If you’re planning on hitting the slopes but are worried about your hands getting cold (perhaps you have Reynaud’s, poor circulation or just don’t like the cold!), then heated ski mittens could be a great option for you.
But how do you choose the best heated ski mittens from the array on offer?
Ideally you are looking for a mittens that offer a number of different heat settings (so you can regulate temperature for your own personal comfort) and long (and reliable!) battery life, and good dexterity. All without breaking the bank!
For those reasons, the Seirus Heat Touch Hellfire Mitt could be exactly what you are after!
Other contenders like the Volt Heated Mittens (in our opinion, the best budget heated ski mitts) and Snow Deer mittens may be better for you depending on your needs. Let’s discuss each of our picks in detail.
Seirus Hellfire – Best Heated Ski Mittens
The Hellfire is one of the most in-depth heated mittens on the market. Each glove is waterproof, has increased gripping capabilities, and contains a lithium-ion battery that warms each hand.
The battery life lasts about twelve hours on low and eight hours on medium. Seirus features separate mitten designs for men and women, though each is adjustable.
The Hellfire is made mostly of leather with softshell and ToughTek non-slip fabric on the palms. These material choices keep your hands flexible and breathable while staying warm. The heating pads in each mitten drape across the back of the hand, wrapping around to your fingertips. Each is secured with a cinched cuff and adjustable buckles.
Seirus covers all the bases for a good pair of heated ski mittens, but they aren’t perfect. The package comes with an Ultra 3000 battery charger, but no storage case or other accessories. There are only a few heat settings and not many size options to choose from.
If you’re new to skiing or not interested in lifelong equipment, you might find the price a bit daunting. The Hellfire is the most expensive option on this list, though it does work best overall. Unfortunately, a high price like that is the only thing keeping it from being ideal.
Volt – Best Budget Heated Ski Mittens
Volt’s 7-volt heated mitts are made with waterproof, breathable membranes. The design features heating pads on the palm and back of the hand, including the fingertips and thumb. Each mitten contains a lithium-ion battery that runs for 8 hours at the lowest setting. The model is one-size-fits-most and has the standard cinched cuff and buckle for further tweaks.
These gloves have leather palms and durable nylon outsides. The thicker materials make maneuvering a little rougher than other fits, so I recommend using these with more casual sports. On the other hand, the light design eliminates bulk, so your hands may not feel as sluggish when wearing these compared to other gloves.
The mittens have four heat settings as opposed to the usual three, which is nice for customizing your usage. In addition, the price sits just above $100, making it an exceptional budget choice. The friendly price makes this model a fantastic option for newcomers to skiing or light hobbyists.
Unfortunately, while the price tag is pleasant, you may experience wavering reliability with Volt mittens. The batteries die quickly on high settings, and the gloves aren’t easy to adjust or maneuver with. However, the dual heating pads and four temperature settings are great. I suggest using these for cold, casual evenings rather than extreme winter sports.
Outdoor Research Lucent Heated Mittens
The Outdoor Research Lucent Heated Mittens are an all-around good pick with several advantages over the others. To begin, this model comes in more size options than the previous choices. The mittens are also unisex, meaning that you won’t have to worry about ordering the wrong configuration.
The lithium-ion inner battery runs for about eight hours on low settings and two-and-a-half hours on high settings. The gloves come with a clip, removable leashes, and a leather storage case for your convenience.
The palms are made of a mix of fleece and leather while the backs are made of nylon. They’re waterproof, windproof, and dry quickly. One of the outstanding features of the Outdoor Research mittens is the touchscreen-compatible fingertips. Despite the various size choices, these mitts have no adjusting buckles. Be sure to assess your size carefully before purchasing.
While the price is still a bit on the expensive side, the Lucent mittens have a large list of perks like size options, a storage case, and a lifetime warranty. However, different sizes and no buckles mean that these gloves aren’t universal. The maximum battery life could be a lot higher, too, especially for the price.
Day Wolf Heated Ski Mittens
The Day Wolf mittens are another budget choice, but they do not compromise as much regarding quality. These mitts are made of odor-resistant sheep leather with velvet linings. They have lithium-ion batteries that can hold a charge for up to three hours in the warmest setting. The heating pads cover the back of the hand, fingers, and fingertips, but not the palm.
The Day Wolf heated mittens come in seven different sizes, and the design features zippers, velcro, and adjustable buckles to further tighten or loosen. This makes it one of the most diverse and malleable sizing selections, which is perfect for those who are particular about their fit. Unfortunately, these aren’t the most dextrous mittens on the market.
This product falls short in a few ways, one of which is the maximum battery life. Even on the lowest heat setting, the Day Wolf mittens only last for six hours. The materials aren’t the most flexible for winter sports, and cotton insulation isn’t preferred. However, the low price point makes investing in these mittens justifiable despite their flaws.
Savior Heated Mittens
The Savior heated mittens have a divergent heating wire design that arches over your hand, heating the inside to up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. There are double the wires in the thumb, so this design is especially helpful for customers who are dissatisfied by cold thumbs in other gloves. These mitts come in seven sizes and have three different heat settings.
The mittens are made primarily of polyester with nylon elements. While this does make them lightweight, they aren’t especially durable. The batteries are lithium-polymer batteries, which have a smaller lifespan compared to lithium-ion batteries. Even still, the hand gear maintains heat for up to seven hours on its lowest setting.
