Key takeaways
- Women’s-specific models such as the Revolution and Montana have narrower palms and shorter fingers than unisex gloves. Unisex sizes often run large on smaller hands.
- Measure around the knuckles with the hand relaxed and compare against the maker’s size chart. The review notes Dakine fits slightly small and recommends sizing up, while the Tough Outfitters unisex model runs large.
- Fingertips should touch the end without being crushed. Too-tight gloves compress insulation and chill the fingers, while too-loose gloves lose dexterity.
- Try gloves on with the liner or any thin glove you plan to wear underneath.
For most women skiers, the Outdoor Research Revolution Gore-Tex is the best all-round glove, the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt is the pick for people whose hands get cold first, the Hestra Wakayama suits skiers who want leather dexterity and plan to look after it, and The North Face Montana is the entry-level choice for a first season. Heated gloves are worth considering only when cold hands are a real problem, and they come with a sizing catch for smaller hands. The sections below lay out how these options compare, using Outdoor Gear Lab’s 2026 women’s ski glove testing and other outlets as the main sources.
Our top picks
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Women’s Ski Gloves at a Glance
| Model | Best for | Reported specs | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Research Revolution Gore-Tex (women’s) | All-round resort skiing | Gore-Tex insert; EnduraLoft polyester insulation; women’s-specific cut; touchscreen-compatible | Outer fabric absorbs some water; not enough for extreme cold; may run slim on wider fingers |
| Black Diamond Mercury Mitt | Very cold days, cold-handed skiers | PrimaLoft Gold insulation (170 g, 133 g on back of hand per the review); BD.Dry waterproofing; goat-leather palm; removable fleece liner | Limited dexterity; no wrist leashes noted; too much for mild days |
| The North Face Montana (women’s) | Casual and first-season skiers | 80 g Heatseeker Eco insulation; DryVent shell; soft fleece lining; wrist leash; touchscreen fingertips | Shell absorbs water; durability concerns; warm during aerobic effort |
| Hestra Wakayama | Skiers wanting leather feel | Removable terry-wool liner; leather shell; exterior-sewn seams | Needs periodic leather treatment; not the warmest for extreme cold |
| REI Co-op Gauntlet GTX | Wet snow with long-cuff coverage | Gore-Tex insert; polyester insulation; long gauntlet | Warm for many ski days; bulky |
| Dakine Camino | Warmth with a dual-purpose wipe | High-loft polyester insulation; DWR treatment; goggle and nose wipe | Not fully waterproof; fits slightly small |
| Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gore-Tex | Chronically cold hands | Battery heating with three settings; Gore-Tex waterproofing | Unisex sizing; costly; bulky |
These summaries come from Outdoor Gear Lab’s testing, which it says was completed in April 2026 using purchased products, plus CNN Underscored and Treeline Review. Makers may revise materials from season to season, so the maker’s product page controls the final specification.
Glove or Mitten First
Mittens keep fingers together and share warmth, so they are almost always warmer than gloves of similar insulation. Gloves allow individual finger movement for zippers, buckles, straps and phones. A useful rule: if hands get cold on lift rides even in moderate weather, start with a mitten or a very insulated glove. If you often fiddle with gear, a glove with a liner is the more practical choice. Many skiers eventually own a light glove for spring days and a mitten for deep winter.
Outdoor Research Revolution Gore-Tex: The Reliable Middle
Outdoor Gear Lab names the women’s Revolution Gore-Tex its best overall glove. It pairs a Gore-Tex membrane with EnduraLoft polyester insulation and a women’s-specific cut, and the outlet calls it reasonably priced for what it offers. Testers liked that they could wear them through mid-winter days and still handle a camera or phone thanks to the touchscreen fingertips. The listed downsides are that the water resistance of the outer fabric degraded a little with heavy use, they are not warm enough for extreme cold, and the narrow cut may feel snug for wider fingers. CNN Underscored also describes it as the best budget pick in its own testing, suggesting it sits at a sensible price-to-performance point.
Black Diamond Mercury Mitt: For Cold Hands
Outdoor Gear Lab says no mitten it tried was warmer. The review lists PrimaLoft Gold insulation with BD.Dry waterproofing, a goat-leather palm and a removable fleece liner that effectively gives two mittens in one. It reports that testers withstood submersion in ice-cold water in sub-zero conditions. The cost is dexterity and bulk, and the review notes the absence of wrist leashes, so a dropped mitten on a chairlift is possible. If your hands usually run cold, the trade is worth it. If you ski in mild spring slush, it is too much.
The North Face Montana: Entry Level
Outdoor Gear Lab’s best buy for gloves is the women’s Montana. It has 80 g Heatseeker Eco insulation, a DryVent shell, a soft fleece interior, a wrist leash and touchscreen fingertips. The review praises it for new skiers who want comfort on a budget, but it also reports that the water-repellent coating wore off during our research and that the shell absorbs water. The fleece lining can trap heat during hard aerobic effort. There is a matching mitten that the same outlet describes as having the most comfortable lining in its lineup, along with a liner glove with touchscreen capability. Treat it as a starter pair.
