Leather ski gloves are durable, extremely comfortable, and on occasion cheaper than synthetics. From premium Hestras to budget options like the Flylow Gear Ridge, they have a much more natural feel and are usually more flexible and dexterous than a comparable synthetic. The biggest downside is moisture protection. Leather—and particularly treated leather—is water resistant and can withstand light to moderate wetness. But eventually they will soak through in wet conditions. To stay dry and extend the lifespan of your leather ski gloves, try Sno-Seal or a Nikwax waterproofing treatment. Leather gloves are durable and comfortable, and some models are relatively inexpensive

One area where the Carbide comes up a bit short is bulk. This isn’t a low-profile design by any means, and dexterity does suffer as a result. You may find yourself needing to slide them off more often than some of the pricier options like Swany's X-Cell below, and it does make it a little harder to use the touchscreen-friendly fingers. Additionally, we’ve found our Outdoor Research gloves don’t have particularly long lifespans, although there aren’t any notable areas of concern with the Carbide specifically. In fact, its tough bulk is a hallmark of the glove, and one of many reasons we have it ranked so highly here.However, if you are on the slopes 7 days a week no matter the weather conditions, do not neglict quality. You need a high-end leather ski glove that can keep you warm even if it’s freezing cold outside. There is nothing worse than having your hands frozen, it can literally ruin your day. It will also be perfectly windproof like a softshell so as not to suffer the end of icy days. Stitching is a common point of failure in gloves, and is an easy indicator of their overall quality. The Storm Trooper II takes some major preventative measures in their stitching- the seams are hearty and have held up even when I’ve had to hold onto a sapling or two trying to sideslip into a sketchy, iced-over chute. Any glove worth its salt needs to shine when the sun isn’t. Fortunately for all of us up in the country’s rainy corner, the Storm Trooper II is ready to weather whatever weather decides to roll through.

I’ve been hitting the slopes since I was a kid. I enjoy getting out in the snow and have hands-on experience with a wide range of different skiing items. I have spent ample time researching these gloves and know multiple skiers who have worn them. Detailed Review of Gordini GTX Storm Trooper IIThe Storm Trooper II is a longstanding budget favorite for a reason. You’ll have a hard time finding anything that does what the Storm Trooper II is capable of in a similar price range. That being said, Kinco brand work gloves are even more affordable and can arguably outcompete the Storm Trooper in terms of toughness and staying power. I did quite a bit of research about the Storm Trooper II in anticipation of trying it out. Over and over again, I read the reports of reviewers surprised by how toasty these ski gloves kept their fingers on average ski days. Ski gloves and mittens are constructed with two general material types: synthetic and leather. From a glance at the table above, you’ll notice that many gloves utilize both materials, playing to their respective strengths, so this isn’t always a question of exclusivity. But knowing what each material is best for goes a long way in finding the ideal glove. The ski glove market includes a true mix of synthetic and leather designs

