Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Exceptional build quality
- Strong protection from the elements
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Expensive
- Dexterity can be compromised due to thickness
The Black Diamond Guide Gloves are top of the line. As a former ski racer and ski instructor, I really wish I had access to these back in the day! They feel luxurious and ultimately warm.
Nothing ruins a day on the slopes or backcountry than cold hands and these gloves most certainly won’t be the reason you make the call early for an apres-ski session at the bar. They’re fantastic value for money if you know you will need winter gloves a lot, and this investment is likely to last you for years.
This article is part of our series on the best winter hiking gloves, view all other articles below:
Compare to Similar Products:
Helly Hansen Swift HT Ski Gloves | Rab Pivot Gore-Tex Gloves | Hestra Heli Three-Finger Insulated Gloves | Sealskinz Waterproof All Weather Insulated Glove | Hestra Fall Line Glove | The North Face Women's Apex Insulated Etip Glove | The North Face Women's Montana Insulated Ski Mitt | Black Diamond Mercury Mitt Womens | Outdoor Research Stormtracker | Carhartt Women's Quilts | Carhartt Quilts Insulated Women's Mitts | Black Diamond Guide Gloves | Helly Hansen Men's LIFA Merino Glove Liner | Wells Lamont HydraHyde Leather Hybrid Men’s | Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor | Carhartt Men's Waterproof Insulated Glove | Mechanix Wear Coldwork Original | Arc'teryx Rho Liner Glove | Trendoux Winter Gloves | icebreaker Merino Oasis 200 Glove Liners | Cotopaxi Teca Fleece Gloves | Burton Touchscreen Glove Liners | |
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Buying Options | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Our Rating | Best Overall Winter Gloves | Warmest Winter Gloves | Best Insulated Gloves | Best Winter Gloves for Touchscreen | Best Winter Gloves for Men | Best Winter Gloves for Women | Best Waterproof Winter Gloves | Best Women's Technical Ski Mitt | Best Liner Gloves | Best Touchscreen Gloves | Best Budget Winter Gloves | |||||||||||
Type and Shape | Performance/technical/ski | Performance/technical/ski | Performance/technical/ski | Hiking/general sport | Performance/technical/ski | Hiking/general sport | Hiking/general sport/ski | Performance/technical/ski | Hiking/general/ski | Hiking/general | Hiking/general | Performance/technical/ski | Performance/technical/ski | Work | Hiking | Hiking | Work | Performance/technical/ski | General | General | General | Performance/technical/ski |
Warmth | High | Very High | Very High | Medium | Very High | High | High | Very High | High | Medium | Medium | Very High | Medium (Liner) | Medium | High | High | Medium | Medium (Liner) | Medium | Medium (Liner) | Medium | Medium (Liner) |
Water Resistance | Waterproof | Waterproof | Waterproof | Waterproof | Waterproof | Water Resistant | Waterproof | Waterproof | Not Waterproof | Waterproof | Waterproof | Waterproof | Not Waterproof (Liner) | Water Resistant | Not Waterproof | Waterproof | Water Resistant | Not Waterproof (Liner) | Not Waterproof | Not Waterproof (Liner) | Not Waterproof | Not Waterproof (Liner) |
Wind resistance | High | High | Very High | High | Very High | High | High | Very High | High | Medium | Medium | Very High | Not Windproof (Liner) | Not Windproof | Not Windproof | Windproof | Not Windproof | Not Windproof (Liner) | Not Windproof | Not Windproof (Liner) | Not Windproof | Not Windproof (Liner) |
Fit | Fits true to size/High Dexterity | Fits true to size/High Dexterity | Fits true to size/Medium Dexterity | Runs Small/High Dexterity | Run Small/Medium Dexterity | Fits True to Size/High Dexterity | Fits True to Size/Medium Dexterity | Runs Tight/Medium-Low Dexterity | Runs Small/High Dexterity | Runs Small/Medium Dexterity | Runs Small/Medium Dexterity | Runs Small/Low Dexterity | Runs True to Size/High Dexterity | Runs True to Size/High Dexterity | Runs Large/High Dexterity | Runs True to Size/High Dexterity | Runs True to Size/High Dexterity | Runs True to Size/High Dexterity | Runs True to Size/High Dexterity | Fits Slightly Tight/High Dexterity | Fits True to Size/High Dexterity | Fits True to Size/High Dexterity |
Durability | High | Very High | Very High | High | Very High | High | High | Very High | High | Medium | Medium | Very High | High | High | Medium | Medium | High | Very High | Medium | Medium | Medium | High |
Price | $70.00 | $155.00 | $127.96 | $73.35 | $139.99 | $59.90 | Price not available | $97.88 | $95.14 | $27.99 | $27.99 | $143.96 | Price not available | $15.08 | $31.47 | $28.29 | $32.99 | $40.00 | $7.99 | $40.00 | Price not available | $14.67 |
See the Black Diamond Guide Gloves in more detail:
Analysis and Test Results
From the moment I put the Black Diamond Guide Gloves on, I knew these were extremely well made. The tag with the materials listing is extensive.
