Best Ski Mittens of 2025
ByMultiple Authors
Updated:
Jan 22, 2025Table of contents
Black Diamond Mercury ($120)
Dakine Titan Gore-Tex ($80)
Hestra Fall Line ($165)
Stio Hardscrabble Insulated ($159)
Black Diamond Mercury ($120)
Outdoor Research Mt. Baker II ($179)
Hestra Army Leather Heli ($160)
Flylow Oven ($55)
Hestra Fall Line ($165)
The Mercury is an ideal mitten for cold-handed skiers, with a cozy interior, powerful insulation, and reliable waterproofing. However, it's on the bulky side for holding onto a ski pole and does not include leashes.
The Mercury is an ideal mitten for cold-handed skiers, with a cozy interior, powerful insulation, and reliable waterproofing. However, it's on the bulky side for holding onto a ski pole and does not include leashes.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
BD.dry
Shell
Synthetic/leather
Cuff style
Gauntlet
Liner
Removable
Pros
Cons
The Black Diamond Mercury Mitt has a lot going for it. First off is warmth: The mitten features a cozy sherpa-fleece lining and lofty 340-gram PrimaLoft Gold insulation, which will keep most hands content even in temperatures well below zero degrees Fahrenheit. This insulation is all contained within a removable liner mitt, which adds versatility since you can swap it for a thin liner glove on warmer days, and it’s quick to dry out in between storm sessions. If moisture is a concern (which it likely won’t be in super cold conditions), the Mercury is reliably waterproof via a BD.dry membrane and PFC-free finish.
While BD focuses the bulk of the insulation on the back of the hand, the Mercury still isn’t dexterous; even gripping onto a ski pole feels a little clunky. For this reason, we wish the mitten came with leashes; testers felt the need to remove them often throughout a day of skiing and had to be creative about not dropping them off the chairlift. And while we love the versatility and convenience of the removable liner, take note that the Mercury isn’t quite as smooth to get on as a mitten with a fixed liner—on the odd occasion, your hand might catch the velcro on its way in. But for a very reasonable $120, Black Diamond’s popular mitten nails the combination of performance and price, putting it high in our rankings for cold-handed skiers. For more, read our review of the BD Mercury Mitt.
A consensus favorite amongst the Better Trail team, the Fall Line Mitt is so stylish, dexterous, and durable, you’ll want to wear it around town, too. Ours has seen six years of heavy use and is still going strong. The downsides are price and lack of waterproofing.
A consensus favorite amongst the Better Trail team, the Fall Line Mitt is so stylish, dexterous, and durable, you’ll want to wear it around town, too. Ours has seen six years of heavy use and is still going strong. The downsides are price and lack of waterproofing.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
N/A
Shell
Cowhide/neoprene
Cuff style
Under cuff
Liner
Removable
Pros
Cons
The Army Leather Heli Ski Mitten is arguably Hestra’s most popular ski mitten, but we’d be remiss not to also mention the Fall Line here. This mitten is highly favored amongst the Better Trail team, which should speak volumes (between the three of us, we have a combined half-century’s worth of experience on the slopes). Despite its stunning build quality, it’s rugged enough to treat like a hardware store work mitten, making it easy to wear the Fall Line every day of the season. Our prior-gen pair has seen six years of use—both at the ski resort and around town—and is still going strong, although the palm is starting to show some wear from routine rope tow use.
The Fall Line’s removable liner is also a helpful feature, making the mittens easy to launder and quick to dry in between storm days at the resort. Further, the mitten’s lofty G-Loft insulation and fleece lining is very warm and cozy, offering a decent boost in warmth compared to most of the leather mittens here. And while the Fall Line certainly becomes better with time, it’s relatively supple out of the box and features external seams for a refined fit. Take note that the mitten does not include a waterproof membrane (we don’t recommend it for use in wet conditions), but it nevertheless nails the balance of comfort, warmth, durability, and dexterity.
The Mt. Baker offers the height of function, with no-holds-barred waterproof protection and a removable glove liner that works well for standalone use. However, comfort is compromised in the hardshell-like build, and the mittens are too bulky for most tasks—even holding a pole is challenging.
The Mt. Baker offers the height of function, with no-holds-barred waterproof protection and a removable glove liner that works well for standalone use. However, comfort is compromised in the hardshell-like build, and the mittens are too bulky for most tasks—even holding a pole is challenging.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
Gore-Tex
Shell
Synthetic
Cuff style
Gauntlet
Liner
Removable
Pros
Cons
The Outdoor Research Mt. Baker II Gore-Tex Mitts are an extremely functional offering for skiers who get out in wet conditions, whether in the resort or the backcountry. They are essentially a hardshell for your hands: The outer mitten features a 70-denier nylon and durable synthetic palm, both backed by a Gore-Tex membrane and seam-sealed for complete waterproofing. The Baker isn’t going for style or comfort—like a hardshell jacket, it’s loud, crinkly, and has a really rigid feel—but it effectively sluffs off moisture and doesn't get bogged down like leather, which is what you want in wet and cold mountain conditions.
The Baker Mitts are also one of the most versatile offerings here. You can wear the shell mitten with a lightweight liner in mild conditions, or pair it with the included insulated five-finger glove liner, which features 340-gram PrimaLoft Gold insulation (the same as the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt) and a cozy fleece liner. This insulated glove liner can also be worn on its own and comes with nice additions like a simple velcro wrist cinch and touchscreen-compatible fingertips (that actually work).
