Best Snowboard Gloves and Mittens of 2026
Almost all of the gloves we tested. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
February 9th, 2026
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Having the right pair of mittens or gloves for snowboarding can make or break your experience. We tested 18 pairs of snowboarding-specific gloves and mittens to find the TK best, from budget picks to best for all-day use, extreme cold, and more.
You need to be able to strap into your board without having to take your gloves or mittens off, especially on super cold days. Snowboarding-specific mittens and gloves will allow for riders to adjust their zippers on their outerwear with ease, and take bindings on and off. Beginner snowboarders may spend more time on the snow and will appreciate having waterproof gloves and mittens so their hands stay dry.
The right pair of mittens or gloves will take you wherever you want to go, whether that’s the top of the resort, deep into some backcountry powder, or flying high off a kicker in the terrain park. Your hands should be warm and dry. We especially love the new touchscreen-compatible models, which allow us to check messages and navigation on our phones while riding.
We tested 18 pairs of snowboarding gloves, mittens, and lobster mitts for this story. Our testing days were rainy, windy, snowy, and sunny. We experienced many types of weather during our testing days, with several days being some of the coldest days in Tahoe. Most of our testing was done in South Lake Tahoe in resorts and around the backcountry. Part of our testing involved wearing different gloves on each hand in order to find the warmest ones and which ones had the best dexterity. On wet and rainy resort days, we got our gloves and mittens wet to see how the waterproofing held up. Many of these gloves and mittens have been tested over several years snowboarding.
During our testing we looked at warmth, waterproofing, dexterity, cuff design, liner softness, insulation, touchscreen capability, and long-term durability. We ranked warmth by testing mittens and gloves side by side, one on the right and one on the left hand to see what felt warmer in the same conditions. Waterproofing was tested on rainy days, of which we had several; we were able to see which models left our hands wet and which ones kept us dry inside. We tested dexterity by getting into and out of bindings and making sure we could unzip our jackets and open pockets without having to take off the gloves or mittens. We ranked dexterity on a scale of 1–5 with five being the best. Cuff design was observed for how well the gloves or mittens were able to get on and off and how the cuffs contributed to added warmth. Finally, we looked at whether or not you could use a phone with the gloves/ mittens via touchscreen capabilities, and we tested by using maps, texting, checking maps, and occasionally opening emails or apps in the cold outside.
Our best overall snowboarding mitten is the Hesta Fall Line Mitten. We loved the luxurious feel of these mittens and how versatile they are for different snowboarding conditions—they work well on powder days and on sunny moderate days. Overall, they are extremely comfortable and will work for almost any snowboarder in any condition and last a very long time.
Learn more about the Hesta Fall Line Mitten and our other top picks, along with buying advice and what to look for, in this guide. For our ski-specific gloves, check out our Best Ski Gloves guide.
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Comparison table
| SNOWBOARDING MITTENS & GLOVES | TREELINE AWARD | MSRP | MITTEN/ GLOVE | CUFF | INSULATION | WATER-PROOF? | REMOVABLE LINER? | TOUCH SCREEN? | NOSE WIPE? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hestra Fall Line Mitten | Best overall Read why |
$190 | Mitten | Under | Synthetic, foam + glove | Resistant | Yes | No | No |
| Burton GORE-TEX Mittens Women's Men's |
Best 3-in-1 Read why |
$85 | Mitten | Over | Lined + glove | Proof | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| The North Face Montana Ski Glove Women's Men's |
Best synthetic, Best touchscreen Read why |
$65 | Glove | Over | Synthetic | Proof | No | Yes | Yes |
| Outdoor Research SureShot Heated Softshell Gloves | Best heated Read why |
$269 | Glove | Under | Synthetic | Resistant | No | Yes | No |
| Hestra Topo 3-Finger | Best lobster glove Read why |
$190 | Lobster | Under | G-Lot Polyester | Resistant | Yes | No | No |
The winners
Best Overall: Hestra Fall Line Mitt
Type: Under-the-cuff mitten
Insulation: G-Loft polyester lining
Waterproofing: Application of Hestra Leather Balm makes these water resistant
Warmth: 4.5/5 stars
Dexterity: 3.5/5 stars
What we liked: Soft leather exterior, luxurious feel, replaceable and removable liner, wrist leash
What could be better: Velcro can get caught on delicate fabrics, price
The Hestra Alpine Pro Fall Line Mitts are expensive, but they are extremely comfortable and warm and a worthwhile investment. There is no break-in period for these leather mittens, they are luxurious feeling right out of the box. We love the removable liners so we can dry them out faster after a long day of riding. The cowhide leather is super soft–the softest of any of the mittens or gloves we tested. And these mittens come with wrist leashes so you don’t have to worry about losing one on the chairlift if you take one off to eat a snack. Hestra Leather Balm (sold separately) can be applied to increase waterproofing.
The Hestra Fall Line mitts were our top pick because they are the most comfortable of any mitten/glove we tried. We tested these in a variety of conditions and they were warm for a stormy snow day while also working well as a breathable mitten on a warmer sunny day, keeping our hands from being overheated. A mitten for best overall needs to work in a variety of conditions and we would use these almost any day on the ski hill and use them for any type of snowboarding from backcountry to resort to park laps with friends.
Hestra Fall Line Mitt
men's
Women's
Hestra factories are ISO 14001 certified to fulfill the highest environmental standards. They also work with supplies to restrict harmful substances from their materials before they reach the factories. They work with tanneries that follow strict handling of leather and 72% of their leather comes from LWG-certified tanneries. Factories with lots of sun use solar panels for energy others use wind energy to reduce environmental impact. Hestra also wants their products to last a long time and is fighting against fast fashion.
