HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SKI GLOVES OR MITTENS?

To combine safety and comfort, it is essential to choose your ski gloves or mittens according to different criteria. We explain step by step how to find the pair that will accompany you on the slopes.

---

Ski gloves or ski mittens: each has its perks

To be perfectly equipped on the ski slopes, the first thing you'll need to do is choose between ski gloves or mittens. Each design has its advantages and disadvantages.

• Advantages and disadvantages of ski mittens or snowboard mittens: Mittens allow you to put all your fingers together, so they keep each other warm. Easy to put on, they are perfect for downhill skiing, but you can also use them as snowboard mittens or for hiking. On the other hand, they can be impractical for holding ski poles or drawing your lift pass.
• Advantages and disadvantages of ski gloves: They provide perfect hand protection, but less than that of ski mittens with the same technical characteristics. They are more difficult to put on than mittens, but provide better dexterity and very good comfort. Moreover, chilly people can also wear them with silk gloves to add a touch of warmth. The ski gloves are also very versatile and suitable for all activities.

---

The heat factor: the criterion not to be neglected

Thermal insulation is an essential element to take into account when choosing your ski gloves or mittens. Their purpose is not to provide you with warmth, but to keep your fingers warm and prevent the outside cold from creeping in. This mission falls to the lining of the ski gloves, the one that will be closest to your hands.

Down lining: goose, duck or synthetic, down is used to stuff ski gloves or snowboard mittens. Lightweight, it is also very protective.

Fleece lining: warm and comfortable, the fleece lining is made of very soft synthetic fibres. It can be found in the cheapest gloves.

Technical lining: the most famous is the Primaloft® lining. It is made of synthetic fibres and is located under the outer insulation layer of the glove. It is available in Silver (with a water-repellent material incorporated) and Gold (almost equal performance to down) for skiing. Fiberfill and Hyperloft technologies are in the same range of products.

---

Finding the right balance between waterproofness and breathability

When skiing, intense efforts can make you sweat, and with sweat comes moisture that you need to wick away as best you can so you don't get even colder. But to do this, you need a breathable liner that won't be impeded by the outer insulation layer of your gloves or ski mittens. The latter will protect you from ambient moisture from snow or even rain, but it should not prevent the steam released by your body from escaping. You should therefore choose waterproof ski gloves or mittens fitted with a material such as Gore-Tex. Equipped with micropores, it ensures you stay dry in all circumstances.

---

Choosing the right size for your gloves

Too small, your snowboard mittens will be uncomfortable. Too big, your ski gloves won't offer you optimal heat retention. So a few extra millimetres on your fingertips won't be a problem when choosing your ski gloves or mittens, as your hands will swell slightly during the day and you can also choose to wear undergloves.

To find the right size for your ski gloves, simply measure the circumference of your palm by clamping a tape measure between your thumb and forefinger before going around your hand. Keep this measurement in mind, as when making your choice you will find the size of your ski gloves expressed in centimetres on its packaging or a size chart.

---

Some little extras for your ski gloves

The ski gloves or snowboard mittens are not accessories that you change every season, so you need to invest in a sturdy pair that you will be able to amortise for several years. Between the cold, the humidity, the shocks and the rubbing with the edges of the skis when you wear them, the gloves will suffer throughout the years. So it's best to choose ski mittens or gloves that aren't made entirely of fabric or wool. Instead, turn to nylon gloves with reinforcements in the knuckles or palms of the hands if necessary.

Ski gloves and mittens sometimes come with accessories that can be very handy:

• The straps: they will give you more freedom in your movements and ensure you don't lose your ski gloves from the top of the chairlift.
• The clips: they bind gloves from the same pair together once the day is over, and ensure you don't misplace one of your gloves when you store them.
• The grip: some ski gloves have a reinforced grip on the palm that allows for a better grip on poles.
• The wrist adjustment: it allows you to adjust your ski mittens or gloves to better retain heat.
• The touch technology: only available for ski gloves and not mittens, you can use your smartphone while keeping your fingers warm.

Now that you know how to choose your gloves or ski mittens, you are sure to hit the slopes safely and well protected from the cold.