The Baker Mitts’ function-first build is likely overkill for casual resort skiers. Where this mitten is truly in its element is in the wind-whipped high country (in our tester’s words, “I would take these to the summit of Mt. Rainier”) or during storm-day sessions in the trees. You won’t be able to grab or hold much with the Baker on—even pulling up a zipper or grasping poles is challenging—but the tradeoff is worth it for this level of protection. For more, see our review of the OR Mt. Baker II GTX.
The Oven is an affordable yet durable workhorse mitten. It's supple from the get-go and pre-treated with a durable water-repellent finish. However, don't expect too much warmth, and the mitten will soak through in wet conditions.
The Oven is an affordable yet durable workhorse mitten. It's supple from the get-go and pre-treated with a durable water-repellent finish. However, don't expect too much warmth, and the mitten will soak through in wet conditions.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
N/A
Shell
Leather
Cuff style
Under cuff
Liner
Fixed
Pros
Cons
A riff off the classic Kinco mitten, the Flylow Oven Mitt has become standard fare amongst core skiers. Why? For the price, it’s simply hard to beat its durability; the Oven should last you multiple seasons’ worth of hard use. Indeed, you don’t get many bells and whistles—no leashes, no nose wipes, no removable liners, no waterproof membrane—but most skiers reaching for this mitt will like the simple, traditional aesthetic; and unlike similar leather mitts (cough, cough, Kincos), they don’t require a painstaking break-in period.
The Oven isn’t the warmest mitten, but most skiers will find the combination of 100-gram insulation on the palm and 200-gram at the back of the hand to be sufficient for shoveling snow and schlepping sleds in temperatures down to the high-teens Fahrenheit. Although this does beg the question: If you’re opting for a mitten of this warmth (i.e. fairly moderate), why not just get a more dexterous glove instead?
Flylow used to be known as the brand that triple-baked their gloves and mittens with Sno-Seal, but current versions of the Oven have a simple durable water-repellent finish. It’s enough to keep intermittent moisture at bay on day one of use, but you’ll need to maintain the mitt with routine applications of a leather wax. And even so, we don’t recommend pushing the Oven in wet conditions such as those common to the PNW—for full waterproof protection, try Flylow’s Unicorn Mitt instead. Regarding sizing, the Flylows tend to run small, so we recommend sizing up.
One of Hestra’s most popular ski mittens, the Heli is warm and cozy and features a removable liner for easy laundering and drying. It’s not fully waterproof though, so we don’t recommend it for those who routinely get out in wet conditions.
One of Hestra’s most popular ski mittens, the Heli is warm and cozy and features a removable liner for easy laundering and drying. It’s not fully waterproof though, so we don’t recommend it for those who routinely get out in wet conditions.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
3L Polyamide (partial)
Shell
Leather/synthetic
Cuff style
Gauntlet
Liner
Removable
Pros
Cons
The Army Leather Heli Ski Glove is one of our favorites, and Hestra also makes it in a mitten version for those who need the extra warmth. In our testing, we found the mitten version to be noticeably more insulated, but the flipside is it’s bulky for gripping onto poles. And with a mitten (i.e. not glove) liner, there’s more than enough room to throw in a handwarmer, which almost ensures that your hands stay warm no matter the conditions. This liner (which includes all of the mitten’s insulation) can also be removed—a helpful feature if you need to dry the mitten out or want to swap in a thin liner glove on a warm day.
Other than the added insulation, the Heli Mitt sticks to the same formula as the Heli Glove, which includes waterproof synthetic material at the back of the hand, a supple leather palm (beware, the white stains easily), a generous gauntlet that extends well past the wrist, and secure wrist leashes. The big caveat to this construction is that it’s not completely waterproof—there’s no waterproof membrane lining the leather palm and none of the seams are sealed. Hestra does include a small tube of leather balm with the mittens; regularly treating the leather will help, but it won’t make the mittens completely waterproof. As a result, we don’t recommend the Heli Mitt for most PNW skiers, but the non-waterproof design shouldn’t be an issue in dry and cold areas like the Rockies. For more, read our review of the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Mitt.
The Carbide is a comprehensive mitten, with full waterproofing, a durable leather and stretch-woven nylon shell, and enough insulation for most resort weather. It slides on easily and offers a fair amount of dexterity, which is a breath of fresh air compared to bulkier, warmer mitts.
The Carbide is a comprehensive mitten, with full waterproofing, a durable leather and stretch-woven nylon shell, and enough insulation for most resort weather. It slides on easily and offers a fair amount of dexterity, which is a breath of fresh air compared to bulkier, warmer mitts.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
Gore-Tex
Shell
Leather/synthetic
Cuff style
Gauntlet
Liner
Fixed
Pros
Cons
For a great combination of price and performance, check out the Outdoor Research Carbide Sensor Mitts. These mittens are the complete package for resort skiers, with full Gore-Tex waterproofing, warm 200-gram insulation and a cozy microfiber liner, and a supple shell that combines leather and stretch-woven nylon for an ideal mix of dexterity, durability, and breathability. It’s notable performance in a sleek, comfortable mitten, and OR tops off the feature set with a nice assortment of finishes, including easy-to-adjust wrist and gauntlet cinches, nose and goggle wipes, and removable leashes. OR also advertises the Carbide as being touchscreen-compatible, but the bulk of the mitten makes this feature virtually useless.
