While ski technology has dramatically improved over the years, finding the right handwear remains a challenge for many. For those with poor circulation or who simply prefer the added warmth, mittens are often the go-to choice. This article delves into the world of ski mittens, with a special focus on Kombi products and a broader look at the best options for resort skiing in 2024.
I’ve got something to admit, I’m a mitts guy. And yes, I know, I’m stuck with lobster like dexterity and reflexes on the mountain. But, I’d trade toasty warm hands for frigid fingers any day of the week.
When I was growing up, the skiers I idolized were all wearing gloves and that made me a gloves only guy. At some point in university I ripped through my old pair of Swannies and I couldn’t afford new gloves. A friend gave me some old packed out mitts, and my perspective changed forever.
I know I’m making this sound like some sort of spiritual experience, which is ridiculous. But it was! Even though those mittens I received were old, had zero insulation and were completely packed out, I never knew my hands could be that comfortable on a ski resort. It was life changing.
There are many scenarios where gloves are more practical, maybe you have kids or are an instructor messing with gear all the time, maybe you’re on patrol, maybe you tie lots of ropes in the backcountry, maybe you need at least a lobster claw so you can use the throttle on a sled. I totally understand the functionality of gloves.
Read also: Ski Mittens Guide
BUT, if you’re just ripping around the resort wild and free, mittens are the key unlock to preventing finger freezing.
I love mittens for riding on the ski resort, and I refuse to separate my fingers until it’s spring time and the glorious sun is beating down. I figured I’d give you some context on why I feel passionate about mittens and decided to rate the best ‘mittens’ in the game instead of gloves like everyone else.
Kombi: A Brand That Innovates
Of the different brands we reviewed, Kombi's gloves may well go farthest in seriously pushing the envelope in technology and design. The Kombi gloves also include nice touches like the nose wipe (Sounds funny until you're on the slopes and then you discover what a necessity this little bit of fabric technology is...) and a generally lightweight feel without offering lightweight protection from the cold.
Kombi iRip Glove
Take the Kombi iRip, for example. This is one of the absolute coolest gloves I have ever seen...or heard. The Kombi iRip lets you control your iPod from your glove. It's completely wireless so that you don't have to fumble for your iPod on the chairlift...only to watch it topple into the snow. It works with a wide range of iPods, though I couldn't get it to work with my iPod Video. (It worked flawlessly with every other iPod we tried, however, so I'm blaming my iPod on this one.) You simply plug the wireless transmitter into your iPod, tuck it away, and go. There is nothing like slamming the moguls to Jane's Addiction ("Mountain Song," anyone?), turning it up on the way down without anything more than nudging the iRip's "joystick." Very, very cool.
The Kombi iRip kept the other three reviewers toasty warm...but left my fingers a little cold. Remember, though, that I'm a bit of an anomaly here so unless you have a history of freezing fingers this glove should be plenty warm for you. It's made of stretch nylon with X-Loft insulation, a Waterguard waterproof membrane, and Accu-Dri lining (meaning, the lining wicks moisture away from your hands which keeps you dry...and keeps the glove from smelling). This glove is worth its price ($150).
Read also: Choosing the Best Ski Mittens for Children
Kombi Freeform Glove
Though less flashy, the Kombi Freeform Glove (MSRP: $100) has some interesting tricks up its sleeve. Two, to be exact. That is, two sleeves. The Kombi Freeform features Gore's 2-in-1 technology and includes two chambers. (Meaning: You can slide your hand into one of two chambers.) One chamber isn't as warm but gives you an incredible grip. The other is fully insulated and kept even my circulation-poor hands toasty warm. (The other reviewers even found the minimally insulated "grip" chamber plenty warm.) This is the perfect glove to use throughout the season: use the "grip" chamber for Spring skiing and the insulated chamber through the colder months.
Beyond this, the Kombi Freeform features a textured nylon shell with leather reinforcement and the lining is Accu-Dri (no-stink and wicks moisture away). Though polar bear warm it is doesn't feel at all bulky.
Kombi Phoenix Mitten
The last glove we reviewed was actually not a glove at all: it's the Kombi Phoenix Mitten (MSRP: $80). As noted above, I've worn mittens for years but this one was different: it's very lightweight, making it easy to grip, yet super warm (due to a Goose Down insulation and a GoreTex lining). I loved the little touches to this one, as well. The hidden pocket that lets you put in handwarmers (though I can't imagine needing one). The super-soft fleece cuff. And, of course, that ever-useful nosewipe fabric on the thumb.
