Gloves vs. Mittens: Which Is Best for Skiing?

Should you choose Gloves or Mittens, below will run through what's best and why for skiing and snowboarding.

Bad circulation? Inadequate gear? Raynaud’s? Whatever the cause, cold or frozen hands and fingers can be avoided with some strategic upgrades to your gloves or mittens.

Most high-end handwear has a similar construction:

• A soft fabric or liner next to the skin

• A waterproof membrane to keep the elements out

• A leather outer layer. Leather is naturally durable, flexible, and insulating. It also adds protection and, to an extent, is water-resistant. It’s the most versatile material for a product that takes more of a beating than even your skis.

MITTENS

Starting with mittens — they are arguably the warmer of the two options. Mittens create a cozy, singular environment for your hands and fingers, allowing them to share the body heat generated from each digit.

With fewer seams and less surface area than a glove, there’s less space for body heat to escape, creating an overall warmer ecosystem. Isolating your fingers exposes them to more cold air, which is why on particularly cold days,  or for people who are always cold, we often recommend mittens over gloves.

Shop: Mittens

GLOVES

Despite not being as warm as mittens, gloves do have their advantages. The most obvious is dexterity. Gloves allow far more movement and precision than mittens. This is especially important for snowboarders who need to strap into their bindings on every run. Parents may also benefit from the ease with which they can assist and adjust their kids’ gear. Gloves simply provide more flexibility and convenience, which can sometimes be worth sacrificing a bit of warmth.

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Let’s Compare:

WHO SHOULD CHOOSE MITTENS

✅ Warmth is the priority — If you are always cold, your fingers freeze easily, and warmth is your number one concern.
✅ Handwarmers — If handwarmers are a staple in your ski or snowboard kit, they are much easier to use (and more effective) inside a mitten.
✅ Raynaud’s — If you struggle with Raynaud’s, your best bet is a mitten, allowing your fingers to work together and better retain heat — or to take advantage of a handwarmer.
❌ Ease of use — If you are constantly adjusting your kit, gear, or kids, you may have to remove your mittens so often that the added warmth is barely realized.

Best Mittens
🔥 Warm: Hestra Fall Line Mitten
🔥🔥 Warmer: Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Mitt
🔥🔥🔥 Warmest: Hestra Extreme Mitt

WHO SHOULD CHOOSE GLOVES

✅ Dexterity is the priority - If using your hands to adjust your gear is a frequent occurrence. 
✅ Snowboarders — Easily adjust your bindings and strap in.
✅ Run hot — If you tend to overheat or sweat, you may prefer to isolate your fingers, allowing them to breathe on their own.
❌ Always cold — Poor circulation and Raynaud’s disease are a tough combo for gloves. Frozen fingers can be painful, and the added flexibility may not be worth the risk.
❌ Handwarmers — You can use a handwarmer inside a glove, but it will mainly warm your palm. The heat doesn’t usually reach your fingers, which are the first to get cold. Most people end up balling their fingers around the warmer, making the glove useless for anything other than insulation.

Best Gloves
🔥 Warm: Hestra Falt Guide Glove
🔥🔥 Warmer: Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Glove

WHAT ABOUT 3-FINGER (LOBSTER CLAW) GLOVES?

Three-finger, or “lobster claw,” gloves are a hybrid option that groups your middle, ring, and pinky fingers together while isolating your thumb and index finger.

✅ Increased dexterity — Releasing the index finger provides noticeable added flexibility. It’s just enough to make micro adjustments without removing your whole glove.
❌ Isolated finger — The separated index finger is more exposed and prone to cold. While your other fingers may be cozy in their warm cocoon, some people complain that their index finger gets uncomfortably cold.

Best 3-Finger Gloves
🔥🔥 Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski 3-Finger Glove