Heated Ski Gloves: Are They Worth It?

Some days, insulation isn’t enough. If your hands are cold in the warmest gloves you own, or you ski where the temperature stays below zero, a heated glove changes the day. Here’s how they work, what’s worth paying for, and when you don’t need one.

how heated gloves work

A heated glove has thin heating elements built into it, powered by a rechargeable battery. You press a button and it warms up.

Where the heat goes matters. In the Nexus Heated Glove and Nexus Heated Mitt, Ewool heating elements reach every finger and the thumb. They run along high-circulation areas, so the heat spreads efficiently and the battery lasts longer.

heat on top of real insulation

A heated glove is only as good as the glove around the heater. Nexus is built like our warmest insulated styles: performance leather, Triplex Alpha insulation with PrimaLoft Cross Core, and a Dryfinger II waterproof/breathable insert. It’s designed for 10°F to -20°F (-12°C to -30°C), which is our warmest rating, before you even turn the heat on. Most of the time the insulation does the work, and the heat is there when you need more.

what to look for

Heat levels. Nexus has four heat levels, from Boost down to a low setting. You change levels with a single button. A short vibration tells you which level you’re on, so you don’t have to look.

Battery life. You get up to 8 hours on the low setting. Each glove has its own 3,000 mAh battery, built to keep working in sub-zero cold.

Charging. SnapConnect magnetic charging works without taking the battery out, and a full charge takes 3 to 4 hours. Plug them in at night and they’re ready in the morning.

Waterproofing. The whole heating system is waterproof.

Travel. The batteries are TSA-compliant for carry-on, and they have overload and short-circuit protection.

In the box: one pair of Nexus gloves or mitts, two Ewool SnapConnect batteries, a SnapConnect magnetic dual charger, a travel bag and an instruction manual.

glove or mitt?

Same rule as any glove: mittens are warmer, and gloves give you more dexterity. If you’re buying heated gloves because your hands always go cold, the Nexus Heated Mitt is the warmer pick. It has finger channels, with lining and insulation between each finger, so the heat and insulation work together. If you need your fingers for buckles, poles and zippers, go with the Nexus Heated Glove. Read more in Gloves or Mittens for Skiing?

getting the size right

Nexus uses unisex sizing, so use the unisex size chart. For men, that usually means one size up from your usual Swany size, such as the X-Cell. If you’re between sizes, size up.

making the battery last

• Use Boost when you need it, like a cold chairlift ride. It runs up to 2 hours, so drop down a level once you’re warm.
• Use Medium or High for steady warmth through the morning: up to 3 and 3 hours.
• Run it on Low when you want it to last all day. That’s up to 8 hours.
• Charge every night. A full charge takes 3 to 4 hours.

are heated gloves worth it?

At $480, Nexus is an investment. It’s worth it if:

• Your hands get cold even in the warmest insulated gloves
• You ski early chairs, at northern resorts or on deep-winter storm days
• You want to control how warm your hands are instead of hoping your gloves are warm enough

If that’s not you, a well-insulated glove will probably do. The Apex Pro Glove (men’s, women’s) and Apex Pro Mitt (men’s, women’s), $220, are our warmest non-heated models. The X-Change Glove (men’s, women’s) and X-Change Mitt, $140, carry the same top warmth rating, and their zippered utility pocket fits a Swany Hand Warmer for up to 10 hours of extra heat. See all of our warmest gloves and mittens.

the bottom line

Heated gloves aren’t for everyone, but if your hands are always the first thing to go cold, they’re the most reliable fix. Look for heat that reaches every finger, a battery that lasts the day, and a warm, waterproof glove around the heater.

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