11 BEST Snowboard Gloves to Stay Warm This Winter [2024]

Reviewed by Jodelle Marx
Last updated:

*This article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you.

TL;DR: The best snowboard gloves are the Hestra All Mountain CZone Gloves because they have a durable, waterproof outer shell with breathable synthetic insulation, zippered pockets, and goat leather reinforced palms. They’re not cheap, but a good value and you won’t be shopping for another pair next winter.

There’s something so inviting about fresh and powdery snow. I always want to reach down and scoop up handfuls of it. 

But the soft texture of fresh snow inevitably gives way to the sharp pangs of cold. 

Snow has a way of melting and trickling icy water into the cuffs of your coat. To the point where you can’t feel your fingers, and your sleeves are uncomfortably damp.

Luckily, a good pair of gloves will let you plunge those hands into new snowdrifts without the cold regret of a handful of wet snow. 

For snowboarders, gloves are especially crucial. Snowboarding is a rough-and-tumble sport that will often have you up close and personal with the snow on the ground. 

Lots of contact with snow can lead to wet gear, and wetness leads to cold. And getting cold and wet is a surefire way to cut your day short, which no one wants. 

A good pair of snowboard gloves will be waterproof, warm, durable, and flexible to keep you out on the slopes for as long as possible. 

We’ve narrowed down this list to the best snowboard gloves that fit those criteria so you can spend more time having fun without cold fingers.

Stay Warm This Winter Snowboarding

Short on Time? Here’s a Quick Look at Our Recommendations

#1 Black Diamond Soloist Gloves

Warmest Snowboard Gloves for Cold Hands

Black Diamond Soloist Gloves

Star rating: 4.5/5
Materials: Leather and Ultralight Pertex
Waterproof: Yes
Best for: Especially frigid days on the mountainside

Not all gloves can hold up when the temperature drops well below freezing. 

It’s frustrating to be wearing gloves and still be cold. And if you’re boarding down a mountain, the wind chill is going to amp up that freeze.

So if you’re out in subzero temperatures, you’ll need the warmest gloves to keep your hands warm. 

Thanks to their innovative insulation, the Black Diamond Soloist Gloves are some of the warmest snowboarding gloves you can get.

This pair of gloves have durable goat leather palms. Inside, they feature “PrimaLoft Gold” insulation that reinforces extra warmth. 

PrimaLoft Gold insulation is the highest-rated synthetic insulation, and it stays warm even if it gets wet. 

The gauntlet cuff style means they protect your wrists and go up over your coat sleeves, so there’s no chance of exposed skin coming in contact with the snow. 

Also, the long cuffs offer more protection than similar gloves like the Black Diamond Legend.

Plus, the outer shell is waterproof so that no snowmelt permeates them. 

With these waterproof snowboard gloves, your hands will be dry and warm until you’re back at the lodge sipping hot cocoa.

PROS

  • Primaloft gold insulation
  • Goat leather palms
  • Gauntlet cuffs
  • Wear the shell only on warm days

CONS

  • No zippered pocket
  • No wrist leash

CHECK PRICE ON:

#2 Sealskinz Waterproof Cold Weather Gloves

Best Thin Snowboard Gloves

Sealskinz Waterproof Cold Weather Gloves

Star rating: 4/5
Materials: Goatskin leather, softshell, merino wool 
Waterproof: Yes
Best for: Staying dextrous in moderately cold temperatures

Thin, knit gloves just won’t cut it in cold, snowy conditions. 

But while super thick, stiff gloves do an excellent job of keeping your hands warm, they can feel like you’re walking around with oven mitts. 

Making a fist is challenging, as is picking up small objects. And don’t even think about using your phone.

With the Sealskinz Waterproof Cold Weather Gloves, you’ll be able to do all of those things without sacrificing warmth. 

While they may not be enough for extreme subzero temperatures, they’ll keep you warm while snowboarding in moderate winter climates, and you’ll still be able to move your fingers freely.

They use a special hydrophilic membrane on both the inner and outer shell to create a glove that’s entirely waterproof and breathable. 

This synthetic membrane combines with goatskin leather to make a durable glove with ample stretch and flexibility.

As a bonus, merino wool liners are temperature-regulating to keep your fingers warm without adding too much bulk. 