Unlike mittens with removable insulation, the Carbide Sensor has a nicely streamlined entry point for the hand, and a large pull tab makes it easy to pull the mitten into place. Of course, the fixed insulation does mean that the Carbide isn’t as quick to dry out in between sessions, and it’s not quite as warm as mittens like the Black Diamond Mercury and Hestra Heli. On the flip side, we’ve found it’s a much better fit than these bulky mittens for gripping a ski pole, grabbing onto a chairlift, and other resort tasks.
In terms of sizing, we opted for the unisex medium—our standard size—and noted that there was still room to add a thin liner glove, which would be a nice addition on particularly cold days.
The Titan (women's Sequoia) gives you a fully featured, waterproof ski mitten for just $80, with fun additions like a goggle scraper and back-of-hand pocket. It's great for casual skiers and those who only get out a few times a year. However, the material set is no match for the durability and refined fit of leather.
The Titan (women's Sequoia) gives you a fully featured, waterproof ski mitten for just $80, with fun additions like a goggle scraper and back-of-hand pocket. It's great for casual skiers and those who only get out a few times a year. However, the material set is no match for the durability and refined fit of leather.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
Gore-Tex
Shell
Synthetic
Cuff style
Gauntlet
Liner
Removable
Pros
Cons
Many waterproof ski mittens will run you $120 or more, but the Dakine Titan Gore-Tex (and women’s Sequoia GTX) offers a fairly complete package for just $80. This is a great starter mitten for real winter weather: You get a premium Gore-Tex insert for breathable waterproof protection, a nice dose of fixed insulation (comfortable down to the mid-teens), an easy-to-adjust gauntlet, a nose wipe on one hand and a goggle scraper on the other, and a convenient zippered pocket on each mitten. The Titan also comes with a removable liner glove that functions well for standalone use; unlike most bulky mitten liners, it looks and feels like a winter running glove and has a full-grip palm and is touchscreen compatible. This setup gives you versatility and is great for those who want to take their mitten off for small tasks without exposing their skin to the elements.
With a polyester shell and synthetic “Rubbertec” palm and fingertips, the Titan is designed with a low price in mind; as a result, it lands in a different class than premium leather mittens. It will never break in quite as well as a leather model, and despite being heavily reinforced and well-put-together, the polyester shell is much more likely than leather to fray and form holes. However, dexterity is really good from the get-go, and the Titan offers a ton of features and performance for the price. The Dakine runs rather small, so we do recommend sizing up if you’re on the fence.
The aptly named Dirt Bag is a no-frills leather mitt for the dumpster-divin’, parking-lot-livin’, live-to-ski crowd. It's $5 cheaper than the Flylow Oven but does not come pretreated with a water-repellent finish.
The aptly named Dirt Bag is a no-frills leather mitt for the dumpster-divin’, parking-lot-livin’, live-to-ski crowd. It's $5 cheaper than the Flylow Oven but does not come pretreated with a water-repellent finish.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
N/A
Shell
Leather
Cuff style
Under cuff
Liner
Fixed
Pros
Cons
The Black Diamond Dirt Bag Mitts’ name says it all—this is a no-frills mitten meant to please the core of the live-to-ski crowd. This $50 mitt is meant to take a beating, which is more than we can say for a lot of $150 alternatives here. And despite its leather build, we’ve found it to be very supple out of the box and easier to break in than most leather mittens. It’s not quite as hardwearing as the Flylow Oven, but it will get the job done for Black Diamond enthusiasts or skiers who don’t want to waste any time breaking in a leather mitten.
The Dirt Bag’s midweight thermal foam insulation and fixed fleece lining will likely keep you warm in temperatures around the mid-20s (Fahrenheit) and above, but it feels decidedly thinner—and less warm—than most mittens we’ve worn. And the mitten does not come pretreated with a water-repellant finish, so you’ll want to treat it before taking it out (a small sample of Nikwax is included with the purchase). All told, the Dirt Bag is a fairly bare-bones mitten with a bare-bones aesthetic, but it’s more comfortable and supple than a hardware store alternative for around the same price.
Give’r took a traditional leather mitten and winterized it, tacking on a waterproof membrane, multiple layers of insulation, and a beeswax coating. However, the Frontier is not as warm as we’d expect and takes effort to break in.
Give’r took a traditional leather mitten and winterized it, tacking on a waterproof membrane, multiple layers of insulation, and a beeswax coating. However, the Frontier is not as warm as we’d expect and takes effort to break in.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
Waterproof membrane
Shell
Leather
Cuff style
Under cuff
Liner
Fixed
Pros
Cons
A niche brand out of Jackson, Wyoming, Give’r is best known for its lineup of leather gloves and mittens. It has two key mitten offerings: the uninsulated Classic Give’r Mittens and the insulated and waterproof Frontier Mittens. The Frontier is classy and durable enough to wear for just about anything—walking the dog, operating the snow blower, chopping wood—but has become particularly popular amongst skiers for its combination of style and performance. It’s not the easiest leather to break in (and is covered with a sticky wax out of the box), but after a few weeks of hard use (getting them wet or warming them up helps) the Frontier stretches, conforms to the hand, and forms a cool patina on its leather shell. In the words of our tester, it’s “a mitten that will tell some stories.”