These mittens are great for snowboarders who are looking for one mitten that will handle all types of weather. The Hestra Alpine Pro Fall Line Mitts are great for backcountry missions to the terrain park and apres hangouts. These mittens are an investment so they are not necessarily for beginning snowboarders who are just getting into the sport. These mittens are also made of leather and not suitable for those looking for a leather free option.
Best 3-in-1: Burton GORE-TEX Mitten
Type: Over-the-cuff mitten with liner gloves included
Insulation: Thermacore Eco
Waterproofing: GORE-TEX
Warmth: 4/5 stars
Dexterity: 4/5 stars (we were able to open zippers and undo bindings with ease)
What we liked: Zipper pocket on the back of the hand allows for venting on warm days or adding a handwarmer on colder days; 3-in-1 design with liners included for versatility; vegan materials
What could be better: The liners don’t have a leash or way to connect together so they can get lost
The Burton GORE-TEX Mittens are great for versatility–you can wear the liners by themselves on warm days, the mittens by themselves on medium days, and the liners with the mittens on cold days. We like the soft interior and flexible materials in these mittens. The liners have touchscreen compatibility and we were able to text and use our phones to take photos with the liner gloves on.
We tested these mittens on a cold windy day snowboarding and we were impressed at how warm our hands stayed. We were able to use all of our zippers and bindings with our mittens on. For a mitten that can handle some colder weather these are very lightweight, the synthetic materials are lighter than the leather mittens we tested in our line-up.
We liked the gauntlet cuffs on these mittens, which are not as long as the Black Diamond Guide Glove or the Give’r Frontier Split Mitt, so we were able to take them on and off easily and even tuck the gauntlet cuff into our oversized jacket sleeve. There are so many ways to wear these–we frequently wore them inside our sleeves and found it kept us warmer.
Burton GORE-TEX Mitten
men's
Women's
The wrist strap on the mittens is really convenient; it allowed for our tester to take off the mitten and ride with liner gloves while taking photos or videos. We also liked the zipped pocket on the back of the hand that allows for extra venting on warm days or for a hand warmer pouch on the coldest days.
These are warm mittens, but they are also breathable with the Gore Warm membrane, allowing for heat to escape so they don’t wet out from the inside.
Both the mittens and the liners have a pull tab so you can get them on easier with one finger. This is helpful so you can get your mitts on with your mitten hand. We didn’t have issues getting these on or off. In fact we often took the mitts off on the chairlift to check maps and weather and never had trouble getting them back on.
Burton is 100% bluesign approved softgoods using 100% plastic free packaging and shipping materials. They are also working towards making sure that all Burton factories have equitable pay and fair labor practices globally. Our mittens were wrapped in recycled paper and came with a paper hangtag with no plastic anywhere to be found, a bonus of this is that you don’t have to find scissors to cut a plastic tag in order to wear them.
These mittens are for beginners to advanced riders who want flexibility in temperature regulation and to have one mitten to do it all. They are great for snowboarders who ride the full season and need coverage in warmer and cooler temperatures. They are not for snowboarders who are going into extreme cold situations or who need a larger gauntlet cuff to keep snow out of a jacket.
Best Touchscreen-Compatible: The North Face Montana Ski Glove
Type: Over-the-cuff gloves
Insulation: Heatseeker synthetic insulation
Waterproofing: DWR water repellent on exterior waterproof insert
Warmth: 4/5 stars
Dexterity: 2.5/5 stars
What we liked: More affordable than other gloves, made with vegan materials, touchscreen compatible
What could be better: The dexterity of these gloves is not as great as others that we tested, we found the fingers themselves to be short and tight and that sizing up might help
The most impressive thing about The North Face Montana Ski Gloves is the touchscreen compatibility. We were shocked at how well these performed; we could easily text and check email without taking our gloves off.
These are leather free gloves for those who are adverse to animal products. They are made with recycled materials including Heatseeker Eco 70% post consumer-recycled polyester in the hand lining and Windwall 100% recycled polyester in the gauntlet lining.
The size range for this line of gloves is very extensive–there is a children's version and it goes all the way up to one of the largest sizes (XXL) for men’s gloves. This was one of the few gloves that one of our male testers was able to wear since many of the brands don’t come in large enough sizes.
The North Face Montana Ski Glove
men's
Women's
Despite the insulated materials in these The North Face Montana gloves, the touchscreen abilities on these gloves is incredible. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
The dexterity of these gloves gets better with use, right out of the package they are a little stiff feeling, but after several wears they soften up and we were able to wear them while zipping jackets up and adjusting bindings. We were also able to grab a phone or snack from a pocket without taking them off. We also like the wrist cinch for extra warmth. Wrist leashes are always a bonus so you don’t lose your glove on the chairlifts.
We wore these on one of our few rainy testing days, and we did eventually get some moisture on the inside. In this case, we were outside in the rain for over an hour in extreme conditions. These gloves have a full gauntlet cuff. We found they worked best over-the-sleeve in snowy and sunny conditions, and under the sleeve in rainy conditions. This is our recommendation but does come down to personal preference.
The North Face is committed to using sustainable materials by 2030 they will have their top five highest greenhouse gas emissions materials to be recycled, responsibly sourced renewable or regeneratively grown. They also partner with suppliers so that the greenhouse gas emission per product is reduced by 50% by 2030. The North Face also has a warranty and repair program so you can keep your gear working for you longer and out of the landfill.
These gloves are great for those who are looking for a glove free from animal products. They come in the largest size range from children to adults so you can outfit your whole family. The North Face Montana glove is great for those who can’t get away from their phone and need to work between runs and have warm hands. They are not for those who prefer a shorter cuff or a mitten.
