Last Updated on December 27, 2022 by James
Having cold hands is not fun. The pain caused by frozen fingers is enough to detract from any ski experience, so making your hands are protected is vital.
Ski gloves come in a multitude of shapes, sizes and specifications; making it a challenge to get the right gear. Additionally, you have no real way to test them before you arrive on the slopes, so making an informed purchase can be difficult.
In order to improve your time on the snow, we have put together a list of the best ski gloves for kids. We have assessed the pros and cons of each product, giving you the information required to find the best option for your trip to the mountains.
Best Ski Gloves For Kids At A Glance
Gloves
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Mittens
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Why Do I Need The Best Ski Gloves For Kids?
Cold hands are something that no child wants to endure while they’re trying to enjoy their time on the slopes.
Making sure kids have warm hands is vital to their ski enjoyment. Additionally, it’s common for kids with cold hands to loose focus during a lesson or want to head inside early.
Getting the right gloves is not only vital for warmth. It’s important that kids feel comfortable with their ski gear to get maximum enjoyment from their ski time.
High-quality gloves will also last for many years, saving any potential on-slope tearful disasters!
Should I Buy Gloves Or Mittens?
The decision between gloves and mittens is one of personal preference. However, there are some key differences between the two.
Gloves will allow for more dexterity and flexibility – making them more practical.
Mittens are made to be warmer than gloves by keeping your fingers together.
Each child will have their own personal preference. They may feel restricted in mittens, or feel that gloves might be too cold.
How To Choose The Best Ski Gloves For Kids
Warmth
The function of ski gloves is to keep your hands warm. This means that warmth is one of the most important factors when deciding which gloves are best for you.
The warmth of a pair of ski gloves depends on multiple factors, including; design, type of material, quality of manufacture and getting the right fit.
It’s also important to assess the level of insulation you need. If you regularly suffer with cold hands, or are heading to an extra cold resort, you will need to make sure you purchase the warmest gloves possible.
However, if you’re heading for some warm weather ‘spring skiing’, a lightweight glove might be the one for you.
Getting ski gloves that provide enough warmth for your situation is key. In our experience, it’s usually better to have hands that are overheating rather than frozen fingers.
Another way to make sure your kids hands are warm enough this winter is to add ski glove liners. They provide an extra layer of insulation that can be easily removed on warmer days.
Insulation
Different gloves will use different types of insulating material. The two most common types of insulation are down and synthetic materials.
Down is one the best insulating materials on the market. It’s lightweight, easily compressed and durable – making it a high-quality ski glove insulator.
Synthetic insulation has become more popular than down in recent years. Its superior waterproofing capability and low cost has made it the insulation of choice for most ski glove manufacturers.
Since the majority of ski glove options are now synthetic, it’s likely that you will go with this option. With improving quality, many synthetic insulators can now provide more than enough warmth to satisfy most skiers.
Water & Weather Resistance
When it comes to waterproofing, not all gloves are made equally. In fact, many ski gloves may look as if they’re waterproof when in fact they are not.
No matter how well insulated a glove is, your hands will still be cold if they are wet. Also, a wet glove is almost impossible to dry when you’re on the mountain.
Most of the best ski gloves for kids are fully waterproof. Additionally, you will find that some options have features that stop snow, water or cold air getting inside.
Different ski gloves use different techniques to make sure the wrist area is closed and keep your hands ‘sealed’ within the glove. Keeping your hands dry is often the first step to making sure they’re warm.
Size & Comfort
Getting the right size is often overlooked in its importance. The correct fit should mean that all fingertips are almost touching the end of the glove.
When buying gloves for kids, you should always aim for the gloves to be slightly too big to allow for some growing space. However, beware of purchasing gloves that are too big. Loose ski gloves leave space for cold air to enter, fall off regularly and reduce dexterity.
Also, ski gloves that are too tight or loose are not going to be comfortable. Keep this in mind when you make your purchase and be sure to choose the right size.
Quality
Not all ski gloves are made to the same quality standards. To make sure you get warm, practical and durable gloves; you should always look for key indicators.
Quality of insulation, materials used, brand reputation and previous reviews should give you a good idea of what to expect when making your purchase.
When choosing the best ski gloves for kids, there are many different aspects to assess and a range of options to choose from. Make sure you do the necessary research to choose the highest quality ski gloves for your situation.
Best Ski Gloves For Kids Reviewed
Burton Kids’ Gore-Tex Glove
Key Features
- Weather Proofing: Wind, Water
- Outer Material: DryRide Gore-Tex
- Touch Screen Compatible: Yes
- Liner: Brushed Microfiber
- Retailers: Amazon, Evo
- Alternate Versions: Burton Youth Vent Gloves
These Burton Gloves are warm, waterproof, breathable and practical. Teaming up with wet weather specialist Gore-Tex, they use a 2-layer shell that is completely waterproof and breathable.
