Even now, snowboarding remains one of the most engaging and popular outdoor activities for people. But, for the perfect snowboarding experience, you need the right gear.
Many people opt to forgo buying snowboard mittens with wrist guards in favor of any regular gloves they can get their hands on.
However, your choice of snowboarding gloves is more important than you might think.
Everything from mitten style and cuff style to material and even glove designs go a long way in ensuring you have maximum protection.
Table of Contents
5 Awesome Mittens and Gloves with Built-in Protection
1. SKYDEER Waterproof and Windproof Ski Gloves – Best Overall
The Skydeer Waterproof and Windproof Ski Gloves have so many technical perks that it doesn’t come as a surprise that they have so many positive customer reviews! Let’s take a closer look at this pair of snowboarding gloves to see just what they bring to the table.
From the outside, you’re greeted with genuine Deerskin leather. They are 100% waterproof and come fitted with a removable liner as well.
What this means is that your hands get ample warmth and extensive protection from the elements.
If you’re still learning the trick to snowboarding or skiing and you get wet a lot, the water resistance the built-in wrist guard affords you will ensure that you stay dry throughout the exercise!
Because these snowboard gloves also absorb impact and vibration efficiently, professionals who enjoy aggressive snowboarding love this Skydeer product as well. They also have a nice drawstring closure, making them so comfortable to wear.
These gloves are an all-round great choice!
Because these snowboard gloves also absorb impact and vibration efficiently, professionals who enjoy aggressive snowboarding are partial to this Skydeer product as well.
It also boasts a nice drawstring closure, the only one to do so on this list. That makes it one of the most comfortable gloves you can wear.
The Skydeer offers good service when used either as snowboarding gloves or skiing gloves. Little wonder ski professionals all over the world trust it so completely.
Pros
- Excellent palm protection
- Adjustable wrist cinch makes them easy to wear
- Removable fleece liner means their easy to clean
Cons
- Tend to get uncomfortably warm on hotter days
2. Tofern Unisex Windproof Waterproof Soft Skiing Mittens – Best Runner Up
Coming in a close second are the Tofern Unisex skiing mittens. While it doesn’t boast all the amazing specs of the Skydeer, the features it does put on display are not to be scoffed at at all.
Made from polyurethane leather and premium polyester, the Tofern Unisex Windproof Waterproof Soft Skiing Mittens are some of the best that you can buy.
Snowboarding and skiing are action-packed snow sports, meaning that you need to have the right level of protection. Thanks to their 1-double density material, flexible plastic, and cuff gauntlet cinch straps, you get top-tier water and windproof performance.
With five different layers of thermal design, they keep heat in and water out. Not to mention, the high-grade 180G thermolite imbues it with resilience and affords you maximum protection.
The Tofern mitten offering is a splendid glove in its own right. However, the conspicuous absence of removable glove liners means that the Skydeer will almost always be favored over it.
On the bright side, it does go for a little less. So, that makes up for any perceived shortcomings.
Pros
- Excellent protection from the freezing cold
- Offers superior grip and easy cuff gauntlet adjustment
Cons
- Doesn’t feature removable glove liners
3. HANDLANDY Winter Snowboarding Mittens – Best Budget
If you’re looking for affordable and practical, then the Handlandy Winter Snowboarding Mittens are something you should definitely consider!
Coming in at nearly half the price of its predecessors on this list, it sheds most of the fancy trappings you get with those mittens to give you a highly efficient shield against the cold.
Their simple profile design and breathable materials ensure that they will keep you warm and free of wrist injuries while snowboarding or skiing.
The cow leather palm of this pair of snowboarding gloves provides you with that extra grip and comfort that you need in order to shine on the snow.
The back of these mittens has been specially treated to block moisture and provide an added layer of warmth when it’s very cold.
Another perk of these wrist guard snowboard gloves is that they enhance bone congruence and improve your dexterity.
Any product review of this particular item will reveal that it’s one of the best purchases for skiers who don’t want to spend too much on advanced features.
