The Best Ski Gloves for Women

The Best Women's Ski Gloves

Full results from testing 15 top products are in our Product Comparison Table and Analysis & Test Results sections.

We're always excited to pull on the women's specific Outdoor Research Revolution for a day of skiing. These gloves are versatile enough for most days on the mountain, keeping our hands warm in all but extremely cold temperatures. The Revolution gloves were comfortable on single-digit ski days and not stiflingly hot on warm spring days. These gloves offer the same premium features as high-end options, but they're reasonably priced. The touchscreen-compatible fingertips are especially effective compared to other insulated gloves we tested. “I skied in these every day through a two-week-long mid-winter cold snap, and I really appreciated the ability to take pictures without having to take my gloves off,” our lead tester said.

Glove or Mitten?	Glove
Shell Material	2L 100% Recycled Nylon
Waterproof Material	2L recycled polyester with Gore-Tex insert
Insulation Material	EnduraLoft 100% polyester
Palm Material	Synthetic Diamond PU grip

For most conditions, the waterproofing on the Revolution was wholly sufficient. But we noticed that the water resistance wasn't as good after heavy use as it was fresh out of the packaging. “The waterproofing seemed to degrade from the beginning to the end of the test period, but the Revolutions still kept my hands dry in the field,” our testers note, thanks to an internal Gore-Tex membrane. While the tailoring on the Revolution offers a perfect fit for most women's thinner fingers, some testers remarked that they fit a little slim and wanted to size up. If you're willing to give up a bit of dexterity, the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt offers maximum warmth and water resistance. However, many skiers prefer a glove over a mitten, and in this case, you can't go wrong with the OR Revolution.

Read more: Outdoor Research Revolution review

If a well-insulated mitt is your preference, the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt hits the mark. Built for both resort skiing and technical mountaineering, these lofty mittens offer superb warmth and waterproofing. The fluffy, insulated liner bundles your fingers together, keeping them toasty, even on extremely cold days. That liner also features a waterproof shell that keeps your hands completely dry – and dry hands are warm hands. The liner is removable, which makes it easier to dry these out, which is key to keeping your gloves comfortable on extended trips. Having a removable liner also makes the Mercury more versatile because you essentially get two mittens in one. “These lofty mitts are super cozy,” notes our lead tester. “But since I can remove the fleece liner, I'm able to wear the durable leather mitts for more than just the coldest days of the year.”

Glove or Mitten?	Mitten
Shell Material	100% Recycled Polyester
Waterproof Material	BD.Dry
Insulation Material	170g PrimaLoft Gold Back of hand: 133g PrimaLoft Gold
Palm Material	Goat leather

There wasn't a cold day that the Mercury Mitt couldn't handle. That said, the supreme warmth afforded by these mitts may be overkill for many other days. The lack of free fingers and bulky insulation makes it nearly impossible to use your hands while wearing these mitts. Some folks may find this a worthwhile tradeoff, especially if you have perpetually cold hands or live or ski in a notoriously cold place. Since you need to remove these mitts to do anything with your hands, it's unfortunate that they lack wrist leashes. “Without leashes, I was worried about dropping them off the lift when I needed to use my phone or adjust zippers,” our lead tester mentions. Though the Mercury Mitt is far from the most costly pair in our review, unless you need the absolute warmest mitts on the market, the North Face Montana Mitten is a more affordable, more dexterous mitten. Considering that the main downsides are tradeoffs for ultimate warmth, the Mercury Mitt is still our favorite.

Read more: Black Diamond Mercury Mitt review

North Face Montana Glove are comfortable, warm, and reasonably priced. These come with all the bells and whistles we look for in a good pair of gloves: wrist cinches that keep snow out, wrist straps that help prevent them from dropping off the chairlift, touchscreen-compatible fingertips that make it easier to use your phone, and a soft nose wipe is always a welcome addition. While they aren't the absolute warmest gloves we tested, the soft fleece lining kept our hands cozy and comfortable most days on the mountain. “For casual weekend skiers, the Montana Gloves are an especially great value,” notes our lead tester. “And they're an especially great option for anyone just getting started.”

Glove or Mitten?	Glove
Shell Material	100% Recycled Polyester
Waterproof Material	DryVent 100% recycled
Insulation Material	80 g Heatseeker Eco
Palm Material	55% polyester, 45% polyurethane

The savings afforded by the Montana Gloves come with some tradeoffs. These are slightly less durable than some slightly more expensive options, such as the higher-quality Outdoor Research Revolution gloves. Although the outer shell easily shed water and kept our hands dry during a wet snowstorm, we noticed that the water-repellent treatment degraded over the course of our testing period. While the lining is super cozy, the fleece tends to trap heat, which made our hands sweaty when we were really working hard. The extra insulation around the fingertips also reduces dexterity. It's worth comparing the Montana Gloves directly against the Dakine Camino, which are a bit more expensive but offer improved warmth and water resistance. If your hands are consistently cold, we recommend the The North Face Montana Mittens – same design, but with the warmth of a mitten.

