Hestra Heli Ski Glove Reviews | Hestra Gloves

Apr 27

Apr 27 Hestra Heli Ski Glove Reviews | Hestra Gloves

For the harshest weather and the deepest storms, the Hestra Heli Gloves will keep you warm and dry lap after lap.

The Hestra Heli Ski Gloves are part of the Alpine Pro range which is the Swedish company’s attempt at delivering products that will stand up to the test in the harshest environments. To give them their full name, the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves are an all-time classic. These gloves are the go-to for many ski instructors, mountain guides and all-out powder enthusiasts.

If you are looking for an under-the-cuff alternative to the Heli Ski Gloves, consider the Hestra Fall Line Mittens or Fall Line Gloves.

This review is my opinion of the Hestra Heli Ski Gloves which were purchased with my own money and have been worn on rotation since 2017. If you find it useful consider purchasing your pair through the affiliate links in the post to support the website and future content.

ABOUT ME

Before jumping into the full review it is worth noting the following information about me as a snowboarder. I tend to run warm, I have a tendency on all but the coldest days to remove gloves frequently due to overheating and feeling warm. This may skew my thoughts on these gloves warmth.

WHAT HESTRA SAY

Hestra's best-known ski glove is a modern classic with well-thought-out functionality. A long model suitable for those seeking powder snow and who need a warm, reliable comrade on the mountain. Removeable liner makes it easy to adapt to different temperatures and activity levels.

JUDGEMENT

The Hestra Heli Ski Mitt is my choice for powder days and when the temperature drops. These gloves are the ultimate barrier to the elements and have kept my hands warm and dry in the most extreme conditions on the mountain.

Below I will provide a more detailed review based on the following categories; Warmth, Dexterity, Waterproofing, Durability, Breathability, and Comfort

WARMTH

The Hestra Heli Ski Gloves were originally created for ski guides in Western Canada who deal with some of the coldest and most difficult winter conditions a daily basis.

The removable fleece liner is warm and comfortable and has kept my hands warm throughout the coldest days. I love that this warm liner can be removed, and spares can be purchased to keep a spare in your backpack to change out on those wetter days.

The Hestra Heli Glove is my only choice when I know it is going to be a cold day out in the ski resort and that’s why I rate it 5 stars for warmth.

DEXTERITY

Dexterity is an important factor for me when choosing gloves to snowboard in as I need to operate a camera and tighten bindings (preferably without removing my gloves). I have no issues using the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski for either of these requirements. These gloves are fine for the daily tasks of zipping pockets and jackets.

That being said, the Hestra Heli Ski Gloves have a thick liner which means these gloves are not as dexterous as other models… therefore 4/5.

COMFORT

The fleece liner on the Hestra Heli Ski Glove make it an incredibly comfortable glove to wear, the fleece is soft and warm against the skin so no complaints from me.

The wrist strap allows you to secure the glove in place meaning they do not slide about which also adds to the comfort factor.

Finally, with the Hestra Heli Ski Gloves being having a long write gaitor you can be sure to keep the elements out ensuring all day comfort even on the stormiest of days.

WATERPROOFING

To ensure waterproofing remains at maximum performance Hestra leather gloves will require maintenance over time. If treated using the Hestra Leather Balm or an alternative you will see good waterproof performance. As these are not a daily driver for me I have applied the leather balm at the start of each season and this has ensured good waterproofing performance.

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As with all leather gloves, you will need to ensure maintenance to keep the glove waterproof over time. Using Hestra leather balm or an alternative will keep the gloves performing their best throughout the season.

BREATHABILITY

The Hestra Heli Ski Gloves have a 3-layer fabric which sits on the backhand of the glove. The front and palm are made from goat’s leather. Both the 3-layer fabric and goat’s leather offer breathability however the warmth of the glove can make these sweaty on temperatures above freezing.

Pro Tip: On the warmer days remove the liner and just wear the shell as a cooler waterproof/wind barrier.

DURABILITY

The goat’s leather palms on the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves is extremely durable. I purchased these gloves in 2017 and they are still going strong. Yes, they are no longer my daily driver but they once were. If you look after these gloves and maintain them with the leather balm they will last.

FINAL THOUGHTS

These gloves from Hestra are at the premium end of the market and the outlay may put many off purchasing them. However when you consider the longevity of the gloves and how many seasons they will last with proper care then the outlay for the quality seems negligible.

The Hestra Heli Ski Glove will always have a place in my snowboard bag.

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