Experience unparalleled warmth and sophisticated style on the slopes with the right ski mittens. These are essential for skiing, snowboarding, or any activity in extreme cold. Choosing the right pair can make all the difference between a day of comfort and warmth, and one spent battling the elements.
There’s nothing cozier on the slopes than a pair of ski mittens, our top recommendation for anyone who struggles with cold hands. Our team of dedicated skiers put a wide range of models through the wringer, and the list below represents the cream of the crop. You can sort the mittens by what matters most to you, including warmth, waterproofing, dexterity, comfort, durability, and sustainability.
To find the best ski gloves and mitts available, we dug deep into the market. After extensive research into high-quality, popular gloves, we selected the most intriguing models and sent them to our expert testers. We thoroughly used and evaluated each pair and scored them against key performance metrics. We tested warmth by riding chairlifts and skiing in the Cascades, Alps, Wasatch, British Columbia, Jackson Hole, and the Northeast US, as well as working in the field with avalanche forecasting teams. We tested dexterity by buckling our boots, writing notes, tying our boot laces, and unlocking car doors while wearing gloves. We tested water resistance by dunking the gloves in a bucket of water for two minutes and comparing the results.
As consumers, we have high expectations of our gloves, and there is a lot to consider before buying. First off, know that all of the gloves featured in this review are great products that already stand above the vast majority of the market offerings. A low score in our review doesn't mean that the glove is unworthy of your attention. We had to be picky to find the best of the best. Every skier has a budget, and although...
RACER Mstarz 3 Mittens: The Ultimate Heated Mittens for Women
Gloves and mittens for ski touring and freeriding
Stay in the loop! The RACER Mstarz 3 Mittens are engineered not just to protect you from the elements, but to provide a personalized cocoon of warmth, making them an essential piece of gear for skiing, snowboarding, or any activity in extreme cold. These mittens are engineered not just to protect you from the elements, but to provide a personalized cocoon of warmth, making them an essential piece of gear for skiing, snowboarding, or any activity in extreme cold. The core of the Mstarz 3´s exceptional performance is its advanced, integrated heating system.
Read also: Choosing the Best Ski Mittens for Children
Powered by twin lithium-ion batteries, this intelligent R-WARM® technology features a simple, one-touch button that allows you to cycle through three distinct heat levels. Whether you need a gentle boost of warmth on a cool day or maximum heat output to combat frigid temperatures, you have complete control. This system ensures consistent and evenly distributed warmth across your entire hand, right to the fingertips, for hours on end.
Beyond the active heating, the Mstarz 3 mittens are built with a multi-layered defense against winter´s worst. The exterior is crafted from a high-quality, water-repellent Softshell fabric that offers excellent flexibility and freedom of movement. Beneath this, a proprietary POLYMAX® membrane provides a waterproof and breathable barrier, effectively sealing out snow and moisture while allowing perspiration to escape. This keeps your hands perfectly dry and comfortable, preventing the chilling effect of dampness. For insulation, these mittens rely on the world-renowned performance of PRIMALOFT®, a premium synthetic insulation that is incredibly warm, lightweight, and compressible, retaining its thermal efficiency even when damp.
Functionality and fit are paramount. The palm is reinforced with premium leather, offering outstanding durability and a secure, tactile grip on ski poles or equipment. The ergonomic, women-specific design ensures a perfect fit, while the adjustable cuff creates a tight seal around your wrist, locking in heat and blocking out snow and cold drafts. For added convenience, a security leash ensures you won´t accidentally drop a mitten from the ski lift.
Comparative Analysis of High-Performance Ski Mittens
When choosing ski mittens, factors like warmth, dexterity, water resistance, and overall construction quality are paramount. Here's a look at how different models stack up:
- Arc'teryx Fission SV: Excels in weather resistance, dexterity, and durability. It features a Gore-Tex membrane and water-resistant materials, making it highly stormproof.
- Black Diamond Mercury Mitt: The warmest mitten in the test group, thanks to its insulated liners, fleece lining, and roomy hand cavity.
- Gordini GTX Storm: An affordable option that offers good warmth and weather resistance for the average resort skier.
- The North Face Montana Ski Mitts: A comfortable and warm option for super cold days, with lofty synthetic insulation and a fleece lining.
- Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gore-Tex: Delivers battery-powered warmth and excellent weather resistance, though it is less dexterous.
- Savior Heat Rechargeable: An affordable heated glove option, though it lacks weather resistance.
- Black Diamond Tour: A backcountry-specific glove with minimal insulation and excellent dexterity.
Detailed Reviews of Top Ski Mittens
Arc'teryx Fission SV
If we could only have one glove for hitting the slopes, the Arc'teryx Fission SV would be it. This is the all-around highest-performing glove we tested. Other gloves might be better for specific tasks, but nothing performs as well overall. This glove particularly excels in weather resistance, dexterity, and durability. We found it to be the most stormproof glove on the market, thanks to its Gore-Tex membrane and water-resistant materials. The fingers are packed with toasty insulation, yet they remain the most dexterous gloves that offer this level of warmth. Our lead tester used this glove for about 150 days before the leather on the fingers and palm started to wear out, which is excellent compared to other models on the market that tend to fall apart more quickly.
