Mittens vs Gloves: Which Is Better for Your Child?

Mittens vs Gloves: Which Is Better for Your Child?

Choosing between ski mittens and gloves can make a big difference to how warm and comfortable your child is on the slopes.

So which is better? It depends on your child's age, ability and whether they tend to get cold hands.

Mittens

Mittens keep all the fingers together, which helps them retain warmth.

Pros:

• Generally warmer than gloves

• Fingers share body heat

• Easier for younger children to put on

• Great for children who get cold hands

• Ideal for snow play and beginner skiing

Cons:

• Less dexterity

• More difficult to grip ski poles

• Can be harder for children to fasten zips or adjust equipment

Best for: Younger children, beginners and children who struggle with cold hands.

Gloves

Gloves have individual finger compartments, giving children more freedom of movement.

Pros:

• Better dexterity

• Easier to grip ski poles

• Easier to handle zips, buckles and other equipment

• Good option for older or more experienced skiers

Cons:

• Usually less warm than mittens

• Individual fingers can get cold more quickly

• Can be harder for younger children to put on correctly

Best for: Older children, confident skiers and children who need more use of their fingers.

Which is warmer?

Mittens are generally warmer than gloves.

Keeping the fingers together allows them to share heat, whereas gloves separate each finger.

If your child regularly complains that their hands are cold, we'd recommend trying mittens first.

What about ski poles?

This is where gloves have an advantage.

Individual fingers make it easier to hold and control ski poles. However, most young children learning to ski can use poles perfectly well with mittens.

For very young children, poles may not be used at all, making mittens an even more practical choice.

Mittens vs gloves: quick comparison

So, what should you choose?

Choose mittens if your child is:

• Young

• A beginner

• Prone to cold hands

• Mainly skiing and playing in the snow

Choose gloves if your child is:

• Older

• A confident skier

• Comfortable using ski poles

• Likely to need more dexterity

Our recommendation

For most younger skiers, we'd choose mittens. Warmth is usually more important than dexterity, particularly when children are learning.

For older, more experienced children, gloves can be the better option if they prefer the extra movement and control.

Whichever you choose, make sure they fit properly. Gloves or mittens that are too tight can restrict movement and reduce warmth, while oversized ones can make it harder for your child to grip their poles.

Cold hands can ruin a ski day – so if you're choosing between warmth and dexterity, prioritise what your child needs most.