A lot of gloves on the market may have one or two of the materials that Black Diamond uses to manufacture these, but Black Diamond uses them all. These gloves are very well thought out. They are also PFC-free and offer a 2 year warranty.
Performance Comparison
Warmth
These gloves are made from boiled wool, fleece, Gore-Tex with Plus-Warm Technology and Goat leather. All of which are great to keep you warm by themselves, but when they are combined, they offer fantastic warmth.
It may seem a bit like overkill but if you are going to spend all day in frigid temperatures, I wouldn’t want anything else! While we did spend some time in the Sierra Mountain Range with them, the winter has been quite mild, but I have no doubt that these gloves would keep my fingers warm and toasty in significantly more than sub-zero temperatures.
Water Resistance
There are two primary layers to this pair of gloves. The 100% waterproof Gore-Tex liner insert and the outer layer which is made from durable goat leather, suede and a flexible 4 way stretch nylon.
Black Diamond also includes a packet of NikWax waterproofing wax for the leather portions of the gloves which is super easy to apply and seems to hold up quite well under the wettest conditions. This is something that will need to be maintained over time, but not out of line for what I’d expect with a pair of gloves like these.
Wind Resistance
The Black Diamond Guide Gloves are very windproof. There are so many layers to them, it is nearly impossible to have issues with wind. I was really impressed with the easy to cinch down sleeve that covers the gap between the glove and your jacket, which not only prevents snow from getting in but also wind.
Comfort and Fit
I did use the measuring guide when ordering these gloves. If I had one recommendation about these gloves, it would be the sizing. They seem to run small.
I found that as they broke in, they became a bit more comfortable. I believe that the fleece and wool will eventually break in with continued use. This is something to consider because you will have to put in some work to break them in.
I found that when brand new they were difficult to put on and take off. I did appreciate the suede leather nose wipe which made wiping my runny nose more comfortable.
Ease of Use
Putting the gloves on and taking them off was a bit of a struggle, but I was able to perform all tasks that I would normally do during cold temperatures. Tightening and loosening the sleeve cuff was very easy, but I wouldn’t consider even trying to use my phone with these gloves!
Materials
These gloves make use of boiled wool, fleece, Gore-Tex with Plus-Warm Technology and Goat leather in their construction. At $179, these gloves feel in line with the pricing. These gloves feel high-end and they performed extremely well during testing.
Black Diamond says that these are their warmest ski gloves, so while they may not be in everybody’s budget, they are most certainly a must for any outdoor professional or serious enthusiast.
Appearance
These gloves look great and weren’t chunky at all. They are offered in two different colors: Black & Beeswax.
I reviewed the black and I felt a bit like Darth Vader with them on! I would say these aren’t really a pair of gloves you’ll want to wear day to day. They’re very much more designed for serious time out on the slopes, in the snow or in cold temperatures.
Features
These gloves get the balance right between dexterity and usability. Considering they are intended to be used in very cold climates, I think that the dexterity that they offer is pretty incredible.
I also really like the insert and the nose wipe which really helped to keep any running nose contained in colder climates. The abrasion resistance that they feature in the shell is also a really cool addition as this means that they are durable and will stand the test of time.
This also helps massively with any impacts, bumps or scuffs you could expect in ski mountaineering, ski touring or downhill skiing.
Durability
The goat leather and durable nylon held up against scrapes and abrasions and the foam padding on the knuckles gave great protection from impacts. Everything feels really well stitched and put together. I have no reason to believe these gloves won’t last you a very long time if looked after well.
Sustainability
Black Diamond don’t really make any special notes about the sustainability of these gloves, however, they are built to last which obviously does have a big impact when it comes to sustainability. The fact that they could last you a seriously long time is one of the greatest ways to have less of a footprint. They also come with a 2 year warranty which is great to see, especially at their price point.
Price
Given the impeccable construction of the finest materials available on the market today and their performance, these gloves are most certainly worth the price. The Black Diamond Guide Gloves are on the pricey side, but if you are unwilling to sacrifice comfort and performance, these are a must have.
Conclusion
While my ski instructor days may be long gone, I really wish that I would have had a pair of gloves like this that were as well thought out and put together as these Guide Gloves.
The removable liners and ample attachment points to hang them out to dry are key to being ready for being out in cold and wet conditions day after day. With a little care, these gloves are going to last a very long time and prove to be well worth the purchase price.
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