When it comes to snowboarding, you can’t rely on any old pair of winter gloves unless you want to risk severely damaging your hands due to a lack of protection from the elements or from impact with the ground.
The best snowboarding gloves for women will keep your hands warm at the coldest temperatures while remaining breathable enough that you don’t sweat too much or overheat. They’ll also keep your hands dry while giving you enough dexterity to adjust your boots or bindings without much fuss.
Below, we’ve assessed six pairs of gloves from some of the most well-regarded names in the business. Read on to find out our top recommendations for women’s snowboarding gloves this season.
Best Women’s Snowboarding Gloves
- Hestra Heli 3-Finger Snowboarding Gloves (Top Pick)
- Swamy X-Cell 2.1 Snowboarding Gloves
- Oyuki Haika 3-in-1 Snowboarding Gloves
- Dakine Camino Snowboarding Gloves
- Burton Gore-Tex Snowboarding Gloves (Budget Buy)
- Black Diamond Guide Finger Snowboarding Gloves (High End)
Compare Top Snowboarding Gloves For Women
| Snowboarding Gloves | Overall Score | Bottom Line | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Hestra Heli 3-Finger | 92 | 
Superb all-rounders that balance warmth with dexterity. | Check Out On Amazon |
Swamy X-Cell 2.1 | 87 | The best pick for mittens lovers. | Check Out On Amazon |
Oyuki Haika 3-in-1 | 88 | Supremely versatile gloves that can be used outside of snowboarding. | Check Out On Evo |
Dakine Camino | 80 | Great gloves for those on a budget. | Check Out On Amazon |
Burton Gore-Tex | 81 | 
A solid offering from the biggest names in snowboarding and waterproof technology. | Check Out On Amazon |
Black Diamond – Guide Finger | 83 | 
A robust 3-fingered glove at a higher price point. | Check Out On Amazon |
Detailed Analysis Of The Best Women’s Snowboarding Gloves
1. Hestra Heli 3-Finger Snowboarding Gloves
Overall Score: 92
Advantages
- Hybrid design gives the warmth of mittens but with extra dexterity
- Army goat leather is extremely hard-wearing
Disadvantages
- Optional battery-powered heat liners are eye-wateringly expensive
Warmth
It’s an age-old debate in the snowboarding world – finger gloves or mittens?
It’s a trade-off between the extra dexterity you get from being able to move all your fingers independently or the extra warmth of having your fingers all bundled up together.
3-fingered gloves like the Hestra Heli 3-Finger let you split the difference. The Helis are made from a lightweight polyester that’s a superb insulator and feature a removable yet toasty Bemberg fleece liner.
They also come with a snow lock around the wrists to keep the heat in and the cold out.
Water Resistance
The backhand of the Helis is constructed from Hestra’s Triton fabric, a breathable, waterproof 3-layer polyamide fabric that completely keeps the elements out.
The palm and fingers are constructed from Army Goat Leather which is also extremely good at repelling water and keeping your hands dry.
With the snow lock keeping out any stray flakes, you’ll have no issue keeping dry in a pair of these.
Dexterity
As we mentioned above, while 3-fingered snowboarding gloves don’t offer quite as much dexterity as 5-fingered gloves, they’re far more dexterous than mittens.
While it’s down to personal preference, some of us find mittens are far too fiddly when it comes to adjusting binding straps or grabbing something from your bag, and these eliminate that frustration.
You can remove the outer layer while still wearing the liner for fiddly tasks, and even if you do need to remove the gloves for some reason, the wrist straps make life much easier when it comes to putting them back on.
The leather is nice and supple and breaks in easily, and the Eagle Grip design follows the curve of your hand to make it easier to grip things.
Durability
The Helis are definitely durable and stood up to our tests out on the slopes.
Hesta’s specially-treated Army Goat Leather is the same stuff used to make military gloves – hence the name – so you can guarantee it can take a beating.
The backhand fabric is also high-quality and durable, so while it might not take as much punishment as the leather palms, it’ll still stand the test of time.
Price
At around $150, the Hesta Helis aren’t cheap, but you’re getting what you pay for.
There are plenty of other gloves out there, some of which are on this list, that can cost 20% more for the same features or less, so if you’re willing to invest in gear that you know will stand the test of time, it’s a justifiable cost.
If you’re someone who really struggles with the cold, the Helis are also compatible with Hesta’s battery-powered heated liner, although it’s worth mentioning that these liners alone cost more than double the price of the original gloves.
2. Swamy X-Cell 2.1 Snowboarding Gloves (Best Mittens)
Overall Score: 87
Advantages
- Exceedingly warm
- Self-drying inner liner
Disadvantages
- Hard to clean when dirty
Warmth
Swamy’s X-Cell mittens are some of the warmest you’ll find. Aside from the extra warmth associated with mittens, they feature the Tri-Plex Alpha insulation system, a DynaTherm lining, and a Volcotek heat shield.
