Skiing without the ski gloves can destroy the fun of skiing and make it a miserable experience. You can get perfectly accessible ski kit that is usable, but you should never skip carrying a decent pair of ski gloves with you. Whether you are a beginner or a weathered skier or boarder, you will find that a good pair of ski gloves or mittens is one of the most essential pieces of kit in your mountain wardrobe.

It is quite possible for you to get a frostbite while skiing in the absence of a good pair of ski gloves, so it is important that you carry a good pair of these. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you pick your ski gloves.

Choosing artificial or Leather Fabric

Leather offers more breathability when compared to artificial fabric, but it takes more time to dry if it gets wet. Leather is more durable, but can harden after years of use.

Gloves or mittens: What to Choose?

It is easier to perform functions like doing and undoing zips, getting things out of pockets, etc. in gloves, and they provide more flexibility compared to mittens.

On the other hand, mittens are known to be the warmest hand gear when you are heading for off-piste or ultra-cold climates.

Understand Recycled Fabrics too

There are gloves that feature eco-friendly, durable, water repellent and Thinsulate insulation. They are made from organic and recycled materials, and are a great option to consider for increased warmth.

Popular Insulation and membranes

Gore-Tex membrane is integrated between the shell and the lining, making a glove breathable and water/wind resistant. Hands stay warm and protected against harsh weather conditions when they're wrapped inside gloves containing this fabric.

PrimaLoft is another popular fabric, which is a combination of water-repellent goose down and hydrophobic fibers. It offers the lightweight warmth and comfort of ordinary goose down, but with great wet-weather thermal performance and a faster drying time.

Waterproofing and Quick Drying Gloves

The majority of ski gloves feature an inner waterproof membrane allowing more breathability. However, when the gloves get wet, the insulation around the fingers soak up water making the hands wet. One should never dry leather gloves on a radiator overnight as they can lose suppleness and become hard.

Various cuffs

Wide cuff gloves allow you to wear them over the end of your jacket sleeves. On the other hand, gloves with tight cuffs can be snuggled inside the very jacket and will thus cover the gap between your jackets and hands.

Adjustable wristbands should be opted for as they secure your hands and won’t be misplaced in case you fall in the snow.

Size Matters

Glove-sizing charts vary from country to country and from brand to brand. Sufficient finger length is extremely important – and not only for warmth. Ski gloves take a daily battering from the lifts and poles. Make sure that the material at the ‘bottom of the ‘V’ between index finger and thumb rests on the skin and is not too tight.

Glove Liners

Glove liners are basically thermal gloves that you can wear under your ordinary gloves or mittens.

Liners make getting the gloves on and off easier and help in preventing your hands from getting sweaty. They also give you the option to remove your outer gloves to fiddle with your phone or camera, without having to bare your skin.

Keep Children’s Hands Warm

Children are sensitive and it is important to keep children’s hands warm. These gloves need to have ribbons attached so that they can be threaded through the arms of their jacket. It reduces the risk of losing a glove on the slopes or at the kindergarten.

Heated Gloves

If it's extremely cold, these are the most extreme option that you can opt for. They are battery operated and you can recharge the batteries by plugging them in overnight.

Black Rules

Have you wondered why most of the gloves are black? It is because it’s a color that doesn’t show the dirt and goes with all colours of ski clothing.

Use your old Gloves

Do not throw your old gloves out, as they can be used when you are not on the slopes or while creating a snowman with your kids.

It is important to invest in a good pair of ski gloves for a better ski experience. Hopefully this guide will help you choose the right pair for you, and you'll be able to enjoy your skiing experience to the max.