Merino wool is also moisture-wicking, so your hands won’t get clammy inside the liners.

And despite these layers, all the materials are touchscreen compatible, so you can send a text or make a phone call without having to pull your glove off.

PROS

  • Thin and flexible
  • Merino wool liner adds warmth
  • Touchscreen compatible

CONS

  • Not suitable for extreme cold
  • Short cuffs

#3 Savior Heated Gloves for Men and Women

Best Heated Snowboarding Gloves

Savior Heated Gloves for Men and Women

Star Rating: 4.3/5
Materials: Leather, velvet, and polyester
Waterproof: No, but water-resistant
Best for: Snowboarding in super cold climates

When it’s super frigid, you may need a little extra help to stay warm. Like little electric blankets fitted to your hands, heated gloves have a built-in hand warmer. 

We’ve already made a whole post about the best heated gloves, so if you’re plagued with cold hands and want to know more about them, you should check out our list.

If you’re short on time and you’re mainly interested in the best heated snowboard gloves, then check out the Savior Heated Gloves.

These gloves have a durable leather palm with a polyester shell. Instead of your standard fleece liner, they have velvet liners that feel soft and cozy against your skin.

They use a rechargeable battery that delivers heat to your whole hand – right down to your fingertips. 

There are three heat settings, and the battery can last up to five hours when set to “low.” 

Even when you’re blasting the heat on high, you can still expect the battery to stay charged for about two hours.

The design covers your wrists, so snow can’t get into your coat sleeves, sealing in the warmth. 

And what’s really funny is the decent price point for Savior gloves. North Face Montana Inferno heated gloves are more than double the price and North Face doesn’t even specialize in heated gloves the way that Savior does.

Plus, the index fingertips are touchscreen compatible, so you can keep your hands wrapped in cozy warmth all day long.

PROS

  • Rechargeable battery
  • Three heat settings
  • Leather palm
  • IPx 4 waterproofing

CONS

  • sPricey
  • The battery might degrade over time

#4 Hestra Gloves Heli Insulated Gloves

Best Snowboard Gloves with Wrist Protection

Hestra Gloves Heli Insulated Gloves

Star Rating: 4/5
Materials: Triton polyamide, goat leather, polyester
Waterproof: No, but water-resistant
Best for: Active snowboarders who need to keep their wrists protected from snow

When you’re engaging in a lot of physical activity over the snowy ground, chances are you’ll be kicking up a lot of snow and making contact with the ground fairly often. 

If your gloves don’t offer enough wrist protection, snow can get into the opening between your glove and your coat cuff, allowing cold moisture into both your sleeve and your glove.  

It’s a pretty awful feeling. Once the snow has infiltrated the warmth of your coat, it’ll melt into trickles of water.

With the Hestra Heli Insulated Gloves, you won’t face this issue. 

Hestra gloves are some of the best snowboarding gloves out there. These offer extra wrist protection from the snow with super long cuffs that cinch at the opening and around the wrist.

The goat leather palm and triton polyamide outer combine to make durable gloves that are partially waterproof and have all-over weather-repellence. 

A removable liner made from polyester lets you adjust the gloves’ warmth, and the fingers are designed with a curve to improve your dexterity. 

PROS

  • Reinforced wrist
  • Goat leather palms
  • Good dexterity

CONS

  • Not waterproof
  • Not extremely warm

#5 Kinco Premium Leather Gloves

Best Budget Snowboard Gloves

Kinco Premium Leather Gloves

Star rating: 4.6/5
Materials: Pigskin leather, cotton canvas
Waterproof: No, but water-resistant
Best for: Snowboarders who don’t want to sacrifice quality for affordability.

I’ve said it many times: I’m a bargain seeker. However, one of my downfalls is that I often sacrifice quality for affordability. 

The truth is, many budget options may offer the same advantages as more expensive versions do initially. 

With that said, cheaper materials and cheaper construction usually mean inexpensive purchases won’t last as long.

That’s not the case for Kinco Premium Leather Gloves.

These are cheap gloves that retail at a fraction of the price of other gloves, but they’re also some of the best leather snowboard gloves available.