Best Heated Gloves: Outdoor Research Sureshot Heated Softshell Gloves
Type: Battery Powered Heated Gloves with Altiheat
Insulation: Enduraloft Insulation
Waterproofing: Gore-Tex
Warmth: 4/5 stars
Dexterity: 4/5 stars
What we liked: You can pre-heat these gloves so they start out warm great dexterity
What could be better: Battery life is limited, we found these didn’t work in the coldest conditions, no wrist leash
We were really excited to test the Outdoor Research Sureshot Heated Softshell Gloves because we often use hand warmers on cold days, and having-battery powered gloves is a way around single-use hand warmers. We like being able to dial up the heat for the conditions instead of just having a hand warmer that is just hot until it wears out.
These gloves are powered by a removable battery that has to charge with a wall charger. You get 2.5 hours of high heat on one 6-hour charge. You get more time (up to 8 hours) if you drop the heat level to low.
Outdoor Research Sureshot Heated Softshell Gloves
men's
Women's
We were expecting these to put off a lot of warmth, but they weren’t as warm as we were expecting at first. We tested these on a cold day in the teens with high winds, and while we were protected from the elements our hands weren’t what we would call warm. When we took the gloves off, our hands were instantly cold and putting the heated glove back on felt very warm in comparison. The windproofing could have contributed to the lesser warmth in these conditions. So, we found these gloves work best on days in the 20’s-40’s without high winds, especially if you are able to pre-heat your gloves. To pre-heat, we turned the gloves on high while getting our boots on and found the gloves felt a lot warmer.
If you are not used to cold temperatures, these gloves are great for keeping hands warm while preserving full dexterity of hands so you can operate zippers and access gear and snacks.
Outdoor Research is a founding member for the Outdoor Industry Association Climate Action Corps. They are working to make the outdoor industry the world's first climate positive industry by 2030. This means they will reduce more greenhouse gasses than they emit. They also work to use renewable energy in and remove PFAS from apparel.
These gloves are for those who want a battery powered heated glove with excellent dexterity and waterproofing. They are great for those who always reach for disposable handwarmers on 20-40 degree days and need extra warmth. They are not for extreme cold conditions with wind or for those who are looking for a lighter weight glove.
Best Lobster Glove: Hestra Topo 3-Finger
Type: Under-the-cuff 3-finger
Insulation: G-Loft polyester
Waterproofing: Goat leather exterior
Warmth: 4/5 stars
Dexterity: 3.5/5 stars
What we liked: Super soft interior, flexible leather shell, luxurious feel
What could be better: We wish these came with a wrist leash, not waterproof
The Hestra Alpine Pro Topo 3-Finger gloves feel luxurious the second you put them on. Not a mitten and not quite a glove, our hands stayed warmer than they do in mittens and we had one free finger to adjust bindings and open pit zips on jackets easily . These three-finger gloves are the best of both worlds, reducing bulk and cold gaps from gloves but adding a little more dexterity than you get from a mitten.
The neoprene wrist strap is easy to adjust with the other glove on, so you can get your gloves all set by yourself. We liked wearing these under our jacket cuffs and found them to be really warm on cold days. We liked the removable liners (similar to our top pick, the Hestra Fall Lines) so we were able to dry them out and didn’t have to worry about wet gloves on back to back days of riding.
Hestra Topo 3-Finger
We wish these came with a leash, however you can buy them separately from Hestra or even REI (or make your own!). There is a triangle to attach a leash on the wrist strap.
Hestra recommends using their Leather Balm to care for their gloves. Each pair comes with a small tube and you can buy more from their website. The leather balm will help protect the longevity of the leather in the gloves and will add some water resistance to the outside of the leather. Hestra says these are not waterproof gloves but we found they performed well in dry snow and powder.
We also like that you can purchase new liners to help increase the longevity of your gloves. Hestra sells liner replacements separately. Hestra also has a glove repair center and you can send in your leather gloves to be professionally repaired if they are under warranty.
Hestra factories are ISO 14001 certified to fulfill the highest environmental standards. They also work with supplies to restrict harmful substances from their materials before they reach the factories. They work with tanneries that follow strict handling of leather and 72% of their leather comes from LWG-certified tanneries. Factories with lots of sun use solar panels for energy others use wind energy to reduce environmental impact. Hestra also wants their products to last a long time and is fighting against fast fashion.
These Lobster Gloves are for snowboarders who can’t decide between a mitten or glove and want the best of both worlds. They are for backcountry to resort style riding in all season temperatures. They are expensive and may not be the best option for beginners who are not committed to continuing the sport.
Best Budget Synthetic: evo Silver Fir Mittens
Type: Velcro-cuff mitten with leash
Insulation: PrimaLoft Gold
Waterproofing: Hipara waterproof/breathable membrane
Warmth: 2.5/5 stars
Dexterity: 3/5 stars
What we liked: Easy to put on and take off, the lining is super soft and the material is pliable, lightweight, affordable, wrist leash
What could be better: The Velcro cuff can catch on delicate materials, they only go up to XL size
The evo Silver Fir Mittens are an all-around great synthetic mitten. They are affordable, waterproof, and soft. They aren’t the warmest mittens we tested, but they can be layered with liner gloves or hand warmers on extra cold days.
We tested these on snowy and sunny days, and they would be our first pick for a warmer day. After testing many leather mittens we enjoyed how light and flexible these Silver Fir synthetic mittens were.
We love that these come in fun colors so you can match your outerwear. They come with a wrist leash so you don’t have to worry about losing them on the lift or in the snow. The synthetic materials are breathable so we didn’t feel like we were overheating on warmer sunny days. We took these on a backcountry tour and since they are so lightweight and packable we were able to hike up in our liner gloves and switch to these at the top when it got colder.
evo Silver Fir Mittens
These mittens are very low maintenance–they don’t require regular waterproofing like the leather versions we tested. We love that these can just be dried out between uses and put away for the next time.
Evo uses recycled materials in their mittens including the shell and insulation.
These mittens are for those riders who are looking for a budget option and are great for beginners who aren’t sure if they are going to stick with the sport. These are a great pick for snowboarders who are looking for a mitten that is lightweight and packs small. These are not for extreme cold or for those who prefer a leather mitten.
Best Budget Leather: Flylow Oven Mitt
Type: Ribbed-cuff mitten
Insulation: Greenloft 100% recycled insulation
Waterproofing: Pre-treated leather for water resistance
Warmth: 3/5 stars
Dexterity: 3/5 stars
What we liked: Traditional mitten without finger dividers, soft interior and ribbed cuff, affordable, easy to put on and take off, easy to layer with a liner glove underneath
What could be better: Don’t have a leash, slightly stiff off the rack
We really liked the Flylow oven mitt for its versatility and simple design. It isn’t trying to be more than a good quality, durable, standard, soft, warm mitten.
These mittens are easily layered with liner gloves for storm days so you can wear them all season. They work well on warmer days without overheating, except for the warmest, late spring days where you might need to switch to a liner glove. These mittens are softer than others we tested right out of the box and required very little breaking in. With a little extra care and treatment like Nikwax, these can be waterproofed season after season.
Flylow Oven Mitt
The Flylow Oven Mitts are a great budget pick for a leather mitten. We loved that these come pre treated so you can start wearing them right away. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
We wish this had a leash so we didn’t have to stress about losing one on a chairlift, but for the affordable price that’s a trade-off.
Flylow uses post consumer recycled materials and uses durable water repellents without PFCs. They use Bluesign and Oeko-Tex certified fabrics in their designs.
These are for snowboarders who are looking for an affordable durable leather option. They are great for beginners to advanced riders alike and the leather is easily maintained with regular waterproofing. They are not for those who prefer a more fully featured option or who prefer non leather materials.
Best for Spring Skiing: Burton Park Gloves
Type: Glove
Insulation: None
Waterproofing: DRYRIDE 2-layer shell
Warmth: 1.5/5 stars
Dexterity: 5/5 stars
What we liked: Waterproof exterior, full dexterity, wrist leash, bluesign approved, price
What could be better: Not as warm as other gloves, Velcro wrist strap can get caught on delicate fabrics
We have been wearing a version of the Burton Park Gloves for at least 15 years. With new designs every season it is hard not to want to pick up a new pair every year. We have been able to wear most of our pairs for about five seasons before we “needed” to buy a new one. Each new pair has upgrades, and we really like the newest 25/26 version for its soft interior and more responsive touchscreen palm material.
These park gloves are great for warm days in spring and can work well even in moderate temperatures for those with a high tolerance for cold. They easily fit into a pocket during après so you don’t have to worry about setting them down someplace and forgetting them, like you might with something bulkier like the Black Diamond Guide Gloves.
The touchscreen compatibility in this newest version of the glove is excellent. We were able to send full emails with them from a chairlift so our boss had no idea we weren’t at our desk at home.
Burton Park Gloves
We wore these on some rainy days and they held up well; the water rolled off the surface of the gloves and our hands were dry inside.
We have also used these for dog walks and hiking trips because they are lightweight and packable.
Burton is 100% bluesign approved softgoods using 100% plastic free packaging and shipping materials. They are also working towards making sure that all Burton factories have equitable pay and fair labor practices globally. Our gloves were wrapped in recycled paper and came with a paper hangtag with no plastic anywhere to be found, a bonus of this is that you don’t have to find scissors to cut a plastic tag in order to wear them.
These are great for snowboarders who spend a lot of time in warmer conditions and want a full dexterity glove. They are not for those who are spending a lot of time in extreme cold conditions or powder.
Best for Extreme Cold: Give’r Expedition Split Mitt
Type: Lobster mitten with gauntlet cuffs
Insulation: Reflective heat shield with thinsulate and fleece insulation
Waterproofing: GORE-TEX
Warmth: 5/5 stars
Dexterity: 1.5/5 stars
What we liked: Warmest of anything we tested, wrist leash, durable leather
What could be better: Needs a break in period
We were impressed with the warmth of the Give’r Expedition Split Mitts. The tag said they were tested in -40F, so we took them out on one of the coldest days of our winter season and found they performed very well and kept our hands from being cold.
We like that the gauntlet cuff is fully insulated, adding extra warmth and integrity to the shape of the mitt so it is easier to get on and off with a gloved hand. The split mitt design allows for better dexterity than in a mitten–we were able to open zippers and handle the bindings on our board with no issues. We love the wrist leashes on these, so we don’t have to worry about losing one if we take them off on a chairlift or in the lodge.
Give’r Expedition Split Mitt
These do require some breaking in, you can use the oven method to speed this process up, and we know they will likely only get softer with time. We noticed that after four wears these were already a lot softer and that is without using the oven method.
A close second to these are the Black Diamond Guide Gloves, but they don’t have a leash, which is one of the reasons the Give’r mitts stood out.
Give’r recommends using beeswax to treat the leather on the gloves at least once a season. They sell their own Wax n’ Packet https://www.give-r.com/products/wax-n-packet online for a reasonable price with reduced shipping.
We also like the personalized branding that Give’r offers for their gloves and mittens. It makes it easier to find your own gloves or mittens, especially if your friends or family all have the same ones.
Give’r is a member of 1% for the planet, 1% of their sales go towards helping to fund sustainability projects. The leather for their gloves is sourced from ethical partners and they are designed to be long lasting so that there is less waste in the landfills.
These split mitts are for anyone who is frequently out in extreme cold conditions and needs the warmest handwear available. The Give’r branded mitts are also available in one of the largest sizes we found and are a great fit for those who have a hard time finding handwear large enough to fit them. These are not for snowboarders in warm climates or who overheat easily or for those who are seeking a leather free option.