The Frontier has a simple workwear vibe, but Give’r soups it up with a few extra features. You get a cozy red cuff that's easy to pull on, a reliable waterproof membrane, leather reinforcements at the palm and fingers, and a layer of reflective and windproof material (in addition to the insulation) to help isolate the hands from the elements. We once tested the glove version of these mitts by immersing our hands in a pot of boiling water, and they effectively kept the water and extreme temperature at bay. No matter what you throw at them, the Frontier can handle it—season after season.
Our primary gripe about the Frontier is warmth. Give’r advertises the mitten as having a grand total of 380 grams of insulation at the palm and 490 grams at the back of the hand, which are pretty big numbers—and they’re a bit deceiving. The Give’r is more on par with a mitten like the Flylow Oven (which uses 100 and 200g fill) than an ultra-warm design like the Black Diamond Mercury (340g insulation), and we don’t recommend it for downhill skiing in temperatures much below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. And while the mitten does come with leashes, they’re made out of basic string, which is a bit less comfortable and convenient than an elastic design.
The Hardscrabble is a durable leather mitten with premium materials, including a merino wool liner. It's soft and flexible from the get-go. However, the price tag is high for such thin insulation.
The Hardscrabble is a durable leather mitten with premium materials, including a merino wool liner. It's soft and flexible from the get-go. However, the price tag is high for such thin insulation.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
Gore-Tex
Shell
Goatskin leather
Cuff style
Under cuff
Liner
Fixed
Pros
Cons
Though not a well-known name outside the Mountain West, Jackson Hole-based Stio offers a full-fledged collection of outdoor gear for everyone from casual enthusiasts to all-out rippers. It’s a Patagonia-esque brand—small, gritty, and built from the ground up by real-life skiers and climbers—and the quality of its products is right up there with premium offerings from Black Diamond and Outdoor Research. We tested its leather Hardscrabble Insulated Mitt during a season of spring skiing in the PNW, and it stood out for its flexible build (unlike most bulky ski mittens, we could perform some small tasks in the Stio) and cozy interior.
However, we wouldn’t push the Hardscrabble too hard in cold weather. The mitten is not particularly warm: Stio states that the mittens contain 1.8 and 3-ounce PrimaLoft Gold, which translates to about 60 and 100-gram fill; for comparison’s sake, the simple leather Flylow Oven features 100- and 200-gram fill. The Hardscrabble does offer a bit of extra warmth via the merino-wool liner, but finger separators don’t allow you to reap the full benefits of the mitten design. All told, we don’t recommend Stio’s mitten for anything other than mild temperatures (mid-20s and up) and dry days on the slopes, but in the right conditions, it’s a dexterous and comfortable—albeit expensive—choice.
The Montana is the most affordable waterproof mitten here. It has all the features most skiers need and is warm enough for most resort conditions. However, the synthetic shell won’t last as long as leather alternatives, and many of the features are poorly executed (although still functional).
The Montana is the most affordable waterproof mitten here. It has all the features most skiers need and is warm enough for most resort conditions. However, the synthetic shell won’t last as long as leather alternatives, and many of the features are poorly executed (although still functional).
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
DryVent
Shell
Synthetic
Cuff style
Gauntlet
Liner
Fixed
Pros
Cons
At $65, The North Face’s Montana Ski Mitts are the most affordable waterproof mitten to make our list, and they’re all most casual skiers need. The Montana offers standout warmth: With 250-gram Heatseeker Eco insulation on the back of the hand and 160-gram at the front, it feels a lot more insulated than the Dakine Titan (230 and 110g, respectively). It’s also fully waterproof thanks to a DryVent membrane, is easy to pull on and adjust, and features a cozy, moisture-wicking liner. The Montana is also dexterous from the get-go, which is more than most premium mittens can claim.
While no feature is left behind with this mitt—from removable leashes to nose wipes to pull tabs and grippy palms—none of them are particularly well executed. The nose wipes aren’t super absorptive and the leashes don’t cinch close to your wrist, but everything gets the job done. Further, the Montana won’t last as long as a leather mitten, and the DryVent won’t breathe as well as Gore-Tex. Still, for those who only get out a few times a year, it’s nevertheless an excellent value.
The Mercury is an ideal mitten for cold-handed skiers, with a cozy interior, powerful insulation, and reliable waterproofing. However, it's on the bulky side for holding onto a ski pole and does not include leashes.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Give’r took a traditional leather mitten and winterized it, tacking on a waterproof membrane, multiple layers of insulation, and a beeswax coating. However, the Frontier is not as warm as we’d expect and takes effort to break in.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
One of Hestra’s most popular ski mittens, the Heli is warm and cozy and features a removable liner for easy laundering and drying. It’s not fully waterproof though, so we don’t recommend it for those who routinely get out in wet conditions.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Oyuki Pep Gore-Tex Trigger ($170)
Three-finger mitts are our favorite style of mitten to wear in the backcountry—you get most of the warmth of a mitten while still maintaining full freedom of your index finger, which is essential for buckling boots, locking bindings, and grabbing snacks. The Oyuki Pep (and women’s Chika) is a favorite amongst some of our ski testers, and we’re planning to add it to our list above after this winter’s testing. With goatskin leather, a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane, moderate amounts of PrimaLoft insulation (200 g and 133 g), and a soft fleece lining, the Pep is a warm and protective option for temperatures above 20 degrees. And unlike the Sencho Mitts (read the Sencho glove review in our Best Ski Gloves article), it’s supple and dextrous out of the box.