The outer coating is waterproof and wind-proof, and the grip is designed to prevent slipping. As a bonus, these Savior mittens come with a carry bag and a user manual.
The low price makes these another budget option for those who do not want to invest too much in skiing gear. While they are lightweight and have decent all-around specs, the product’s heating wire design is its most critical flaw. It will not heat the palm, fingers, or fingertips especially well, even during short excursions. They do not insulate well either.
Snow Deer Heated Mittens
The Snow Deer heated mittens are similar to the Savior mittens but with a few improvements. The heating pads cover the back of the hand, fingers, and fingertips, but not the palms. These mitts also have 7-volt lithium-polymer batteries that heat up to six hours. The mittens come in seven sizes ranging from XS to XXXL.
They are made of sheep leather and wind-resistant polyester. The Snow Deer mittens are only water-resistant, not waterproof. This design has illuminating strips on the back of the hand, making it easier to find the gloves in dark places. A zipper pocket and cinched cuff make storage and adjustment easy. The package also comes with a user manual and a carrying bag.
Snow Deer’s heated mittens are an economical choice with a few perks, including a generous size range, carrying bag, and illuminating strips. However, its low maximum battery life and lack of palm heating are frustrating to use. I recommend investing in a second battery pack when using this hand gear for long periods.
In addition, these aren’t true mittens. They have finger spaces on the inside much like gloves, so your maneuverability for warmth and sport is limited. Thankfully, there is a one-year warranty on Snow Deer products to make up for it.
Black Diamond Solano Heated Mitts
The Solano heated mitts are similar to the Outdoor Research models. They are true mittens with three different heat settings and a battery life of about six hours. Black Diamond’s hand gear is made with several layers of insulation that create a durable and warm covering. They come in five sizes, ranging from XS to XL.
Goat leather primarily comprises the mitts, and special gripping nylon is applied on top of the palm. The design is fully waterproof and breathable, and a nylon gauntlet cuff aids size adjustments. Inner heating pads warm the back of the hand, fingers, and thumb.
Our primary complaint with this Black Diamond model is where the battery insert is located. It occupies a large, bulky section right at the wrist, which makes these mittens slightly inflexible. In addition, the price is quite expensive compared to other choices, and the small size range doesn’t accommodate people with exceptionally large hands.
However, the Solano has a few perks, one being its packaged extras. The mittens come with a carrying case and charger as well as three different converters for outlets across the Atlantic. This makes the Solano one of the most universally-friendly choices in terms of recharging the battery. If you prefer slopes in Germany, these mittens make a nice choice.
Buying Guide
Since heated mittens can be expensive, it’s crucial to understand what separates a good pair from a bad one. Let’s briefly discuss some of the pertinent qualities of mitts and what you should look for when choosing them.
Material
Heated mitten material matters for many different reasons. Most importantly, some textiles are warmer and more insulative than others. Leather is a popular choice because it is airy and traps heat inside. The heavier a material is, the bulkier each mitten feels. However, if you choose cheap, lightweight materials like nylon, the mitts may not be very durable.
When choosing a mitten material, think about the circumstances you will use them for. If you want to brave harsh colds or ski often, I suggest thicker, more durable materials. If you want a simple hand warmer, lighter mittens will work better. In addition, thicker materials are more expensive, so consider how much you are willing to spend on heated hand gear.
Battery Life
The battery life of your mitten will determine and limit the extent of your excursions. Most mittens have maximum battery lives of at least six hours, but some have as many as eight or nine. Keep in mind that a spare, fully-charged battery can circumvent this value at the cost of some convenience.
If you are spending long periods out in the cold, I suggest mittens with long battery lives. If you would rather ski intensely in short bursts and recharge in between, you can afford a shorter battery pair.
Heat Settings
Most mittens have three heat settings: low, medium, and high. The low configuration heats to around one hundred degrees Fahrenheit and the high heats to about one hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit. However, some pairs have four settings to help you better customize your preferred heat.
Perhaps more importantly than the heat is where the heating wires are positioned. Heated mittens have heating pads in places such as the back of the hand, fingers, palm, fingertips, and thumb. If you have Raynaud’s Disease, you will want to prioritize fingertip heating. If a part of your hand is thermally sensitive, buy hand gear that heats that area adequately.
Dexterity
Dexterity often goes hand-in-hand with the material. However, many mittens are made of different materials for the palm and back. Furthermore, some heated mittens are not true mittens because they have glove-like inserts that restrict your fingers. Lastly, the placement of the battery holder on heated mittens can determine your wrist flexibility.
If you’re skiing or enjoying winter sports, you’ll want dextrous mitts that don’t inhibit movement. Go for a pair of true mittens with breathable, stretchable materials. If you are looking for hand warmers, you won’t mind sacrificing some mobility.
Price
Lastly, price is always worth considering. Heated gloves typically range from one hundred to five hundred dollars. The more serious you are about skiing, the more critical large hand gear investments become. If you’re a newcomer or hobbyist, I suggest starting with a cheaper model and moving to a more expensive one over time.
When looking at prices, factor in warranties, which protect your investments. Many heated mittens have lifetime or one-year insurance, resulting in less money wasted. It never hurts to buy an insured product in case of a shipping mishap or unexpected damage.
With all of these qualities in mind, you can shop for the best heated ski mittens for you.