The Kinco gloves also double as work gloves, so it’s the favored brand for people who operate lifts and spend a lot of time on the slopes. 

And let me tell you, versatility isn’t something you often hear about when it comes to budget-friendly products.

This quality pair of snowboard gloves are rugged, warm, and lightweight. 

And although they’re not inherently waterproof on their own, you can treat them with a waterproofing coating such as Nikwax, and they’ll stay ultra-dry. 

Instead of long gauntlets, Kinco gloves have a thick and form-fitting elastic wrist to seal out snow and ice.

These simple, straightforward gloves are some of the best snow gloves money can buy. Luckily, you don’t need a lot of money to buy them!

PROS

  • Inexpensive
  • Durable
  • Warm

CONS

  • Not waterproof on their own
  • Limited wrist protection

#6 Smartwool Ridgeway Gloves

Best for Sweaty Hands

Smartwool Ridgeway Gloves

Star rating: 4.4/5
Materials: Leather, merino wool, and nylon
Waterproof: No, but water repellent
Best for: People who run hot

Everyone is built differently. Some of us have super cold hands and feet, while others easily sweat and get overheated. 

If you fall into the latter category, wearing winter gear can probably be a drag. You need the insulation to protect you from the cold, but once you’re all bundled up, you start to sweat. 

Smartwool Ridgeway Gloves help keep things from getting too clammy for the warm-blooded among us. 

These mid-weight gloves have a soft and flexible leather outer and a merino wool lining.

Merino wool is naturally temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking. Those are two qualities to look for if you’re prone to sweating.

Merino wool does the double duty of keeping you warm without overheating while also wicking away the sweat you produce.

These gloves don’t have much wrist protection, but their quality materials give them an edge. 

And if you’re a person who sweats and overheats quickly, utmost protection from the cold may not be at the top of your list of priorities.

While these aren’t the thickest or warmest gloves on the market, they’ll serve you well if you tend to run hot rather than cold.

PROS

  • Not overly expensive
  • Merino wool lining
  • Quality leather outer

CONS

  • Not waterproof
  • Minimal wrist protection

#7 Dakine Scout Short Snow Glove

Best Snowboard Gloves for Spring

 Dakine Scout Short Snow Glove

Star Rating: 4.7/5
Materials: Polyester 
Waterproof: Yes
Best for: Staying dry in melting snow

In the springtime, snow sticks around on the mountaintops, but the air starts to warm, and the weather becomes milder. Because of this, the snow begins to melt and gets heavier and wetter.

Because you’ll still be in contact with plenty of snow if you’re snowboarding in springtime, you’ll still want a warm glove. After all: snow is cold no matter what the air temperature is.

But because of the snowmelt, you’ll want waterproof gloves that are also breathable. 

Wet, springtime snow will make for soggy gloves, and warmer weather may have you sweating inside your gear.

The Dakine Scout Short Snow Gloves have a polyester outer that makes them waterproof and breathable gloves. 

They are also well-insulated to protect against the lingering springtime chilliness.

And these breathable snowboard gloves feature a drawstring wrist to seal out the snow and rubber-tec palms for extra grip.

As a bonus, a removable wrist leash lets you attach the Dakine gloves to your wrists when you’re not wearing them to keep you from losing them. 

They also come with a removable liner that’s touchscreen compatible. 

PROS

  • Waterproof
  • Warm
  • Has a wrist leash

CONS

  • A little stiff and bulky
  • Short cuffs

#8 Columbia Whirlibird™ II Ski Gloves

Most Stylish Snowboard Gloves

Columbia Whirlibird™ II Ski Gloves

Star rating: 4.7/5
Materials: Polyester and Goat Skin
Waterproof: Yes
Best for: Snowboarders who want to stay warm and fashionable

So far, we’ve focused on the functionality of each glove without much discussion of how they look. 

While the most critical aspect of all outdoor clothing is performance and utility, aesthetics can matter too.

I used to love the North Face Montana gloves when I wanted to look my best on the slopes, but since they were discontinued, I had to do some exploring.

The Columbia Whirlbird II Ski Gloves come in three stylish colors: Cirrus Grey, White LookUp Print, and Black.

They also have clean and simple lines, a gauntlet cuff, and a lightweight, stretchy, and breathable outer membrane.