Gordini Cirque 3-Finger ($150)
Can you tell we’re on a 3-finger mitten kick? Another option to consider is the Gordini Cirque 3-Finger, which, like the Pep, features a premium goatskin leather shell and midweight PrimaLoft insulation. The biggest distinction between the two mittens is that the Cirque lacks a waterproof membrane. Before you judge too harshly, consider that it saves you $20 and might not actually compromise too much on waterproofing—in either case, you’ll still need to treat the leather with a protective wax. Plus, waterproof membranes add bulk that compromises dexterity, so the argument could be made that the Cirque gets you similar performance in a more affordable and supple design.
Our overall rating is a quick-glance number that should help most readers narrow down their list from the get-go. It takes the full picture into account: price, build quality, performance (based on intended use), durability, sustainability, and more. On the high end of the rating scale are overall standout ski mittens, whether they’re the crème de la crème or budget designs that offer a savvy combination of price and performance. If you ask us, most skiers should aim to purchase a mitten with an above-average overall rating—there’s simply little reason not to. That said, ski mittens with lower overall ratings are still notable enough to have made our list; for various reasons, these might appeal to niche-minded skiers or those who get out just a few times a year.
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. However, not all mittens feature chart-topping insulation, nor do all skiers want an arctic-ready mitten. Our warmth scale was built to help you find a Goldilocks (not too hot, not too cold) level of warmth for your hands.
Maximum insulation for extremely frigid days out and those who run cold. Mittens at the high end of this range will have significantly compromised dexterity (some are even too bulky to sufficiently grip onto a ski pole).
The sweet spot for most downhill skiing. These mittens will keep most skiers warm in temperatures above the low 20s without being too insulated or bulky.
No insulation or light fleece. Not recommended for downhill skiing in the majority of conditions.
Not every ski mitten is fully waterproof; many simply keep out moisture with a synthetic or leather exterior sealed with a waterproof finish like Nikwax or Sno-Seal. At first blush, this might seem strange, but it makes sense: Most resort skiing takes place in below-freezing temperatures, which means that snow stays snow (i.e. it doesn’t become water). And because skiers (unlike snowboarders) don’t spend a ton of time with their hands in the snow, ski mittens aren’t subjected to too serious a test.
Fully waterproof (even submersible), thanks to premium waterproof membranes (like Gore-Tex) and sealed seams. Great for those who get out in wet conditions like the PNW, but will need to be properly maintained with a DWR finish.
Decent protection for dry or cold climates but will be overwhelmed by sustained moisture. Most of these mittens have waterproof membranes, but their shell fabrics will get bogged down with moisture if not properly maintained.
Leather mittens with no waterproof membrane. Applying an aftermarket waterproof finish can add water resistance.
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 onto a ski pole, while others are flexible enough to adjust ski boot buckles and open zippers. And if you opt for a three-finger mitten, dexterity takes a big jump, leveling up to that of a ski glove.
It’s important to consider that dexterity generally decreases as warmth goes up—although there are exceptions to this rule. If both dexterity and warmth matter to you, we recommend pairing your ski mitten with a highly dexterous liner glove. Then, when you inevitably remove the ski mitten for small tasks, your skin will still be sheltered from the elements.
Maximum dexterity, limited to sleek three-finger mittens or supple and thin leather construction. These mittens can perform most tasks, although you’ll have to remove them to use your phone.
Moderate dexterity due to lofty insulation or lower-quality builds. You might be able to adjust your ski boots, but will need to remove the mitten for finer tasks like changing your goggle lenses or retrieving items from your pocket.
Limited dexterity due to bulky insulation. Will feel awkward around a ski pole, and will need to be removed for virtually every task.
Comfort is inherently related to other ratings like warmth and dexterity, but it also takes into account a number of 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?
Next-level comfort. The mitten is made with supple materials and requires a minimal break-in period. It has a refined fit and exceptionally soft next-to-skin feel.
Even after being broken in, the mitten does not fit well or feel particularly supple. Likely budget construction. If there’s room, adding a soft liner glove might help.
Blatantly uncomfortable. Don’t buy.
One way to save money and reduce waste is to purchase durable products: If you buy right the first time, your ski mittens could last through multiple seasons (or even decades) of hard use. Our durability metric takes into account both fabric toughness and the quality of construction and materials and should correlate with the expected lifespan of the mitten. Leather is hard to beat here: New or occasional skiers might not love the break-in period, but it’s nevertheless our top choice for those who get out a lot and want to make one purchase that will last them for years. The good news is that a good leather mitten isn’t always spendy: The Flylow Gear Oven Mitt is one of the most affordable on our list at just $55, but it’s been known to last for multiple seasons of day-in and day-out use.
Leather or burly nylon mittens built to handle a ton of use and abuse around sharp boot buckles, fast-moving chairlifts, and other rigors of resort life. Like a fine wine, these just get better with time.
Budget to mid-range mittens with thin leather or synthetic shells.. Expect these mittens to look haggard much faster than thicker leather or premium synthetic designs, including frayed stitching or worn fabrics, tired velcro, and delaminating waterproof membranes.
Thin mittens that won’t stand up to heavy use.
Our sustainability rating for ski mittens takes into account eight different criteria. On the product level, we’re looking for recycled materials, Bluesign-approved materials, responsible leather (if applicable), and PFAS/PFC-free durable water-repellent finishes. On the brand level, our criteria include whether the company has a dedicated resale or recycling program, uses recycled or reduced packaging, monitors greenhouse gas emissions, and publishes an annual impact report. Ski mittens with a high sustainability rating meet a number of these criteria, while those with a lower sustainability rating might meet none or just a few. We also consider the degree to which our criteria are met; for example, 10% recycled materials is not the same as 100% recycled materials. Note that not every sustainability effort by a brand or product fits neatly into our categories. In these circumstances, we may choose to increase or decrease a rating based on these factors. You can find details on these factors in the sustainability drop-down under each product above.
