Auclair Stellar
On colder days, reach for these Thinsulate-filled gloves with a cozy brushed lining, which our tester said were warm and fit well into his pole straps, though they felt a bit stiff until broken in. The windproof shell fabric across the back of the hand also staves off chill, as does a snug neoprene cuff. A V-shaped pattern of thin silicone lines runs across part of the microsuede palm—which has less insulation in that area, too—for enhanced grip. The Stellar also comes in mitt and lobster versions. $63, auclair.com
Toko Polar Race
Toko’s new race gloves pick up where the popular Thermo Plus leaves off; the fingers have noticeably more insulation—Primaloft One, in this case—and the suede palm is slightly burlier. Toko’s signature anatomical fit shows in the box construction of the fingers, which aids dexterity, and the multiple seams of the articulated thumb. Windproof fabric covers the back of the hand, and fleece on the backs of the fingers provides a generous surface for nose wipes. Because of the extra insulation, these gloves run small, so buy one size bigger than usual. $60, tokous.com
Gordini Front Line LT
The most notable feature of these lightweight, streamlined men’s gloves: the Schoeller Keprotec, made with Kevlar fibers, that covers the entire palm and fingers. Originally designed for motorcycle racing, this fabric is grippy, abrasion proof and tear resistant. But it might take a bit of getting used to, reported our tester. A breathable softshell upper with four-way stretch allows you to easily move your hands, but with no insulation—only a fleecy liner—these gloves are best suited for milder temps. They can also be used as liners in the Front Line mitt, designed for backcountry use. $50, gordini.com
Swix JD Train
The first glove in Swix’s athlete line, this one comes with graphics co-created with the one and only JD—Jessie Diggins. As for more technical features, there’s light Thinsulate insulation over the back of the hand in the glove’s stretchy upper and a leather palm. The line also includes a non-insulated race glove (for men and women) and a Primaloft-insulated lobster mitt. The limited-edition JD Train Olympic glove, with an American flag design, has graphics as vibrant as its namesake. $45, swixsport.com
Hestra Infinium Momentum
Our tester was sold on these gloves’ performance, thanks to the Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper liner; where other gloves left her fingers sweaty on a warmer ski day, the Momentums kept them completely dry. The gloves have a nice overall feel, too: The synthetic palm is soft and supple but grips well, and Hestra’s own three-layer windproof, waterproof/breathable fabric across the back of the hand allows easy flex. The micro-grid fleece lining provides some warmth, but the Momentums have no insulation, so save them for moderately cold days, which is when you’ll most appreciate their breathability anyway. $60, hestragloves.us
KinetiXx Folke
This German glove manufacturer recently debuted its offerings in the U.S., and the sleek, super-lightweight Folke sits at the top of the line, intended for pure speed. It has one of the most interesting palms you’ll see on a Nordic glove: a zoned pattern of raised (but low profile) lines, dots, spikes and fingerprint whorls that provides a solid grip. The inner thumb, too, has an area of short, very flexible bristles. KinetiXx calls it SharkTec technology. A windproof softshell laminate covers the back of the hand, and the minimalist cuff cinches tight with a hook-and-loop closure. $120, enjoywinter.com
This story first appeared in the Early Winter 2022 issue of Cross Country Skier (#41.2).