A goatskin leather palm makes this pair of gloves extremely durable, and synthetic insulation keeps your hands warm and toasty.

These ski gloves also come with many handy features, such as touchscreen-compatible fingertips, wrist cinches, and a wrist leash. 

In other words, you won’t have to give up function for form with these gloves. 

PROS

  • Classy white color
  • Durable
  • Come with a wrist leash
  • Omni-Heat™ thermal reflective

CONS

  • A little bulky

#9 Burton GORE-TEX Mittens

Best Gore-Tex Snowboard Gloves

Burton GORE-TEX Mittens

Star rating: 4.2/5
Materials: Polyurethane, nylon, polyester
Waterproof: Yes
Best for: Active snowboarders who need superior warmth and water tightness

Gore-Tex is an innovative material composed of polyester and polyurethane, offering excellent waterproofing and breathability. 

Gore-Tex membrane is an excellent choice for when you want to stay as impervious to the weather as possible.

Along with Gore-Tex gloves, another way to thwart weather conditions is choosing mittens. The best snowboard mittens offer extra warmth by snuggling all your fingers together.

Burton Gore-Tex Mittens combine all the breathability and waterproofing of Gore-Tex with the superior warmth of mittens.

These Gore-Tex snowboard mitts have a two-layer outer shell with a breathable Gore-Tex insert and microfiber lining. 

They also have hidden pockets to stash hand warmers for added heat.

And just because they’re mittens doesn’t mean you lose all access to the use of your index fingers. 

The outer shell uses screen-grab fabric that lets you still use your devices, and the fleece removable liners are also touchscreen compatible. 

All of these handy features make these Burton Gore-Tex gloves some of the best snowboard mitts, as well as the best Burton gloves you can get your hands on.

PROS

  • Super warm
  • Touchscreen compatible
  • Includes zippered pockets

CONS

  • Mittens offer less dexterity
  • Not super durable

#10 Tough Outdoors Snow Gloves

Best Snowboarding Gloves with Leash

Tough Outdoors Snow Gloves

Star Rating: 4.3/5
Materials: Synthetic leather, nylon, elastane
Waterproof: Yes
Best for: Forgetful snowboarders prone to losing things

It can be tricky to hold onto a pair of anything – just ask my sock drawer! 

Luckily, some gloves come with a leash so you can keep your gloves attached to your wrist when they aren’t on your hands. 

The Tough Outdoors Snow Gloves include a leash among their list of features, along with cinchable gauntlet cuffs and synthetic leather fingertips that are touchscreen-compatible.

Plus, these Tough Outdoors gloves have a woven, waterproof shell and TPU membrane for breathable weather protection. 

These reasonably-priced nylon gloves keep your hands temperature-regulated with moisture-wicking lining for your sweatier days. Th and a zippered pocket where you can add a hand warmer on chillier days.

One thing to note is that the sizes run small, so take that into account when you’re choosing your size. 

Overall, these are great women’s and men’s snowboard gloves.

PROS

  • Touchscreen compatible
  • Gore-Tex insert
  • Reasonably priced

CONS

  • A bit stiff
  • Synthetic leather palm instead of goatskin leather

#11 Hestra All Mountain CZone Glove

Best Snowboarding Gloves with Pocket

Hestra All Mountain CZone Glove

Star rating: 4.8/5
Materials: Nylon and goat leather
Waterproof: Yes
Best for: Snowboarders with chronically icy hands

It’s tough to enjoy winter sports when your hands are always cold. 

A zippered pocket provides a place to slip hand warmers into, turning your regular pair of snowboard gloves into a DIY heated glove. 

A pocket also does more than just keep your hands warm; it’s a safe place to stash small items such as keys.

The Hestra All Mountain CZone Gloves have all this and more. 

These nylon and goat leather gloves feature a patented CZone membrane as part of the shell, which is waterproof and breathable, similar to Gore-Tex.

And it’s not only the shell that protects against cold fingers, they’re also stuffed with synthetic insulation to help keep your hands warm.

On top of that, a pull strap at the wrist seals in warmth, making this quality pair the best snowboarding gloves for those of us with stubbornly chilly hands.