These ski mittens are among the most sustainable on the market and earn our Better Trail Certified distinction. They meet most of our sustainability criteria for this category.
These ski mittens are a good, middle-of-the-pack option for sustainability. They often meet half or more of our criteria for this category.
These mittens are the least sustainable and have significant room for improvement. These mittens usually only meet about a quarter or less of our criteria.
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 ridiculously durable and can typically hold up to 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 and featured designs like the Hestra Fall Line to simple yet still 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, they will start to absorb moisture and, consequently, grow heavy and cold. Worst case scenario, the leather will then freeze and become stiff as a board, very uncomfortable, and effectively useless. Our favorite waterproof treatment for leather is a baked-in wax like Sno-Seal (which you can apply with the help of a heat lamp, a sunny window, or a warm oven), although spray-on finishes are much simpler to apply. 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 with water. What’s more, most feature an additional waterproof membrane underneath the shell. At the high end of the market, synthetic shells like the Hestra Army Heli Ski Mitten are nicely supple, stave off wear with a leather palm, and feature articulated patterning for dexterity. Entry-level mittens, such as the Dakine Titan, are often significantly less durable but certainly get the job done for occasional or casual use.
Laminated to the inside of the shell fabric and responsible for the bulk of the mitten’s waterproofing.
If you ski in an area with wet winters or want no-holds-barred protection, you’ll want to look for a mitten with a waterproof membrane. A waterproof membrane is laminated to the inside of the mitten and is virtually impervious to water. This means that if moisture happens to make its way past the leather or synthetic exterior, the waterproof membrane should keep it from passing through to the insulation, lining, and eventually your hand. Gore-Tex is the original waterproof membrane and, owing to its superior impermeability and breathability, is still the best money can buy, but it’s also common to see in-house efforts like Black Diamond’s BD.dry. Non-Gore-Tex membranes can get the job done in unsustained moisture or at the resort, where you can always head into the lodge to dry off.
Most ski mittens use synthetic fill; a higher fill weight denotes a warmer mitten.
The shell and waterproof membrane are the protective elements of the mitten, but next comes the warm stuff: insulation. The vast majority of ski mittens feature synthetic insulation—PrimaLoft is the most popular—which we strongly recommend over down, as it packs down over time and it clumps when wet. It can be hard to discern the warmth of a mitten without trying it on and even testing it in the elements, but the weight of insulation (measured in grams per square meter) can give us an idea. For example, the ultra-warm Black Diamond Mercury Mitt uses 340-gram PrimaLoft Gold (read about the Mercury here), while the daily-driver Outdoor Research Carbide Sensor uses 200-gram fill.
Generally made out of fleece or a wool blend, the liner provides next-to-skin comfort and adds a bit of extra warmth.
A mitten’s liner serves three main purposes: It holds the insulation in place, provides some extra warmth, and offers a soft next-to-skin feel. Liners are generally made with fleece, although some add warmth with a wool blend. Ideally, you want your liner to wick moisture away from your hand (something fleece and wool do quite well), not grow heavy with sweat, and feel cozy against your palm and back of the hand.
A removable portion of the mitten that adds versatility and speeds up dry time in between wet storm sessions.
Many ski mittens have removable liners, which run the gamut from thin wool inserts to those that contain the bulk of the mittens’ waterproofing and insulation. Opting for a mitten with a removable liner has a few main benefits. First, it allows you to remove some heat in warm conditions, effectively getting two mittens in one. Second, it means that the mittens are easier to launder and dry out (separating the elements results in a faster drying time), which is great news for those on hut trips or extended expeditions. Just keep in mind that most removable liners are not “liner gloves” in the typical sense of the term, and are not meant to be used on their own.
It’s worth paying attention to the construction of the removable liner and shell. For example, the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt’s liner contains all of the mitten’s waterproofing and insulation, so in removing it you’re left with just a thin shell. On the other hand, the Dakine Titan features a removable liner glove, but the mitten’s primary insulation and waterproofing is in the shell. Both styles offer versatility, but a design like the Titan is a bit more approachable—if you want to wear the Mercury without its removable liner, you’ll want to sub in your own thin liner glove.
Choose between an under cuff or gauntlet cuff depending on your style and protection needs.
Under Cuff: Low Bulk for Freeriders and Backcountry Skiers
There are two main styles of ski mittens: those with an under-cuff design and those with a gauntlet. Under-cuff ski mittens have a short cuff that extends just over the wrist and lies under the cuff of a ski jacket. Some under-cuff mittens (like the Flylow Oven) feature a soft elastic cuff that sits flush next to the skin; others have a wider cuff that pairs with a hook-and-loop closure (we see this on the Hestra Fall Line).
Under-cuff mittens can be a bit harder to get on than gauntlet-style mittens. You can probably picture it: You pull the mittens on, arrange your jacket over the mitten, and secure the jacket cuff—all of which can be difficult to do with mittens on. There’s also decent potential for snow to sneak through, especially in the event of a wipeout. But a lot of skiers (and especially expert skiers, freeriders, and backcountry skiers) prefer under-cuff mittens for their low-profile design, which is great for freedom of movement and staying agile on the slopes.