Other snowboard gloves and mittens we tested
Kinco 901TW Omni-Cuff Mitt
Type: Under-the-cuff mitten
Insulation: Heatkeep thermal insulation
Waterproofing: Leather, requires treatment to be waterproof
Warmth: 3/5 stars
Dexterity: 1.5/5 stars
What we liked: Simple design, finger slots inside mitt, durable, price, customizable
What could be better: No wrist leash, comes untreated, stiff and takes time to break in
The Kinco Mitts were a tough contender for best budget mittens, they are a standard for many ski resort employees. Ultimately they were stiffer than the Flylow Oven Mitt and required waterproofing treatment before wearing. If you are willing to spend the time to take really good care of these and don’t mind a break in period these would be a great budget pick.
Kinco 901TW Omni-Cuff Mitt
We liked these Kinco Mitts and they were almost our Best Budget pick. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
Kinco’s are well known for being completely customizable. They come untreated, so you can draw on them with micron pens or paint on them with acrylic paint markers. Once you have your design completed you seal them with Nikwax or Sno-Seal. We love these for artistic endeavors. These mittens have a cult-like following among resort employees, who prize them for their warmth and durability over the course of several seasons.
These do require regular maintenance to keep them waterproof and the leather in good condition, and they aren’t ready to go out of the box, so you will have to put some work into them before you can take them out in snow.
Type: Under-the-cuff, three-finger mitts
Insulation: Greenloft 100% recycled insulation
Waterproofing: 10,000 mm/10,000 g waterproof-breathable laminate
Warmth: 2.5/5 stars
Dexterity: 3/5 stars
What we liked: Fun colors, super soft interior, lightweight, easy to put on
What could be better: No wrist leash
The Flylow Main Line Gloves come in a variety of fun colors. They are super easy to put on and take off with the ribbed cuff. The leather is nice and soft and requires little break-in time. These lobster mitts come pretreated with a DWR finish on the pigskin leather so you can start wearing them right away.
Flylow Maine Line Glove
The Flylow Maine Line Gloves are a nice option for a lobster style mitt, offering flexibility of a glove with the warmth of a mitten. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
We wore these on dog walks after snowboarding and we found them to be a really versatile warm mitten. These mittens would work well on stormy days with a liner into early spring, before you would need to switch out for a spring glove on the warmest days.
We really wish these had a leash or a place to add one for extra security on the chairlift. However, they are a nice budget, lobster-style mitten, and we love the added dexterity from the extra finger.
Type: Under-the-cuff mittens
Insulation: VerticalX ECO 85% recycled content
Waterproofing: GORE-TEX Plus Warm
Warmth: 3.5/5 stars
Dexterity: 3/5 stars
What we liked: Stylish, easy to get on and off, durable, touchscreen thumb, reinforced leather palm, wrist leash
What could be better: Price, heavier than other mittens with similar warmth
We liked the Outdoor Research Team GORE-TEX Mitts for their style and features. They were a contender for best overall mitten, but ultimately lost to the Hestra Fall Line mittens because they aren’t as soft or as warm and don’t have a removable liner.
Outdoor Research Team GORE-TEX Mitts
However, we like the ability to have a thumb with touchscreen compatibility, and found it useful for simple tasks like taking a photo or checking maps. We also really liked the pull-on loop, which allows for a hand with a mitten on to put on the other mitten.
Outdoor Research is a founding member for the Outdoor Industry Association Climate Action Corps. They are working to make the outdoor industry the world's first climate positive industry by 2030. This means they will reduce more greenhouse gasses than they emit. They also work to use renewable energy in and remove PFAS from apparel.
Type: Under-the-cuff glove
Insulation: None
Waterproofing: None
Warmth: 1/5 stars
Dexterity: 5/5 stars
What we liked: We love these gloves for warm sunny days as a standalone glove
What could be better: Not waterproof
The REI Co-op Flash Power Wool Gloves are great liner or spring-season glove. While there is no waterproofing, they are made with wool, making them warm when wet.
Ideally these are great liners for under other mittens and gloves to increase the warmth. Many of the mittens we tested, like the Flylow Oven Mitten, work really well with these REI gloves layered underneath them. We also love these gloves for warm days where we aren’t planning on spending a lot of time with our hands on the wet snow. Spring days on the mountains can be hot and it is still important to protect your hands from the sun and wind.
REI Co-op Flash Power Wool Gloves
We also appreciate that these gloves come in an inclusive size range and our male tester was able to fit into the largest size. These gloves can pack up small into a jacket pocket and are a great addition to many of the mittens we tested as an extra layer. They are also great for après activities where heavier mittens might be cumbersome.
Type: Under-the-cuff mitten
Insulation: PrimaLoft
Waterproofing: GORE-TEX
Warmth: 4/5 stars
Dexterity: 3.5/5 stars
What we liked: Individual slots for each finger which allows for added dexterity in a mitten, the cuff fits easily under a jacket and reduces bulk
What could be better: Limited sizes available (not as good of range as other brands)
The Burton AK Windstopper Oven Mitts are super soft,comfortable, warm, and easy to take on and off. We liked the wrist leashes so we don’t have to worry about losing them on the lifts.
These are a great mid-level mitten that work for a variety of weather conditions. They are breathable enough for moderate weather days but are strong performers on extra cold powder days. The only weather we wouldn’t recommend these mittens for is warm or spring conditions, as they would be too hot to wear.
Burton AK Windstopper Oven Mitten
We almost named these mittens Best Synthetic Mitten, but we found the individual finger slots made them more difficult for layering liner gloves underneath, making them less versatile than the evo mittens. We were also disappointed in the size range for these mittens and were unable to find a pair that would fit our male tester.
