Top Kids' Ski Mittens Reviewed: Ultimate Warmth & Durability for Winter Fun!

With the winter cold always with us, the battle over wrangling my kids into gloves or mittens begins. Over the years, we’ve gone through countless pairs of kids’ gloves - from the cheap ones grabbed at my local Target to the expensive ones that I special ordered from the best gear companies. As you can imagine, not all gloves are created equal. Some actually keep my kids’ hands warm and dry, while others got tossed in the bin, never to see the light of day again.

For many of us across the Northern Hemisphere, it’s that time of year again: those days when the weather makes getting kids outside a lot more complicated. The colder temperatures of the winter months always seem to surprise us with their biting chill. Getting your crew dressed properly for winter weather can be overwhelming! But it’s also incredibly important.

When it’s cold outside, your child’s head, ears, hands, and feet are most prone to cold exposure. Extremely cold weather can cause two potentially serious conditions: hypothermia and frostbite. Getting mittens that fit to stay on a child can be a real chore. Finding ones that actually stay on a child’s hands and keep little fingers warm and dry is a super-parent challenge.

Once their hands are freezing, my kids inevitably decide winter is for the birds, nor can I count the times a child has dissolved into tears outside because their gloves came off or got soaked through. And while hot chocolate by the fire is one of the great joys of winter, so is the magic of tromping through frosty woods, catching snowflakes on your tongue, or sledding down a snow-covered hill.

So here’s our round-up of the best kids’ gloves and mittens to help you get your child geared up and outside for winter. Before we get started, let’s take a minute to discuss the question of gloves versus mittens. Which is best for your child? I have to say, a lot depends on your child’s age and the activities they will be doing. For younger children (babies, toddlers, preschool-aged kids), I will always go with mittens. They are SO much less frustrating for both you and your child! Trying to get ten tiny fingers into the correct finger holes in a pair of gloves can reduce both a toddler and their parent to tears. I personally think mittens help keep little fingers warmer, too.

As your kids get older, it seems like gloves vs mittens choice becomes a matter of personal preference. Some older kids prefer gloves, and some prefer mittens. Sometimes, the choice depends on the activity.

Here's a quick look at some of the key terms you'll encounter when shopping for kids' winter gloves and mittens:

Convertible: Fingered glove with a mitten cover, offering the benefits of both styles.
Fleece-lined: Provides a soft and comfortable interior with lightweight insulation.
Shell mitts: Offer waterproof breathable protection in wet environments.
Ski glove: Thicker gloves with more insulation, designed specifically for skiing.
Synthetic materials: Man-made materials like nylon, polyester, polyurethane, neoprene, and spandex.
Waterproof: Gloves and mittens with waterproof breathable membranes to shield off rain and snow.

The waterproofing of the outer surface of gloves can also be increased by the application of a hydrophobic coating. One of the drawbacks of many waterproof gloves and mittens is that they require special care. While researching for this article, I realized that many of these products call for handwashing and line drying (or even dry cleaning) your kids’ gloves and mittens. At best, that’s a nuisance. We’re all busy parents here. And while doing what’s “best for the proper care of the gloves” would be ideal, no one has time for that.

The reason why many waterproof gloves and mittens are labeled “hand wash” and/or “line dry” is to protect the waterproofing and material. While this is important, The good news is that sending your kids gloves and mittens through the washer and dryer won’t necessarily ruin them.

Top Kids' Ski Mittens and Gloves: Reviews

We had the opportunity to try out quite a few pairs of gloves and mittens this winter. We’ve already experienced quite a bit of snow this winter in Ohio, so we’ve been putting them all to the test. We also gathered a few kids’ gloves and mitten reviews from members of our Creative Team, in order to give you the most comprehensive gear review we could.

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Polarn O. Pyret Shell Mittens

If you’re planning to have your little one out for long adventures in the cold, this may be the one mitten you want. These mittens are waterproof, dirt-repellent, and fleece-lined. They slide on easily and stay on well.

What we love: These are definitely the best toddler glove we tried. With a wide long cuff for extra-long wrist coverage and a drawstring to keep snow and cold from sneaking in, these mittens keep kids’ hands warmer and drier than I thought possible. My preschooler has played directly in icy water in these gloves and not a bit of water penetrated through. Her hands were still snuggly warm and dry when we came inside-therefore, she was still happy.
What we don’t love: The price tag for a pair of mittens is steep. At $45 a pair, they may be too costly for many families-especially those of us trying to outfit several kids. The other problem with the Reima mittens is that their label reads “Dry clean only.” Since winter play here in Ohio doesn’t only involve fluffy white snow, but also a ridiculous amount of mud, our mittens get filthy on a regular basis. Sending kids’ mittens to the dry cleaners isn’t really practical for us.

Veyo Mittyz

Veyo Mittyz are a great mitten option for younger kids, babies, and toddlers. They’re some of the warmest mittens out there for little kids. Mittyz are a unique design and are high-quality, durable, and soft.

What we love: They don’t have a thumb hole, which makes getting them on a toddler SO much easier. They are long and generous enough that they can be worn over bulky coat sleeves. They tighten in 2 separate places with adjustable toggles for extra protection from snow - a strap at the wrist and a cinch at the base of the mitten.
What we don’t love: Our only issue with the mittens is that due to their thickness and lack of opposable thumb, there’s a loss of dexterity and fine motor skills when wearing them. It’s very hard for kids to do much with the mittens on - they can’t even hold a water bottle or pick up sticks. My older kids get very frustrated with wearing them and end up taking them on and off a lot (which defeats the purpose).

