Ski gloves – protect your hands on the slopes

In the middle of winter, even if there is no snow outside yet, we can be sure that the slopes are full of avid skiers schussing on either real or artificial snow. In order to ski safely, it is necessary not only to gain practice and skills, but to ensure comfortable and functional clothing. One of the elements of ski clothing are ski gloves, which are an indispensable clothing accessory to protect our hands from cold and injury while riding. Do you know how to choose ski gloves and what to consider when shopping?

Functionality above all

Ski gloves are primarily intended to protect your hands from the cold and wet, making it comfortable and convenient to hold the poles. A number of technologies are used in the gloves – they should be the first clue when shopping. It goes without saying that the more specialised technologies are used in gloves, the better the protection of our hands.

How to choose ski gloves that will serve perfectly for many seasons? By paying attention to the parameters. The 4F gloves have two main technologies that guarantee waterproofness and thermal comfort. INNER-TECH technology provides protection against moisture and wind, ensuring that both sweat and moisture that we may experience during increased physical exercise are effectively wicked away. A second technology called THINSULATE guarantees adequate warmth. It is also used in jackets, trousers, hats or boots that are designed for staying in extreme thermal conditions. The technology is based on the use of 2-5 microns thick microfibres, which are as much as 25 times thinner than the thickness of a human hair and about 10 times smaller than the fibres of other synthetic thermal insulations. The combination of these two technologies ensures comfort on the slopes even during long hours of demanding skiing.

In the gloves we can also find a combination of SYMPATEX and PRIMALOFT technologies. The former one is an extremely lightweight, flexible, and breathable material. It is called a smart hydrophilic membrane, made of polyester and polyurethane. The second technology is often used in the production of sportswear and as sleeping bag fillings. PRIMALOFT is a synthetic fibre with excellent insulating properties that has a waterproof, breathable and anti-allergic coating.

In addition to the technologies themselves, attention should be paid to the material of the gloves. Which ski gloves can handle multiple falls and contact with snow? Cotton or wool are unsuitable for ski or snowboard gloves, and so they are made of polyester, polyurethane or a combination of leather and EVA foam. Gloves made of leather and EVA foam will further cushion any impacts that can happen to every skier.

What kind of ski gloves to buy?

We should choose ski gloves according to gender, of course – for women, there are women’s gloves and for men: men’s gloves. Obviously, there is a range of unisex products; however, it will not guarantee us the same fit as a gender-specific model. Note that men’s and women’s hands differ not only in size, but also in shape. Gloves must fit properly so that they do not fall off the hand and provide the best thermal utilisation. They should also be long enough to prevent snow from getting between the sleeve of the jacket and the end of the glove.

Glove models for adults are generally five-fingered, as they provide better grip and control of the pole during the ride. What warm ski gloves will be the best for the little ones?  Mittens are often made with kids in mind, as they guarantee more comfort and warmth for their small hands. Of course, when buying gloves for a child, it is worth consulting the decision with them, so that they can choose the right pair themselves. Smaller children in particular do better with mittens. Ski gloves impress with their design and colour, but we should be motivated by such aspects only after analysing all the functionalities.

Next to the materials and technologies, other important factors in gloves are:

Naturally, it may be the case that we can’t find all the above features in one model. Then all that remains is to choose the pair that will be the most suitable for us. You may, of course, be tempted to buy two pairs of gloves, although such a solution should provide gloves for warmer and colder days on the slopes.

How to wash and dry ski gloves? Glove care and maintenance

If the gloves need cleaning, it is best to wash them by hand with mild detergents. Do not use softeners in gloves with a membrane, as it will irretrievably lose its properties. Ski gloves should be dried away from heaters, which can cause damage to their surface, especially leather. If our gloves are made of leather, a special care product should be applied. We should find all the detailed information on glove maintenance and cleaning inside the glove.

No gloves, no way

Before we head to the ski slope, we should consider choosing the right clothing and accessories to keep us warm, comfortable and cushioned in the case of a possible fall. Ski gloves, although they may seem like just one of the clothing accessories, are essential on a snowy slope. Each model should be selected in terms of usefullness, while colour preferences should come last. If you love family trips to the slopes, you can choose from our range of gloves for yourself, your partner and child – sports and fun should always go hand in hand with safety.

We encourage you to explore the full offer of 4F ski gloves: