Reviewers especially liked the longer cuff length and upgraded insulation. With 133 grams of Primaloft Gold and 200 grams of Primaloft Silver insulation in critical places, a durable and reinforced double-layer of premium goat leather, and waterproof yet breathable GORE-TEX inserts for stormproof protection, these are the powerhouse of the glove world. Colorado Mountain School Guide, Russell Hunter, says he couldn’t do his job without the Guide Gloves. One of the biggest ways to lose heat is through wind and water. With that in mind, we researched gloves that were waterproof (top priority), water-resistant (like the Outdoor Research Alti Mitten liners), and windproof. We wanted to ensure that the gloves we recommended would not just hold up in 10℉ weather but that they could withstand a -20℉ windchill, too. And since snow is just frozen water, it was a no-brainer to require that the gloves you use to play outside shouldn’t get soaked with the first snowball. The ePTFE material that GORE-TEX patented and made famous works quite differently, however. Rather than being an impermeable membrane, the surface of a GORE-TEX membrane is actually porous — originally boasting something in the realm of nine billion pores per square inch. What makes that special is that the pores are roughly 1/20,000 the size of a water droplet — meaning they’re too small for liquid water to penetrate, making the fabric completely waterproof. It doesn’t stop there, though, as it’s those same pores that also make the material breathable. This is because, while they’re too small for liquid water to get in, they’re 700 times larger than water vapor molecules. This means that, when gaseous, water can escape through the membrane, thus making the fabric breathable. The addition of a polyester liner makes these non-insulated gloves a great choice for those who run hot, or as a low profile option for mild spring days.

Garments engineered with GORE-TEX® Active product technology are built for extreme breathability and are ideal for highly aerobic, done in a day activities. All components are built for optimised sweat management to ensure extreme breathability and optimum comfort in high aerobic conditions. The performance is also supported by a tight fitting and minimalistic garment design.

Our Verdict

We love a secure, single-hand use wrist cinch on a warm glove. It keeps the heat in and the moisture out. You’ll often see drawcord cinches on the end of gauntlet cuffs, and maybe a nylon strap that you can easily loosen and tighten to secure the wrist of the glove. You may see velcro straps on elastic knit and/or lower profile undercuff gloves. All types do the job, though velcro straps have a thing for harboring some snow build up over time and can be a little hard to maneuver with one hand. Nose Wipe Hestra make gloves, and no other clothing so their sizing runs very true using the traditional method of measuring the hand. Take a look at the size chart below to determine your size. Our Best Heated Glove may be the difference between you heading into the lodge and taking another three chairlifts! 3) ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN UNDERCUFF DESIGN OR AN OVER-THE-CUFF GAUNTLET? Every mitten-lover we spoke to chose their childhood classics for one huge reason: warmth. Keeping your fingers together in the mitten cocoon allows natural body heat to radiate and warm up the rest of your fingers. (It must be said, of course, that some mittens have liners with separated fingers for additional insulation, but they’re all wrapped up in a mitten shell.) Most liked the simplicity of not having to wrestle with individual fingers when they put on or take off their hand-warmers. The majority wanted to be able to wiggle their fingers freely!

Everybody knows that GORE-TEX technologies make for textiles that are waterproof, windproof, and breathable — or at least you should by now. But how that technology works is a different mystery entirely. Rather than being an impermeable membrane, the surface of a GORE-TEX membrane is actually porous. And while the science behind it probably seems like a daunting thing, it’s actually quite simple when you break it down to its base element. Receiving best in test awards from multiple ski magazines, the Army Leather gloves are ideal for alpine skiing, mountaineering and just about any cold-weather situation which requires an ultra durable and exceptionally comfortable haven for toasty warm hands. Warmth is provided by a Soft Fibrefill synthetic insulation which insulates even when wet. What's the difference between glove insulation types? Thermacore insulation, Theromolite Insulation, Primaloft, Bemberg polyester fiberfill. The price of a snow glove often reflects the quality of the insulation. Lofty synthetics like Primaloft Gold insulation come at a premium because they breathe well and retain warmth even when wet. Thinsulate or thinner insulation types tend to have better dexterity. To learn more, see this explanation of insulation in ski gloves. WATERPROOF & WINDPROOF shell