Type: Gauntlet-cuff glove with cinch wrist strap
Insulation: PrimaLoft 340 g Gold
Waterproofing: GORE-TEX, goat leather
Warmth: 4.5/5 stars
Dexterity: 2/5 stars
What we liked: Long gauntlet cuffs keep snow out on powder days, removable liner for drying out after a long day riding, comes in larger sizes
What could be better: Doesn’t have wrist straps, price
The Black Diamond Guide Gloves are a full-length goat leather glove. They have won many Treeline Review awards in our other glove guides they won Best Ski Gloves for Mountaineering in our Ski Glove Guide. We found them to be warm overall, as long as they started out warm–our tester left these in a cold car overnight and when the gloves started out cold they never warmed up even after hours of wearing and snowboarding. We also wore these on a very windy 9°F day and our hands did not stay warm. This was an extreme testing circumstance, but after everything we heard about these gloves we were expecting more. We found these gloves worked best when the temps were in the 20’s—our hands stayed nice and warm.
Black Diamond Guide Gloves
The Black Diamond Guide Gloves are a frequent pick for warm mountaineering gloves. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
We like that the liner has 50 percent wool to help keep odors down, especially when we can’t fully dry them out between uses.
Many of our testers have been wearing these gloves for years and find them to be extremely durable, especially when cared for properly. A note on glove care: the goat leather needs to be sealed every three to six months depending on how much wear they are getting.
Type: Under-the-cuff gloves
Insulation: PrimaLoft Gold
Waterproofing: Hipara waterproof breathable membrane
Warmth: 3/5 stars
Dexterity: 3.5/5 stars
What we liked: Lens wipe on the thumb, soft elastic cuff was easy to get on and off and lots of fun colors, price
What could be better: The fingers on these are a little stiff to start out, there is a lot of material between each finger so your hands are stuck in an unnatural wide position
The evo Felsen gloves are a great affordable option. We love the ribbed cuff on these, they are warm and come in fun colors. They are a hybrid leather and ripstop polyester shell with PrimaLoft Gold insulation and a soft fleece liner. They come in fun colors and you can find a pair to match your ski kit.
evo Felsen Gloves
Evo makes great glove options as well as mittens at an affordable price point. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
We like that these gloves are soft and comfortable and easy to take on and off between runs. The wrist leash keeps them close by so you don’t have to worry about losing one on the lift. These gloves also are versatile for a variety of weather conditions–the waterproof breathable membrane helps to expel heat when it is warmer and keeps you dry when you are in stormy conditions. They are a great budget pick with lots of features comparable to a more expensive glove.
What to look for in snowboard gloves and mittens
Many of these were our winners in this story. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
Warmth
Snowboard gloves and mittens get their warmth from insulating materials. PrimaLoft is one of the main types of insulation in the glove and mittens we tested. It remains warm when wet and is a great down alternative. The synthetic fibers are lightweight and compressible and help to wick moisture away from your hands keeping you dry and warm. Some of the gloves and mittens are made with recycled insulation, like G-LOFT 100% recycled insulation. In general, more brands are starting to use more recycled materials in their gloves and mittens.
Waterproofing
There are many different types of waterproofing in the gloves and mittens we tested. Most of the leather gloves are able to be waterproofed by adding a layer of protection on the outside, like Nikwax or Beeswax. Some of the leather gloves also have a breathable GORE-TEX midlayer so that if the Nikwax wears off they will still remain dry, i.e. the leather may wet out on the outside but your hands will stay warm and dry. Many of the synthetic and hybrid gloves we tested have a GORE-TEX Plus Warm midlayer which combine the waterproofing properties of GORE-TEX with insulation so you stay warm and dry.
Dexterity
The ability to adjust bindings and zippers is essential with your gloves and mittens. On the coldest days you don’t want to have to take off your gloves to adjust your gear. With most of the gloves and mittens we tested, we were able to get our boots into bindings, and we were able to take our boards off at the end of runs without having to remove any of the gloves or mittens. Some gloves and mittens were easier to open zippers than others, with the trade-off typically being that warmer gloves and mittens had less dexterity to manage zippers.
Cuff design
There are many different types of cuffs. Here we have a gauntlet on the left, a velcro cuff in the middle and an elastic cuff on the right. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
Cuff design in mitts and gloves varies, and there are benefits and drawbacks to the different options. The most minimal is the ribbed cuff ,which is typically easy to get on or take off.
The next step up is the Velcro wrist, which is adjustable and still easily fits under a jacket cuff. The Velcro cuff creates a more secure fit but the trade-off is that it is harder to take on and off between runs.
Gauntlet cuffs come in different lengths. For example, the Burton GORE-TEX Mittens have a short gauntlet cuff so they can be worn under or over a jacket cuff easily. The Black Diamond Guide Gloves have a large gauntlet cuff, making them more suited for over-the-cuff sleeve wear. Long gauntlet cuffs will be some of the warmest gloves and mittens because they are also providing warmth through the cuff. The trade-off is that gauntlet style will be harder to put on and take off.
Durability
The Back of the leather options we tested for this story. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
Durability is an important factor in glove choice, especially with some of the more expensive options, because you’ll want them to last a long time. In our experience, leather is more durable than synthetic materials and is easier to repair.
As a snowboarder, paying attention to how you carry your board with your gloves and mittens will make a difference in how long they last. Many of the gloves and mittens we tested have reinforced palms, but it is still recommended to take care not to carry your snowboard with the edge on the palms of your gloves or mittens. The edge of your board can wear down your gloves faster.
Touchscreen use
Touchscreen compatibility is practical for using phones and devices. Not all of the gloves we tested have touchscreen capability, so for ones without you have to take them off to use your phone. If you plan to use your phone for navigation or communication while snowboarding, a touchscreen-compatible glove or mitten will be a must. The touchscreen capabilities are improving on gloves–we were especially impressed with the North Face Montana Ski Gloves and how easy it was to use a phone while wearing them.