This shell allows water vapour to be released from sweating hands, while also being protected from water and snow. Additionally, they use a ‘Thermacore’ fixed insulation lining that is extra warm and capable of wicking away sweat when necessary.
These gloves not only have warmth, but also practicality. They are touch screen sensitive, have an internal name tag and removable wrist leashes.
If you are looking for a great pair of all-round ski gloves, these Burton Gore-Tex gloves are going to be difficult to beat. Offering practicality and performance in all conditions, they are certainly some of the best ski gloves for kids.
Pros
- Weatherproof 2-layer fabric
- Gore-tex waterproof membrane
- Touch screen compatible
- ‘Toughgrip’ palm is durable
- Moisture-wicking microfibre lining
- Non-bulky ‘thermacore’ insulation
Cons
- Too large for kids with smaller hands
Columbia Youth Whirlibird
Key Features
- Weather Proofing: Water
- Outer Material: Nylon, Polyester
- Touch Screen Compatible: No
- Liner: Heat Reflective
- Retailers: Amazon
- Alternate Versions: Whirlibird Mittens
The Columbia Youth Whirlibird is a glove that is designed to keep hands warm and dry in any weather.
The inner liner uses ‘heat reflective dots’ that are designed to retain the warmth of your hands. The outside of the liner is made from a highly breathable fabric, giving you a blend of heat retention and breathability.
The outside of the gloves are made from a ‘permeable’ waterproof fabric that is also breathable. In addition, they are designed with extra long gauntlets and use a ‘pull on closure’ system that stops snow from entering the glove.
Columbia have created the Whirlibird to keep hands warm and dry, while also being adaptable to warmer climates. They use high-tech features that keep your hands warm in all climates, while also offering build quality that can stand up to the elements.
Pros
- Heat reflective lining
- Air-permeable fabric
- Waterproof outer shell
- Snow proof gauntlet wrist straps
- Microtemp polyester insulation
- Form fitting shape improves dexterity
Cons
- Lacking touch screen capability
Hestra Heli Ski Junior
Key Features
- Weather Proofing: Water, Wind
- Outer Material: Triton, Goat Leather
- Touch Screen Compatible: No
- Liner: Removable Washable
- Retailers: Amazon, Skis.com
- Alternate Versions: Heli Ski 3-Finger
Hestra are known as one of the best glove manufacturers in the ski industry. Here, they have provided a kids ski glove that is durable, warm and high-quality.
These gloves use army goat leather on the palms, originally used by the military for gloves due to its high levels of wind and water proofing. The rest of the outer shell is created from Hestra’s Triton material; which is fully waterproof, windproof and breathable.
Another great feature of these gloves is their removable and washable nylon liner. They also have wrist leashes attached, making sure they don’t go missing on the slopes.
The Hesta Heli Ski gloves are one of the most durable options available. They are warm enough to keep hands cold in every condition and have the quality to last for many years.
Pros
- Durable goat leather palms
- Waterproof and windproof design
- Breathable ‘triton’ fabric construction
- Removable and washable liner
- Attached wrist leashes
- Exceptionally high insulating ability
Cons
- Top price bracket
- Could be too well insulated for warmer ski days
N’Ice Caps Kids Gloves
Key Features
- Weather Proofing: Water
- Outer Material: 3M Thinsulate
- Touch Screen Compatible: No
- Liner: Polyester
- Retailers: Amazon
- Alternate Versions: Kids Mittens
These N’Ice Caps gloves are one of the best budget ski glove options on the market. They are easy to wear, warm and fully waterproof.
The outer shell uses a waterproof membrane to provide complete protection from the elements. They are also snow proof, using a 2.5 inch knitted cuff that stops snow from entering the glove.
This inside uses a polyester liner, designed to provide warmth with the ability to wick away sweat when necessary. The gloves also come in a range of different colours to suit every child.
Although more basic than some other options on this list, they are more than capable of keeping most hands warm. If you are looking for warmth and waterproofing on a budget, these gloves might be your best bet
Pros
- 3M Thinsulate insulation
- Waterproof outer membrane
- Knitted cuff keeps snow out
- Grippy palm for practicality
- Ergonomic shape for dexterity
- Budget friendly price
Cons
- Size can run large
- Waterproofing quality not the best
Patalachi Ski Gloves
Key Features
- Weather Proofing: Water
- Outer Material: Three-Layer Shell
- Touch Screen Compatible: Yes
- Liner: Cotton Coral Velvet
- Retailers: Amazon
- Alternate Versions: N/A
Patalachi have produced these kids gloves to be waterproof, snow proof and practical. The outer shell uses a uses a special coating that makes them fully waterproof, ideal for wetter days on the mountain.
Inside the glove you will find a TPU membrane that absorbs water from both inside and outside the glove, making sure your hands remain dry. Additionally, they use a drawstring wrist cuff to make sure snow doesn’t enter.
