Ski Gloves

Your hands go through quite a hard time whenever you go skiing. If you are a newbie to the sport then you are bound to fall over a fair few times while you are learning how to keep your balance on your skis. And what is the first thing you instinctively put down to try and break any fall? You’ve got it – your hands.

That means a good quality pair of ski gloves will help to ensure that your hands are protected from any injury as much as possible. But even if you are experienced and much less likely to fall over, you will still feel the cold on your hands if you don’t wear suitable gloves.

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What is the purpose of ski gloves?

The main aim is to keep your hands warm and dry while you are out on the mountain. But they also enable you to keep a tighter grip on your ski poles, which means you will be safer and better able to keep your balance, as you won’t be worrying about losing your grip on them.

Will ordinary gloves do?

In theory you can wear any kind of gloves for skiing. But if you don’t wear proper ski gloves you will certainly notice the difference.

For example, woollen gloves are a definite no no. They may keep your hands warm for starters, but as soon as they get wet they will be next to useless. Normal gloves aren’t designed for the demands that a hard but enjoyable day on the slopes will give you. You are much better off spending the cash and making sure you get a pair of gloves that will keep your hands warm and dry, no matter how many times you might end up falling over!

Are there different types of ski gloves available?

There are two main types to choose from, and the one you choose will depend on what you personally prefer. Your two choices are mittens and gloves.

Mittens have the benefit that all your fingers will be encased within one single unit, while your thumb is in a separate part of the mitten, enabling you to maintain your grip. Gloves allow for a lot more movement and therefore some people prefer them.

Mittens will make for warmer hands though, so it depends on whether you prefer warmth over flexibility.

Understanding why you need to get the right size

As with all gloves, ski gloves come in several sizes. While you can borrow a badly fitting pair from someone else and get away with it, you will be much safer and more comfortable if you buy your own pair.

Since many of us don’t really know what size gloves we should be wearing, the best strategy is to try on as many different pairs as possible. While a tight fitting pair is obviously a bad idea, as it can hamper your movement, a pair that is too loose isn’t going to be of much use either.

Make sure you can flex your fingers and form a fist without any trouble once you are wearing them. You need to be able to hold your ski poles quite easily and firmly, so bear this in mind.

Things to look for when you are buying ski gloves

If you are still thinking that a glove is just a glove, then think again. Even such matters as how long the gloves are will be important when you are going skiing. If you fall over and your hands go into the snow (which they are very liable to do), they are going to sink into it.

That means shorter gloves aren’t going to protect you from feeling the cold if the snow gets through the gap between your gloves and your jacket sleeves. So go for longer length gloves and make sure they overlap your jacket if at all possible.

In addition, think about the following points as well.

Water repellent

Make sure the label tells you that the gloves are capable of repelling water. If they don’t, give them a wide berth. The name Gore Tex is a good one to watch out for.

Wind resistant

This is just as important as being resistant to water. If you can feel the cold permeating through your gloves then you aren’t going to have a nice time when the wind is whipping past you as you ski downhill.

Taped seams

Gloves with taped seams will give you the best possible protection against snow and water. But be prepared to pay for them. Unless you are going to go skiing on a very regular basis, a good pair of waterproof gloves minus the taped seams will be sufficient for starters.

Insulation

In the end, you’ve got to keep those hands warm to be able to feel the ski poles and use them to keep you upright. That means looking for ski gloves that are going to be well insulated.

Look for names such as Primaloft and fleece, as these will provide you with a good degree of warmth on the slopes. You ideally need to get a balance between warmth without the gloves being so thick that you can’t feel anything through them.

What kind of exterior?

Needless to say, if you are going to be gripping ski poles all day you need to be sure that the palms of the gloves or mittens are going to be up to the job. If they are slippery you could be in trouble. So opt for leather for the best results.

All this should help you choose the best pair of ski gloves to fit your needs and your budget. Don’t forget though that as far as your budget is concerned, you should always get the best ones you can afford. There is nothing worse than trying to get away with a cheap pair and finding that they end up soaking wet after your very first stumble in the snow. Do everything you can to buy the best pair you can.