PROS

  • Hand warmer pocket
  • Leather palms
  • Wrist cinch 

CONS

  • Don’t come with a leash
  • Run small

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Gloves for Snowboarding

When searching for the best snowboarding gloves for you, there are some key things to look for. 

What to Look for in Snowboarding Gloves

What to Look for in Snowboarding Gloves

Waterproofing

It’s essential to check how waterproof your snowboard gloves are and to examine what types of waterproof materials they use. 

Do they have a breathable waterproof material, such as Gore-Tex? Are they all leather and require a waterproof coating? 

When you’re shopping for the best waterproof snowboard gloves to fit your needs, these are good questions to ask.

If you fall, you’ll likely be catching yourself with your hand, and after a few times, your gloves may start getting wet. 

Soggy gloves are a one-way ticket to cold and discomfort. The best gloves for snowboarding will always be waterproof.

Warmth

Warmth is essential. After all, what are gloves for if not to keep your hands warm? 

When glove shopping, be sure to check what type of insulation all the gloves have. Is there a removable liner or a layer of synthetic fill? 

Check out the reviews as well. Warmth can be subjective, and the best way to know if gloves are warm is to look at people’s actual experiences.

Durability 

Gloves can be an expensive purchase. On average, you should expect to spend $70-$100, with some pairs ranging up closer to $200. 

The last thing you want is for that purchase to fall apart on you. 

This is why durability is another important thing to look for in reviews and other people’s experiences, as well as the types of durable materials used. 

Dexterity

Admittedly, dexterity is not as crucial for snowboarders as for skiers who need to grip their poles. That’s why many snowboarders opt for mittens over gloves. 

However, nobody likes wearing gloves so thick and stiff that you can’t make a fist or grasp anything. 

Look for gloves that feature designs that optimize dexterity. You don’t want to feel trapped inside your gloves.

Extra Features

A range of extra features can set a pair of gloves apart from other gloves.

Look for ones with zippered pockets for stashing hand warmers and small items or a wrist leash to keep you from losing them. Or, maybe look for ones that have a wrist cinch or a removable liner. 

Your specific needs will help determine what features make the best gloves for you. 

Types of Snowboard Gloves

There are a few different types of snowboarding gloves, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a breakdown of those strengths and weaknesses. 

Types of Snowboard Gloves

Leather Snow Gloves

Some gloves, like the Kinco Gloves, have an all-leather outer shell. 

Leather can be a heavy-duty and durable material, especially in varieties such as the pig leather that Kinco uses. 

Leather makes for suitable work gloves, so it could be a good choice if you expect to work with your hands a lot in the winter as well as a snowboard.

Leather is water-repellent but not entirely waterproof and will need an extra waterproof coating to seal it off completely. 

Synthetic Snow Gloves

Synthetic materials can be fully waterproof, and innovative technology can engineer materials with superior warmth and weather repellence. 

If you’re looking for the utmost protection from the elements, then a fully synthetic glove may be the right pick for you.

Combination Snow Gloves

Many gloves combine synthetic and natural materials by using leather on the palms or fingers with a synthetic shell to construct the rest of the glove. 

If you’re looking for a solid pair of gloves that can perform in a range of environments, you’ll want to check out a pair that uses both leather and synthetic materials.

Mittens

In this article, we’ve focused mainly on gloves, which have articulated fingers. I have, however, including one variety of mittens, the Burton Gore-Tex Mitten

With mittens, the fingers are all grouped in one compartment. You gain warmth from your body heat, but you lose out on essentially all dexterity.

There is also a hybrid mitten, where the index finger is separated, and the rest of the fingers are in a single mitten compartment. 

This is called a three-finger mitten, or sometimes a lobster mitten. 

FAQs About Snowboarding Gloves

FAQs About Snowboarding Gloves

What gloves do snowboarders use?

Snowboarders gravitate toward gloves with superior warmth and waterproofing. Some of the leading brands are Burton, Hestra, and Dakine

Kinco, despite their affordable price, are another favored brand for their warmth and durability. 

People who operate lifts will often reach for Kincos because they double as work gloves.

Are mitts or gloves better for snowboarding?

Mittens are a popular choice amongst snowboarders, and mitts can undoubtedly be a good choice for their surpassing warmth. 