Read more:North Face Montana Glove review

North Face Montana Mitten lived up to its name and kept our hands warm even in the sub-zero winter temperatures of the northern Big Sky state. For an affordable price, you can get great warmth and protection from these mittens. They include a touchscreen-compatible liner glove and wrist leashes for when you need to ditch them for a bit more dexterity. The durable, grippy palm also helps surmount some of the dexterity challenges that come with having your fingers all bundled together. Perhaps the best feature of these mittens is the supremely soft, cozy fleece liner, which helps keep your fingers happy on cold ski days. “They definitely had the softest fleece interior of any glove or mitten in the lineup, which is a nice touch to make you look forward to wearing them,” says our lead tester.

Glove or Mitten?	Mittens
Shell Material	100% Recycled Polyester
Waterproof Material	100% recycled polyester, Non-PFC DWR
Insulation Material	Heatseeker Eco insulation
Palm Material	Faux leather

Despite leaving us with little to complain about, these inexpensive mittens have a handful of drawbacks. Most notably, our tests proved they are not particularly waterproof. Even though this was most obvious when we dunked them in a bucket of water, the Montana Mitten still wouldn't be our first choice for wetter snow climates. “The exterior immediately wets out when it touches liquid water, and these absorbed a fair bit more water than comparable gloves during our submersion test,” says our lead tester. These insulated mittens are also not as warm as loftier options like the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt, and they're not as dexterous as the Burton Gore-Tex Mitten. But for most skiers, and especially snowboarders, the Montana Mitten is a cozy, budget-friendly choice.

Read more: North Face Montana Mitten review

The Tough Outfitters Xplore is a no-frills ski glove suitable for anyone who skis only a few times per year or only on bluebird winter days. While it didn't knock our socks (rather, gloves) off in any one metric, the price alone makes these gloves a decent option for keeping your hands warm on a ski trip without breaking the bank. These gloves feature a lofty polyester insulation and a soft fleece lining, making them cozy and comfortable. While the features are minimal, these gloves still come with a wrist leash and wrist adjustment strap, which helps provide a better fit. “Of course, they aren't going to match the performance of a premium glove or mitten,” our main tester admits. “But they're pretty cozy and a good value for the low price.”

Glove or Mitten?	Glove
Shell Material	Nylon
Waterproof Material	DWR-nylon, synthetic leather
Insulation Material	SummitLoft polyester insulation
Palm Material	Synthetic leather

Our tests showed that the Xplore gloves are sufficiently warm for most conditions, but their dexterity and waterproofing fell short of other comparable options. They absorbed more water into their nylon exterior than most contenders, despite their DWR coating, and wouldn't be our go-to for wet-snow climates. The unisex sizing also runs slightly large, and dexterity suffers from the extra space at the ends of the fingers. Obviously, since these gloves are a bargain, they are not made from the highest-quality materials and likely don't offer the same durability as a more premium option like the Outdoor Research Revolution. “I would suspect the fingertips, especially, to see some wear and tear,” our tester says. Minor gripes aside, the Xplore's friendly price tag makes it a compelling option for light-duty use. For something a bit warmer, with a women's-specific fit, and a few more features for just a tad more money, check out the Dakine Camino.

Read more: Tough Outfitters Xplore review

The Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gore-Tex Glove is a unisex model that we tested for both our women's and men's ski glove review. In both reviews, these are our favorite overall heated gloves. Offering battery-powered warmth, they are great for anyone with chronically cold hands or for below-zero days on the mountain. The three heat settings offer a nice range of warmth, and thanks to ample insulation, these gloves are warm even without the electric heating elements. “I can't imagine weather conditions they couldn't withstand,” says our lead tester, noting that the heat distribution is very consistent over her whole hand. The goat leather and nylon shell easily sheds water, mid-sized gauntlets keep out snow, and an internal Gore-Tex membrane ensures waterproofing and enhances breathability.

Glove or Mitten?	Glove
Shell Material	2L Woven 100% Polyester, 100% Nylon
Waterproof Material	2L Gore-Tex polyester, nylon
Insulation Material	EnduraLoft 100% polyester
Palm Material	Goat leather

While the dexterity of the Prevail is acceptable, it can't compete with some of the non-heated gloves we tested when it's time to use your fingers. To add to this problem, as an unisex model, the Prevail's fit is not as dialed for the female hand. “The extra small is still too large for my average-sized female hands,” noted one tester. “While the pair I tested is super cozy, I would definitely buy a smaller size if it were available”. We recommend referencing the size chart before buying a pair. Although they are less expensive than other heated models – the only exception is the budget-friendly Wasoto Heated Gloves – they are still far more expensive than non-heated gloves. Gloves like the REI Co-Op Gauntlet are plenty warm for most ski days, and much more affordable. That said, if you regularly ski in super cold conditions or have constantly cold hands, the Prevail could be the solution you've been looking for.

Read more: Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gore-Tex Gloves review

Among the most affordable heated gloves on the market, the Wasoto Heated Gloves will help fight off extreme cold. Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, these gloves offer three levels of warmth. On the highest setting, we measured the internal temperature at an impressive 90°F. However, if you run them on their consistent, lowest setting, the battery lasts up to eight hours – just enough to make it from first chair to last call. Unlike some other heated gloves we tested, the Wasoto Heated Gloves actually fit a female hand well. “With the small sizing and slimmer padding, these offer better dexterity than other heated options – and the touchscreen capability works surprisingly well,” our lead tester says.

