REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight but warm
Waterproof Gore-Tex membrane
Gauntlet easily fits under or over coat sleeve
REASONS TO AVOID
Too lightweight for sub-zero days
No nose wipe
Outdoor Research Revolution Gore-Tex Review
Constructed with light, puffy insulation and a waterproof Gore-Tex liner, this is our favorite waterproof ski glove under $100
The Outdoor Research Revolution Gore-Tex gloves combine puffy lightweight insulation with a waterproof liner, making them great at keeping hands warm and dry while skiing.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
By Chris Maxcer ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ April 15, 2026
RELATED: The Best Ski Gloves
Our Verdict
The Outdoor Research Revolution Gore-Tex shed more water than most other affordable ski gloves we tested – if you're looking for a budget-friendly glove to wear in sleet or through the warmer, wetter spring months, this is the one you want. While true waterproofing comes from its high-quality Gore-Tex membrane, the key difference between the Revolution and other gloves at this price point lies in the tight weave of the ripstop nylon shell, which prevents water from slipping in and saturating the synthetic insulation. As for warmth, the light and airy insulation kept our hands surprisingly warm. Again, the tightly woven nylon shell was particularly effective at cutting the wind chill on fast descents. But perhaps the best part is that the Revolution gloves kept our hands nearly as dry and warm as premium options that cost twice as much, or more.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Outdoor Research Revolution has evolved over the years with small tweaks to the fabric and fit, resulting in a ski glove that is about 30% lighter than similar gloves. Because it is lighter than average, your tactile sensation through the glove is awesome. It feels great to grip ski poles, and you have plenty of dexterity to adjust helmets and goggles.
The Outdoor Research Revolution Gore-Tex gloves easily kept our hands warm and dry on this cold, early-season day in Idaho. Credit: Ethan Maxcer
Warmth
The Revolution kept our hands and fingers warmer than we expected while skiing on freezing days in Idaho. While earlier versions of this glove scored slightly lower on this metric, the new version's fit has improved significantly, resulting in a huge difference in warmth. For a glove that feels remarkably lighter than many others we tested, it's hard to argue with our warm fingers after a cold day of skiing.
When we measured the temperature drop over time in a freezer, these gloves performed nearly as well as gloves with thicker, heavier insulation. However, the EnduraLoft ECO polyester insulation is light and fluffy – consequently, it compresses more easily. It felt as if holding cold ski poles let a bit more chill seep in than with other gloves with thicker, denser insulation. Still, we wouldn't hesitate to wear the Revolution for downhill skiing on days above 20° Fahrenheit.
To put some numbers to our subjective feelings on warmth, we used a laser thermometer to measure the internal temperature between ski runs. We also used a thermometer inside the glove to measure temperature drop over a period of time in a freezer.
Dexterity
In our experience, the most dextrous gloves are usually snug-fitting with tight finger tips. However, we've learned that loose, flexible gloves can sometimes be surprisingly good at grabbing and gripping. Such is the case with the Revolution, thanks to a particularly flexible shell fabric and relatively light insulation.
On the first try, we sometimes failed to grab zippers or push buttons on key fobs or phones. However, as we got used to using these gloves, we learned to let our fingers and thumbs compress the insulation to feel a zipper or button before pinching or pushing. Just that slight shift in our typical technique makes it much easier to perform small tasks with the Revolution.
Even though these gloves are well insulated, the insulation is compressible, which makes it easier to do things like press the button on your car keys. Credit: Chris Maxcer
Water Resistance
The Revolution Gore-Tex gloves cost slightly more than lower-budget alternatives, simply because Gore-Tex membranes are more expensive to use than many waterproof barriers. However, our tests show that the small extra investment is well worth it – these gloves are nearly as water-resistant as options that cost more than twice as much.
Most ski gloves shed ice and snow well, but liquid water can sometimes seep through the outer shell fabric. If too much water saturates the insulation between the shell and waterproof layer, it becomes much less effective, leading to cold hands. At the same time, if your hands sweat while you ski hard, you want a waterproof-breathable layer, like Gore-Tex, that allows water vapor from sweat to escape. With an inner Gore-Tex liner and a densely woven shell fabric, the Revolution strikes a great balance for skiing in wet conditions, such as sleet, or during the warmer, wetter spring months.
