When you're snowboarding in extreme cold temperatures, your gloves are no longer an accessory; they're a piece of survival equipment. Cold, numb fingers can ruin your day and impact your grip, dexterity, and ultimately your safety on the mountain. 

Weighing options on a pair of heated gloves, over-gloves, or mittens can be difficult, but the right option will depend on your ride style, environment and tolerance of cold. 

We'll discuss the pros and cons of each style of glove so that you can make the best decision possible before your next trip. 

Heated Gloves: Technology Meets Comfort 

Heated gloves are designed to keep your hands warm from the inside out and are a recent innovation that utilises either rechargeable battery packs or heating elements in a pair of gloves.  

Advantages: 

• Provide consistent warmth for hours, even below freezing  

• Various models will have adjustable heat settings  

• Maintain full dexterity of your fingers, unlike mittens  

• Great for riders who have cold hands or poor blood circulation  

Drawbacks: 

• Heavier due to batteries 

• Battery life will vary (typically around 3–7 hours depending on heat level)  

• More expensive than standard gloves 

• Have to adhere to a charging schedule; forgetting to charge the gloves could ruin the day 

Ideal for: Snowboarders looking for maximum warmth without sacrificing finger mobility and do not mind a little maintenance of technology. 

Over-Gloves: Multipurpose Adding Layering 

As the name suggests, over-gloves are an additional layer that goes over the gloves you've already been using. These gloves are generally made with waterproof and windproof materials and used as a shell to keep cold air from getting through and retaining warmth. 

Benefits: 

• Ultra-multipurpose can be used with lightweight liners or insulated gloves under them 

• Super easy to pull off if you start to get hot or just need a little more dexterity 

• Typically less costly than heated gloves 

• Lightweight and packable, especially good for backcountry riders who want options. 

Cons: 

• Provides no insulation on its own; you are depending on the base glove or liner for insulation in the cold  

• Can feel bulky if not layered well  

• Thick material does not allow much flexibility through fingers compared to a single-layer glove or an all-in-one glove  

Good For: Snowboard gloves men are good for riders who want the flexibility to adapt thermal regulation based on the environment. 

Mittens: Traditional Warmth That Works 

Mittens have long been the preferred option for very cold weather because they keep your fingers together, sharing warmth better than gloves. While not the highest of technology, they have proven their worth. 

Pros: 

• Better warmth—great for cold and windy conditions 

• Simple and dependable 

• Typically cheaper than heated gloves 

• Can add liners and convert to gloves 

Cons: 

• Decreased hand dexterity (it's not as easy to strap your bindings, grab the zip, or use your phone) 

• Can cause overheating in milder temperatures/conditions 

• Less adaptable than layering systems like over-gloves 

Best for: Riders who want the warmest option for their hands, particularly in deep freeze conditions, or comfort is prioritised over doing little fiddly tasks with their hands. 

Which One Should You Choose? 

It depends on where you ride, and what is important: 

• Techistas riding in frozen alpine conditions: Heated gloves offer comfort and precision 

• Backcountry riders who need flexibility: Over-gloves offer flexible layering without the bulk of multiple insulated gloves 

• Riders simply seeking warmth, no matter what: Mittens, the timeless solution that we know will keep our hands warm in any conditions. 

The Bottom Line 

Your hands connect you with your board, your kit, and with comfort. Whether your choice is the warmth of heated gloves, the versatility of over-gloves, or mittens, the bottom line is to match your gear with your conditions.  

At Capelin Crew, we provide the best gear, like snowboarding pants for men and women. We are all about gearing up riders to keep the adventure going, even during the most terrible conditions. Because the mountain doesn't wait—and neither should you.