Black Diamond Legend Review

Warmth

Our testers were comfortable wearing this glove down to about 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Compared to the over-the-cuff/gauntlet-style gloves we tested, these aren't as warm, but they are far more dexterous. The synthetic insulation found around the palm, back of the hand, and fingers keeps your body heat in, and a soft fleece lining adds comfort and warmth on the inside. Overall, this glove is surprisingly warm and will be adequate for most days at the ski hill unless you live and ski in very cold environments.

Dexterity

The Legend features some of the best dexterity among the models we tested. These gloves use sheepskin leather on the palm, which is incredibly soft and supple immediately after purchase. Common skiing tasks like bucking boots and opening zippers are a breeze while wearing this glove. We were also easily able to write, use our car keys, and take a phone out of our pockets. These gloves were designed for snow professionals like ski patrollers and guides, and their dexterity reflects this purpose. We felt that the thumb is tailored a bit large and could be more snug, but this didn't affect overall dexterity that much.

Water Resistance

In our submersion test, the Legend didn't let any water into the interior of the glove after spending two minutes in a bucket of water. Additionally, the outer materials (leather and softshell fabric) barely absorbed any water during the submersion. This aligns with our experience on the slopes that this glove is absolutely waterproof. It uses a Gore-Tex insert to keep water outside the hand chamber and a Pertex softshell material on the back of the hand and cuff, which also repels water from the outside of the glove. However, most of the glove's exterior is made from very supple and soft leather that will eventually begin to absorb water over time, especially when the glove is broken in. It's important to keep up with regular waterproof treatment, as it will help the leather keep moisture out more effectively.

Durability

The Legend's palm leather is significantly softer than any other ski glove we have seen. While this material provides excellent comfort and dexterity, it also brings durability concerns for those who use their gloves every day. After about two weeks of heavy use, the leather palm showed significant signs of wear, including minor rips and thin spots. A common practice in leather glove construction is the placement of additional leather patches in areas of high use, and these gloves don't have that. Furthermore, the soft leather can more easily tear away from the stitching used to keep the glove together because the stitches are sewn through a very soft material to begin with. All of these concerns are exacerbated when the leather gets damp, which will happen eventually.

Features

The neoprene cuff is one of our favorites among the under-the-jacket-cuff models we tested. It seals tightly around the wearer's wrist with a hook-and-loop closure, keeping snow out and reducing volume. This makes it easy to pull your jacket sleeve over the top of the glove's cuff. The nose wipe is very comfortable as well. Otherwise, there aren't many other features to speak of, which is welcome news to those who prefer to avoid dangling straps and drawcords.

Should You Buy the Black Diamond Legend?

The Legend is a relatively expensive ski glove, and despite all of its strengths, its poor durability performance makes us doubt the value of this product. It wears out faster than a hardware store leather winter glove, and for the price, this short lifespan is a turnoff. That said, if you are light on your equipment or just want a dexterous, waterproof, and relatively warm glove for outdoor work, this is a good option.

What Other Ski Gloves Should You Consider?