A good number of our favorite ski gloves above include leather in the construction. The natural material is supple and offers excellent dexterity, but it also requires occasional maintenance to avoid absorbing moisture. Most leather gloves come pre-treated, so it’s not something you’ll need to do right away (the Kinco above are one exception). But if you start noticing the material soaking up moisture—also known as “wetting out”—it’s a good indicator that the leather needs some work. Sno-Seal is a beeswax-based solution that is a long-time favorite among skiers. It does require some effort—including baking the glove in an oven—and will darken the leather, but it’s a proven formula that effectively repels moisture. Less involved treatments that still provide good protection include Nikwax’s Waterproofing Wax and Hestra’s Leather Balm. Finally, for gloves with a combination of leather and nylon, we recommend Nikwax’s Glove Proof, which adds a solid water-resistant coating to the outer materials. Occasional maintenance is required to keep the leather Hestras from absorbing moisture Dexterity A final alternative is the 3-finger glove (also called a trigger or split-finger glove), which attempts to bring together the attributes of glove and mitten designs. In these gloves, the pointer finger and thumb have their own slots while your remaining fingers huddle together for warmth. We don’t often recommend this style (the Oyuki Pep GTX Trigger Mitt above is one exception) because we've found that freeing up your pointer finger isn’t a huge difference maker for dexterity, and that finger ends up just as cold as it would be in a standard glove. In this case, it doesn’t truly amount to the best of both worlds. The Oyuki Pep 3-finger gloves offer a nice combination of warmth and dexterity Materials: Leather vs. Synthetic Finding a glove that doesn't blow your entire gear budget for the season is always nice. With all of the wear and tear we put on these little pieces of equipment, finding a glove or mitten that doesn't feel precious may be a priority for you. The REI Guide Mitten strikes us as a lower-priced option, just a little more expensive than your standard work glove, with performance adequate for most days out. With diligent water resistance treatment, this model can keep your fingers happy. This said, this mitten isn't warm enough for absolutely frigid days, and its water resistance is variable. Its price reflects this. It's not easy to grab a tissue with your gloves on, so many models feature a soft patch of fabric on the thumb or pointer finger to help with your runny nose. Nose wipes are good in a pinch and the fabric helps to avoid irritation that you might get from doing the same thing with tough shell fabric. Of course, they lose their effectiveness when overused or when the temperature really drops, but they are a nice touch nevertheless. Leki's Trigger System (outlined below) offers sleek glove-to-pole attachment These technical gloves are equipped to handle the most severe weather without compromising dexterityIt’s worth noting that relying on your hand circumference isn’t a foolproof process, as the sizing doesn’t account for finger length, so it’s always ideal to try them on before purchasing. But if you need to buy online or just prefer the convenience, following the manufacturer-specific fit guidelines (avoid generic charts) and buying from a reputable ski retailer with a good return policy is a smart way to go. It's best to try ski gloves on before buying if possible Additional Ski Glove Features It's 2023, so why wouldn't you want touch-screen sensitivity on your ski gloves? A number of manufacturers now offer exactly that (including The North Face's Montana), so that you can snap photos or videos without taking your gloves off. You'll most often find the technology, however, on thin gloves and liners where it's easier to incorporate, plus the thinner liners are more precise when typing. On some models, only pointer fingers and thumbs are touch-screen compatible. Overall, we consider this a nice feature if a model you like has it, but it's not the first factor we consider in selecting a glove. The Burton Gore-Tex glove is compatible with smartphone screens

On Glisshop.co.uk, we have so many gloves available that if you don’t know exactly what you want, you will probably hesitate with several models. If you look for something light that you can use every day and that you will also use for your ski holidays when the weather is nice, a basic pair of gloves should make you happy. You won’t spend too much money and it will keep your hands warm enough. I’ve never had an issue with cold fingers, regardless of the mercury levels. But, if you should find yourself in need of a little more than what the glove’s fill can provide, there’s a zippered handwarmer pouch on the top side of each glove—more on that to come. Dexterity There’s no concrete comparison I can draw between the inserts in the Storm Trooper II and other gloves, but I’m glad they’re there nonetheless. Synthetic Fill Liner Synthetic insulation is a no-brainer for gloves. There’s nothing exceptional about the Megaloft fill that the Storm Trooper uses to keep you warm. It’s generously applied and more than adequate for most days on the mountain. It’s more durable than down, and it stays warm while wet. The Storm Trooper is a budget glove with non-budget traits. Its sturdy materials have the ability to hold up to all conditions and the interior keeps you safe from the biting cold. You aren’t going to get the best fit in the world here, but the snug feel and comfortable interior will be more than enough for skiers of all levels. Warmth and Comfort

Robin Van Gyn

The Storm Trooper II is a glove that does exactly what it sets out to do. It’s a budget option fully loaded with a plethora of non-budget traits. You get excellent comfort, tight seams, and reliable water resistance without breaking the bank. They are also durable enough to last for years without showing any wear or tear. For fair-weather riders or for those of us who don’t ski in the alpine equivalent of swamplands- the Storm Trooper II should be more than enough to keep you warm and dry most days of the season. Durability and Materials For me, the stand out trait here is the Storm Trooper ii’s value. In today’s ski world, saving money is not that easy. Being able to get a pair of warm, reliable gloves at an affordable price is amazing. You don’t even need to be on a budget to appreciate these. They have many features that skiers of all levels will love. Don’t say you never wondered. Before answering this question, we first need to know what type of glove is adapted to your style. From ski gloves to mitts through 3-finger mitts, their warmth can vary as well as their practicality. The price is rather steep. Yet if you can afford it, we think these gloves are worth the investment. While the single-glove design is great for resort skiing, the liner is not removable. Probably the most significant caveat for the ladies model is the unisex sizing runs large. Our main tester regularly wears a size Medium for most ski gloves but had to size down to a Small to achieve a proper fit. The fit is also somewhat wider than a normal women's glove, so those with super small hands may find the extra small unisex size does not fit. Concerns aside, if you're seeking excellent breathability, warmth, and dexterity, Fission is our top recommendation. If you're willing to give up some dexterity, we also love the Outdoor Research Arete II GTX gloves.