that the Reusch Nuria takes on board and stops in its tracks. Mittens offer the warmest handwear configuration available, and Reusch have amped this up with a premium down fill as well as the addition of a Gore-Tex membrane for wind-proofing, and water-resistance but without compromising breathability. 

Elsewhere there’s a top-quality goat leather palm, wrist closure and cuff adjuster to keep powder firmly away from your skin. A touch of luxury even in the coldest climes.

Buy Reusch Nuria RTX Mittens: £99.99 at Ellis Brigham

Transform Gloves Carving Club Mitt 

The Carving Mitt Tiger Orange-Back_Transform Gloves

Best for: Snowboarders who love to eurocarve.
RRP: £80

Transform is a brand for snowboarders, by snowboarders, known for their entertaining colour schemes and innovative tweaks on classic designs. The Carving Club Mitt is a prime example. Designed for snowboarders who love "eurocarving" (ie. getting as low to the slope as possible, and brushing it with their hand) these have a Kevlar palm, which offers added abrasion resistance and durability. 

Under the hood, there’s a filling of Primaloft Gold Insulation - artificial down that’ll keep you warm even when damp - and a Hipora 10k waterproof insert to handle wetness in all its forms. A wrist leash ensures that the mitts stay with you throughout the day, and a touchscreen compatible thumb lets you update the 'gram between runs. 

Buy The Carving Club Mitt Tiger Orange: £80.00 at snowboard-asylum.com

Rab Khroma Freeride Gore-Tex Glove

Khroma-Freeride-GORE-TEX-Glove-Rab_Rab

Best for: Off-piste afficionados
RRP: £145

Founded by climbers from Sheffield, Rab make top-notch mountaineering gear, and their ski products—which include high-end ski jackets, and waterproof ski pants—tend to cater to backcountry lovers. These gloves, designed for freeriders, are no exception. Hidden within the sleek and shapely design are all the tools you’ll need for the backcountry. The engineered pre-curved fit and deep gauntlet cuff will stop even the powderiest of snow sneaking in your jacket sleeves, and high loft pile lining makes them feel warm and snuggly.

The Pittards Armortan leather palm promises durability and ruggedness, and the Primaloft Gold insulation is layered in varying thicknesses (or ‘mapped zones’) to ensure warmth without adding excessive bulk. Last but not least, a Gore-Tex membrane adds an extra layer of fortitude. 

Buy Rab Khroma Freeride Gore-Tex Glove: £145.00 at snowandrock.com

Picture Grabey GTX Gloves

Best for: Transparency on sustainability
RRP: £95

French brand Picture prides itself on its transparency when it comes to sustainable sourcing, and its gloves are no exception. The main material in this pair is 100 percent "circular polyester" that's certified by Global Recycled Standard, Oeko-Tex Standard 100, and LWG. 

All the elements you’d expect from a decent pair of ski or snowboard gloves are present and correct - the cuff adjuster, wrist strap, wrist leash all speak of practicality in a range of weathers. Meanwhile, there’s a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane and 220gm artificial insulation to keep you warm. This is packed in beneath a rubber palm and velvex thumb, which are excellent for both durability and dexterity. 

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