Are Heated Gloves Worth It?

Some Things To Consider Before You Buy.

If you google “heated gloves”, you’ll find two dozen brands in all price ranges. And more brands are advertised in ski magazines. It seems that many companies have jumped into the heated glove market. To make matters confusing, the descriptions all sound alike.

“Heated gloves that work well cost about $300 – $400” said Luke Larsen, owner of the Lift House, a premier Salt Lake City ski shop. “It’s the same technology as heated ski boots.”

Consider these tips before you invest in heated gloves.

• What about batteries? The battery should be located on top of the palm/wrist area and well covered by the glove’s insulation. Why? Batteries are heavy so it’s the best place to put them. And it’s also a good place for you to see the heat setting light. Be sure the battery in the brand you consider is well protected by glove material and not close to the surface. Batteries and wires must stay warm to work well. And check how long the battery should run between charges.
• How’s the plug? The battery recharger plug should be stout and easy to grasp. Plugs that you have to wiggle with can break with wear.
• Do these gloves make my hands look fat? Many women’s gloves boast a slim profile. That means less insulation. The battery and the wires must be kept warm to keep you warm.
• Try them on. Check how the gloves work with your jacket sleeve. Some gloves are slightly curved to make grasping a ski pole easier. Check your grasp. Heated mittens are warmer than heated gloves.
• Talk to other skiers. Look for skiers with a light on their gloves. It’s the give-away that they’re wearing heated gloves. Pick their brains.
• Buy from a ski shop with great service. A quality ski shop will go to bat for you if you have any problems.
• Follow the directions precisely. If you want the gloves to last, do exactly what the directions tell you about recharging, transporting and storing them off season. If they come with a case, use it. Heated gloves aren’t fragile, but they don’t deserve having a ski boot dropped onto the wires.

Here’s what skiers are saying about their heated gloves:

“Last year was the first year I used battery powered gloves for skiing, and they are the best. If my hands are warm, I am warm all over,” says Arlene Maginn of Hamilton, MA. “On medium setting, they last all day! They are Core Heat Snow Gloves, and I recommend them for all kinds of winter activities.”

Salt Lake City skier Laurie O’Connor agrees. She can stay toasty all day. However, instead of heated gloves, she opted for heated Thermo Gloves liners. That way she can wear different outer gloves.

Todd Reynolds, a commercial fisherman from sunny Florida, has heated Hestra gloves. “I love them” he said. “I’d freeze without them.”