frSize guide : How to choose your ski and snowboard gloves?
Who hasn’t hesitated about which size to pick for their new pair of gloves? Who hasn’t blown into them to try to warm them up? Discover how to choose your ski or snowboard gloves the right way!
Here’s a very simple table to understand how to choose the right size for your ski or snowboard gloves, based on the correspondence between manufacturer sizes and the measurements of your hand.
To determine your glove size:
- Close your hand slightly, without squeezing.
- Measure the circumference of your metacarpals (see diagram below).
Note: For long or wide hands, it’s better to choose the next size up. Skiers who tend to get cold and use thermal liners should also account for the extra thickness to ensure proper blood circulation. Your hand should never be too tight.
Size correspondence table: hand measurements and manufacturer sizes
Some ski brands offer half sizes. We recommend checking the size guide available on each product page.
Gloves or mittens? Which ski gloves are warmest?
Traditional five-finger gloves provide excellent dexterity, making it easy to hold your poles, open your backpack, or adjust your bindings. These are tasks you’ll appreciate not having to remove your gloves for. However, because the fingers are separated individually, they don’t warm each other as they do in mittens.
- Ski/Snowboard mittens
Do you get very sensitive to cold while skiing? We recommend choosing mittens, which have a larger warm air volume than gloves. Your fingers warm each other, and mittens are also very easy to put on! Many mitten models come with thermal liners, which are very practical when you need to remove the mittens for more precise tasks.
BLACK DIAMOND Mercury Moufles
See mittens
- Heated gloves
For those who want the dexterity of gloves while maintaining optimal warmth, heated gloves are the solution. These gloves can keep your fingers warm all day thanks to one or more cold-resistant lithium batteries. Be aware: heated gloves reduce the sensation of cold, but they are not heaters!
THERMIC Ultra Boost Moufles
See heated gloves
Which ski gloves for which discipline?
To choose the right gloves, they must obviously suit the activity you practice: alpine skiing, ski touring, snowboard, splitboard, mountaineering, snowshoeing, hiking…
Alpine ski gloves
These gloves are made with a membrane that provides waterproofing, breathability, and thermal protection. For waterproofing up to 30,000 Schmerbers, choose Gore-Tex gloves to stay dry even on long snow-filled ski outings!
For freeride skiing, opt for gloves that are waterproof and very durable.
For freeride skiing, opt for gloves that are waterproof and very durable.
Ski touring gloves
For ski touring, gloves should be particularly flexible and thin to allow you to grip the ski pole straps easily during the ascent.
Snowboard gloves
These gloves include specific reinforcements, particularly wrist protection, for snowboarding.
Mountain gloves
Mountain gloves offer dexterity and lightweight design, ideal for mountaineering, ski touring, cross-country skiing, or hiking.
Extreme cold gloves
If you’re going on an expedition or traveling to very cold regions, it’s essential to choose gloves or mittens specifically designed for extreme cold — you won’t regret it!
How to choose your Ski/Snowboard gloves
Once you know your glove size, have chosen between gloves and mittens, and know the activity you need them for, you can compare gloves based on the following criteria:
Best material for gloves
This is the first criterion. Prefer leather gloves for flexibility and durability or a membrane that offers waterproofing and breathability according to your needs.
The thermal insulation fibers (like Primaloft or Thinsulate) in the glove lining help retain body heat, while a Gore-Tex membrane keeps your hands dry all day.
The thermal insulation fibers (like Primaloft or Thinsulate) in the glove lining help retain body heat, while a Gore-Tex membrane keeps your hands dry all day.
Gloves for Women
Si Many gloves and mittens are unisex, but some brands have designed women’s gloves specifically for their hand morphology and often with a more feminine look. Junior gloves for children are also available.
How to fit your gloves
It’s important to have gloves that are well-fitted but also quick to put on and take off. Some gloves or mittens include cuffs for a perfect fit with your jacket to prevent snow from entering.
When to wear liners
Often underestimated, glove liners can be more important than you think.
Thermal liners, silk gloves, mask wipe surfaces, touchscreen compatibility, and security cords to prevent losing your gloves on the slopes are all key features to enhance your skiing experience.
Thermal liners, silk gloves, mask wipe surfaces, touchscreen compatibility, and security cords to prevent losing your gloves on the slopes are all key features to enhance your skiing experience.
