Choosing Between Kids Snow Gloves And Mittens

Mitten Or Glove

Fingers share heat in a mitten, so a mitten is always warmer at the same insulation weight. A glove gives dexterity for poles, zips and buckles. The practical rule is age: below the point where a child can reliably place four fingers into four separate channels, a mitten is the only thing that gets worn. Above it, a glove is worth the small warmth trade.

The Cuff Decides Everything

Most cold-hand complaints are not insulation failures. They are snow entering at the wrist. A knitted rib cuff long enough to tuck underneath a jacket sleeve seals that gap. Our kids snow glove uses a 2.5 inch stretch rib cuff for exactly this reason.

Read the full specification for Kids Snow Gloves

Closures A Child Can Operate

A wrist closure that needs two hands is a closure that will not be used. A one-pull buckle fastener can be tightened by the child wearing the glove. On mittens for the youngest sizes, a side zip opens the cuff wide enough to clear a padded coat sleeve without adult help.

Read the full specification for Kids Snow Mitten

Waterproof Versus Water Repellent

A fully waterproof shell is for sustained contact with wet snow: ski school, sledding, building things in slush. A durable water repellent treated shell sheds snow well for shorter sessions and general winter wear. Our kids snow glove is specified as fully waterproof; the mitten shell carries a DWR treatment.

Fit And Bulk

Insulation that is too thick stops a child gripping a pole or a sled rope, and gloves that cannot grip get taken off. Lightweight thermal insulation with a breathable lining is the right target: warm, non-bulky, and breathable enough to avoid the sweat-then-chill cycle that makes fingers cold inside a sealed glove.