Ski gloves are an essential requirement for the sport of skiing and are also great for a large number of other outdoor activities in colder, snowy climates. Snowboarding is a good example. There are a surprising number of factors that need to be considered when choosing which pair of ski gloves to buy.
Read on to find out the 5 most popular ski gloves and the pros and cons of each.
Carhartt W.P. Waterproof Ski Gloves
- Durable, all-purpose polytex with soft-shell trim and reinforced polyurethane palm
- Ultra soft insulation, fast dry technology lining wicks away sweat, waterproof insert
- Nose wipe, wrist strap closure with stretch fleece cuff
There are most probably no better ski gloves in the market than these amazing insulated gloves. These gloves are unique due to their comfort and sturdiness and also for how they feature a flexible design. Among the numerous additions to these fantastic gloves, is a fast-dry technology padding whose sole purpose is to wick away sweat for extra comfort. Furthermore, the gloves have an added advantage as a result of the waterproof feature as well as reinforced polyurethane palms for an extra firm grip and consistency. Finally, the gloves feature pull-on closures and a sturdy poly tex coat, which warranties to boost their impressive sturdiness.
Key features
· Fast-dry technology
· Flexible design
· Waterproof and windproof
· Durable polytex
Pros
- Extremely waterproof and warm
- Well padded if you wipe out
Cons
- Female colors would be nice
Velazzio ski gloves
Vellazio`s padded and insulated gloves and are a perfect fit for you if you want to shield your hands and keep them dry and warm. They feature a 3M Thinsulate insulation build, and they certainly trap warm air internally for thermal efficiency and simultaneously being completely breathable. They also have a Fan-Tex casing, which ensures that your hands remain dry and comfortable, therefore if you have to endure sweat, dump, or cold situations, sweat usually is released to have your hands stay dry.
These gloves also have several other noticeable features such as its appropriate zipper pocket; thus, you can comfortably put your keys or credit card,
some money, or your I.D. card. There is no worse situation like losing your I.D. card or credit card on the slopes. However, with this fantastic feature, you do not need to worry anymore. Besides, they offer a firm grip due to their very durable palms, which feature dotted rubber shielding. Steadily closing, these gloves can be accustomed using the buckle wrap as well as an additional drawstring closure to stop the cold air from penetrating.
Key features
· Zipper pocket for small essentials
· Flexible buckle wrist closure for extra protection from the weather
· 3M Thinsulate insulate
Pros
- Cheap reliable ski gloves
- Over 800+ good reviews on Amazon
Cons
- Not a major brand if you are brand-conscious
MCTi waterproof men`s ski gloves
These gloves are one of the most popular ski gloves for men in the market. They are famous for good reasons. To begin with, they feature windproof polyester, a waterproof build that ensures their long-term comfort and sturdiness and insulate Thinsulate. Moreover, it also has a soft composite shell that has three layers, which prevents any kind of discomfort as a result of snow or cold wind without impacting on the glove`s flexibility at all. Among the reasons why this happens is due to the insert impermeable TPU casing, which shields the hands against the cold ON THE EXTERIOR Nubuck palm as well as reinforced rubber on the fingers, which guarantees the glove sustains its grip on just about any material.
Key features
· Windproof and waterproof that has a breathable TPU casing
· Insulate Thinsulate
· Sturdy and wear-proof completely covered Nubuck palm featuring strengthened rubber fingers
· Zipper pocket to put your keys
· Simple one-pull closure with flexible wrist buckle
Pros
- Value for money
- Solid reviews from fellow skiers
Cons
- Only a few colors and sizes
Burton AK GORE-TEX Clutch Gloves
- Durable and waterproof Gore Active insert is optimized for extreme breathability
- Screen Grab Gnar Guard leather thumb and index finger are touchscreen-compatible
- Thermacore insulation with brushed microfiber fixed lining provides added warmth
- Gnar Guard leather palm is soft, supple, and breathable; Extended-length storm cuff
- Ergonomic pre-curved fit; Removable [ak] wrist leash
These Burton gloves are constructed out of rugged hardwearing materials that break in well over time. There is a nice mix of Gnarr Guard genuine Goat leather and breathable GORE-TEX membrane which combined, create a glove that is resistant to abrasion, hardwearing, waterproof and windproof. It is also known to be breathable. Aesthetic wise, these gloves also look pretty sleek.
The breathable membrane in these gloves actively removes clamminess and perspiration while at the same time keeping out moisture. Another highlight of these gloves is that they are touchscreen compatible, thanks to Burton’s Screen Grab technology built into the thumb and index finger.
Pros
- Extremely breathable whilst still being waterproof
- The ability to control your phone without exposing your hands to the cold thanks to the Screen Grab technology
Cons
- Shorter length means snow can accumulate around the Velcro of the wrist if the cuff of your jacket isn’t tight enough
Oakley Factory Park Gloves
- Touch Screen
- Velcro Closure
- Oakley Performance Gear
These Oakley snow gloves are lightweight, durable and water repellent. The Velcro cuff means they will securely fit all hand sizes and they also have a good grip on the palm. These gloves are available in a variety of colors and designs.
