Keeping your hands warm while skiing can be a challenge, but properly layering your heated ski gloves is the key.
As an avid skier myself, I’ve tested every trick to lock in warmth, from hot packs to undergloves.
In this article, I’ll share exactly how I layer gloves and mittens to withstand even the most frigid conditions on the mountain.
Layer 1: Silk or Synthetic Liner Gloves
The base layer touching your skin should be thin and slick to avoid bulk. I prefer silk liner gloves for their lightweight warmth and moisture-wicking abilities.
Synthetic gloves also work well—just avoid cotton, which holds sweat. This inner layer helps regulate skin temperature and moisture next to your hands.
My favorite liner gloves are Eddie Bauer’s Midweight Silk Liners. They have a durable ripstop silk shell with nylon reinforcement at the fingers and palm.
I’ve had the same pair going on five seasons! The snug fit and breathable fabric makes them ideal for a heated glove base layer.
Layer 2: Battery-Powered Heated Ski Gloves
This middle insulating layer does the heavy lifting to generate and trap heat. Look for heated ski gloves with these features:
- Integrated battery-powered heating elements
- Waterproof and breathable membranes like Gore-Tex
- PrimaLoft insulation with at least 100g padding
- Pre-curved articulated fingers for effortless movement
- Adjustable temperature settings
I swear by Seirus Innovation 180s heated gloves. They maintain over 8 hours of continuous heat with an 11.1v rechargeable lithium-ion battery built into each glove.
I typically keep them on the medium 105°F setting which keeps my hands nice and toasty without getting overly sweaty.
The three adjustable heat settings (high, medium, and low) ensure you can fine-tune warmth to your exact comfort level. No more freezing fingers or accidentally singeing off your fingerprints!
Layer 3: Waterproof Insulated Ski Mittens
The outer shell must be completely windproof, waterproof, and fully insulated to lock in heat. Mittens provide more warmth than gloves by allowing fingers to share body heat inside one compartment.
I wear Gordini GTX Storm Trooper II mittens because they have a durable Gore-Tex exterior that sheds snow and wind. The outer nylon shell along with the Polyester fiber insulation keeps warm air circulating inside.
Their long gauntlet-style sleeves with Velcro closure wraps securely over my jacket cuffs to seal out snow and cold drafts. At under 16 ounces, the mittens are surprisingly lightweight and packable.
For extreme subzero days, consider mittens with double layers of insulation and shells. But layers that are too bulky can restrict dexterity which is no good for activities like buckling boots or clipping into your skis.
Pro Tip: Use Hand Warmers Too
On extra icy days when temperatures dip into negative double digits, my heated gloves just aren’t enough. So I always carry chemical hand warmers as backup heat.
Hand warmers are cheap insurance for when your heated gloves die or conditions get bitterly freezing.
Just open the self-contained packets and shake them to activate the heating chemicals inside.
Toss 2-4 packs into each mitten and voilà —up to 10 hours of extra heat, no batteries required! At around $1 per pair, they are life-savers for frozen fingers.
My go-to brand is HotHands because they produce a strong 110°F degrees for hours whereas some competitors quickly lose heat after an hour.
I stash a few packs in my ski jacket pockets so I can quickly reinforce heat when needed.
Checking Heated Glove Battery Levels
Modern heated gloves have come a long way in terms of safety features and battery efficiency.
Most models have auto-off functions if the internal temp exceeds 111°F. So you don’t have to stress about accidentally frying your fingers!
With older heated glove models, I got in the habit of frequently double checking battery levels. Newer versions often have LED indicators that display remaining runtime.
For longer days on the slopes, consider bringing an external backup battery pack.
Some brands sell custom glove chargers that juice up your heated glove’s internal battery between runs. No more frantically warming stiff frozen fingers inside the lodge!
By properly layering silk glove liners, battery-powered heated ski gloves, and insulated mittens, your hands will stay nice and toasty in the harshest winter weather.
I guarantee you’ll be shredding black diamonds in comfort all day long using these expert tips. Let me know how layering gloves works for you this ski season!