Glove or Mitten?	Glove
Shell Material	Polyester, Spandex, Nylon
Waterproof Material	Not specified
Insulation Material	2 L 160 g Cotton
Palm Material	PU superfine fiber

While they're great for the price, the Wasoto Heated Gloves do have a few downsides. Notably, the waterproofing treatment degraded throughout the test period. The battery pack is fairly heavy, which was pretty uncomfortable by the end of a long day on the mountain. While they have exceptional battery life on the lowest setting, on the highest heat setting, they don't last more than an hour or so. With a much lower-quality construction than other heated gloves in our review, we're a bit skeptical about how long the batteries will last, especially since some others have reported that the batteries burned out after less than a year of use. The Outdoor Research Prevail is a much higher-quality heated glove (though they are also much more expensive). The Black Diamond Mercury Mitt is the warmest, non-heated mitten we tested – which is, arguably, nearly as warm as the other two.

Read more: Wasoto Heated Gloves review

The Hestra Wakayama is one of our all-time favorite leather ski gloves. From balmy springtime ski tours to sub-zero chairlift rides, the Wakayama is easily one of the most versatile pairs of ski gloves in the lineup. While they aren't the warmest gloves we tested, the removable, terry-wool liner kept our hands warm and dry on most ski days. “It's tough to find a glove that's so versatile. Whether I was standing around or skiing hard, these kept my hands at the perfect temperature,” says our lead tester. These low-profile leather gloves are not only supple and flexible but also extra dexterous, thanks to unique exterior-sewn seams. The retro look and wide array of colors make them stand out on the hill, and they're just as stylish walking around town.

Glove or Mitten?	Glove
Shell Material	Cowhide Leather
Waterproof Material	Leather
Insulation Material	Wool
Palm Material	Cowhide leather

While it's still quite warm, the Wakayama simply can't compete with battery-powered gloves like the Outdoor Research Prevail on the coldest days of the year. While leather is more durable than synthetic fabric, it is naturally less waterproof – we recommend using Sno-Seal or a similar treatment at least once a year to maintain maximum water resistance. (Which is why the Wakayama comes with a small package of Sno-Seal.) This can be a bit of a chore, and the treatment changes the glove's color, but it's a small price to pay for longevity. The Hestra Fall-Line Glove is a touch warmer, though it can't match the Wakayama's dexterity. For wetter snow climates where waterproofing is a top priority, we'd recommend the Hestra Heli Mitt or the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt W as a reasonable alternative. Small faults aside, the cozy, versatile Wakayama is our go-to leather glove.

Read more: Hestra Wakayama review

Product Comparison Table

Displaying 1 - 15 (scroll right to see all products)