There’s a vent if your hands get too warm and a heat pocket with a zip so you can insert hand warmers if the temperature drops dramatically.
Water Resistance
The Triplex Alpha insulation is breathable and a hundred percent waterproof, so you can be sure your hands don’t get wet from either snow or sweat.
However, it’s the built-in liner of the X-Cells that’s particularly impressive. Aside from being super comfortable, the glove linings are great at absorbing moisture and generating heat.
Combined, it means that if your hands get wet, you can pop them straight back into your gloves, and before long, they’ll be bone dry and warm again.
Dexterity
Being mittens, the X-Cells are naturally more cumbersome than 3 or 5-fingered snowboarding gloves. These gloves’ inner liner is 5-fingered; however, this would be more helpful if the liner was removable.
It’s a slightly strange design choice as while it adds to the warmth of the gloves, it means they remain a bit bulky, and they’re not very good when making fine motor movements like grabbing or pinching objects.
Durability
The X-Cells use smooth grain Nubuck leather which, while supple and soft, aren’t as hard-wearing as the leather used in the Hesta Helis.
They’re still relatively durable and should last at least a few seasons, but it’s also worth noting that the lighter-colored variants got dirty pretty quickly and were challenging to clean.
Price
The most expensive gloves on this list, the X-Cells, are worth the nearly $200 price tag if you’re set on high-quality mittens-style gloves.
That being said, if you’re willing to forgo some of the fancier features, you could pick up a perfectly serviceable pair of mittens for half the price.
3. Oyuki Haika 3-in-1 Snowboarding Gloves (Most Versatile)
Overall Score: 88
Advantages
- Perfect for multiple climates and activities
- Made from highly durable leather
Disadvantages
- Inner layer isn’t completely waterproof
Warmth
The Haika is marketed as a 3-in-1 glove, and Oyuki aren’t kidding.
The glove’s inner and outer layers can be worn independently, which can be a great way to regulate hand temperature while ensuring they remain dry and protected.
The inner glove is made from super breathable Gore-Tex Infinium with Windstopper technology which is incredibly effective at stopping wind chill, and the outer is made from premium goat leather with a tricot lining.
Wearing both layers is effective at keeping your hands warm and dry all day long, but you’d probably want to add hand warmers in extreme temperatures.
Water Resistance
The high-quality goat leather used for the outer glove is treated with Nikwax making the Haika’s completely waterproof, and the YKK zip cuffs make a nice watertight seal, even when you’re wearing them without the inner gloves.
The inner glove is made of a type of Gore-Tex that’s water-resistant but not waterproof, which means you won’t want to wear them without the outer glove if you plan on getting your hands wet.
Dexterity
Dexterity and versatility are where the Haika 3-in-1 gloves really shine.
The palms of the inner and outer gloves are made from strong but supple leather, and using your fingers independently, even when you’re wearing both layers, makes handling objects or adjusting your bindings a straightforward affair.
The fingers feature external seams that offer an even greater degree of movement than most gloves, and if you’re attempting an especially fiddly task, you can simply whip off the outer glove.
The inner gloves also have sticky silicon finger pads and touch-screen tips on the fingers so you can use your cell phone while keeping your hands warm and dry.
Durability
As we covered with the Hesta Helis, goatskin leather is incredibly tough and durable and it’s used by Oyuki with great effect in the Haikas.
The silicon grip on the fingers of the inner glove and the use of leather for the palm means they’re nearly as robust as the hardy outer gloves.
Also, using leather for the entire glove rather than just the palms means you’re far less likely to tear the glove’s backhand if you get it caught on a rock or tree branch.
Price
Costing a little more than the Hesta Helis, you’re getting many of the same great premium features, so they’re great value for money when you remember you’re getting genuine leather and waterproof Gore-Tex.
Ultimately, choosing between the two depends on how you intend to use them.
4. Dakine Camino Snowboarding Gloves
Overall Score: 80
Advantages
- Perfect for a lower budget
- 3-in-1 for versatility
Disadvantages
- Outer shell can absorb water and freeze
Warmth
The Camino gloves from Dakine are also 3-in-1 gloves with a removable inner fleece liner that you can keep inside for maximum warmth.
Although there are warmer gloves on this list, the Caminos come with an internal heat pocket for hand warmers if you’re really feeling the cold.
You can also close the cuff tightly to keep out wind and snow on the mountain.
Water Resistance
While the DWR-treated outer shell is listed as waterproof, water-resistant is probably more accurate. Strangely, the inner liner was far more effective at repelling water.