These gloves are also practical, offering grippy palms and a touch screen compatible index finger.
The Patalchi ski gloves offer a wide range of features for a reasonable price. They are also great at keeping hands warm and dry, making them some of the best ski gloves for kids.
Pros
- Comfortable fleece lining
- Waterproof TPU membrane
- Anti-slip palms
- Touch screen compatible fingers
- Wrist locks prevent snow entering
- Budget friendly price
Cons
- Insulating ability could be improved
- More durable options are available
Best Ski Mittens For Kids Reviewed
Burton Kids’ Vent Mitten
Key Features
- Weather Proofing: Water
- Outer Material: DryRide Membrane
- Touch Screen Compatible: Yes
- Liner: Brushed Microfiber
- Retailers: Amazon
- Alternate Version: Toddler Mitten
The Burton Kids Vent Mittens offer warmth, comfort and practicality. Using a ‘DryRide’ outer membrane and a ‘Thermacore’ insulation layer, they offer warmth and waterproofing.
Inside the glove, you will find a brushed microfiber inner layer that helps to wick away sweat on warmer days. For practicality, they are touch screen compatible and have removable wrist leashes to make sure they don’t go missing.
One excellent feature of these mitts is the special zip pocket found on the back of the glove. This can be left unzipped to provide a vent on warmer days, or can hold a disposable hand-warmer to help with the coldest temperatures.
This Burton mitten is one of the best ways to stay warm on the slopes this winter. It offers a great range of features and high-quality construction that is capable of of adapting to most weather conditions.
Pros
- Waterproof ‘DryRide’ membrane
- Warm insulation layer
- Lining wicks away sweat
- Zip pocket for ventilation or hand warmer
- Touch screen compatible
- Non-bulky and lightweight design
Cons
- Lining can lack durability
- Could be more water repellent
Columbia Youth Whirlibird Mittens
Key Features:
- Weather Proofing: Water
- Outer Material: Nylon, Polyester
- Touch Screen Compatible: No
- Liner: Heat Reflective
- Retailers: Amazon
- Alternate Versions: Whirlibird Youth Gloves
The Columbia Youth Whirlibird Mittens are extra warm and multifunctional. Their outer shell is made from a synthetic blend that makes them air-permeable and waterproof, while still remaining breathable.
Inside, they use a heat reflective liner to mirror the natural body heat omitted by your hands. This is paired with a breathable fabric to dissipate any moisture, making them great at heat management in all conditions.
These gloves are designed to be fully snow proof by using wrist straps and extra large gauntlets. They also feature extra grippy palms and a ‘nose wipe’ on the back of the thumb for practicality.
These mittens are designed to provide maximum warmth while still remaining lightweight. They have achieved with a great set of features, making them some of the best kids mittens on the market.
Pros
- Waterproof outer shell
- Air-permeable and breathable design
- Heat reflective liner
- Inner fabric dissipates moisture
- Large gauntlets are snow proof
- Grippy palms for added practicality
Cons
- Not easy to clean
- Size can run large
Hestra CZone Junior Mitt
Key Features:
- Weather Proofing: Water, Wind
- Outer Material: Polyester
- Touch Screen Compatible: No
- Liner: Brushed Polyester
- Retailers: Amazon
- Alternate Versions: CZone Junior Glove
The Hestra CZone Mittens are extremely warm and durable. They use a specially designed ‘CZone’ membrane that is extra warm and breathable .
The ‘fiberfill’ insulation keeps hands warm, with a polyester lining making sure sweat is wicked away on warmer days. In order to stop snow entering, they have an elastic inner pull strap and an outer wrist strap.
Designed with quality in mind, they use seamless ‘wolf paw’ finger reinforcement. They are also constructed to be extremely tough and have the ability to withstand any weather conditions.
If you are looking for quality kids ski gloves, Hestra certainly know how to produce a great product. Although they are some of the most expensive kids gloves around, they are also some of the warmest and most durable.
Pros
- Warm ‘fiberfill’ insulation
- Waterproof membrane
- Breathable outer fabric
- Lining wicks away sweat
- Wrist straps stop snow from entering
- Durable finger reinforcement
Cons
- One of the most expensive options
Summing Up
Finding gloves that can stop your kids getting frosty fingers can be a challenge. However, with this guide to the best ski gloves for kids, we are sure to have made that process easier.
Before you make any purchase, make sure you understand the type of gloves your child needs and what you should look for in a quality product.
Having warm, dry and comfortable hands is an important part of any child’s ski experience. If you get the right gloves, you are definitely on your way to having a great time on the slopes.
James is the founder of SnowSunSee. He started skiing when he was five years old and has been a qualified ski instructor for 8 years. He has taught skiing in many countries, including UK, Europe, Japan, China and Malaysia. When he’s not on the slopes, James spends his time travelling the world one trail at a time.