Gloves or Mitts? The Skier’s Debate

It’s a classic debate amongst skiers: gloves or mitts? Losing the mobility and dexterity of gloves can be restrictive, but having to ball your fingers up in your gloves can be painful. Ultimately, numb hands can be a day ender. So what’s the trick?

I asked Cory Biagi, the Hestra rep for BC, which gloves he would recommend as the best at keeping your fingers alive and well out there in the elements…

“There are pros and cons of both mitts and gloves,” says Cory. “Five-fingered gloves give you great dexterity, whereas mitts keep your hands warmer. Hestra makes a “three-fingered” glove that gives you great dexterity and also gives you the warmth that you would find in a mitt.”  I’ve seen these three-fingered numbers, and as much as they look a bit like dinosaur fingers, they work. Ski industry professionals use them because they allow you to have the options of both putting all of your fingers together or separating them to work more efficiently, without having to take your entire glove off. This is a great feature when you are heliskiing because you are required to put your skis on and off every run, and fiddling around with ski straps in mitts can be challenging.

For heliskiing specific, Cory recommends the Heli Gloves. Why? To develop these gloves, Hestra worked with people that heli ski the most: ACMG ski guides. Together they designed a warm and durable glove that would last the harsh (but fun!) Canadian winters. The Heli Gloves (aptly named) are great because of the impregnated goat leather for maximum durability, pre-curved finger design for a natural fit, over-the-cuff gusset to help seal out snow and a removable insulated liner.

There is nothing worse than buying something over and over for it to fall apart on you in one ski season. Cory was happy to share the ultimate tip to make sure that your gloves last as long as possible. “Balm the leather regularly and your glove will resists moisture, wear and tear better. The best way to do this is to apply the leather balm is to moisten the leather a little first and rub in the balm until the leather is saturated. Do this in the evening and let the balm absorb during the night.”

Hestra’s traditions go back to 1936 when Martin Magnusson started the company in the town of Hestra, Sweden. In 2012, fourth generation Magnusson’s, Anton and Niklas, obtained their journeyman certifications in glove making to keep the craftsmanship alive. Hestra’s mantra is “for hands, by hands”. Maybe that’s the trick. 

If you don’t already have a pair of Hestra gloves for your heli ski vacation and think that they sound exactly what you’ll need, you’re in luck. We sell Hestra gloves at our shop up here and you can get your guide to recommend their favourite pair (they use them too).