This means that you’re better off wearing both layers if you want your hands to be completely dry, but there’s a chance the outer shell may get heavier when it gets wet, and you could lose dexterity when the absorbed water freezes.
Dexterity
While the Caminos also come in mitten form, the 5-finger version offers much better dexterity, and removing the outer shell makes it much easier to tie your boots, adjust bindings or use zippers.
The inner glove is also touch-screen compatible for when you need to use your phone. As mentioned above, if the outer shell gets too wet, it may freeze in extra-cold conditions.
Durability
The outer shell of the Dakine Caminos is made from a blend of new and recycled polyester with a Rubbertec palm.
Treated polyester is a highly durable material that’s great for snowboarding gloves as long as the stitching is good enough, an issue you don’t have to worry about with Dakine but would need to keep an eye out for when buying polyester gloves from less-reputable brands.
It’s not as durable as leather, but it’s definitely more wallet-friendly.
Price
At around the $50 mark full-price, this is probably the cheapest pair of brand-new gloves you’ll find that still meet the standards for reliable and durable snowboarding gloves.
While you’ll miss out on some premium features at this price point, they’re still a stellar choice for those who can’t justify dropping $100+ on gloves.
5. Burton Gore-Tex Snowboarding Gloves
Overall Score: 81
Advantages
- Highly waterproof
- Excellent dexterity
Disadvantages
- Inner liner wore down easily
Warmth
Burton’s Gore-Tex gloves feature RSD Down 550 GGD 90/10 Thermcore insulation with Gore Warm Technology inserts which will keep all but the most cold-blooded hands warm out on the mountain.
They also feature a hand warmer pocket that doubles as an air vent for extra temperature management, and the Gore-Tex tech ranks incredibly high at protecting from wind chill.
Water Resistance
The name Gore-Tex is synonymous with water-resistant materials, so it should be no surprise that these are great at repelling water.
The four-way stretch fleece liner is also extremely quick-drying and superb at wicking away excess sweat from your hands.
Dexterity
The Burton Gore-Tex gloves have a good amount of give to them, and the five individual fingers make it easy to adjust your boots and bindings on the go.
The gloves are listed as being usable with touch-screens, but we did find they only worked intermittently compared to some of the other gloves we tried, which worked consistently throughout the day.
Durability
While not as durable as real leather, Burton’s faux leather is still highly durable, and the outer shell of the gloves should stand up to almost anything.
However, the inner liner didn’t feel as durable, and after a week, it appeared to be wearing down slightly. They were also tricky to separate from the outer shell and get back in, which was somewhat frustrating.
Price
At around $120, the Burton Gore-Tex are still in the premium glove category, but we think it’s worth spending a little extra for real leather.
6. Black Diamond Guide Finger Snowboarding Gloves
Overall Score: 83
Advantages
- Versatile construction using leather and nylon
- Hybrid mitten 3-finger design
Disadvantages
- More expensive than slightly better alternatives
Warmth
The Guide Finger gloves from Black Diamond feature a Polartec fleece lining and a leather-padded nylon shell.
The result is gloves that keep you warm on a regular snow day but won’t stand up to extreme temperatures.
If they had a hand warmer pocket, they’d likely be fine in exceptionally cold temperatures, and while you could slip some between the layers, it won’t be particularly comfortable.
Having said that, the 3-finger configuration provides the extra warmth that would be lost in a 5-finger configuration.
Water Resistance
The Guide Finger gloves also use Gore-Tex inserts, which are highly breathable while remaining one hundred percent waterproof.
The leather on the exterior also does a great job of keeping your hands dry even before any moisture makes its way to the second layer.
Dexterity
While we prefer the Hestra Helis in a straight comparison, Black Diamond also uses a 3-finger configuration that offers extra warmth similar to mittens but provides the extra dexterity of having your index finger free for pinching, pulling, and gripping.
It’s still our favorite style of ski gloves, although we appreciate it’s not to everyone’s taste.
Durability
Black Diamond are known for making hard-wearing gloves, and these are no exception.
The nylon outer shell is abrasion-resistant but also covered with goat skin leather along the back of the hand, fingertips, and palm.
A nice extra touch is the foam padding that covers the knuckles, which protects your hands from impacts while also protecting the gloves themselves from potential damage.
Price
At just shy of $200, the Guide Fingers aren’t bad value for money, considering the real leather shell and Gore-Tex liners, but when compared to the alternatives, there are better gloves out there around the same price point.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, as long as your gloves keep you warm and dry while snowboarding, the other features usually come down to personal choice.
Some folks love the ability to insert hand warmers, whereas others run hot anyway and don’t need them.
Some people don’t like the restrictive nature of mittens, whereas others swear by the extra warmth they provide. As long as you’re safe out on the mountain with reliable equipment, the rest is up to you.