Sustainability
Leather gloves can be repaired with a repair kit from Gear Aid, which allows for sewing and sealing the seam. Synthetic gloves can usually be repaired with patches from Gear Aid or Noso. It is best to catch holes and repair or patch them before they get too big and potentially become more difficult to repair. We were pleased to see that many of the gloves and mittens we tested have some sustainable materials or processes like using all recycled insulation or reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the factories.
Gloves vs. mittens vs. lobster-style hybrids
Gloves
Gloves have a dexterity-to-warmth ratio where the thinnest liner gloves will offer the greatest dexterity and the least amount of warmth. As you get into warmer gloves you start to bulk up the materials and each finger is in its own thick sleeve, making it harder to use them for buckles and zippers. A common trade-off with heavier gloves is that there will be less materials in the sections between the fingers, which can make them colder. Many of the warmer gloves require a break-in period–this is especially true with heavier leather, which can take several long days of wear to soften up.
Mittens
Mittens are typically the warmest handcovering. With all four fingers together you can often get more dexterity to do things like zippers and bindings since there is not a bulk of materials between each finger. Some of the mittens we tested have individual finger slots inside the mitten, which allows for more grip when using the mittens since each finger is helping to pull the outside of the mitten together in a different spot. Mittens can also usually be layered with liner gloves underneath, allowing for more seasons of wear.
Lobster/hybrid
This is the middle ground, with the warmth of a mitten and grip of a glove. We love lobster-style mitts because we get a free finger to grip better on zippers and bindings. We found these worked well even in warmer designs because having a single finger free kept the bulk down, and having three fingers in the mitten part helped keep heat in.
A lot of style choices come down to individual preferences, especially when it is moderate temperatures for snowboarding. As the weather heats up, thin gloves will be the best bet for almost every rider, they allow for full dexterity and a mitten would just lock in unnecessary heat for a warmer day.
Most snowboarders who plan to ride a full season will need a few different options: a warmest option with a mitten and liner combo, a mitten or glove on more moderately cold days, and a spring-season warmer weather glove or liner. A 3-in-1-style mitten is a great choice for when you don’t know what the weather will bring so you are prepared for anything.
Insulation and materials explained
Some of our favorite options for snowboarding mittens and gloves. We tested a mix of synthetic and leather options for this story. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
Synthetic insulation (PrimaLoft, Thinsulate)
Lightweight, stays warm when wet. This is a microfiber insulation which is water resistant and a substitute for down options. PrimaLoft comes in several tiers including Gold which is the highest standard of warmth to weight, Silver which is durable and compressible, Black for everyday use and ThermoPlume which mimics down feathers. Thinsulate provides warmth without bulk and is frequently used in liner gloves it also remains warm when wet.
Fleece liners
Many of the gloves we tested have some sort of fleece or wool liner. Wool is odor resistant and remains warm when wet, making it a great choice for heavy use. Fleece stays warm when wet and won’t stretch out or change size.
Leather vs. synthetic
Many of the leather options we tested for this story. Some have reinforced palms for added durability. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
One of the biggest choices in gloves and mittens is whether to go with leather or synthetic materials. Many people have strong feelings about wearing leather products, however it is a renewable resource and may be a more sustainable option than synthetic materials. During our years of testing we have found that leather gloves last a lot longer than synthetic gloves.
However, leather requires more work to keep it in good condition with regular waterproofing and typically has a longer break-in period, so if you aren’t willing to have some days or weeks with stiff fingers, synthetic might be a better choice.
The synthetic materials are great for vegans or anyone who does not wish to wear leather. Synthetic materials are also typically lighter weight and have better flexibility than the leather counterparts. Synthetic materials are often less grippy than leather gloves and will need to be replaced more often. There are also hybrid gloves with leather palms and synthetic tops, which are lighter weight than solid leather gloves, and have the durability of a leather glove on the palm and the waterproofing of a synthetic glove across the top.
Differences between snowboard and ski gloves
There are many choices when it comes to gloves and mittens for snowboarding. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
Skiers and snowboarders have different needs on the mountain. Skiers often hold poles while skiing, and snowboarders spend time strapping in and out of bindings at the top and bottom of each run. While many gloves and mittens can work for both skiers and snowboarders, snowboarders often require more durability across the palm where you are carrying a board and less dexterity across all the fingers due to lack of poles. We like the The North Face Montana Glove for skiing and snowboarding, these gloves transition from adjusting snowboard bindings and grabbing ski poles easily.
You want gloves and mittens that are comfortable to wear while you carry your board. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
Beginning snowboarders may spend more time sitting on the snow, and will often use their hands to get up. Waterproof gloves and mittens will be more important to beginners who are potentially going to get wet with snow. As snowboarders progress with skills, waterproof mittens and gloves are only necessary on storm or powder days.
Good snowboarding gloves should have extra protection and durability in key areas of stress from carrying a snowboard. Snowboard edges are sharp and can cut delicate gloves and mittens if they don’t have extra layers of protection.
Learn more about ski-specific gloves in our Best Ski Gloves guide.
Care and maintenance
Having durable palms on your gloves and mittens helps them last longer. Carrying your board by the sharp edge can wear down the palms faster. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
Dry out gloves and mittens thoroughly after riding. yYu can use a portable glove drying device, like Dry Guy, or place them in a warm dry area. Take care to never expose your gloves or mittens to direct heat. You can use a paper towel roll or toilet paper roll to help keep them open and increase airflow.
Leather gloves require extra care to maintain top performance. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the gloves you purchased. Most need a treatment similar to Nikwax every 3–6 months, depending on wear and at minimum once a year at the end of the season.
Reapply waterproofing treatment (DWR or wax) annually at the end of the season. This will vary between leather and synthetic gloves. Follow manufacturer directions.
