Don’t you hate it when you finally decide to get out of your comfort zone and enjoy something as extreme as snowmobiling, but the cold stops you? I know I do. That’s why, in this article, I’m going to present to you the best snowmobile gloves you could buy on the market right now and the difference between them.
Characteristics and Specs
When it comes to snowmobile gloves, there are some keywords you can look for when trying to buy the best ones. They also come with different features in them, for example, Gore-tex. This is the best technology you can find in gloves. Why is that? Because this is the greatest weatherproof technology in the industry.
These are guaranteed waterproof, windproof and they are also very breathable. They have great insulation and will make sure your hands will never be wet or cold. Even better: some of them even come with screen fingertips so you can also check your phone every now and then to make sure everything is good at your place. How convenient, right? You can’t be unsatisfied with one of those pairs. Sure, there are other very good variants like gloves with Aquatex technology, but you will definitely see the difference and will never want to switch from Gore-tex.
However, you should always read the descriptions. There are some gloves out there that are tailored to specific uses. For example, the “All season” mark means that the gloves will keep you warm and dry, but only in certain scenarios, like a sunny day with temperatures around 0-10° C.
Difference between different brands or price brackets
A quick search on the internet may shock you and may make you want to go to Walmart to check the prices there. My advice? Don’t. You will find some appealing and cheap options there, but you know how they say: you get what you pay for. Don’t expect something even near decent from those cheap ones. Yes, snowmobile gloves have a wide price range depending on what you want them to do. Some pairs go for 200$+.
You can get a good pair that will keep you warm and dry in the harsh weather under 100$, maybe even 50$ if you wait for some deals. However, you shouldn’t buy a pair just because it looks good and it’s cheap. Always inform yourself and the most essential part: look for reviews. Most of the people will leave their opinion on a product even if they are unsatisfied.
The best-rated brand by clients in this industry must be Outdoor Research. Most of those come with Gore-tex and they even look fancy as well, but the bad news is that these are some high-end gloves. A good pair is usually around 250$.
A cheaper variant to this is FXR. They will get the job done: keep you warm and dry for a really nice price as well, around 100$.
Materials
The question that is always asked about gloves is: which is the best material for warm and dry hands? Don’t panic! I’m going to answer that question as well. There are 2 different layers in a glove. The shell and the insulation. Usually, the shell is the one that is keeping your hands dry and the insulation is keeping your hands warm. The most used and the best shell is nylon because I repeat it, it makes the glove waterproof because it is a plastic fiber that doesn’t absorb water. Any water in a nylon fabric usually beads on the surface and can dry quickly.
The thicker the insulation is, the warmer your hands will be. If you are in a really cold area, you should look for about 300g of insulation. If you don’t need that much, you can always go for an all-purpose type of gloves. You should keep in mind that very thick gloves will lower your hand’s dexterity and even make them feel heavy.
An alternative for a lot of insulations is heated and rechargeable gloves. They became popular because of their tiny batteries that make gloves warm, light and will also increase your dexterity. Although they may seem very useless and fragile, these batteries will give you hours of heat to your hands and they also charge up really fast. Only consider those if they also come with a waterproof shell because too much water in the wrong places will definitely fry those batteries.
Sizes
Although this may seem like an obvious fact, always use the website’s size chart. Take your time and measure your hand, because a too big or too small size can really screw things up. If you are considering to buy a size up just to make sure it will fit the next year as well just in case your hands suddenly grow bigger, forget that.
Not only you will lose dexterity because of a too loose size, but your hands will also get cold because space will allow cold air to enter the glove and make you wonder why you spent hundreds of dollars on a useless piece of snowmobile gear. A size down means your gloves will be too tight and you guessed it, way too warm. This will make your hands sweaty and uncomfortable.
My advice is to go in a store and find out your size for your wanted brand, as it may vary from one to another then go online and order it at a much lower price because you will always find deals on the internet.
Function vs fashion
There isn’t much something to say about this. Nobody will look at your outfit in a critical behavior when you are snowmobiling, nor will they look at your gloves style. Sure, there are some skin-tight gloves that promise a lot, but in reality, they are only good when you layer them under a big and chunky pair of snowmobile gloves.
As for really stylish gloves like gloves made from leather, good luck reviving your hands after a round of snowmobiling with those on.
The best gloves you can buy
One of the best pairs out there is produced about a brand I’ve talked earlier about, Outdoor Research. I know I did already say how much these products cost and you are probably wondering if that much money is worth on a pair of gloves, but let me tell you some of the characteristics of them and you might change your mind.
The pair has 2 types of liner inside so no matter the weather, your hands can’t get cold. They also have the best technology out there, Gor-tex. If you are still not convinced, some of the stitching is made with Kevlar.
They are really easy to maneuver as well, as they weight about 400 grams. However, their minus is that they are mitts, so you will lose finger dexterity. The price is about 150$. You can buy them on Amazon, click here to check the current price.
Best Heated Snowmobile Gloves
Another good and interesting option is heated gloves, which I covered earlier as well. The Flambeau heated gloves have everything you’ve ever wished for. They are warm, waterproof and they have a long lasting battery despite its size. However, don’t be too impressed the time it says on paper. No matter how you set them, you can’t get 5 and a half hours out of them.
The average lasting time is about 4 hours. Yes, you heard me right, you can also mess with 2 settings depending on your mood of snowmobiling. Do you want a short but very comfortable and warm ride? Set them at a high temperature. Do you want to spend the whole day relaxing on a snowmobile? Set them for an average temperature and they should last long enough.
If you really want about more than 4-5 hours, you can always combine those with a liner or a vapor barrier just to make sure you will stay warm all the time. They are cheaper than the first pair linked, and if you prefer some technology instead, these are the ones for you. The price is about 90$. I will leave the link to buy those as well: click here
The last pair that I wanted to talk about is for all the people on a budget that are looking for some gloves that are getting the job done. My recommendation will be Carhartt Cold Snap Insulated Work Gloves. They are both practical and stylish looking. The shell is made from polyester, providing a tough, wind and water-resistant outer. They have some goat leather insertions, that make the design even more pleasant. Light and comfortable at only 250 grams, the Carahartt Cold Snap Insulated Work Gloves make a perfect pair for recreational purposes. The brand is also well known for quality made products. The price is about 35$ on Amazon: click here
Conclusion
Snowmobile gloves come in a lot of colors, shapes and even materials. They are an investment that is worth making in order to waste money every year on a new pair because the last one broke or is not warm enough for the new season. I did tell you my opinion on some of them, but you should buy the ones that fit your style and need. What pair of gloves do you own and what is your overall opinion about them?