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	#1 Compare: Hestra Wakayama	#2 Compare: Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gore-Tex - Women's	#3 Compare: Outdoor Research Revolution Gore-Tex - Women's	#4 Compare: Black Diamond Mercury Mitt - Women's	#5 Compare: The North Face Montana - Women's	#6 Compare: Dakine Camino	#7 Compare: REI Co-op Gauntlet GTX - Women's	#8 Compare: Wasoto Heated Gloves	#9 Compare: Hestra Heli Mitt - Women's	#10 Compare: Burton Deluxe Gore-Tex - Women's	#11 Compare: Hestra Women's Fall-Line 5-finger Glove	#12 Compare: The North Face Montana Mittens - Women's	#13 Compare: Gordini GTX Storm Glove - Women's	#14 Compare: Burton Gore-Tex Mitten - Women's	#15 Compare: Tough Outfitters Xplore - Women's
Awards	Our Favorite Leather Glove	Best Overall Heated Gloves	Best Overall Women's Gloves	Best Overall Women's Mittens	Best Buy Women's Gloves			Best Value for Heated Gloves				Best Buy Women's Mittens			Best Gloves on a Tight Budget
Price	$190 List Check Evo (on sale!)	$339 List Check Price at Backcountry	$90 List Check Price at REI	$140 List Check Amazon (on sale!)	$65 List Check Evo (on sale!)	$70 List Check Amazon (on sale!)	$85 List Check Price at REI	$130 List Check Amazon (on sale!)	$185 List Check Backcountry (on sale!)	$95 List Check Amazon (on sale!)	$190 List Check Backcountry (on sale!)	$65 List Check Backcountry (on sale!)	$83 List Check Evo (on sale!)	$85 List Check Backcountry (on sale!)	$24 List Check Amazon (on sale!)
Overall Score	78	74	72	69	69	68	66	64	64	63	62	59	56	56	51
Star Rating	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Bottom Line	Comfortable, warm, and stylish, this is our favorite leather ski glove	For top-tier heated warmth, these gloves provide, but the unisex sizing likely runs large for most women	A versatile performer with a good fit that we reached for in many different weather conditions	This toasty mitt keeps fingers extremely warm and dry with a waterproof and breathable exterior and lofty insulated removable liner	These gloves are warm, cozy, and impressively water-resistant, all for a reasonable price	A well-priced glove that'll work fine for your ski trips this winter	These reasonably priced gloves feature extra-long gauntlets for added protection, and touchscreen capability	If you have consistently cold hands, these affordable heated gloves are worth a try	Perfectly plush for cold, dry days in the hills and mountains	A high value glove that excels in most of our metrics	This straightforward glove is a burly, well-constructed option for someone who prefers the basics done well	A soft fleece lining, liner gloves, and long cuff make these affordable mittens a cozy option	A household name brand, these gloves are a simple resort-oriented option with a Gore-tex liner	A mitten that is weather-resistant and dexterous at a reasonable price	A no-frills, budget friendly option that provides decent warmth in mild weather
Pros	Women's specific fit, excellent dexterity, versatile with a removable liner	Consistent high-level heat, easy to use	Decent dexterity, good fit and features, versatile	High loft and cozy, water resistant and quick drying	Affordable, cozy fleece interior, surprisingly water resistant	Great price, breathable, warm, comes with liner glove	Affordable, warm, large gauntlet offers full coverage	Long-lasting battery, useful features, relatively affordable	Warm, comfortable, durable, water resistant, replaceable liners	Great value, durable, breathable, protective from water, simple features, smartphone compatible liner	Streamlined, durable, well-constructed, soft	Grippy palms, good adjustability, long cuff and cozy fleece	Inexpensive for Gore-tex, warm, water resistant	Warm, versatile, dexterous for a mitt, touchscreen-compatible liners, excellent value	Very low price, fairly warm
Cons	Requires regular leather treatment, not warm enough for super cold days, expensive	Expensive, unisex sizing is bulky, not dextrous	No carabiner loop for technical adventures, water repellency degrades over time	Poor dexterity, often overkill	Bulky fingertips, not as durable as leather gloves, nose wipe absorbs water	Not fully waterproof, less durable construction	Too warm for most ski days, bulky insulation, plain looking	Low-quality materials, cannot replace batteries, lost water resistance over time	Limited features, limited dexterity, not best for wet climates	Not the most dexterous option out there	Pricey, limited water proofing layers, lacking extra features	Outer material absorbs water, run a bit large	Not very durable, very poor dexterity	Not a lot of extra insulation	Unisex sizing runs large, exterior can freeze when wet, absorbs water
Rating Categories	Hestra Wakayama	Outdoor Research Pre...	Outdoor Research Rev...	Black Diamond Mercur...	The North Face Montana	Dakine Camino	REI Co-op Gauntlet GTX	Wasoto Heated	Hestra Heli Mitt	Burton Deluxe Gore-Tex	Hestra Women's Fall-...	The North Face Monta...	Gordini GTX Storm Glove	Burton Gore-Tex Mitten	Tough Outfitters Xplore
Warmth (25%)	7.5	10.0	7.5	9.0	7.0	7.5	8.0	9.5	8.0	5.0	7.5	7.5	7.0	6.5	6.0
Dexterity (25%)	8.0	3.0	7.0	2.0	6.5	6.0	5.0	5.0	3.0	7.0	6.0	3.0	3.0	4.0	5.0
Water Resistance (25%)	7.5	8.5	7.0	9.0	7.0	7.5	7.5	5.0	8.0	7.0	5.0	6.5	7.0	5.5	4.0
Construction Quality (15%)	8.5	8.0	7.5	8.0	6.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	7.0	5.0	8.0	6.0	5.0	6.0	5.0
Features (10%)	7.5	8.5	6.5	7.0	8.5	7.5	7.0	8.0	6.0	8.0	4.0	7.0	6.0	6.5	6.0
Specifications	Hestra Wakayama	Outdoor Research Pre...	Outdoor Research Rev...	Black Diamond Mercur...	The North Face Montana	Dakine Camino	REI Co-op Gauntlet GTX	Wasoto Heated	Hestra Heli Mitt	Burton Deluxe Gore-Tex	Hestra Women's Fall-...	The North Face Monta...	Gordini GTX Storm Glove	Burton Gore-Tex Mitten	Tough Outfitters Xplore
Glove or Mitten?	Glove	Glove	Glove	Mitten	Glove	Glove	Glove	Glove	Mitten	Glove	Glove	Mittens	Glove	Mitten	Glove
Shell Material	Cowhide Leather	2L Woven 100% Polyester, 100% Nylon	2L 100% Recycled Nylon	100% Recycled Polyester	100% Recycled Polyester	61% Recycled Polyester, 39% Polyester	94% Polyester/6% Spandex; back of fingers: Nylon	Polyester, Spandex, Nylon	Hestra Triton Polyamide	DRYRIDE 2-Layer	Cowhide Leather	100% Recycled Polyester	10K / 10K Polyester with CLUTCH Synthetic Leather Trim	DRYRIDE 2-Layer	Nylon
Waterproof Material	Leather	2L Gore-Tex polyester, nylon	2L recycled polyester with Gore-Tex insert	BD.Dry	DryVent 100% recycled	61% recycled polyester, 39% polyester plain weave with PFC Free DWR	Gore-Tex waterproof insert	Not specified	Triton three-layer polyamide fabric	2L DryRide with Gore-Tex	Leather outer	100% recycled polyester, Non-PFC DWR	Gore-Tex waterproof insert	Dry-Ride two layer & Gore-Tex insert	DWR-nylon, synthetic leather
Insulation Material	Wool	EnduraLoft 100% polyester	EnduraLoft 100% polyester	170g PrimaLoft Gold Back of hand: 133g PrimaLoft Gold	80 g Heatseeker Eco	110/340g High Loft polyester (50% recycled) insulation	Polyester fibers	2 L 160 g Cotton	G-loft polyester fiberfill insulation	ThermacoreECO	G-Loft insulation with soft fleece lining	Heatseeker Eco insulation	Megaloft synthetic insulation	ThermaCore synthetic insulation	SummitLoft polyester insulation
Palm Material	Cowhide leather	Goat leather	Synthetic Diamond PU grip	Goat leather	55% polyester, 45% polyurethane	Goat leather	Synthetic leather	PU superfine fiber	Goat leather	Screen Grab tech, responsibly sourced leather	Cowhide leather	Faux leather	CLUTCH recycled snythetic leather	Screen Grab tech	Synthetic leather
Inner Glove Material (if applicable)	N/A	N/A	N/A	Polyester	N/A	150g tricot, 100% polyester	N/A	N/A	Removable Bemberg/polyester lining	Brushed microfiber	N/A	N/A	N/A	Brushed microfiber	N/A
Double or Single Construction?	Single	Single	Single	Double	Single	Double	Single	Single	Double	Double	Single	Single	Single	Double	Single
Gauntlet or Cuff	Cuff	Gauntlet	Gauntlet	Gauntlet	Gauntlet	Gauntlet	Gauntlet	Gauntlet	Cuff	Gauntlet	Cuff	Gauntlet	Gauntlet	Gauntlet	Gauntlet
Special features	Paracord adjustable cuff, wrist strap	Heated, glove clip, removable leash, touchscreen compatible	Removable leash, wrist cinch, vent, touchscreen compatible	Carabiner loop, removable liner	Touch-screen compatible, pre-curved profile, wrist leash	Goggle wipe on thumb, touch screen compatible liners, removable wrist leash	Touch-screen compatible, precurved profile, internal attachment points, carabiner loop on back of ring finger	Rechargeable 3000 mAh battery, touch-screen, wrist strap, anti-slip palm	Velcro wrist closure, adjustable wrist cuff, removable wrist leash, carabiner loop	Touch-screen compatible liners, removable wrist leash	Velcro wrist closure, wrist leash	Wrist leash, adjustable, back-of-hand fleece inserts	Shell material and Gore-Tex insert are bluesign approved, textured palm and fingers, zippered handwarmer pocket, wrist leash	Leashes, warmer pockets, wrist cinch	Wrist strap, removable leash
Nose Wipe	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Fit	True to size	Fits large (unisex sizing)	True to size	True to size	True to size	Fits slightly small, size up if you're unsure	True to size	Fits large (unisex sizing)	Fits small	True to size	Fits slightly small, size up if you're unsure	True to size	True to size	True to size	Fits large (unisex sizing)

