Best Ski & Snowboard Gloves & Mittens in 2020

One of the essential accessories to comfortably ski or snowboard is comfortable mittens or gloves. One should not approach their choice lightly. After all, it depends on how warm and comfortable they are, whether the skiing will be successful. Such gloves and mittens should keep warm well and wick away sweat so that your palms are dry while riding, and your hands are warm.

What to prefer - mittens or gloves

One of the important points is to choose what kind of accessory will be on hand. In gloves, the athlete feels more agile, but in mittens it is much warmer. Modern manufacturers of sporting goods have learned how to make this piece of clothing for all occasions, using the best materials and the highest quality base.

By choosing mittens, the athlete provides warmth to his hands. The fingers are held together, so they generate more heat than gloves that are divided into different compartments. Moreover, now this accessory is in trend.

At the same time, there are different circumstances in sports and sometimes mittens do not give the mobility and mobility that gloves can provide. For example, you have to take off your mittens if you need to find something in your pockets, make a phone call, or fix the fastener.

Currently, there are hybrid specimens on sale, which are a symbiosis of mittens and gloves. The accessory looks like a mitten with three compartments or a three-fingered glove. In it, the athlete can already perform some actions and at the same time keep his hands warm.

Modern mittens and gloves for sports are made from several layers of different materials. This keeps your hands warm and dry. They usually consist of a durable upper fabric or leather, a membrane layer, thermal insulation material, warm and comfortable padding and material on the palms.

Ability to keep warm

This parameter is one of the most important when choosing a sports accessory. All mittens and gloves for sports differ in their characteristics. When choosing them, it is important to find the pair that will suit the athlete according to individual parameters.

For people who often ride in relatively warm weather, you need to look for a pair that will create high-quality protection from moisture. Heat saving in this case is not a primary parameter. If outdoor activities take place in cold weather, you will need warm steam. At the same time, this parameter is highly dependent on the individual characteristics of the human body.

Heat saving is influenced by the type of outer coating of the glove, the type and number of insulation layers and the quality characteristics of the membrane. It is important that the fabric is breathable, then the gloves will be both warm and dry. In general, the quality of gloves can be judged to some extent by their price.A good, really warm pair cannot be cheap, because it uses a large number of layers of different materials.

Outer cover

Different materials are used for the outer layer of sports mittens. Most often it is made from synthetic nylon material. It is covered with a special impregnation that repels moisture. In areas where the wear of the accessory is most severe, an additional layer of protective materials is sewn on. This is usually the area of ​​the fingers and palms.

Leather gloves are less common, although they are a time-tested, high-quality and durable material. Usually goat or cow skin is used. It is much more durable and flexible than synthetics. Still, such a material does not need special impregnation, since it has a natural protection against moisture. The leather is additionally treated with fat, resin or wax to improve its strength. In combination with a membrane, this material provides water resistance, protects against wind and perfectly retains heat. If you take good care of such material, it will serve for many years.

Membrane quality

Hands can freeze quickly when wearing ordinary gloves or mittens. This is due to the fact that the palms are sweating, and the air inside the mitten circulates rather poorly. To eliminate this disadvantage, a membrane is used. It is located just under the outer layer of the glove. There are many tiny pores on the membrane, through which moisture leaves without obstacles and does not return. The ability of the accessory to protect hands from water and breathability depends on the quality of the membrane layer.

In modern mittens and gloves, membranes are used from different materials:

• GORE-TEX - best of all protects against water and effectively wicks away perspiration. Such a membrane is actively advertised and therefore is very expensive. Therefore, such a label on clothes speaks of high quality and an equally high price.
• Hipora - these sports gloves protect hands well from water and wind and at the same time allow air to pass through. They have a polyurethane coating that stretches well compared to other materials. There are many small pores on such a coating, which contribute to the rapid evaporation of sweat.
• Polyurethane is the most common membrane material. They perfectly combine the ability to protect from the effects of water, breathe well and are inexpensive. Therefore, most manufacturers use polyurethane membranes and combine them with natural leather or synthetic materials.
• Gore WINDSTOPPER is made from Teflon. Such a membrane layer allows air to pass through well and protects from wind, but is not able to qualitatively protect from water. In this case, gloves with a few layers are obtained, protecting from the weather and wicking away perspiration. Such accessories are suitable for relaxation only in dry and cold weather. To improve water resistance, they are covered with a special repellent.

Thermal insulation

Another important aspect to consider when choosing gloves is their ability to retain heat. Quality products provide good thermal insulation and at the same time do not significantly limit the mobility of the hand. In this case, there may be several layers of thermal insulation. Therefore, when choosing gloves, one must take into account the individual characteristics of the organism and the climatic conditions in which the athlete rides.

Thermal insulation is of the following types:

• Down is good for dry weather. It is a natural, natural material, therefore it is recommended to use it in very cold climates, provided that the athlete's mobility is average. If while riding there is a possibility that the gloves will get wet, then you cannot use the down filler. in this case, they lose all their advantages and dry for a very long time.
• Primaloft is a synthetic material using microfiber. It helps to retain heat from the body and allows you to use energy sparingly. These mittens are suitable for riding in wet weather. This material does not provide as warmth as natural down, but it breathes, takes up less volume and does not allow water to pass through.It creates high-quality insulation even after getting wet.
• Thinsulate is an ultra-thin microfiber with excellent insulating properties even in very thin layers. This option is suitable for accessories that provide good hand mobility.