Gauntlet: Ultimate Protection
While an under-cuff mitten rides under a jacket’s cuff, a gauntlet design extends over the jacket and secures via a cinch along the forearm. These are generally warmer than under-cuff mittens, as they cover a larger surface area with insulation, and their ability to seal out snow, wind, and cold is about as good as it gets. They’re also simple to get on, even when wearing a mitten on the other hand.
We love the foolproof and convenient nature of gauntlet mittens for skiers who want the best in protection. They’re a great choice for beginner or casual skiers, but expert skiers will also appreciate the secure coverage in cold conditions or on storm days. Many backcountry skiers also prefer them for their no-holds-barred protection, which comes in handy when digging a pit (to assess avalanche conditions) or booting in deep snow. That said, gauntlet mittens are a decidedly bulky addition to your kit and aren’t our first choice for warm days or uphill travel.
Many of our favorite ski mittens have a fleecy patch of material on the thumb, put there for the express purpose of wiping the nose. If you haven’t spent much time out in the cold, you might find this to be an odd feature, but experienced winter recreationalists will know first-hand how useful a nose wipe can be. Our only gripes about nose wipes are that they can get kind of gnarly if you don’t wash your mittens from time to time, and on really cold days they have a tendency to freeze up. But the absorbent material is certainly better than wiping your nose on leather or nylon.
Some ski mittens feature a zip pocket on the back of the hand—we see this on the budget-favorite Dakine Titan Gore-Tex, for example. This pocket can be an ideal place to store small items like chapstick or a key, but where the mitten pocket has the most utility is as temperature regulation. Either use it for venting on warm days or as a stash for hand warmers (like those from HotHands or Ignik) in cold conditions.
It’s most common to see leashes on highly insulated mittens, which don’t get high marks for dexterity. A sleek elastic loop goes around the wrist and extends to the cuff of the mitten, keeping it attached to your body when not in use. Many of our testers love leashes and find them especially useful for chairlift rides or other instances when you might want to remove your mittens but don’t want to risk dropping them. Most leashes are removable too, which is a nice feature for those who prefer a more streamlined design.
Recco reflectors are everywhere these days: in ski jackets, pants, helmets, boots, and mittens. A Recco reflector is a small strip that emits a signal, which can be picked up by a Recco detector in the event of a search and rescue. Unlike beacons, they require no batteries, no toggling on or off, and no upkeep—they’re permanently embedded in the mitten and, so long as they aren’t physically damaged, designed to last a lifetime. Recco reflectors can be a game changer in in-bounds scenarios when you might not be wearing a beacon, but they’re no substitute for the real thing: they have a much smaller range and are only identifiable by a specialized detector.
All ski mittens come in a range of sizes, and it’s important to nail the fit to maximize both warmth and dexterity. If the mitten is too loose, the dead air space will zap your hands of warmth and give you fumble-fingers while performing fine motor tasks like tightening a ski boot buckle or closing a zipper. On the other hand, a mitten that’s too tight might constrict blood flow, immobilize your fingers, or—more likely—simply be a challenge to get on.
Mittens are generally sold as small, medium, and large, but brands like Hestra mix things up with their numbers-based scale. Before you purchase, you’ll want to take a look at the manufacturer’s sizing chart and measurement recommendations. Generally, mittens are sized by hand circumference, which you can measure by wrapping a soft measuring tape (or string) around the largest part of your hand (at the knuckles or just below). Some manufacturers provide finger-length measurements for their mittens too—if you’re lucky, these two numbers will line up. It’s truly hard to know what size to go with until you try the mittens on, and unfortunately there’s not a lot of consistency between brands. If you choose to shop online, we recommend purchasing from a retailer with a good return policy.
There’s one main reason you might opt for a ski mitten over a ski glove, and that is warmth. Whereas gloves separate your fingers from each other, mittens allow them to huddle together and share heat. This penguin effect goes a long way, making mittens the undisputed warmth champion among your ski handwear options.
Ski mittens do have their compromises, though, most notably in terms of dexterity. To be sure, a few things that can be done with mittens on, such as tightening ski boots or high-fiving a friend. But your paws for hands aren’t much good for finer motor tasks, such as retrieving items from your pocket or dealing with equipment issues. So, the conundrum is: Would you rather opt for warm mittens but periodically have to expose your hands to the elements, or settle for less-cozy gloves that you might be able to keep on for most small tasks? It’ll come down to personal preference. One recommendation we have is to pair your mittens with a thin liner glove—then, when you remove the mittens, your skin won’t feel quite the sting of the cold.
We think that three-finger mittens hit a really nice middle ground for cold-weather skiing—they offer most of the warmth of a mitten alongside most of the dexterity of a ski glove. To be sure, the index finger can get cold when isolated, but you’ll also be able to keep your mittens on while adjusting ski boot buckles or changing out ski goggle lenses. On that note, the best three-finger mittens are those that are dexterous enough to be practical—there’s no point in opting for a three-finger mitten if it’s so bulky that you’re still removing it for most tasks. In particular, we love the streamlined Oyuki Pep (and women’s Chika) Trigger Mitts and the Hestra Heli 3-Finger Mittens.
