A final alternative is the 3-finger glove (also called a trigger or split-finger glove), which attempts to bring together the attributes of glove and mitten designs. In these gloves, the pointer finger and thumb have their own slots while your remaining fingers huddle together for warmth. We don’t often recommend this style (the Oyuki Pep GTX Trigger Mitt above is one exception) because we've found that freeing up your pointer finger isn’t a huge difference maker for dexterity, and that finger ends up just as cold as it would be in a standard glove. In this case, it doesn’t truly amount to the best of both worlds. The Oyuki Pep 3-finger gloves offer a nice combination of warmth and dexterity Materials: Leather vs. Synthetic One area where the Carbide comes up a bit short is bulk. This isn’t a low-profile design by any means, and dexterity does suffer as a result. You may find yourself needing to slide them off more often than some of the pricier options like Swany's X-Cell below, and it does make it a little harder to use the touchscreen-friendly fingers. Additionally, we’ve found our Outdoor Research gloves don’t have particularly long lifespans, although there aren’t any notable areas of concern with the Carbide specifically. In fact, its tough bulk is a hallmark of the glove, and one of many reasons we have it ranked so highly here. It’s worth noting that relying on your hand circumference isn’t a foolproof process, as the sizing doesn’t account for finger length, so it’s always ideal to try them on before purchasing. But if you need to buy online or just prefer the convenience, following the manufacturer-specific fit guidelines (avoid generic charts) and buying from a reputable ski retailer with a good return policy is a smart way to go. It's best to try ski gloves on before buying if possible Additional Ski Glove Features Across all price ranges, you’ll have the choice between gloves that are made with or without removable liners. In general, gloves with removable liners will be slightly warmer but are a little bulkier and less dexterous. For us, the most compelling reason to choose a glove with a liner is that it’s more adaptable to different temperatures. You can wear the shell on a warm spring day and use both (or swap out other liners you may own) for the rest of the season. Another benefit is that it’s easier to dry out the gloves if they happen to get wet by separating the two pieces. And as a bonus, if you get a glove with thin liners (like the Dakine Titan), you can use them for activities like cold-weather running or driving. Removable liners may add bulk but they are certainly versatile Fit and Sizing If you’re on the fence between a glove and a mitten, it’s worth looking into a trigger mitt (also known as a three-finger mitt or lobster mitt). On paper, this concept is the best of both worlds: By combining a mitten with a dedicated slot for your pointer finger, you get more thermal efficiency than a standard glove while retaining enough dexterity to pinch a zipper, fiddle with your bindings, or even send a text. Downsides are that your pointer finger ends up being just as cold as it would be in a glove, and freedom of movement still falls short of a regular five-finger design. But trigger mitts nevertheless provide a nice middle ground of warmth and dexterity, and we think Oyuki’s Pep pulls it off better than most.

These gloves offer some of the best value on the market. That alone will make them good enough for certain skiers. They come in at an extremely low price point, and manage to skimp on that without losing any important characteristics. Not only do you save money, but you get water resistance, weather resistance, and great durability. These are easily tough enough to last for multiple seasons, which means they are a smart long-term investment. What I Like For me, the stand out trait here is the Storm Trooper ii’s value. In today’s ski world, saving money is not that easy. Being able to get a pair of warm, reliable gloves at an affordable price is amazing. You don’t even need to be on a budget to appreciate these. They have many features that skiers of all levels will love.Leather ski gloves are durable, extremely comfortable, and on occasion cheaper than synthetics. From premium Hestras to budget options like the Flylow Gear Ridge, they have a much more natural feel and are usually more flexible and dexterous than a comparable synthetic. The biggest downside is moisture protection. Leather—and particularly treated leather—is water resistant and can withstand light to moderate wetness. But eventually they will soak through in wet conditions. To stay dry and extend the lifespan of your leather ski gloves, try Sno-Seal or a Nikwax waterproofing treatment. Leather gloves are durable and comfortable, and some models are relatively inexpensive

There’s no concrete comparison I can draw between the inserts in the Storm Trooper II and other gloves, but I’m glad they’re there nonetheless. Synthetic Fill Liner If you haven’t heard, Gore-Tex is one of the outdoor industry’s favorite materials for balancing waterproofing with breathability. I’ve noticed that the inserts, in this case, make a big difference on wet and windy days. The Storm Trooper II is a longstanding budget favorite for a reason. You’ll have a hard time finding anything that does what the Storm Trooper II is capable of in a similar price range. That being said, Kinco brand work gloves are even more affordable and can arguably outcompete the Storm Trooper in terms of toughness and staying power. Aside from warmth, waterproofness is the second major factor that can make or break your days on the slopes. And not only does your glove need to keep snow from entering, it needs to let perspiration out from the inside.You won't find a more economical glove option than the Kincos, and this system works surprisingly well if the conditions aren't too cold or wet. It's best to step up to a more waterproof design in the wet snow of the Pacific Northwest, but the gloves are a great match for areas with dry snow like Colorado and Utah. Don't forget to grab a PBR at the lodge to complete your get-up, and per tradition, retire them at the end of the season and repeat. Touchscreen compatible liner glove, nose wipe, removable leash, glove clip, carabiner loop, cinchable gauntlet Among the hundreds or more gloves in this price range, the Titan stands out as a solid option. When considering the useful, removable liner, this glove has valuable versatility in its adaptable layers. But for a similar price, we feel there are better options out there. What Other Ski Gloves Should You Consider? Finding a glove that doesn't blow your entire gear budget for the season is always nice. With all of the wear and tear we put on these little pieces of equipment, finding a glove or mitten that doesn't feel precious may be a priority for you. The REI Guide Mitten strikes us as a lower-priced option, just a little more expensive than your standard work glove, with performance adequate for most days out. With diligent water resistance treatment, this model can keep your fingers happy. This said, this mitten isn't warm enough for absolutely frigid days, and its water resistance is variable. Its price reflects this. It's 2023, so why wouldn't you want touch-screen sensitivity on your ski gloves? A number of manufacturers now offer exactly that (including The North Face's Montana), so that you can snap photos or videos without taking your gloves off. You'll most often find the technology, however, on thin gloves and liners where it's easier to incorporate, plus the thinner liners are more precise when typing. On some models, only pointer fingers and thumbs are touch-screen compatible. Overall, we consider this a nice feature if a model you like has it, but it's not the first factor we consider in selecting a glove. The Burton Gore-Tex glove is compatible with smartphone screens