Our hands were never wet in the Revolution Gore-Tex gloves, even when we submerged them during a dunk test. Credit: Chris Maxcer
Construction Quality
The Revolution gloves are meticulously crafted from high-quality, lightweight materials. Stitched seams are straight and tight. Unfortunately, most seams are single-row stitched rather than double-row, a design that tends to help gloves last longer. One element that we particularly appreciate is the attention to detail around the fingertips. They're precisely shaped, approaching the construction quality of more expensive gloves.
The synthetic AX Diamond Grip palms are flexible and grippier than most synthetic palm lining material, and we haven't noticed any nicks from carrying our skis. While these are high-quality gloves, they're made from lightweight materials, so they are likely not as durable as some other heavier-duty designs we tested.
The AX Diamond Grip material on the palm is super abrasion-resistant, but the seam is only single-row stitched, which is less durable than double-row stitching. Credit: Chris Maxcer
Features
The Revolution Gore-Tex gloves include nearly all the key features we hope see in a ski glove. They have a wrist leash, a gauntlet pull, a gauntlet cinch, a secondary wrist cinch, and a glove clip retainer. The fingertips are touchscreen-compatible, and there's an interior pocket for a hand warmer
The only conspicuously missing feature is a nose wipe. But aside from the lack of a soft fabric layer on the back of the thumb for wiping runny noses on chilly ski days, we're pretty happy with the features built into the Revolution.
The Revolution Gore-Tex gloves include gauntlets that seal out snow, wrist leashes to prevent dropping your gloves from the chairlift, and a wrist cinch to help improve fit.
Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Revolution Gore-Tex?
If you can't stand bulky or stiff ski gloves, the lightweight Revolution offers just enough insulation to keep your hands warm for most days at the resort. But it's really their above-average water resistance – especially at this price point – that makes them a great option for anyone living and skiing in wetter climates. These gloves are particularly great for spring skiing, and if you need a bit more warmth to make it through the depths of winter, you can slide a hand warmer into the dedicated pocket on the back of your hand. If your hands don't run particularly cold, the Revolution Gore-Tex is our favorite ski gloves under $100.
The Revolution Gore-Tex felt almost too light to trust at first, but months of use have turned us into believers. Credit: Ethan Maxcer
What Other Ski Gloves Should You Consider?
If your hands do tend to run cold, the The North Face Montana Ski Gloves are a bit warmer – and a bit cheaper – than the Revolution Gore-Tex. The Montana Gloves fit large enough to easily accommodate a thin liner glove, if needed. For folks with particularly cold hands, the Montana also comes as a mitten. For folks whose hands tend to run warm, the breathable Gore-Tex liner in the Gordini GTX Storm makes it directly comparable to the Revolution gloves. And if you're looking for ultimate water resistance, the Arc'teryx Fission SV sheds water almost as well as a duck.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Outdoor Research Revolution Gore-Tex versus top competing products:
| Awards |  Best Bargain for Gore-Tex Gloves |
|---|---|
| Price | $90 List Check Price at Backcountry |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | Constructed with light, puffy insulation and a waterproof Gore-Tex liner, this is our favorite waterproof ski glove under $100 |
| Pros | Lightweight but warm, waterproof Gore-Tex membrane, gauntlet easily fits under or over coat sleeve |
| Cons | Too lightweight for sub-zero days, no nose wipe |
| Rating Categories | Outdoor Research Rev... |
| Warmth (25%) | |
| Dexterity (25%) | |
| Water Resistance (25%) | |
| Construction Quality (15%) | |
| Features (10%) | |
| Specifications | Outdoor Research Rev... |
| Double or Single Glove | Single |
| Gauntlet or Cuff | Gauntlet |
| Palm Material | 60% AX Diamond Grip polyester, 40% recycled polyester |
| Inner Glove Material | 100% Tricot Microbemberg polyester |
| Waterproof Material | Gore-Tex |
| Insulation Type | EnduraLoft ECO 100% recycled polyester |
| Special Features | Touchscreen compatible, heat pack pocket, removable leash |
| Nose Wipe | No |
—Chris Maxcer
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