That's La Plagne
Mittens vs. Gloves, Choosing the Right Handwear for Your Little Skiers
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As someone who has chosen to live in the French Alps to raise my kids, I know that skiing is an exciting winter activity that the whole family can enjoy! And getting your kids started on the slopes early can create lasting memories. As you prepare for your children's first skiing adventure, one thing that a lot of parents are concerned about is making sure their ski kids are warm and comfortable in their ski gear.
I’ve written before about how to get kids comfortable wearing ski clothing, from ski goggles to ski boots. But today, I wanted to answer a debate that I hear a lot. It’s one that my husband and I are in the middle of right now: ski mittens or ski gloves. Which is the right choice for your kids?
Let's break down the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
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Ski gloves vs mittens for ski kids
For young children who are new to skiing, mittens are generally recommended over gloves. Mittens keep the fingers together in a shared space, which helps to keep them warmer by allowing the fingers to share body heat. This is especially beneficial for young children who may not be as adept at keeping their fingers warm on their own.
Additionally, mittens provide a larger surface area for insulation, which can contribute to better overall hand warmth. They are also easier for young children to put on and take off independently, which can be helpful when dealing with the various aspects of getting geared up for skiing.
However, it does also come down to personal choice. So before I rule in favour of ski mittens for little ski kids, I do want to look at the pros and cons of gloves and mittens so you can make the right decision for your little ski hounds!
Ski Mittens: Embracing Cosy Warmth and Ease of Use
Pros
- Better Warmth: Mittens keep the fingers together, sharing body heat and providing superior warmth—especially crucial for those little hands exposed to the winter chill.
- Easier to Put On: Dressing your young skiers can be a challenge, but mittens make the process a breeze. Their simplicity allows even the youngest adventurers to gear up independently.
- Larger Insulation Surface: Mittens offer a larger area for insulation, ensuring that your kids' hands stay toasty throughout their skiing escapades.
- Good for Beginners: Young children who are still developing their fine motor skills find mittens more forgiving. The shared space for fingers makes it easier for beginners to adapt to handwear.
- Snowboarding: If your kids are learning to snowboard, mittens are a good option because they will be using their hands less. It’s easy to strap up a board in mittens and then, when they are standing or moving down the slopes, their hands are quite stationary. Mittens will keep them warmer than ski gloves. I wear mittens when snowboarding for this reason.
Cons
- Less Dexterity: While mittens provide warmth, they may limit finger movement, making intricate tasks a bit challenging for the more adventurous young skiers. This is the problem my 7-year-old is now having as he is a more advanced skier and needs more movement in his fingers.
- Not Ideal for Warmer Days: On exceptionally warm days, mittens might be overkill, potentially leading to sweaty hands and discomfort.
Ski Gloves: Balancing Dexterity and Versatility
Pros
- Better Dexterity: As children grow and their fine motor skills develop, gloves become a viable option, offering more individual finger movement for tasks that demand dexterity. Remember, this is not necessarily about age, but about skiing ability.
- Suitable for Warmer Days: Gloves, with their breathable design, are perfect for milder weather conditions, providing comfort without overheating. You can also find lightweight gloves – like you can find a shell jacket with less insulation – that are better on warmer, spring skiing days.
- Versatility: Beyond the slopes, gloves are versatile winter accessories that can be used for various activities, making them a practical investment.
Cons
- Less Warmth: The individual finger compartments in gloves mean less shared body heat, making them potentially less warm than mittens.
- If you do opt for ski gloves, but struggle with cold, then you can get very thin, glove liners. They are often made of merino wool or silk and super lightweight and they really do make a difference. I have a pair myself!
- Harder for Young Kids: Younger children might find gloves trickier to manage independently due to the separate finger compartments.
5 Top tips for picking good ski gloves or mittens
- Regardless of gloves or mittens, make sure your kid's gloves come with a wrist strap! Anything that can be attached to your kid should be to avoid losing it off a chairlift! The best wrist straps come with an elastic loop that fits comfortably over a wrist and then a strap about 20 cm in length to provide enough movement to take them on and off comfortably.
- Make sure the mittens or gloves are waterproof and insulated to protect your children's hands from the cold and snow. You can waterproof leather gloves with a balm and material gloves you can wash with something like the Nixwax products. We use this for all the kid's ski gear.
- It's also a good idea to have an extra pair on hand in case the first pair gets wet – which they will!
- If you can get your kids onboard with wearing their gloves, you’re winning! Involved them in the buying process, whether that’s picking the colour or finding something with their favourite animal or cartoon characters. It will help them keep them safe and keep wearing them.
- Pop a small carabiner on your kid's salopettes or jacket. At lunchtime, you can loop their gloves onto the carabiner (along with their helmet, goggles, etc). It keeps everything securely together and stops random items from getting left behind.
- For very small kids, look for gloves that have a large wrist sleeve, usually with a zip. It makes them easier to put on and zip over their ski jacket sleeve, making sure no skin is exposed to the harsh, winter conditions.
That’s La Plagne answering whether ski gloves or ski mittens are right for you
The choice between mittens and gloves depends on various factors. For the youngest skiers, mittens offer warmth and ease of use, while gloves become a more viable option as children grow older and gain dexterity.
Consider your child's age, ski ability, the weather conditions, and their preferences when making the final decision. Whichever you choose, the right handwear will ensure your little ones stay warm and comfortable on the slopes, creating unforgettable memories for years to come.
You can shop the whole ski gloves and mittens lists here.
See you on the slopes!