Lining

This material affects the comfort and convenience of wearing gloves. The lining is made from different materials. Most often, wool and fleece or synthetics are used for this, which are resistant to wear and contribute to the removal of moisture.

Cuff

In the cuffs of sports mittens, length is decisive. Although this parameter refers to the personal preferences of the athlete. It is only important to provide protection against the ingress of snow. Therefore, the longer the cuffs, the better the protection.

Short cuffs are characterized by high mobility of the wrist. Such gloves will be very comfortable if there are regulating Velcro on the sleeves of the jacket.
Long cuffs fit over the sleeve of the jacket for better protection from snow.

The size

It is very important that the sports gloves fit snugly on the hand and are in the best possible fit. In this case, the hands will be warm and comfortable, and the dexterity of movements will be additionally preserved. When choosing gloves, they prefer those models that fit the brush tightly, but have a little free space at the fingertips.

You also need to pay attention that the palm and wrist are completely covered with the glove. When the hand is clenched into a fist, the product should not clench very tightly so that the fingers are not bent. Therefore, it is better to try on the product before buying.

List of the best ski and snowboard mittens and gloves

Black diamond guide

These gloves, according to customer reviews, keep warm well. Removable PrimaLoft One earbuds make up their interior. The GORE-TEX XCR membrane and woolen lining are used for protection from water, moisture removal and high-quality air exchange. Thanks to them, hands will be dry and warm, even if the weather is damp. The upper part of the gloves is made of nylon, and the palms are additionally sewn with goatskin patches. This design makes the sports accessory durable and durable, it shows itself perfectly when used in severe winter conditions. An additional layer is made of foam pad that protects the hands from any damage.

• withstand temperatures up to -29 degrees;
• high quality membrane;
• removable inner glove;
• wear-resistant and elastic upper material;
• reinforced palms.

• high price.

The average price of a pair is 15,100 rubles.

Black diamond legend

In these gloves, the athlete will feel comfortable at temperatures down to -26 degrees. According to the manufacturer, this accessory will last a long time, since only durable materials are used for its sewing. The topmost layer is made of goatskin, which repels water. Additionally, there is a lining that also protects against water ingress. The palm area is reinforced with an additional layer of goatskin with Kevlar stitching. It increases strength. To protect the athlete's hands from impacts, EVA inserts are additionally made.

• completely waterproof;
• high quality membrane and high quality lining allows the skin to breathe;
• leather upper;
• elastic neoprene cuff;
• high-quality insulation;
• reinforced area of ​​the palm and fingers;
• additional protection against impacts.

• high price.

The average cost of gloves is 10,300 rubles.

Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski 3-Finger

These mittens from a renowned American manufacturer are a good example of a good combination of the best qualities of mittens and gloves. They perfectly keep the hands warm in cold weather and at the same time provide the athlete with freedom of movement. They are also very durable. The outer cover is made of durable synthetic breathable fabric. The only drawback of this accessory is the lack of good water resistance. Therefore, in wet weather, they must be periodically treated with a water-repellent agent.

• the shape of the three-finger mittens provides greater freedom of movement;
• on the thumb there is a special device for wiping the nose;
• additional leather inserts are provided on the palms to increase strength;
• the slightly rounded shape of the mitten repeats the natural position of the hand in a relaxed state;
• elastic cuffs are protected from falling inside the snow;
• there is a mount for ski poles;
• removable inner part of the mittens.

• unreliable protection from water;
• high price.

The average cost of gloves is 14,300 rubles.

North Face Montana Mitt

These mittens are considered among the best as they are a successful example of a combination of durability, heat conservation and water resistance. They provide significantly better protection from the cold than most ski gloves, although they are not the warmest on the market. This sports accessory is very durable and water resistant. They are recommended for athletes who prefer to snowboard or ski in temperate climates. They will be especially good in wet snow.

• good water resistance;
• comfortable fit on the hand;
• the special design allows you to keep your hands relaxed;
• additional inserts made of artificial leather on the palms;
• high-quality insulation;
• acceptable price.

• not suitable for cold climates.

On average, the price of mittens is 6700 rubles.

Hestra Morrison Pro gloves

Excellent gloves made of high quality genuine leather. moreover, in the area of ​​the palm, goat skin is used, in the back of the hand - cowhide. The famous skier Seth Morison was involved in the development of these gloves. Gloves are highly durable. They can easily withstand high loads and are able to protect the athlete's hands from bumps and bruises. The accessory has a good fit and excellent protection from the cold.

• made of genuine leather;
• very warm;
• good fit;
• there is protection from snow;
• perfectly repel water;
• very durable.

• high price.

The average cost of such gloves is 11,800 rubles.

Arc'teryx Alpha SV

These gloves are made of very durable materials. Thanks to this, the product lasts a very long time. They provide excellent protection against cold and moisture in the harshest conditions. The outer cover is made of durable synthetic material. The palms and fingers are provided with additional inserts made of durable leather. To protect against moisture and dampness, the gloves are coated with a special water-repellent substance. The construction of the gloves has no seams, which increases the water resistance. Thanks to the high-quality membrane, the skin of the hands in these gloves does not fog up. Ribs and Velcro cuffs for added protection from snow.

• durable outer fabric;
• no seams for extra waterproofness;
• high quality membrane;
• high-quality insulation;
• good protection from snow;
• additional moisture-repellent impregnation.

• high price.

On average, the price of gloves is 11,600 rubles.

Choose accessories like gloves or mittens for skiing or snowboarding responsibly. When buying, you need to take into account many parameters and focus on the price. After all, a quality product cannot be cheap.