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How We Tested

The first step in our process is a thorough assessment of the ski glove and mitten market to decide which ones to include in our selection for hands-on testing. We wore them in real-world situations over several months, riding chairlifts and playing in the backcountry. Our controlled lab tests are objectively designed to measure heat retention and water resistance. The warmth tests include placing the gloves in a freezer with a small, battery-powered thermometer to measure total heat loss over a set period, and using an infrared thermometer to measure heat retention during ski runs. A dunk test measures the percentage of water absorbed by the glove after it is submerged in a bucket of water for two minutes.

We break down scoring into five rating metrics:

• Warmth (25% of overall score weighting)
• Water Resistance (25% weighting)
• Dexterity (25% weighting)
• Construction Quality (15% weighting)
• Features (10% weighting)

For more information on our in-depth testing process, check out our How We Test article.

Why Trust GearLab

This review is brought to you by three experienced GearLab testers and snow professionals. Kaylee Walden is an AMGA Certified Ski Guide and expedition guide, with lots of trips to cold northern latitudes under her belt, including a handful of summits of Denali (North America's highest and coldest at 20,310'). She lives in the often frigid high mountain town of Silverton, Colorado, where warm hands are essential to teaching avalanche courses, guiding helicopter skiing, and everyday life. Amber King originally hails from cold northern Canada, but moved to the US in 2011, also landing in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. She has a healthy appreciation for warm hands in cold conditions, and you can bet she's packing a good pair of ski gloves on her backcountry splitboard missions. Jackie Kearney is also no stranger to the challenges of warming hands in the mountains. She has skied all over North America and works professionally as a ski patroller at Telluride Ski Resort, where cold mornings are part of the job, and good gloves are an essential tool.

How to Choose the Right Pair of Gloves or Mittens

Choosing the right women's ski gloves or mittens starts with understanding how and where you'll be using them. Your skiing style, typical conditions, and personal comfort preferences all play a role. Resort skiers should look for well-insulated options with reliable weather protection to stay warm during chairlift laps and variable storms. If you spend more time in the backcountry or hiking for your turns, features like breathability, durability, and dexterity become more important.

Gloves are superior for fine motor tasks: adjusting bindings, managing layers, or handling small gear, especially if they include touchscreen-friendly fingertips. Mittens, on the other hand, excel in cold temperatures by trapping heat more efficiently, making them a go-to choice for frigid resort days. Hybrid or split-finger designs bridge the gap, offering extra warmth without completely sacrificing control. As our lead tester puts it: “I usually reach for gloves because dexterity makes a difference for my work as a ski guide, but on cold resort days, mittens are hard to beat for pure comfort—especially for snowboarders.”