Hestra Wakayama and Leather Gloves
Leather gloves feel better in the hand than most synthetic shells. Outdoor Gear Lab calls the Hestra Wakayama its favorite leather glove, noting the removable terry-wool liner, exterior-sewn seams that help with hand tasks, and good dexterity. The review cautions that leather needs annual treatment with a waterproofing product such as Sno-Seal, is naturally less waterproof than synthetic membrane gloves, and costs more. Treeline Review picks another Hestra style, the Fall Line, as its top glove, which shows that Hestra is a consistent name in leather. Leather suits skiers who value touch and will do the upkeep.
Heated Gloves: When They Make Sense
Outdoor Gear Lab picks the Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gore-Tex as its best heated glove and the Wasoto as the best value heated option. Reported strengths include three heat settings and strong waterproofing on the OR, and an eight-hour low-setting battery life and slimmer padding on the Wasoto. Reported limits include unisex sizing: the review says the extra-small OR proved too large for 12 of the 15 women who tried it. The Wasoto showed a large drop in water resistance by the end of testing and carries a heavy battery pack. Heated gloves should be used exactly as the manual directs, including charging and care of the battery, and people with reduced hand sensation, such as those with circulation or nerve conditions, should ask a doctor before relying on heat.
If hands go numb or white even in good gloves, the cause may not be the glove. Persistent problems such as Raynaud’s symptoms deserve a conversation with a doctor.
Fit and Sizing for Women’s Hands
- Women’s-specific models such as the Revolution and Montana have narrower palms and shorter fingers than unisex gloves. Unisex sizes often run large on smaller hands.
- Measure around the knuckles with the hand relaxed and compare against the maker’s size chart. The review notes Dakine fits slightly small and recommends sizing up, while the Tough Outfitters unisex model runs large.
- Fingertips should touch the end without being crushed. Too-tight gloves compress insulation and chill the fingers, while too-loose gloves lose dexterity.
- Try gloves on with the liner or any thin glove you plan to wear underneath.
Budget Tiers
- Budget: The North Face Montana and similar fleece-lined gloves suit occasional skiers. Expect the shell to wet out faster.
- Mid-range: The OR Revolution Gore-Tex and the REI Co-op Gauntlet GTX offer a waterproof insert and women’s sizing.
- Premium: Hestra leather gloves, the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt and heated gloves, which deliver specialized warmth or feel.
Pick X If…
| If you… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Want one dependable all-round glove | OR Revolution Gore-Tex | Top overall in OGL testing |
| Have cold hands in any weather | Black Diamond Mercury Mitt | Warmest mitten in the review, removable liner |
| Ski a few days a year | The North Face Montana | Comfortable and affordable |
| Want dexterity and classic style | Hestra Wakayama | Leather feel, sewn-out seams, removable liner |
| Ski wet snow and want sleeve coverage | REI Co-op Gauntlet GTX | Long gauntlet with Gore-Tex insert |
| Need extra heat | OR Prevail Heated Gore-Tex | Adjustable battery heat; check small-hand fit |
Care and Longevity
Dry gloves fully after every day, pulling liners out and keeping them away from direct heat. Retreat water-repellent finishes when water stops beading, using a product that suits the shell material. Leather needs periodic wax. Wash only per the tag, because some insulation and membranes are damaged by harsh detergent or hot water.
Alternatives
- Dakine Camino: a high-loft glove with a goggle and nose wipe on the thumb.
- Burton Deluxe Gore-Tex: a durable, middle-of-the-road waterproof option with removable liner gloves.
- Hestra Heli Mitt: a mitten with a thin leather shell and replaceable liner for cold days and backcountry use.
- Hestra Fall Line: Treeline Review’s top glove overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best ski gloves for women overall?
Outdoor Gear Lab names the Outdoor Research Revolution Gore-Tex as its best overall women’s glove for balanced warmth, waterproofing and dexterity. It is not meant for extreme cold, where a mitten is the better choice.
Are mittens warmer than gloves?
Generally yes, because fingers share warmth in a single compartment. The Black Diamond Mercury Mitt is a clear example, described by Outdoor Gear Lab as the warmest mitten it reviewed. The trade-off is poor finger dexterity.
Do heated ski gloves work for small hands?
They can, but sizing is a problem. The review reports that the extra-small Outdoor Research Prevail was too large for most testers, and the Wasoto has slimmer padding that suits smaller hands. Try them on and read the manual for battery use.
How should I size women’s ski gloves?
Measure around the knuckles of your dominant hand and compare with the brand’s chart. Choose a glove with fingertips that touch the end without crushing, and consider a size up if the brand is reported to run small, like Dakine.
How do I keep leather ski gloves waterproof?
Leather is less waterproof than a membrane glove and needs periodic treatment, such as a wax product like Sno-Seal that Outdoor Gear Lab mentions. Follow the maker’s care advice and dry gloves slowly after use.
Why do my hands still get cold in good gloves?
Poor circulation from tight cuffs, wet liners and cold wrists are common causes, and so is not moving hands on the lift. If your fingers turn white or numb frequently despite warm gloves, see a doctor to rule out a circulation condition.
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