Cold. It can be a snow lovers best friend or worst enemy. One of the easiest ways to embrace a severe drop in temperatures is by having optimal protection for your body, starting with your hands. Here are our top tips for silencing the shivers by choosing the best gloves and mitts for skiing or snowboarding.
Take your time
Shopping for ski and snowboard gloves or mittens should not be left to the last minute. It is important that you set aside enough time to try on plenty of pairs so you get the best possible fit. You will also want to talk to the retail staff about exactly how much riding you do and what kind as this will influence your decision.
The perfect fit
All brands have a slightly different fit. For example you may need something that suits a wider hand or longer fingers, which is why we recommend trying on as many pairs as you can. As a rule, you need a glove that fits snuggly but also leaves enough room for air to circulate. A good test for this is to stretch out your fingers and make sure they don’t quite touch the ends of the gloves. Ladies may wish to consider a specific women’s ski glove for an optimal fit.
Gloves or Mittens
Whether you’re best suited to gloves or mittens all depends on how badly you feel the cold. Majority of people will stay perfectly warm in a good pair of gloves, which is an advantage because they allow for better dexterity. However, if you are the kind of person who freezes the moment you hit the mountain then mittens are the go. This is because mittens let your fingers share body heat, essentially creating cosy little caves for your hands.
What suits your style?
Something else to consider is what kind of rider you are. Beginners should buy the most waterproof and warmest ski gloves or mittens possible. This is because, sorry to say, you will probably be falling over and using your hands to get up, which means they’re more likely to get wet. Also, learning to ski or snowboard requires you to spend time standing still while listening to your instructor, leaving you more vulnerable to the cold. Advanced riders may wish to purchase a lighter and very breathable glove because they will spend more time being active, which increases core body temperature and could potentially lead to overheating. A thickly insulated pair of gloves will trap the heat and make your hands sweat and get wet, leaving you to feel the chill.
Material things
When shopping for hand apparel you’ll want to keep an eye out for a couple of key ingredients. These are ‘Thinsulate’ and ‘Gore-Tex’. Thinsulate gloves and mitts have a breathable and moisture resistant layer for insulation. Many brands use this product including Oyuki, Hestra, and Swany. A Gore-Tex glove has a waterproof membrane that is also breathable. Leather is another material that many of the best snowboard and ski glove brands. Oyuki use because it’s naturally water resistant and durable while also being pliable so you can easily grab your poles or adjust bindings.
Choosing kids gloves or mittens
Please don’t make the mistake of thinking children don’t need good snow gloves or mitts because they won’t be spending as much time out in the elements as an adult. We guarantee that cold hands equal tantrums so it’s vital that you choose the warmest and most waterproof pair possible. If you can, have the child try them on in the store so you can get a perfect fit. This way there won’t be any surprises when you hit the mountain.
Added Extras
Other additions to your gloves that you may wish to consider are:
- Gauntlet cuffs: These gloves have cuffs that extend over your jacket, rather than a short cuff that tucks underneath your sleeve.
- Palm Grip: A grippy material on the palm will help you carry your skis, poles snowboard or that early morning coffee.
- Thumb wipes: A great little luxury that comes in the form of a soft material on the glove’s thumb so you can wipe a dripping nose in comfort.
- Leash / wrist cord: These can be used to secure your mitts or gloves to your hands so they won’t be lost if you take them off on a chairlift.