Climate plays a big role in choosing the right ski gloves. If you ski or ride in wet, coastal climates, it's smart to focus on top-tier waterproof protection. Gore-Tex waterproof membranes, seam-sealed constructions, or water-resistant leathers that can handle constant moisture are a must-have. For consistently cold environments with temperatures that reach below zero, prioritize gloves or mittens with robust insulation and cozy liners that lock in heat. On the flip side, for mild winters, a lower-profile option with minimal insulation will breathe better, regulate temperature more effectively, and feel far more comfortable and versatile when conditions warm up.

For more detailed buying advice, check out our article How to Choose Women's Ski Gloves and Mittens.

Analysis and Test Results

What's the Best Value?

Warm hands are important, and finding a glove that doesn't blow your budget for the season is a much-appreciated bonus. The most budget-friendly option of the lineup is the Tough Outfitters Xplore, which costs less than what you'll pay for a burger at most ski resorts. While its performance isn't the highest, its low price makes it a solid value for skiers who use their gloves only a few times per season. The North Face Montana Mitten, North Face Montana Gloves, and the Dakine Camino are all a step up in quality, but not too much more expensive than the Xplore. While heated gloves are generally quite expensive, the Wasoto Heated Gloves are an affordable alternative. While they'll keep your hands warm, they are not nearly as durable as the premium options.

Our overall favorite glove in the lineup, the Outdoor Research Revolution, is not exactly a bargain, but it costs less than many gloves on the market and provides good performance across the board. The Gordini GTX Storm and the REI Co-Op Gauntlet are also decently priced options for highly waterproof gloves. The REI Co-Op Gauntlet gloves have an edge in waterproofing, but the Gordini Storm is more comfortable across a wider range of temperatures. The Burton Gore-Tex Mitten is another favorite, offering style and good dexterity (for a mitten). For skiers who get out primarily on bluebird days, the Burton Mittens have a slight edge over The North Face Montana – similar to the REI and Gordini gloves, the Burton Mittens are slightly more waterproof, while The North Face Montana Mittens are a touch warmer.

Warmth

A warm glove will provide ample high-quality insulation that stays warm when wet and breathes well to wick away moisture when you sweat. When assessing warmth, we first examined the glove's anatomy, noting its insulating features. We also performed objective tests by placing each pair in the freezer and measuring the temperature change after five minutes. We also measured the heat retained after fast downhill ski runs on cold days. These tests helped us assess which ski gloves and mittens were the warmest and which simply didn't hold the heat.

Non-Heated Gloves

Gloves generally run cooler than mittens because the fingers are separated rather than sharing heat. Most skiers opt for gloves to gain better dexterity, accepting a modest drop in warmth as a fair compromise. That said, plenty of gloves still offer excellent insulation – just don't expect them to match mittens at the very top of the warmth scale.

Especially warm gloves include the REI Gauntlet GTX, the Outdoor Research Revolution. These strike a good balance between loft and movement, keeping us warm while still allowing us to move our fingers well. We found the REI Gauntlet to be too warm for milder days. The Dakine Camino gloves were also quite warm in most conditions, especially if you add a hand warmer to the exterior pocket over your hand for a boost in cold conditions. The Revolution also has an exterior pocket that can hold a hand warmer. The Hestra Wakayama offers highly versatile warmth and works for a wide variety of ski days. These lower-profile gloves didn't make our hands sweat when we were hiking for our turns or skiing hard, keeping us warmer overall.

Heated Gloves

The exception to the “mittens-are-warmer-than-gloves” rule is an electrically heated glove. The warmest ski gloves that we've tested so far are the Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gloves. Of course, nothing else in the lineup – even mittens – can match the battery-powered warmth that these gloves provide. For a more affordable heated option that offers better dexterity, we also liked using the Wasoto Heated gloves. Both gloves are fairly intuitive to use, and both have three heat settings that can provide you with a quick warm-up blast of heat or all-day consistent low-grade warmth.

Mittens

If your hands run consistently cold, a mitten is generally a better option than a glove. The big trade-off is dexterity, but if you're sitting on a chairlift and just need to hold your ski poles, a mitten will work fine. Those with a double construction (ones that include a glove liner) offer more dexterity than those with a single-glove construction. Regardless of construction, virtually all of the mittens in this review are warmer than the ski gloves we tested.

When it came to warmth, the mittens topped the charts. The Black Diamond Mercury Mitt is filled with 323 grams of PrimaLoft Gold and is the warmest mitt that we tested. The Burton Gore-Tex Mitten and North Face Montana Mittens are lighter options that still provide enough warmth in their double-glove construction for most winter conditions. Warmth is often inversely related to breathability, and of all the mitts, the Burton Gore-Tex is the most breathable, followed by the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt. A stand-out difference between the Mercury Mitt and the rest is the puffy, removable full-mitten liner.

Water Resistance

While we score warmth and water resistance as separate categories, the two are closely linked. Once a glove gets wet, its ability to retain heat drops fast. That's why effective moisture protection, whether from snow, rain, or sweat, is critical in a ski glove or mitten.

To evaluate water resistance objectively, we ran controlled lab tests, weighing each glove before and after a two-minute full submersion to measure water absorption. We also identified construction weaknesses and recorded drying times for each model. Although submerging your hands isn't typical on a cold ski day, this method gives us a clear, apples-to-apples look at each product's wet-weather threshold. We backed up the lab data with extensive field use, wearing every pair in stormy conditions. We dug snowpits, shoveled driveways, and climbed ice routes to confirm how each glove or mitten actually performs when moisture is unavoidable.