The North Face Etip Gloves

Cozy and flexible, these gloves are perfect for keeping hands warm but still usable. Sometimes kids need a glove that isn’t bulky and waterproof, but that will still protect their hands. These gloves definitely fit the bill and are a great option for kids that just need warmth. They’re so soft and warm, with palm grips and e-tips on the fingers.

What we love: We’ve found these to be perfect for being active out in the cold, when not actually playing in the snow or water. My daughter loves these gloves for walks and bike rides. They’re easy to get on and off, without the thick lining that many waterproof gloves have that’s always getting tangled up. Unlike thicker gloves and mittens, they allow for a lot of finger movement, so there’s great dexterity.
What we don’t love: Since they aren’t waterproof, they aren’t a one-glove-for-every-occasion fix. Otherwise, their only drawback is their price. At a little over $40, they’re definitely on the pricier side for a pair of gloves. However, they are well-made, durable, and do a great job protecting small hands from cold and wind.

Cat & Jack Mittens

We tried out these popular mittens to see how they rank against more expensive brands. With a price tag of less than $20, they are decidedly more affordable than some of the others we’ve tried. They are made from waterproof materials and insulated, but the materials feel much lighter and less durable.

What we love: The price point of these mittens brings them into the price bracket I usually spend on a pair of kids’ mittens. They offer some protection against the wet and cold and might be ideal for a climate where snow days are only an occasional thing.
What we don’t love: The materials and synthetic insulation aren’t as strong and thick as some of the other brands we’ve tried. However, this brand does offer a ski and snowboard glove that is a heavier weight than the original. Also, these mittens lose points in the “easy to get on” category. The extra-long cuffs, although designed to keep wrists warm, make these mittens a challenge to get on.

Marmot Glade Mitts

We think these are the best gloves for kids and the best ski gloves for little ones. They’re the only pair of gloves we have tried that actually stay on my son’s hands, keep the snow out during skiing and snow play, and breathe so his hands don’t get cold from sweat. We love the pull-on loop, the elastic wrists, and the glove clip to keep them paired up when not in use. The other thing I really appreciate about these gloves is the lifetime guarantee that Marmot offers for all of their products.

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What we love: As a family from the PNW that basically lives in the snow during the winter months.
What we don’t love: These gloves are machine-washable but they need to be line dried, which can be a pain. It’s not always possible to wait for wet gloves to line dry before kids want to head back out into the snow to play.

Columbia Core Gloves

Warm and waterproof, these fleece-lined gloves have been a big hit in our house.

What we love: The Columbia Core gloves are basic, durable, all-activity gloves to keep your kids’ hands warm and dry all winter.
What we don’t love: A common problem with waterproof kids’ gloves, the fleece fingers inside these gloves take a long time to dry out after washing. If they do get wet inside, you’re not going to be to get these dry and right back on your child’s hands.

N’ice Caps Mittens

They offer a good mix of keeping hands safe and dry while at a price point that is affordable enough to replace when kids inevitably outgrow them. I think the gloves wash well. I wash them in the washing machine and air dry. These mittens also last well. My daughter has had hers for 3 years and they just now have some seams pulling loose.

What we love: We like the N’ice Caps mittens (also available in a glove version) as they offer warm mittens and waterproof gloves perfect for winter fun without breaking the bank.
What we don’t love: While the lower price point means that they aren’t quite thick enough for extreme cold, my kids have played happily in the snow for long periods.

LL Bean Cold Buster Mittens

They are warm and waterproof, even after playing in wet snow for a long time. No cold hands here! The insides are soft and they’re easy to put on. The adjustable wrist strap helps keep cold air and snow out. This series is available in both glove and mitten styles, too, for whatever your child prefers.

What we love: LL Bean has a long history of producing high-quality outdoor gear for kids and adults alike, and these mittens did not disappoint.
What we don’t love: Once again, these mittens call for special care. The label instructs hand-washing and line drying.

MCTi Waterproof Ski Mittens

At $20, they rate Amazon’s Choice for boys’ skiing and snowboarding mittens. They have a cozy fleece lining and waterproof outer layer with PU leather across the palm.

What we love: We found these MCTi mittens to be a durable and warm mitten option for a very reasonable price.
What we don’t love: These mittens have an extra-long wrist coverage with elastic closure, but it isn’t quite wide enough to fit over some coat sleeves. It’s also too bulky to fit under coat cuffs.

Polarn O. Pyret Wool Gloves

We found them to be amazingly soft and reasonably warm.

What we love: I gave these lightweight gloves a try because of their wool content. I was very curious how that would affect their performance and if it would provide more protection for little hands than your basic $2 pair from Walmart.
What we don’t love: These gloves are cozy but definitely not waterproof or thick enough for a seriously cold adventure.

Hopefully, these reviews give you a place to start in the vast market of kids’ mittens and gloves! There are a lot of choices out there when it comes to the best winter gloves for kids. With so many options, we hope we’ve given you a helpful gear review for some of the best ki...