I had never worn Kombi gloves or mittens before now. They are exceptional. Each of the gloves or mittens we reviewed were distinct from the others we reviewed from the other brands, reflecting innovative thinking in what a glove should be.
Top 5 Ski Gloves & Mittens for Men
2024's Best Ski Mittens for Resort Skiing
Here are some of the best ski mittens for resort skiing in 2024, offering a range of features and benefits to keep your hands warm and comfortable on the slopes.
Read also: Ski Mittens: A Review
Hestra Fall Line: Greatest Ski Mittens of All Time
To be honest, if I were you, I wouldn’t even consider another mitten option. I quite honestly want to end the review here, these mitts are that good. The Hestra Fall line is the best mitten to ever grace this earth. I’ve had mine for two years, and I honestly couldn’t speak more highly of a piece of equipment. These are one of those rare unicorn items among my ski gear that I just can’t shut up about. I almost feel like I have unlocked the secret to mountain hand warmth and comfort.
I have a few strict requirements when it comes to mitts and the Hestra fall line checks all of the boxes. They’re very durable and just waterproof enough, thanks to the gorgeous cowhide leather on their exterior. As long as you treat the leather with love and leather wax here and there, the waterproofing stays super solid.
The internal fibrefill removable liner insulation keep my hands so warm they’re sweating most times I get moving. The neoprene cuffs don’t fit too snug, have an adjustable strap to synch them in and most importantly fit perfectly under the sleeves of my shell. I hate the feeling of gloves over my jacket, it’s just not for me. Maybe it’s a weird quirk of mine, but I’m convinced if you tuck the wristbands of your gloves under your shell, your hands are always warmer and dryer.
The gloves also have an awesome wristband elastic with a string so you won’t lose them if you’re fiddling with your phone, cameras, or are pulling them off to guzzle a beer. The style of leather mitts can’t be beat in my opinion, nothing screams I ski a lot like a dirtied up pair of leathers with duct tape.
KINCO Lined Heavy Duty Premium Grain & Suede Pigskin Mitt with Omni Cuff: Best Affordable Ski Mittens
Don’t be fooled by the cheap price, Kinco mittens are an absolute classic among serious riders, ski patrollers and people who work hard in the snow. Be careful not to ask anyone on their chairlift about their Kinco’s because they won’t stop talking about them for the entire ride.
The quality of Kinco gloves is absolutely premium. The Suede pigskin provides loads of durability and remains super soft and flexible even after getting wet. The gloves are designed to be beaten down and have extra strength Draylon thread to prevent thread failure due to high abrasion applications. The form fitting wrist is super comfortable and when tucked under your coat helps retain heat where it often leaves your wrists. Like all leather, if you keep them waxed up with waterproof leather wax they’ll stay dry on your hands.
Kinco’s mitts are only missing one small thing for me and that’s the wrist strap. This can be easily resolved by fashioning one with an old shoelace or string from the hardware store.
The biggest key to these mitts is to put them on warm. Make sure you store them indoors and put them on warm before heading out. The only time my fingers have felt chilly in these was when they weren’t fully dry from the day before, or I drove up to the mountain with them in the tailgate of my truck. When these gloves go on at room temp or warmer, they’ll feel like a hot tub for your fingers all day.
Thanks to the approachable price most Kinco enthusiasts own 2 or more pairs. This means they can just cycle through them day after day giving damp pairs a day to dry. No joke, I know so many people who do this. Although it feels wrong to buy gloves on Amazon, I’ve always found the best price for my Kinco’s on Amazon.
Kombi Patroller GORE-Tex Mittens: Best Ski Mittens for Hand Warmers
The Patroller is an updated version of the mittens that used to be my daily driver before I flipped to full leather. They are the perfect companions for the longest days on the mountain. They feature a water-resistant, ultra-durable textured shell with rugged goatskin palms, and let me tell ya, they stand strong against the elements.
Some people have very poor circulation and even the best of the best of mitts will still leave their fingers cold and sad. Heat warmers are one of the greatest inventions to bless skier fingers. Kombi understood this very problem and designed a zip pouch for hand warmers so you don’t have to feel that gross chemical pouch jiggling around on your palm.
Kombi mitts give you everything you need and nothing more at a very reasonable price point.
Dakine Baron GORE-TEX Mittens: Best Mittens for Snowboarders
Dakine isn’t a name you hear too often, especially as a skier. I’m glad I could give you a refresher because they make absolute beauty mittens. I wore a pair of Dakine’s to the ground before I flipped to Hestra, and I couldn’t speak more highly of the quality and function. Whether you’re chasing storms, carving, or shredding park, Dakine has you covered with the Baron.