The index finger of these gloves is touchscreen compatible too. They also feature a brushed fleece lining to keep the heat inside and keep your fingers cozy.
Pros
- Velcro straps make for a great fit
- Touch screen compatibility to keep your hands cozy while replying to a quick message
- Good silicon great on the palms
- Available in a wide range of colors and designs
Cons
- Water resistant as opposed to waterproof
Flylow Ridge Gloves
- Waterproof
- See Description Below
These durable Flylow Ridge ski gloves are made from pigskin leather and have a soft cloth lining. They have a beeswax (Sno Seal) coating.
These sleek gloves are triple baked in Sno Seal (Yes, in an actual oven) in Colorado, making them effectively waterproof.
Pros
- Sno Seal coating means these gloves are waterproof
- Well, insulated leather means they are extremely warm whilst also being nice and pliable
Cons
- Its all leather exterior means these gloves aren’t quite as breathable as others and your hands can get clammy after wearing them for a while
Factors to consider when choosing which gloves to buy
Do you prefer gloves or mittens?
Ski gloves come in both styles and choosing which one you prefer is your first factor to consider. Mittens are generally warmer as your fingers generate more heat in the one compartment, whereas gloves often offer more dexterity and movement.
How much warmth do you need?
Different ski gloves vary in the amount of warmth they offer the wearer. There is no universal standard, and some are warmer than others. What you need depends on the conditions you’ll be wearing them in. For example, if you are skiing in warmer conditions, waterproofing may be a more important factor than warmth.
What outer shell material do you want?
Ski gloves are constructed from either leather, synthetic material, or a mixture of the two. Leather gloves are usually longer lasting as it is such a hard-wearing material. It is also waterproof when sealed by materials such as beeswax.
Do the gloves have a breathable membrane?
Nobody likes sweaty hands, especially when this trapped sweat actually makes your hands cold and wet. The materials this membrane is constructed in varies, but most are actually waterproof and sit just under the outer shell of the glove. Most also allow sweat to escape through holes that are actually too small to let any water enter.
What type of insulation is in the glove?
There are many different types of insulation used in ski gloves and you want to ensure your gloves are insulated enough to provide warmth but also allow breathability. You also want to ensure that the insulation doesn’t affect the fit of the glove or its dexterity. As discussed, the environment you plan on using the gloves in will determine what kind of insulation you need. Remember that the thickness of a glove those not accurately represent how well insulated it is.
What kind of lining is in the gloves?
This is the soft materials that you actually feel against your hands. Often times, it is fleece or some other material designed to drawn sweat away from your hands and through to the membrane. Some gloves have removable lining and some don’t.
What material is the palm constructed from?
Usually, a glove with a synthetic palm won’t last as long as a glove with a leather palm. This is because these areas receive the most abrasion and wear a lot quicker than other areas. Leather also offers a good grip, which is important in skiing.
What style is the cuff?
There are two different cuff styles seen in ski gloves – over the cuff, and under the cuff. Which one you prefer is a completely personal decision. Under the cuff end just below the wrist and offer better movement in the wrist area. Over the cuff are longer and come up under the cuff of your jacket, which stops any snow creeping in.
There are many other features available on ski gloves which you may want to consider. You might want a touch screen compatible glove, for example. However, the factors listed above are the most important to consider when it comes to just the basic function of a ski glove.
How to measure your ski glove size
Measure the circumference of your palm around the widest point. Once you have that measurement, use the following list to determine your size. Please note that this is a generic measurement and may vary slightly depending on the brand.
X-small
Men: 5.5-6.5 Inches
Women: 5-5.5 Inches
Small
Men: 6.5-7.5 Inches
Women: 5.5-6.5 Inches
Medium
Men: 7.5-8.5 Inches
Women: 6.5-7.5 Inches
Large
Men: 8.5-9.5 Inches
Women: 7.5-8.5 Inches
X Large
Men: 9.5-10.5 Inches
Women: 8.5-9.5 Inches
Cleaning your ski gloves
Just like other items of clothing, your gloves will require cleaning. How you go about cleaning them depends on the type of material they are constructed from. However, you should also always check any labels attached to your gloves that might contain specific cleaning instructions.
If you have waterproof gloves, never use laundry detergent on them as this can affect their waterproofing abilities. If there is any leather on your gloves you should also not put them in the washing machine and instead, hand wash them.
If washing in the machine, use an appropriate cleaner and place the glove inside a zipped mesh laundry bag so that they don’t get damaged in the machine. Wash them on a gentle setting. If your care instructions allow for it, you can tumble dry your gloves, otherwise, allow them to air dry naturally.
If your gloves are leather you should not submerge them in water and instead just use a damp cloth, or a special leather cleaner to remove the stains. You should also apply a leather wax once they are dry to avoid the leather cracking and damaging.
Where possible you should wash the lining of your gloves separately, although it is not possible to remove the lining from all gloves.
Conclusion
Buying a pair of ski gloves seems like a simple task, however, you now know that there is actually a lot to consider before you purchase a pair. Take your time choosing and researching pair that are right for your needs and they should last you many years. It’s also important that you look after and clean your gloves correctly to ensure they don’t get damaged in any way in a completely unavoidable way.
Keep warm and enjoy the slopes!