We’ve tried and tested quite a few budget gloves over the years. While each has its merits, they always seem to come with caveats that make them more niche options. I think that the Storm Trooper II is the most well-rounded out of all the gloves I’ve tested in its price range.

Don’t say you never wondered. Before answering this question, we first need to know what type of glove is adapted to your style. From ski gloves to mitts through 3-finger mitts, their warmth can vary as well as their practicality. Aside from warmth, waterproofness is the second major factor that can make or break your days on the slopes. And not only does your glove need to keep snow from entering, it needs to let perspiration out from the inside.A final alternative is the 3-finger glove (also called a trigger or split-finger glove), which attempts to bring together the attributes of glove and mitten designs. In these gloves, the pointer finger and thumb have their own slots while your remaining fingers huddle together for warmth. We don’t often recommend this style (the Oyuki Pep GTX Trigger Mitt above is one exception) because we've found that freeing up your pointer finger isn’t a huge difference maker for dexterity, and that finger ends up just as cold as it would be in a standard glove. In this case, it doesn’t truly amount to the best of both worlds. The Oyuki Pep 3-finger gloves offer a nice combination of warmth and dexterity Materials: Leather vs. Synthetic

Touchscreen compatible liner glove, nose wipe, removable leash, glove clip, carabiner loop, cinchable gauntlet It's not easy to grab a tissue with your gloves on, so many models feature a soft patch of fabric on the thumb or pointer finger to help with your runny nose. Nose wipes are good in a pinch and the fabric helps to avoid irritation that you might get from doing the same thing with tough shell fabric. Of course, they lose their effectiveness when overused or when the temperature really drops, but they are a nice touch nevertheless. Leki's Trigger System (outlined below) offers sleek glove-to-pole attachment These gloves offer some of the best value on the market. That alone will make them good enough for certain skiers. They come in at an extremely low price point, and manage to skimp on that without losing any important characteristics. Not only do you save money, but you get water resistance, weather resistance, and great durability. These are easily tough enough to last for multiple seasons, which means they are a smart long-term investment. What I Like For fair-weather riders or for those of us who don’t ski in the alpine equivalent of swamplands- the Storm Trooper II should be more than enough to keep you warm and dry most days of the season. Durability and Materials I did quite a bit of research about the Storm Trooper II in anticipation of trying it out. Over and over again, I read the reports of reviewers surprised by how toasty these ski gloves kept their fingers on average ski days.It's 2023, so why wouldn't you want touch-screen sensitivity on your ski gloves? A number of manufacturers now offer exactly that (including The North Face's Montana), so that you can snap photos or videos without taking your gloves off. You'll most often find the technology, however, on thin gloves and liners where it's easier to incorporate, plus the thinner liners are more precise when typing. On some models, only pointer fingers and thumbs are touch-screen compatible. Overall, we consider this a nice feature if a model you like has it, but it's not the first factor we consider in selecting a glove. The Burton Gore-Tex glove is compatible with smartphone screens Any glove worth its salt needs to shine when the sun isn’t. Fortunately for all of us up in the country’s rainy corner, the Storm Trooper II is ready to weather whatever weather decides to roll through. Across all price ranges, you’ll have the choice between gloves that are made with or without removable liners. In general, gloves with removable liners will be slightly warmer but are a little bulkier and less dexterous. For us, the most compelling reason to choose a glove with a liner is that it’s more adaptable to different temperatures. You can wear the shell on a warm spring day and use both (or swap out other liners you may own) for the rest of the season. Another benefit is that it’s easier to dry out the gloves if they happen to get wet by separating the two pieces. And as a bonus, if you get a glove with thin liners (like the Dakine Titan), you can use them for activities like cold-weather running or driving. Removable liners may add bulk but they are certainly versatile Fit and Sizing You won’t find a more beautiful ski glove than the Hestra Fall Line 3-Finger. This all-leather, undercuff design with exposed stitching is a work of art. It’s a great tribute to Hestra’s long history of glove making, and in addition to skiing, the Fall Line 3-Finger and standard glove model are among our favorite options for everyday wear and work in the winter. It’s true that the Fall Line isn’t for everyone as warmth and water resistance fall noticeably short of the Oyuki Pep above (it’s best for mild days or those working up some heat), but you won’t find a better-made mitt. Period.

Stitching is a common point of failure in gloves, and is an easy indicator of their overall quality. The Storm Trooper II takes some major preventative measures in their stitching- the seams are hearty and have held up even when I’ve had to hold onto a sapling or two trying to sideslip into a sketchy, iced-over chute.Speed addicts, racers and slalomers, should definitely go for reinforced equipment like racing gloves or freestyle gloves which is welcome when you fall with integrated wrist guard. The price is rather steep. Yet if you can afford it, we think these gloves are worth the investment. While the single-glove design is great for resort skiing, the liner is not removable. Probably the most significant caveat for the ladies model is the unisex sizing runs large. Our main tester regularly wears a size Medium for most ski gloves but had to size down to a Small to achieve a proper fit. The fit is also somewhat wider than a normal women's glove, so those with super small hands may find the extra small unisex size does not fit. Concerns aside, if you're seeking excellent breathability, warmth, and dexterity, Fission is our top recommendation. If you're willing to give up some dexterity, we also love the Outdoor Research Arete II GTX gloves.