The slide-on design and unique gauntlet-style cuff ensure extensive wrist protection. They also come in a variety of colors to suit your personal style and preferences.
While you might not be able to get the same level of use out of this glove as you would the Skydeer or the Tofern, you still get very good value for every dime you spend on this mitten!
Pros
- Keep nimble fingers flexible
- Nice waterproof nylon back
Cons
- Not very durable
- Cotton insulation becomes ineffective when wet
4. NOBADAY Women Winter Outdoor Snowboard Ski Waterproof Mittens – Best Under $20
Many professional skiers will argue that the Nobady Women Winter Outdoor mittens offer more value for their money when compared to the other products on this list.
Often underrated, the Nobaday Women Winter Outdoor Snowboard Ski Waterproof Mittens give you the best of both worlds. Let us explain why!
First, you get thermal and insulation excellence. When it comes to efficiently maintaining your body temperature when gliding through the snow, you get superior warmth at all times.
Second, these mittens offer you enhanced palm protection. The double density material is carefully threaded to protect your hands from harm in the event of an accident.
They’re also an excellent option to explore if you’re on a budget. Various customer reviews attest to the fact they’re not only warm and comfortable, but they give you a commendable level of breathability and maneuverability.
With removable wrist guards, you can try wearing this protective gear in any number of stylish ways. There’s no shortage of color options either!
You can try wearing this protective gear in any number of stylish ways AND wash it easily afterward. It isn’t short on color options either! All for under $20!
Pros
- Specially designed to enhance wrist support
- Lightweight
- Great for beginner skiers
Cons
- Size may be an awkward fit for some
5. Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Glove – Best Alternative
Hestra has been making stylish and functional gloves for the skiing and snowboarding community for decades. The brand first made its name designing quality gloves for lumberjacks.
The fact that their products can survive such grueling use is a testament to the level of quality they are imbued with.
The only reason this product didn’t beat out the Skydeer is because of its slightly higher price point.
The Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Glove might not be the fanciest on this list, but they make up for that with their abundance of usable features!
The butterfly closure design makes them easy to wear and maintain. They also come fully fitted with a removable fleece liner which does wonders to keep you insulated and dry.
An added advantage of this glove liner is that they’re relatively easy to clean and dries fast. The hyperextension of these gloves also makes them an ideal fit for people who value dexterity in their protective gear.
The performance of these gloves effectively ensures that it stands in a class of its own.
Pros
- Provides good warmth
- Easy to clean
- Durable, will last a long time
Cons
- Not very water resistant
- Might be a bit heavier than what most skiers are used to
Snowboard Mittens With Wrist Guards: What That Really Means
Despite being a fun activity and hobby, snowboard injuries are real. What’s more, the rate of wrist injuries from the activity is more than 27%!
That being said, it’s possible that some accidents could’ve been prevented if gloves with wrist protection had been worn.
Outside handling yourself carefully, the best guard against sustaining a snowboard wrist injury is gloves with wrist guards.Considering that snowboarding takes place during the winter season, the absorbent materials of these gloves have to keep the wet and cold out efficiently as well.
Thanks to their ergonomic shape and extra features like adjustable wrist straps and waterproof inserts, you can have articulated fingers, improved radial adduction, and an extra layer of palm protection even during the most difficult of snowboarding sessions.
When your pair of gloves offers you that extra layer of warmth, in addition to protecting you from physical injury, you get to enjoy your time snowboarding with a little less worry!
How to Pick the Right Wrist Guard Snowboard Gloves
Once you’ve decided to go for gloves with wrist guards, you need to find the right kind for you. The next step involves identifying which product offers the best wrist protection just for you.
Although you can rely on trusted advice from a friend, customer reviews, or even a product review for guidance, it never hurts to learn a bit more about wrist guard technology as a whole.
Be it broken bones or a compound wrist fracture, sustaining an injury while having fun is something that nobody wants.