In our tests, the gloves and mittens that perform best utilize a Gore-Tex membrane. We consider leather waterproof, but it requires more upkeep to stay that way. Even when properly cared for, the leather gloves eventually became saturated after super-wet days in the field. If your hands are going to be in the snow a lot, opt for Gore-Tex instead of leather. Likewise, nylon will eventually absorb and stretch, so be sure you know your materials before selecting a glove.

The Black Diamond Mercury Mitt provides complete water protection on the ski hill and in our lab tests, absorbing only 2.5 ounces of water after 2 minutes. The Pertex shell and Gore-Tex are quite waterproof, offering all the water resistance you'd need on the hill. This mitten has a slight edge in water resistance over the Hestra Heli-Mitt. The Hestra provides great water resistance out of the package, but it breaks down after a few seasons of use and will benefit from a good at-home DWR (durable water repellent) treatment at the beginning of each season. It is constructed of a Triton three-layer fabric that eventually saturates, and during our squeeze tests, it leaked water through the seams. In the field, though, it stayed relatively dry and offered great protection at the resort on both wet and dry days.

Usually, synthetic materials treated with a DWR coating resist saturation better than leather, and we found this to be true. Leather gloves like the Hestra Wakayama and Hestra Fall-Line started to absorb water slightly faster than their synthetic counterparts, though the two Hestra gloves do well as long as they have received a recent Sno-Seal treatment. The REI Co-Op Gauntlet, Gordini GTX, and Burton Deluxe Gore-Tex feature a synthetic fabric construction that fares well in wet weather, and Gore-Tex inserts all but guarantee protection. While the Outdoor Research Revolution absorbed a fair amount of water in the submersion test, we found that the palm material kept our fingers dry even when digging around in the snow all day and during wet snowstorms. Notably, the Wasoto Heated gloves had significantly better water resistance at the beginning of our test period than at the end, absorbing 80% more water after consistent use. The DWR treatment, unfortunately, seems to degrade over time.

Dexterity

It's convenient to have enough dexterity in a ski glove or mitten to perform simple tasks like zipping your jacket without taking off your gloves. The less often you have to remove your gloves, the warmer your hands will be.

To test this metric, we donned each pair of gloves and performed a set list of tasks while timing ourselves. We compared timed results (and frustrations) among different models to assess overall dexterity. No surprise, gloves won out over mittens almost 100% of the time. The higher-scoring gloves have a thinner design and more precise tailoring, which typically offers better mobility. However, occasionally thicker (read warmer) gloves surprised us with a high level of dexterity.

The Hestra Wakayama, with its exterior-sewn seams, good fit, and supple materials, offers some of the best dexterity of the lineup. The Outdoor Research Revolution has slim-fitting fingers and tapered tips that make it easier to grasp zipper pulls and buckles. The North Face Montana Gloves and Dakine Camino have less insulation in the fingertips, which increases mobility, similar to the Burton Deluxe. These all offer suitable mobility for most actions you'll perform at a resort or in the backcountry. For heated options, the Wasoto offered greater dexterity than the bulkier OR Prevail, with smaller cuts better suited to female hands.

Mittens are less dexterous for obvious reasons, and they generally earn much lower scores in this category. With all fingers housed in one compartment, movement is inherently limited. We performed five dexterity tests in the lab, and many mittens fell short in grasping small zippers, unbuckling tiny buckles, and pushing buttons.

While the North Face Montana Mittens aren't comparable to gloves, they feature an extra-grippy palm material that helps you grasp smaller items more easily than you might expect. Thinner mittens like the Burton Gore-Tex Mitten and Hestra Heli-Mitt also offer a surprising degree of dexterity. The Heli Mitt has a thin leather shell and compressible liner that provides a touch more finger sensitivity. The Burton Gore-Tex Mitt stands out for its removable glove liner that lets you take off the shell to perform fine motor tasks without exposing your bare skin to the cold air. Due to its thinner design and versatility, it's one of the most dexterous mittens we've ever tested, though it still can't hold a candle to most gloves.

Construction Quality

There's nothing worse than investing in a premium pair of ski gloves and watching them fall apart after a single winter. To avoid that outcome, every model we test sees dozens of hours of hard use across a wide range of conditions. This extended exposure helps us judge how each glove would realistically hold up over the course of a full season. Along the way, we scrutinize materials and build quality, identify potential failure points, and monitor how wear develops over time.

The models with leather outers, such as the Hestra Wakayama, Hestra Fall-Line 5-finger, and Black Diamond Mercury Mitt, have the most durable shells as opposed to those made of nylon, like the Gordini GTX Storm Glove, or faux polyurethane (PU) leather like the Outdoor Research Revolution or North Face Montana. Gloves with leather palms are far more durable over time, but require maintenance; wet leather wears out more quickly. Those that incorporate Gore-Tex into the external construction are typically quite durable as well. We noticed that the Diamond PU faux leather palm on the Revolution seems high-quality, and we believe it will stand the test of time, even with heavy use.

Features

The final metric focuses on the added features that can enhance day-to-day usability for skiers and riders. While these details aren't essential for everyone, thoughtful additions like wrist leashes, soft nose wipes, and integrated goggle wipers can make a noticeable difference during a long day on the mountain. We break down which gloves and mittens offer the most practical, well-executed features and how effectively those features are implemented. We also note when extra features feel unnecessary or poorly designed. Below, we highlight the most useful conveniences and clearly identify which models include them, helping you decide whether these small but impactful details are worth prioritizing in your next pair of gloves.