We’re not huge fans of heated mittens for skiing: They’re expensive, bulky, and require annoying battery maintenance. And in our experience, their heat is focused in small zones (generally only on the back of the hand), which means you can crank the mitten to almost burning yet still have cold fingers. Most cold-handed skiers would be better off pairing a nicely insulated mitten—like the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt or super-insulated Outdoor Research Alti II—with a hand warmer. That said, if you are curious about going the heated route, the Chaval SuperNova and Hestra Power Heater Gauntlet are two of the most premium options; or you can save money with Amazon specials like the Savior Heat or Snow Deer heated gloves.
While waterproof outerwear like ski jackets and hardshells use a laminated membrane to keep moisture at bay, a lot of mittens are waterproof simply by way of their leather or synthetic shell. Because of this, it’s extra important to maintain the mittens’ exterior with routine laundering and reapplication of a waterproof finish. Our favorite after-market waterproofing products are from Nikwax, including their TX.Direct Spray-On (for synthetic fabrics) or their Waterproofing Wax for Leather. Keep in mind that wax may impact the breathability of leather.
First off, let’s clarify what we mean by “removable liner.” There are liner gloves, and then there are removable liners. Liner gloves function as standalone pieces and often include helpful features like palm grips, elasticized cuffs, and touchscreen-compatible patches on the fingertips. It’s common to see liner gloves paired with ski mittens, and these ski mittens generally include a fixed (non-removable) liner, meaning they can be comfortably worn without the liner glove, too. The Dakine Titan (and women’s Sequoia) and Burton Gore-Tex mittens are popular examples of this design, which effectively gives you three gloves (the liner glove, the mitten, or the liner glove and the mitten) for the price of one.
A removable liner, on the other hand, is the actual liner of the mitten that detaches from the shell. The upside here is that you can remove the liner and wash it separately from the shell, or efficiently dry it out overnight. This is a great design for skiers heading out on backcountry missions or hut trips, or those who like to wash their mittens a lot. Sometimes this design adds versatility for a range of conditions (i.e. the shell can be worn without the liner on warmer days), but it depends on the mitten—without their liners, the Hestra Heli and Fall Line are bare-bones shells that would be uncomfortable to wear. The downside to mittens with removable liners is that they often use large hook-and-loop patches to attach the two components, which adds bulk, can be difficult to match up, and catches on other pieces of clothing if not properly connected. It overall is a clunky design, yet is still employed by big players like Hestra and Black Diamond.
As is the case with many categories of outdoor gear, ski mittens have a wide price range. Our top stormworthy offering, the Outdoor Research Mt. Baker II Gore-Tex, costs a hefty $179 and is built with high-end materials like Gore-Tex waterproofing, a healthy dose of synthetic insulation, and a robust nylon shell for added protection and durability. On the other end of the spectrum, you can get the Black Diamond Dirt Bag for just $50, which will stand the test of time with its leather shell but won’t keep you warm or dry in demanding conditions.
If that example shows you anything, it’s that warmth and weather protection generally increase with price. Cheaper mittens generally use cheaper insulation (and less of it) and don’t feature waterproof membranes. Dexterity also tends to correlate strongly with price, so you often get what you pay for. In the end, if you are a hard charger who likes to ski all day in cold climates like the Tetons, an expensive mitten like the OR Mt. Baker (read our Mt. Baker review here) or Hestra Heli may be worth it. If you ski less frequently, often are out for shorter sessions in milder climates, or don’t run cold, a mid-range or budget mitten may do the trick just fine.
The most sustainable ski mitten, by our definition, is the one that results in the lowest impact on our planet, humans, and animals throughout its production. Ski mittens generally don’t hit home runs in sustainability relative to other categories we’ve evaluated, but some brands are doing good things. Our eight sustainability criteria for ski mittens include factors like Bluesign-approved and recycled materials, responsible leather, PFAS-free durable water-repellent, and whether or not the brand offers repair or resale services or uses recycled or reduced packaging.
At the top of the heap in 2025 are The North Face’s Montana and the Stio Hardscrabble, which each score a 4.5 out of 5 on our sustainability scale. Both mittens check the boxes for all but one criterion—the omission of PFAS-free waterproofing for the former and a lack of responsible leather for the latter (if you’re looking for responsibly sourced leather, check out the Hestra Heli and Fall Line). From there, other ski mittens are middle-of-the-road or worse, although we do expect an evolution in this category like many others.
If you care about sustainability, you’ve come to the right place: Every product featured on Better Trail gets a full sustainability analysis, and you can prioritize sustainability in your research by selecting in the sort-by drop-down above the product picks.
Hestra is a unique brand that we get asked about a lot, so we thought we’d answer this question. You may have come across the brand’s beautiful—and expensive—gloves and mittens at your local Patagonia store or online. This Swedish brand specializes in handwear for both sport and fashion, and its ski gloves and mittens are some of our favorites to recommend for the slopes.
In terms of Hestra’s mitten offerings, we love the all-day comfort of the Army Leather Heli, which is supple, warm enough for most frigid temps, and mostly waterproof. However, the fact that it lacks waterproofing on its palm could be a downside in wet conditions (you can read our full review here). The Fall Line is another excellent mitten that combines a durable leather build with a luxurious look and feel; it holds up well during dry days on the slopes and is likewise at home running errands around town (see the Fall Line review). Both are among the most comfortable ski mittens on the market but lack the waterproofing of heavy hitters like the Black Diamond Mercury or Outdoor Research Mt. Baker II. If you generally ski in drier conditions or can afford a quiver of gloves, Hestras will not disappoint.
