Use this guide to compare gloves, mitts and liners. Warmth and weather protection can vary with fit, activity level, layering and manufacturer construction, so the ratings are intended as a consistent shopping guide rather than an exact temperature guarantee.
Handwear Type
| Glove |
Five separate finger compartments for maximum dexterity and easy adjustment of bindings, zippers and equipment. |
| Mitt |
The four fingers share one compartment while the thumb remains separate. This construction generally retains more warmth than a comparable glove. |
| Trigger Mitt |
The thumb and index finger are separate while the remaining fingers share one compartment. Also known as a three-finger or lobster mitt, it balances warmth and dexterity. |
| Liner |
A lightweight, close-fitting glove intended primarily for layering beneath another glove or mitt, or for low-output warmth in mild conditions. |
Handwear Warmth
| Shell |
No added insulation. Designed for weather protection, high-output activity or layering with a separate liner. |
| Warm |
Light insulation, generally 1–99 g/m² through the main body or back of the hand, or a lightly fleece-lined construction. |
| Warmer |
Midweight insulation, generally 100–199 g/m² through the main body or back of the hand, for regular winter and resort use. |
| Warmest |
Generally 200+ g/m² insulation, down or another high-loft cold-weather construction intended for maximum warmth. |
Brands sometimes publish insulation weights using “g” as shorthand for g/m². Palms, fingers, cuffs and mapped areas may use different insulation amounts. When a comparable weight is not published, manufacturer warmth guidance and overall construction are used to assign the closest rating.
Handwear Waterproofing
| Water-Resistant |
DWR-treated fabric, treated leather or softshell construction that helps shed light snow and brief moisture exposure but does not include a fully waterproof membrane. |
| Waterproof |
Uses a waterproof insert, membrane or comparable barrier and is designed to prevent outside moisture from reaching the hand during normal winter use. |
| GORE-TEX® |
Uses an authentic GORE-TEX waterproof and breathable membrane or insert. Only products for which the manufacturer specifically identifies GORE-TEX technology receive this rating. |
Products without a manufacturer weather-protection claim are left unrated rather than being assigned a waterproofing category.