This leather mitt is teething with tech designed to keep your fingers toasty. It boasts a complete GORE-TEX insert equipped with the ingenious Gore Grip technology, ensuring your hands maintain that crucial dexterity, no matter how fierce the mountain’s weather gets. This added dexterity is why I recommend these gloves to park riders doing a lot of grabs or snowboarders who have to mess around with buckles a lot.
They’ve got great insulation and a velvety soft wool liner to ensure your hands remain snug and cozy in the most frigid conditions. And when it comes to grip and mobility, the Baron Mitt doesn’t hold back. Its bonded layers and four-way stretch exterior give you the upper hand when it’s time to buckle up those bindings and tweak your boots. The Baron is a damn good looking mitt and will surely be a trusty sidekick on the slopes.
Honorable Ski Mitten Mentions
Here are the ‘best of the rest’:
- Black Diamond Mercury Mitts BD Guide mittens are really sexy looking, they must be amazing, right? Well, they do have awesome function and warmth but, they tend to pack out and lose insulation after about a year, for that price point it’s really not necessarily worth the pesos.
- Flylow Unicorn Mittens I actually don’t have anything bad to say about these because I’ve never seen them in person or had a friend, colleague or chairlift pal wearing them. Honestly they might actually rock. Keep your eyes on these ones.
- Arc’teryx Fission SV The Arc’teryx Fission is one of the warmest gloves to grace the earth. There’s one teeny problem though. They’re not that durable. I’ve seen new Fission gloves rip on ski edges on their first few days of use.
Comprehensive Guide to Ski Gloves and Mittens
Nothing ruins a great day on the slopes like frozen fingers, and a quality glove or mitten can make all the difference. Choosing one that suits the conditions and type of skiing you do most is an important decision. The more you ride, the more you should consider making an investment that will keep your hands dry and toasty during wickedly cold or wet and sloppy conditions.
Options range from gauntlet-style synthetic gloves to undercuff leather designs from powerhouses such as Swedish manufacturer Hestra and backcountry mainstays Black Diamond and Outdoor Research. Below are our picks for the top ski gloves and mittens for the season, with the Hestra Army Leather Heli Glove as our favorite overall glove and the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt as our favorite mitten.
Here's a breakdown of some of the top-rated ski gloves and mittens based on various criteria:
| Category | Product | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Men's Ski Glove | Hestra Army Leather Heli Glove | Beautifully made, cozy and warm, and good dexterity. Requires some maintenance to stay waterproof. |
| A Close Second (With Better Waterproofing) | Black Diamond Guide | Very warm, long-lasting build, and comfortable. Takes some time to break in; below-average dexterity. |
| Best Overall Men's Ski Mitten | Black Diamond Mercury Mitt | Warm, tough, and reasonably affordable. Harder to grip a ski pole and adjust boots. |
| Best Budget Men's Ski Glove | Gordini GTX Storm Glove | Standout comfort, warmth, and waterproofing at a great price. Fake leather palm; liner isn’t removable. |
| Best Budget Men's Ski Mitten | Outdoor Research Revolution Gore-Tex Mitten | Warm, well-made, and touchscreen- and handwarmer-compatible. Harder to grip skis, a bit limited in ultra-cold conditions. |
| Best Backcountry Ski Glove | Rab Khroma Tour Windstopper | A lightweight, warm, and dexterous glove for backcountry skiing. Not the warmest for the way down. |
| Best Heated Ski Glove | Outdoor Research Prevail Heated GTX Gloves | Effective battery-powered heater for maximum warmth. Expensive, high setting depletes battery, and not compatible with avalanche beacons. |
| Best Heated Ski Mitt | Hestra Power Heater Gauntlet Mitt | A top-end mitten with extended, maximum warmth. Very expensive, somewhat bulky, and should not be used with a beacon. |
| Best Men's 3-Finger Ski Glove | Oyuki Pep GTX Trigger Mitt | Premium build at a reasonable price. Split-finger design still can’t match the warmth of a mitten. |
| Best Leather Work Glove for Skiing | Flylow Gear Ridge Glove | Durable and functional leather glove for skiing. Requires regular maintenance. |
Choosing the right ski gloves or mittens depends largely on individual preferences, the type of skiing you do, and the conditions you typically encounter. Whether you prioritize warmth, dexterity, waterproofing, or budget, there are plenty of excellent options available to keep your hands comfortable on the slopes.