Read also: Ski Mittens: A Review
We have very few gripes about the Fission SV. It lacks an adjustable wrist cinch strap and offers only an internal elastic wrist strap to keep the glove tight on the hand. Our testers also found that this glove runs a bit large, so unless you plan to wear a thin liner underneath, we recommend sizing down from your regular glove size. These gloves are an excellent choice for most skiers and riders demanding the utmost weather resistance and dexterity. They are also perfect for snowshoeing and cold urban travel. They weren't the absolute warmest gloves we tested, though, so if that's your main priority, check out the Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gore-Tex Gloves. We tested the dexterity of the Fission SV in cold temps while getting ready and then took them to the resorts and backcountry.
Black Diamond Mercury Mitt
The Black Diamond Mercury Mitt is the best overall mitten in our test group. Users who prefer mittens generally do so for their improved warmth compared to ski gloves, and these are the warmest mittens on the market thanks to their insulated liners, fleece lining, and roomy hand cavity where fingers can share warmth. They are also effective at sealing out liquid water, thanks to a waterproof membrane and large gauntlets. The construction is solid as well, promising a long life. We also like the additional features, like the hanging loop for quicker drying and the comfortable nose wipe patch on the thumb.
Like all mittens, the Mercury Mitts don't let you use your individual fingers. Not only that, but our tests found they have the worst dexterity out of all our contenders (even other mittens). Dexterity may take a back seat when warmth is the primary concern, but these mitts are hard to use even for the most basic tasks, like zipping up a jacket or buckling boots. One tester said, “I have to take these mittens off to do literally anything with my fingers.” They lack a wrist leash, increasing the odds of losing them when removed. If you can tolerate less water resistance and want to save some money, check out the The North Face Montana Ski Mitts below. The Black Diamond Guide is a thick glove that is almost as warm as this mitten but offers a touch more dexterity. With all that in mind, most people seek mittens because gloves are too cold.
Gordini GTX Storm
In the outdoor industry, products tend to come and go as materials improve and designs evolve, but the Gordini GTX Storm has been around for a long time, and we hope it stays that way. Our testers are continually impressed by how well this glove can hang with the high-end competition while costing significantly less. Our field tests proved the Storm Trooper is more than capable of meeting the needs of the average resort skier. It's warm enough for the average cold day on the slopes and does a decent job of keeping moisture out. It has reasonable dexterity and enough leather on the hand to provide good durability.
We found these gloves warm enough for most days at the ski resort during our testing, but they can't compare to other well-insulated or heated models like the Outdoor Research Prevail. The Gordini GTX Storm features insulation around the fingertips, which impairs dexterity and rules out general tasks that require fine motor skills, such as opening small zippers or searching pockets. We'd recommend a more dexterous glove, such as the Black Diamond Legend, for users like on-snow professionals or parents. Still, given its affordable price, we can forgive these minor drawbacks and recommend the Storm Trooper II to anyone needing high-performance gloves at a bargain price.
The North Face Montana Ski Mitts
If you're looking for a toasty, comfortable pair of mitts that fits into a tighter budget, The North Face Montana Ski Mitts is an affordable option worth considering. They score only slightly lower than the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt, but are half the price. The lofty synthetic insulation and fleece lining combine to deliver impressive comfort and plenty of warmth on uber-cold days. The nylon shell fabric is coated with a durable water-repellent (DWR), and these mitts feature a DryVent waterproof membrane that keeps moisture out. The last physical barrier against the elements is a gauntlet cuff that can be cinched closed around your jacket. They also come loaded with convenient, user-friendly features, including a soft nose wipe, elastic wrist leashes, a wrist cinch strap, and a touchscreen-compatible thumb material.
By design, mittens offer less dexterity, and the Montana Ski Mitts are among the least dexterous we've tested. Users will likely have to remove them for practically any task requiring fine motor skills due to their design and relative bulk. However, most people who want the warmth and comfort of a mitten are aware of this issue and willing to accept the trade-off in dexterity for happy hands. If the lack of dexterity is a dealbreaker, but you like the looks and specs of this mitten, The North Face also has the Montana Ski Gloves we recommend. Nevertheless, these are a great pair of mittens that will keep your digits toasty on the coldest days without breaking the bank.
Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gore-Tex
The Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gore-Tex delivers performance across every metric we test, except dexterity. It has three battery-powered warmth settings to keep you warm all day on the slopes and plenty of insulation to keep you toasty if the batteries die. It has excellent construction that protects your investment, and the gloves effectively seal out unwanted water and snow from the outside. We saw the tightly sewn seams and the Gore-Tex lining do their jobs, keeping almost all moisture out during our dunk test.
Due to the amount of insulation, the Prevail Heated Gore-Tex isn't very dexterous or sensitive in the fingers. As one might expect, adding batteries and heating elements to a pair of gloves comes with a cost, and these gloves will put a dent in your wallet. Check out the Black Diamond Guide for the warmest option that doesn't require recharging and won't break the bank. On the other hand, when looking at the big picture, the OR Prevail gloves are less expensive than some others we have tested, and we feel they perform better.