As such, reading blog articles about wrist protection (like this one!) will go a long way! A lot goes into picking the ideal built-in wrist protection gloves for you.
This is definitely the case if you’re just taking up snowboarding, since it’s known that beginners are more prone to snowboarding accidents.
With that in mind, here are the most important factors to consider when choosing this type of protective gear.
Different Types of Wrist Guard Designs
This is one of the most important factors when choosing gloves for enhanced wrist protection. It’s not enough for protective elements to be present, they must also be well designed to boost efficiency.
They need to strike the perfect balance between warmth and utility.
Level of Fit and Comfort
Snowboarding requires you to move your hands frequently. As such, you can’t afford to sacrifice comfort even when it comes to choosing snowboard wrist guard gloves.
Due to this, you should opt for a pair of gloves that are comfortable and don’t impair your mobility in any way. To be safe, it’s advisable to choose protective gear that’ll easily serve you for 2 – 3 seasons.
Quality of Glove Liners
The glove liners in any pair of snowboarding gloves are directly responsible for how warm and comfortable this protective gear is.
Ideally, any gloves with wrist protection you use should be warm, soft, and pleasant to the touch. They should also have a removable liner. That way, the gloves are easier to clean and are able to dry out faster if they get wet.
Insulation Material
We all know how important it is to maintain optimal body temperature in the cold. To that end, proper insulation is of paramount importance!
Snowboarding is a powerful adrenaline snow sports activity. This means it’s even more vital to manage your body heat during this intensive exercise.
Wrist protection gloves that possess double density material and durable water repellent capabilities help keep your hands warm and dry.
So, it’s important that you know beforehand whether your preferred pair of snowboarding gloves and their choice of insulation will afford you these benefits.
Extra Features
In addition to the important factors outlined above, here are some extra features that you should look out for when buying mittens with wrist guards!
- Cuff style that complements your jacket sleeves
- Two-in-one snowboarding gloves capability
- Presence of a goggle cleaner and/or nose cleaner finger patch
- Articulated fingers to ensure firmer grip
- Removable fleece liner
- Touchscreen compatible
- Kevlar palms for increased durability
- Storm leash, able to keep the gloves on you comfortably when not in use
FAQ
Usually, you’ll feel okay not wearing gloves if it’s not too cold. However, even if you’re feeling fine and the temperature drops below 0 degrees, you should definitely put your protective gear on.
Contrary to public opinion, you don’t want your gloves to be too tight. Once they fit snugly to your palms, they’re tight enough.
A rule of thumb is to leave a space of approximately ¼ inches between your fingertips and the extra material left at the top. You don’t want to deprive your hands of proper circulation.
Yes, it is! In fact, it’s the ideal material for any snow adventure.
Leather gloves with mitten guards typically come fitted with solid water protection. This means you don’t have to worry about them getting damaged in the cold.
As an added advantage, these types of gloves also have a nice break-in backup. As a result, rather than get damaged, they adapt and perfectly blend with your hands.
Broadly speaking, gloves don’t offer as much warmth as mittens. The main reason for this is owing to the fact that your fingers generate more heat together as opposed to when apart.
As a result, snowboarders who want more warmth from their protective hand gear should opt for mittens as opposed to gloves.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a pro skier, snowboarder, or you’re just learning the ropes, it’s important to always put safety first!
To achieve this end, the Skydeer Waterproof and Windproof Ski Gloves are some of the best snowboard mittens with wrist guards you can get.
Setting aside the wide array of color options available, the profile design also takes your snowboard wrist protection very seriously.
The enhanced protection you also get with these gloves with wrist guard meets any warmth and insulation demands you might have. With these gloves on your hands, you can rest assured that the biting cold won’t affect your fingers.
The highly waterproof exterior and breathable materials also ensure that your hands won’t get wet, even if you spend an extended length of time in the snow. When you don’t have to worry about wet hands or catching a cold, you can relax and truly enjoy your snowboarding experience.