Store your gloves and mittens cleaned and fully dry during the off-season to avoid mildew and odor build up.
Part of keeping your gloves clean is not letting them get dirty in the first place. Gloves and mittens are difficult to wash–keeping your hands clean during use will help keep your gloves clean on the inside so they require less cleaning.
FAQ
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It depends on your personal preferences, but in general, mittens are better for warmth on cold days while gloves are better for warmer days for most snowboarders. We like using mittens for stormy weather and find that mittens have enough dexterity to allow us to adjust our bindings and keep our hands warm and are generally less bulky than a glove of the same warmth rating. We love gloves for warmer conditions, especially sunny days in spring where mittens are too hot to wear. Thinner gloves also typically come with the added bonus of touchscreen compatibility so you don’t have to take them off to check weather or change your music. We always wear something while riding, even on hot days to prevent sunburn on our hands.
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Waterproof gloves or mittens are preferred for most conditions for most snowboarders, with a few exceptions. Stormy days will always do better with a waterproof glove or mitten to keep hands dry and warm. Experienced snowboarders may enjoy a non-waterproof mitten or glove on sunny days since they can be more breathable. Beginning snowboarders would benefit from waterproof gloves in this case because they are likely to spend more time on the snow and putting their hands directly on the snow.
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The mittens and gloves we tested have a wide range of temperatures that they are rated for, with some working in -20°F conditions and others faring better in 40°F conditions. The temperature rating is somewhat subjective as wind and other weather factors can affect the ability to work well in certain temperatures. The same glove or mitten may feel colder in windy or cloudy conditions vs. a sunny calm day. Many snowboarders have multiple pairs of gloves or mittens for varying temperatures and conditions. There are some of the 3-in-1 models we tested that are more versatile, allowing the liner to be worn alone on a warm day and the liner with the glove on the coldest days.
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Yes. Many of the gloves and mittens we tested for this story are also used by skiers (The North Face Montana Glove, for example). Snowboarders will often have different preferences in how they use gloves and mittens compared to skiers. Snowboarders have to be able to crank bindings at the beginning and end of each run, while skiers are able to click into their skis hands free. However, there is no real reason you can’t borrow your friend’s ski gloves for snowboarding, or need to buy all new accessories if you are switching from skiing to snowboarding. Many of our testers do both sports and use the same handwear for both activities. As you progress in snowboarding you may find yourself preferring different handwear for snowboarding versus skiing.
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Yes. Leather gloves or mittens are an excellent choice for snowboarding. Leather is a natural material and highly durable. Many of the gloves and mittens we tested are leather. We like that it is very durable and waterproof, especially when treated with Nikwax or other waterproofing wax. Many snowboarders will specifically buy leather mittens so they can paint or draw on them before adding Nikwax to create a completely custom mitten. The leather is a great canvas for creatives.
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You want your gloves or mittens to be fitted but not so tight that you cannot move your fingers. Part of what makes the gloves and mittens feel warm is that you are holding warm air in the glove or mitten. A glove that fits too tightly will have less air to warm up, whereas a glove that is too loose will have too much air and won’t feel as warm. For best results, follow the size chart for the manufacturer. With leather we typically size up if we are between sizes, as it tends to shrink over time and mold to the shape of your hand.
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If you can only get one pair of gloves, a 3-in-1 is a great option because they have a liner and a shell and can be worn three ways for maximum versatility. The liner can be worn alone for warm days, the shell can be worn alone for cooler days, and the liner and shell can be worn together for the coldest days. This also makes them a great option for travel if you aren’t sure what the conditions will be like.
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Most of the gloves and mittens we tested are air-dry only. There are glove driers available that can speed up the process. We have used the Dry Guy system for keeping our gloves and mittens dry, which works well to keep things dry without overheating. If you have access to a fireplace, you can usually set your gloves where they can dry in the warmth of the fire without getting overheated, usually a few feet away. Setting gloves or mittens close to a heater or heating vent also really helps speed up the process. If you can keep them open with the tube from a paper towel roll or a wire hanger it will help avoid wet spots. You want to make sure that the tips of the fingers or tip of the mitt are dry inside–this will keep them smelling fresh and keep your hands warm for the next use.
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We have leather gloves and mittens that are easily ten years old. With consistent application of Nikwax, and proper storage and drying, they can last a long time. We have found that most of our synthetic gloves and mittens will start to become less waterproof over time, but with proper care they should last you several seasons. You can use patches like Noso to repair holes and increase the longevity of your gloves and mittens.
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Liners are a great way to beef up the temperature rating of your gloves or mittens on colder days. Buying separate liners allows more flexibility in the ways you can use your gloves and mittens. Liners with touchscreen compatibility allow you to use your phone while wearing them. We also like liners for après hangouts where you need more dexterity but still want some warmth.
How we researched and tested
We made sure we were able to adjust our bindings while wearing all the gloves and mittens we tested for this story. Photo courtesy Sara Kruglinski.
I Tested during multi-day resort and backcountry trips
Exposed gloves and mittens to wet snow, powder, sub-freezing winds and rain
Compared dexterity via binding and zipper tests
Did a side-by-side comparison for warmth rating.
Tracked drying time and odor after repeated use.
Evaluated comfort, waterproofing, warmth, and price.
Why you should trust us / About the author
I am a former competitive snowboarder and have been snowboarding and skiing for over 20 years. I was a professional ski patroller in Tahoe on my snowboard and have always found value in quality gear.
Most of my time snowboarding is spent in the Lake Tahoe area, where days can vary from bitter cold stormy days to super warm spring days with wet slush. In addition to gloves and mitts, I have reviewed snowboard bags for travel for Treeline Review, along with goggles and helmets, which you can find with my other guides on my author page.