Anatomy of a Ski Mitten
A mitten’s first line of defense against moisture and general wear and tear. The shell of a ski mitten is made of leather or a synthetic material like nylon or polyester, and many brands combine both types of materials to incorporate each one's strengths. Most of the time, ski mittens have a leather palm, although some entry-level designs use a faux-leather palm. All three of these commonly used materials-nylon, polyester, and leather-create burly exteriors that are resistant to wear and keep wind and moisture at bay, especially when combined with a waterproof application like a Nikwax spray or baked-in wax.
Leather: Worth the Wait
Leather mittens have a slow break-in time, but they’re worth the wait. Once softened and molded to your hands, they can be incredibly supple, dexterous, and comfortable. They’re also incredibly durable and can typically withstand significantly more use than a synthetic mitten. For these reasons, they’re often the choice of lifties, ski patrollers, and other industry professionals who are consistently using their hands to wrangle chairlifts, manage rope, tow sleds, and more. Leather mittens range from pricey, full-featured designs like the Hestra Fall Line to simple yet durable models like the Flylow Oven.
Aside from the inevitable break-in period, the biggest shortcoming of a leather mitten is its need for routine maintenance. Without regular applications of a waterproof finish, it will start to absorb moisture and, consequently, grow heavy and cold. In the worst-case scenario, the leather will then freeze and become stiff as a board, very uncomfortable, and effectively useless. Aftermarket waterproofing products range from baked-in waxes like Sno-Seal or Hestra's leather conditioner (which can be applied with the help of a heat lamp, a sunny window, or a warm oven) to spray-on finishes like Nikwax's Fabric & Leather Waterproofing Spray or their TX.Direct Spray-On for synthetic fabrics. Some mittens come pretreated, but even these will need to be revived after a few weeks of hard use.
Synthetic: Low Maintenance
Synthetic materials like nylon and polyester are low-maintenance alternatives to leather. They’re not nearly as hardwearing, but they take less time to break in and don’t require quite the same level of care. Of course, synthetics are most waterproof when consistently treated with a durable water-repellent finish, but unlike leather, they’ll rarely grow soggy and heavy.
Ski Mitten Superlatives
- Oyuki Sencho Gore-Tex Trigger ($170): Dexterity, Meet Protection
- Baist Mitt ($180): Customizable Warmth-For a Price
- Ortovox Freeride Cozy ($180): Rare Wool Construction From a Quality Brand
- Burton Gondy Gore-Tex Leather ($120): Waterproof Leather, Without the Financial Lift
- Mountain Hardwear All Tracks Gore-Tex ($80): An Excellent Value Play
Mitten Ratings Explained
- Overall Rating: A quick glance at a number that should help most readers narrow down their list from the start. It takes the full picture into account: price, build quality, performance (based on intended use), durability, sustainability, and more.
- Warmth: The additional warmth you get from having your fingers huddled together is one of the primary reasons skiers opt for mittens over gloves. If you’re prone to cold hands or ski in a particularly cold part of the world, a mitten is likely the best fit for you.
- Water Resistance: Not every ski mitten is fully waterproof; many simply keep out moisture with a synthetic or leather exterior treated with a waterproof finish. Fully waterproof mittens offer premium waterproof membranes (like Gore-Tex) and sealed seams, great for those who get out in wet conditions.
- Dexterity: If you’re opting for a ski mitten, you know that limited dexterity is part of the package-there’s simply a lot less you can do with a paw for a hand. That said, mittens still exhibit a large range of dexterity: Some are so bulky they can barely grip a ski pole, while others are flexible enough to adjust ski boot buckles and open zippers.
- Comfort: Comfort is inherently related to other ratings, such as warmth and dexterity, but it also takes into account several standalone metrics. For example, is the mitten soft next to the skin? Does it fit well and allow the fingers to rest in their natural position? Is it supple and dexterous, or tough and rigid?
- Durability: One way to save money and reduce waste is to purchase durable products. If you buy the right ski mitts the first time, they could last through multiple seasons (or even decades) of hard use. Leather is hard to beat here.
- Sustainability: Our sustainability rating for ski mittens considers ten distinct criteria. At the product level, we’re seeking recycled materials, Bluesign-approved materials, responsibly sourced leather (if applicable), and PFAS/PFC-free durable water-repellent finishes and membranes.
Performance Metrics for Ski Mittens
Key performance metrics help assess the quality and suitability of ski mittens for different conditions and activities.
| Metric | Description |
|---|---|
| Warmth | Ability to maintain hand temperature in cold conditions. |
| Dexterity | Ease of performing tasks requiring fine motor skills. |
| Water Resistance | Effectiveness in keeping hands dry in wet conditions. |
| Construction Quality | Durability and longevity of materials and construction. |
| Features | Additional elements such as wrist leashes, nose wipes, and touchscreen compatibility. |