If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?
A good pair of ski gloves or mittens for kids are a crucial winter must-have accessory. Frostbite is a real thing, and I've met nary a cheap glove that has the warmth and water resistance to keep up with the pressures of the powder. But how do you choose? Luckily for you, I've been at this (skiing and parenting) for pretty much ever, and I am here to help.
The Best Ski Gloves for Kids
What to Consider
Honestly, gloves aren’t that complicated — but whether you opt for gloves or mittens, you want to make sure your kid has a pair that’s warm, waterproof, and flexible. They should also be breathable, which means you’ll need to consider how they’re made and what they’re made with, as this affects their comfort and safety.
How They’re Made
The seams are generally where water and cold air leak into the gloves. You want the seams to be sealed, also known as “taped,” meaning that the gloves are essentially waterproof. When your kid is hitting the powder or dragging knuckles on a snowboard, this is incredibly important. You want them to have both garters and gauntlets, which means you want them to have the ability to be cinched at the wrist with a skirt of material that can go over or under the ski jacket. And they need to breathe so that your child’s hands don’t get too sweaty, which can actually lead to frostbite because that sweat can freeze.
How Warm They Are
You want your kids' ski gloves to have a decent amount of fill since little hands get frostbite quickly. Down is warm and quite lovely, but it gets wet faster and takes longer to dry. Having said that, synthetic fill comes standard in most ski gloves for kids.
Features
There are a ton of other features that aren't available on all gloves but are nice to have. For example, tech-friendly fingertips that can operate touchscreens are pretty much essential for older kids. Some gloves have vents for warmer days that really improve breathability. You also might have gloves with more than one cinch, which I find to be extremely helpful for connecting them together in storage.
If you're hitting the slopes with your kids, check out these great ski gloves and mittens. They are all excellent.
1
Best Overall
L.L.Bean L.L.Bean Cold Buster Gloves
1
Best Overall
L.L.Bean L.L.Bean Cold Buster Gloves
Pros
Breathable to prevent sweaty hands- Designed to keep the cold out
- Great customer service
Cons
- Not touchscreen-compatible
It's no secret that I love all things L.L.Bean. They have such wonderful customer service to go with their killer products, and I just can't help but stan.
These gloves are waterproof with Thinsulate insulation, which means they're warm without making your hands sweaty. The cuff keeps out the cold, while the soft edges don't chafe sensitive skin, making them an easy choice as our Best Overall pair.
My nephew, aged 3, just started using these gloves within the past month, and even with his limited minor motor manipulation abilities, he's been great on the grip with the cold buster gloves.
More: Best Snow Sleds for Kids
Key Specs
| Material | Polyester or nylon depending on color |
|---|---|
| Insulation | Thinsulate |
| Touchscreen-Compatible? | No |
Pros
- Warm and light for easy runs
- Designed for extreme weather
- Touchscreen tips don't wear out
Cons
- Pricey
Gordini’s ski gloves for kids are equipped with GORE-TEX exterior for extreme frosty weather, with sealed seams that make them water and windproof. They have two cinches to keep out the elements and are easy to adjust. Your kid will also be able to check their schedules or take pics easily because the forefinger tips are touchscreen-compatible.
Another big bonus about these gloves is the ultra-breathable but still very warm synthetic Megaloft insulation. It’s light and doesn’t bulk up the gloves, but it’s cozy and comfortable. These are my son’s favorite gloves on planet Earth —and I know your kids will love them, too.
Key Specs
| Material | Polyester and polyurethane on polyester palm |
|---|---|
| Insulation | Megaloft synthetic fibers |
| Touchscreen-Compatible? | Yes |
Pros
- Warm, waterproof, and breathable
- Basic design with wonderful performance
- Touchscreen tips
Cons
- Only a single cinch
Sometimes simple really is the best. The Youth Core II gloves from Columbia are reasonably basic in style, but what they lack in pizazz, they make up for in substance.
Thumb and forefinger touchscreen tips allow the wearer to access their phone without turning it off. The hydracloth nylon shell and Omnitech waterproof breathable interior makes sure they’re warm while they’re scrolling or skiing. The lining is “chamois touch” which basically means it’s smooth as butter and a lovely material to hug your kid’s hand.
Key Specs
| Materials | Nylon and treated polyester with polyurethane |
|---|---|
| Insulation | Synthetic |
| Touchscreen-Compatible? | Yes |
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
Best Toddler Mittens
Seirus Hot Pocket Mitten
4
Best Toddler Mittens
Seirus Hot Pocket Mitten
Pros
- Roomy for itty bitty fingers
- Reinforced tip
Cons
- Single cinch
Toddlers have special needs when it comes to their gear — and having enough room to wiggle their fingers inside their gloves is one of them. The Hot Pocket by Seirus gives your toddler extra space to wiggle, letting them maintain their grip while staying warm.