Heating Element

Heated gloves and mittens let you crank up the warmth on demand, which helps protect your fingers in truly extreme conditions. Most pairs use a detachable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery that heats fibers distributed throughout the glove. The Wasoto Heated Gloves were slightly more intuitive, more affordable, and more dextrous. The Outdoor Research Prevail gloves provide more consistent, longer-lasting heat and are far more waterproof. Often, the primary downside of heated gloves is their limited dexterity. For most ski days, heated gloves are too warm, causing your hands to sweat and get cold later. However, for when it's truly frigid, the added heat is hard to beat.

Removable Liners

Removable liners make gloves and mittens more versatile, easier to dry, and potentially more dexterous. Typically, skiers find this feature helpful in the backcountry or for aerobic or warmer weather skiing. Removable liners can be replaced with thicker or thinner options as needed. The products in this review featuring a removable liner include the Hestra Wakayama, Hestra Heli Mitt, Burton Gore-Tex Deluxe, and Burton Gore-Tex Mitten. The Black Diamond Mercury Mitt features fleece liners that can be used on their own as a secondary mitt.

Nose Wipe

Spend enough time outside in the winter, and you know the nose drip is inevitable. The soft, absorbent material on the thumb is much nicer for wiping noses or goggles. Products with a nose wipe include the North Face Montana Mittens and Gloves, Burton Gore-Tex Mitten, Burton Gore-Tex Deluxe Glove, the Outdoor Research Couloir and Revolution, REI Guide Mitten, Gordini GTX Storm Glove, Black Diamond Mercury Mitt, and Dakine Camino. The Camino has a nose wipe on one thumb and a goggle wipe on the other. A nice touch –- literally!

Leashes

Leashes keep your glove attached to your wrist, which helps to prevent the dreaded fear of dropping it off the chairlift. Most are removable if you're not concerned. Every pair of gloves and mittens in this review featured this option, except the REI Gauntlet Glove and Black Diamond Mercury Mitt. If you're willing to get a bit crafty, it isn't that hard to fashion your own leashes if the gloves you buy don't already have them. However, we appreciate it when this feature is already included.

Hand Warmer Pocket

Hand warmer pockets provide a convenient spot to stash a hand warmer for those extra-cold days. Models with a hand warmer pocket include the Outdoor Research Revolution, Gordini GTX Storm Glove, Burton Gore-Tex Mitten, Dakine Camino, and the Burton Gore-Tex Deluxe. On the flip side, this zippered pocket can also be opened up to double as a vent when your hands get too hot.

Cinch and Release Cuff

We love a good cinch-and-release cuff and appreciate it even more if it has a large enough mechanism to tighten and loosen with gloves on. All products we tested have this feature, except the REI Guide Mittens. We find this feature especially useful for mittens, and a snug fit around the wrist can help improve overall dexterity.

Touch Screen Compatibility

In this day and age, many of the gloves in our lineup are touchscreen-compatible. Some products opt for a touchscreen-compatible liner, so you don't have to take off the entire glove. The effectiveness of this feature tends to vary, and on thicker gloves, it is not always reliable. Products include the Wasoto Heated Gloves, Burton Gore-Tex Deluxe, Burton Gore-Tex Mitten, and Dakine Camino. The touchscreen compatibility for the Outdoor Research Revolution and Prevail Heated worked about half the time.

Other Notable Women's Ski Gloves

We've sorted through and tested dozens of the best gloves and mittens on the market. While some of the options didn't make our main lineup, the gloves listed below are still popular for some specific reason, and may be worth your consideration.

Kinco Pigskin - A mainstay glove for backcountry skiers and splitboarders everywhere, the classic leather Kinco gloves don't offer exceptional performance in any category – except for value. These simple and durable gloves offer the perfect amount of warmth for uphill pursuits. However, they don't offer enough protection for wet storms or sub-zero temperatures.

MCTi Waterproof Touch Screen Gloves - For another budget-friendly option, these gloves offer a bit more dexterity, but they're not quite as warm as the Tough Outfitters Xplore. And we would say that calling them “waterproof” is pretty misleading – these gloves didn't score very well in our water resistance tests. The touchscreen compatibility worked fairly well, but only if we pushed our fingers all the way to the end of the glove to eliminate extra space.

Arc'teryx Fission SV - These exceptional gloves are super warm, highly waterproof, and incredibly durable, all while remaining supple and dexterous. While all this makes them sound like a unicorn of a ski glove, they don't offer a fit that works for most women. We had 15 women try on the pair of XS gloves we tested, and they were way too big for 12 of them. If you have larger-than-average female hands, we highly recommend these excellent gloves. If you don't, these will be bulky and uncomfortable.

Conclusion

Keeping your hands warm is the final crucial element of comfortable and enjoyable winter recreation, but solid gloves and mittens are just one piece of a comprehensive winter layering system. We've tested it all, from women's base layers and women's long underwear to the best ski jackets and ski pants to keep you cozy from first chair to last.

We hope our comprehensive testing has helped you narrow down your search for the best ski gloves or mittens. And when you find them, give us a wave out on the slopes!