To complete this stunning glove a sachet of Hestra Care Balm is included, which ensures your glove leather remains soft and supple, with its maximum waterproof and insulation properties retained. Features The Army Leather GTX glove features GORE-TEX thin PTFE membrane that behaves in the same way as human skin. It breathes - releasing excess heat and body moisture, while preventing the penetration of any moisture from outside. It is a wind and waterproof material. Powder Magazine told the tale of a ski professional noticing Kinco Leather Gloves at the beginning of his ski coaching career, only to notice that all of the old-timers (aka, the best skiers on the hill) were all wearing them.

We chose the Outdoor Research Alti II Mitts as the Best for Powder Days and Raynaud’s because, well, they’re just warm. (Not to mention their waterproofness, durability, versatility, and comfort.) How to Size Your Hestra Gloves and Mittens, you should be able to find the perfect gloves in the right size, the first time. It wouldn’t be until 10 years later, however, that their first big innovation would be discovered. In fact, it wasn’t even the brand’s founders who made the discovery, but rather their son, Bob Gore. In an experiment, Bob rapidly stretched PTFE and found that it had a number of unique properties — including high tensile strength, durability, and resistance to water penetration. NASA’s Columbia astronauts went to space wearing suits made with GORE-TEX fabrics. They decided to call this innovation expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and were rewarded a patent for it in 1970. To be considered for each category, we measured each glove or mitten against standardized criteria: they had to be warm, affordable, durable, comfortable, highly water-resistant, windproof, and dexterous.Not all gloves are created equal. While some gloves are meant for opening the door to your local coffee shop or grasping a shovel to plow out the driveway, others are meant to be battered by wind, snow, slush, and ice for hours at a time — all while keeping your hands toasty, dry, and free of sweat as you slash powder turns across open bowls. We give you the ski glove (or snowboard glove, if that's what you do). Waterproof gloves are usually made of a breathable waterproof material like Gore-Tex (made of nylon or polyester and treated with polyurethane), TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane), or Nanotex (“a type of textile finishing that uses nanotechnology, the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale, to alter the properties of a textile to increase resistance to spills and stains”). Pro Technology: Referring to one or all of GORE-TEX Pro Most Durable, Pro Most Breathable, and Pro Most Rugged, this tech is used for the most extreme conditions, including highly technical gear.

Use glove leashes: Many ski gloves come with wrist leashes to prevent you from losing them on the mountain. Always attach the leashes to your wrists to ensure you don't drop or misplace your gloves. Cleaning and drying instructions Some of the most popular styles include the CZone powder glove for women, the Army Leather GTX gloves for men, the Army Leather GTX mitten for severe cold weather or prolonged exposure, and the Army Leather Short for outstanding protection but improved dexterity. While the exact type of GORE-TEX isn’t always specified, here are the ones you’ll see the most often:This is also a popular choice for cold weather expeditions teams looking for a high performance glove, rather than a mitt. In todays varied weather conditions, even in the depths of winter, having a waterproof glove can make all the difference. Of course, a ski or snowboard glove can have crossover uses (they would be great for shoveling out that driveway!), but they’re primarily used for the sport of skiing or snowboarding. For example, warm gloves are a huge necessity for Raynaud’s sufferers whose fingers are perpetually cold. Since snow gloves are designed to keep you warm, dry, and mobile, they are great options for someone with restricted blood flow to their fingers. Outside Magazine concisely proclaimed, “Kinco's Insulated Pigskin Leather Ski Gloves are as tough as they are well priced, but you'll have to waterproof them yourself.” The Freeride series takes premium features like a supple leather shell with flex panels and synthetic G-Loft insulation, and adds Hestra’s waterproof-breathable CZone liner, making them perfectly suited to damp climates and wet snow. A set of glove cuffs is also included, so that when on the lift or at a toilet stop you are not going to drop and lose a glove.