The Duratex exterior and synthetic Thermolite insulation keep these mittens weatherproof and warm but still breathable and soft. Parents love that the tips of these mittens are reinforced, giving them more protection, but also making them stronger by a huge measure — meaning they’re nearly impossible for kids to destroy.
Key Specs
| Material | Duratex |
|---|---|
| Insulation | Thermolite synthetic |
| Touchscreen-Compatible? | No |
5
Best Vented Gloves
Burton Vent Gloves — Kids’
5
Best Vented Gloves
Burton Vent Gloves — Kids’
Pros
- Vent keeps hands from getting sweaty
- Touchscreen thumb for scrolling
Cons
- Long skirt can irritate some wearers
When kids' hands get hot, the zippered vents on these gloves cool them down just enough. Much like their vented ski jacket, Burton's gloves are designed to be the ideal temperature no matter how cold it is or how much kids are working while wearing them.
Lined with brushed microfiber, the inside is soft, and you can't feel the seams, which bothers many kids. The shell is made from Dryride fabric, and the insulation is extra warm Thermacore ECO. They're double-cinched as well, keeping the cold out and the warmth in.
Burton's ski gloves have a great grip at the palm that lets kids hold their phones and utilize the touchscreen-sensitive thumb and forefinger with complete control. That same control is great for ski poles, and board grabs as well.
6
Best Cinched Option
REI Co-op Timber Mountain Gloves — Kids’
Pros
- Super adjustable
- Great grip for poles
Cons
- Not touchscreen-compatible
These are a truly solid pair of kids' ski gloves: waterproof, breathable, extremely comfortable, and darned warm. I love that REI has put dual cinches on these gloves — at the wrist and at the end of the cuff. This gives you a super customized fit that really blocks the snow from getting between the glove and the hand.
The gloves have loops for attaching them to one another, and the windproof inserts are included. The leatherette grip allows your child to grab the pole without feeling stiff.
Key Specs
| Material | Polyester exterior and polyurethane palm |
|---|---|
| Insulation | Synthetic |
| Touchscreen-Compatible? | No |
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
Best for Growing Toddlers
JAN & JUL Snow Mittens for Kids
7
Best for Growing Toddlers
JAN & JUL Snow Mittens for Kids
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Really warm (even when super wet)
- Great length for toddlers
Cons
- Hard to tuck in
Your toddler is going to grow out of these waterproof ski gloves in a heartbeat, so it makes sense that they should not cost a fortune. These gloves by Jan and Jul are fully lined with taped seams, a strong cinch at the wrist, a gripping hand, and catch loops to keep them together. Will that stop kids from losing them? Maybe not, but it can't hurt.
Key Specs
| Material | DWR finished polyester |
|---|---|
| Insulation | Synthetic |
| Touchscreen-Compatible? | No |
8
Best Patterns
Yidomto Winter Waterproof Gloves
Pros
- Pocket on the back
- Touchscreen-sensitive for iPhone use
Cons
- Not as durable as other on the list
I bought these for my daughter on a lark last year, and they're pretty darned great gloves. They have a pocket for hand warmers, a great grip, tech-sensitive fingers, and all the patterns and colors a kid could hope for. All that, and they're warmth rated for an astonishing -22ºF!
While I wouldn't say they're as durable as a Burton or a North Face, they're fabulous for a season ... or truly, just for building snowmen.
Key Specs
| Material | Cotton and thermoplastic polyurethane |
|---|---|
| Insulation | Synthetic |
| Touchscreen-Compatible? | Yes |
9
Best Mittens
MCTi Kids' Waterproof Winter Ski Mittens
Pros
- Incredibly durable
- Super soft inside, thanks to sherpa
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Not as breathable
A budget mitten with dual cinch is pretty impressive, and these are perfect for toddlers learning their way around the slopes. They are fully lined with sherpa, so they aren’t as breathable as some gloves are. But on a cold day? They’ll really keep fingers toasty.
The extra strong water-repellent nylon really takes a beating without taking damage as well. Thanks to the cinch and the strap, they keep the elements out and warmth in.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Pros
- Kid-friendly surfaces
- Double cinch is easy to use
Cons
- Not touchscreen-compatible
OK, we can all agree that there's something none of us want to discuss when it comes to cold-weather sports, but we need to: snot. Yup. Runny noses are a part of the game, and these gloves have a soft, cleanable spot for your kids to wipe. It's gross, but it's necessary.
Super warm, waterproof, and a soft cinch and durable ripstop nylon material make these a stellar choice for any little skier.
Key Specs
| Material | Ripstop nylon |
|---|---|
| Insulation | Thinsulate |
| Touchscreen-Compatible? | No |