Snowboarders don’t need their hands while they’re boarding, so the loss of dexterity can be worth the gained heat for some people. 

On the other hand, you will need your fingers when you’re taking your bindings on and off. 

The right pair of gloves can still be super warm, so in my opinion, gloves are the overall better choice over mittens. 

Is there a difference between snowboarding and ski gloves?

Snowboarding gloves can sometimes be interchangeable with ski gloves, and many brands will market their gloves as suitable for both skiing and snowboarding.

However, the gloves best suited for snowboarding will generally focus on warmth and waterproofing and tend to feature more wrist protection.

What material gloves are the warmest?

One of the warmest natural materials is merino wool, so gloves that use it for insulation offer a lot of heat. 

With that said, new technologies are offering better and better insulation when it comes to synthetics. 

PrimaLoft Gold is the warmest synthetic insulation, and it stays warm even if it ends up getting wet. 

The Black Diamond Soloist Gloves use Primaloft, and that’s why they offer superior warmth.

Additionally, gloves that have Gore-Tex in their outer shell will tend to be warmer. Better waterproofing and breathability also help to keep things toasty inside the gloves. 

Conclusion: Our Pick for the Best Snowboard Gloves

Conclusion: Our Pick for the Best Snowboard Gloves

My top pick for the best snowboarding gloves is the Hestra All Mountain CZone Gloves

Hestra is one of the leading brands for snowboarding gloves, and the CZone gloves have nearly everything you should look for in a glove.

They use a synthetic material called “CZone” for the outer shell, which is simultaneously waterproof and breathable. 

They also have synthetic insulation for warmth, utilize goat leather for the fingertips, and have ample wrist protection.

And these gloves stand out because they have a lot of convenient extra features. 

Most notable is a pocket on the back of the hand, so you can amp up their warmth with a hand warmer or store some small items.

Although dexterity isn’t a top requirement for snowboard gloves, this pair boasts a generous amount of flexibility to sweeten the deal.

My second pick is Columbia Whirlbird II Ski Gloves

These gloves won out in the style category, and although they have aesthetic appeal and fun color options, they have much more going for them beyond that.

These are snowboard gloves with wrist guards that boast touchscreen compatibility and an included wrist leash.

The North Face Gloves utilize a combination of three different kinds of patented synthetic material that offer state-of-the-art warmth and waterproofing. 

Their design uses something they call “Radiometric Articulation,” which means the fingers bend naturally the way your hands do when they’re relaxed. This means more dexterity and more comfort.  

And, despite their high-quality and long list of features, these gloves aren’t overly expensive.

Whether you’re a pro snowboarder or a beginner, the right pair of gloves will keep you dry, toasty, and comfortable all winter long.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elina Ansary

Elina Ansary

Elina Ansary grew up in San Francisco, CA, and spent her childhood camping up and down Northern California. Her offbeat, colorful sense of style has been a mode of self-expression for as long as she can remember. As a visual artist, she travels the world, and her gear has to keep pace.

With an upscale NY art gallery exhibition today and research adventures in Italian ghost towns tomorrow, Elina has high standards and prioritizes style, versatility, and comfort. Her online shopping addiction has led her to test everything from sustainable shoes to water bottles over the past few years, and she’s always up to date on the latest trends.


Looking for outdoor gear and winter travel recommendations? Check out our related posts below!

 Best Heated Ski Socks

Best Women’s Snowboard Pants

13 Best Outdoor Watches for Active People

Best Hiking Clothes for Women

Best Waterproof Walking Shoes for Women

Best Winter Tents for Cold Weather Camping

Best Places to Find Snow in California

Best Snowboard Gloves Pin 1
Best Snowboard Gloves Pin

Pin one of these images for future reference

Hi, I'm Mimi! I'm an outdoorsy Californian who has spent over 28 years immersed in the incredible natural beauty that California has to offer. My goal is to inspire others to get out and find their next adventure in California. Whether it’s escaping to an alpine lake in the Sierras, finding peace among the giant redwoods, or road tripping down the PCH, there’s always more to explore in this beautiful state.

LEARN MORE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTRAL CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WINTER TRAVEL ROAD TRIPS GEAR

Leave a Comment