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Test Results: The Best Waterproof Gloves and Mittens for Kids: 2025 Edition

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Here’s a tip from one parent to another: don’t skimp on gloves for your kids. I used to grab cute $20 gloves from big-box stores and Costco, thinking I’d save money—only to end up with a bin full of gloves that didn’t survive the winter. After 17 years of parenting and five kids, I learned my lesson: cheap gloves just don’t last, and they end up costing more in the long run.

best kids winter gloves and mittens snow skiing

If your child’s hands are cold or wet, they’ll be miserable, which is why quality gloves are worth every penny. I still have the nice mittens I splurged on in college, and they’re going strong 20 years later. So, to save you from the mistakes I made, I enlisted my kids to test the top 10 kids’ gloves from the best brands—not just top-rated gloves online, but the ones that actually hold up to winter fun. We’ve put them through a series of at home tests, but also rigorously used every pair of gloves or mittens for a few years.

These are the gloves I’d recommend to my best friend or neighbor without hesitation!

winter kids snowsuit reima stavanger gloves

Best Kids Gloves and Mittens: QUICK PICKS

Don’t have time to read the full article? Here are our favorite kids mittens and gloves with some exclusive discounts from our favorite companies)

Best Kids Gloves Overall (jump to detailed reviews below):

best kids gloves akova skiing rocky talkie

Akova Elevated Kids Glove: Amazing quality for extreme outdoro conditions. Super warm and waterproof, extra long cuffs, and best of all, the grip is so much better than any other kids glove. Use code ADVENTUREFAMILY for 25% off

Reima Skimba Gloves: Everything you could ever want in a kids glove and more – waterproof, warm, long cuffs, adjustable – you name it, these gloves have it. $49 (use code ADVENTUREFAM20 for 20% off)

Burton GoreTex Kids Waterproof Gloves: fantastic winter gloves for kids and surprisingly affordable at only $50

Reima Tartu Gloves: Sizes 2-14, Best budget gloves, comfortable, waterproof $45 (use code ADVENTUREFAM20 for 20% off)

Hestra All Mountain CZone Jr Glove: Super durable, waterproof, rugged, $95

Best Kids Mittens Overall (jump to detailed reviews below):

chopper mill mittens

Chopper Mill Mittens: Sizes Toddler- Adult, hands down the best mittens we’ve found! Leather and performance fabric + every other feature imaginable. $79 (and worth every $)

Reima Snoukku Mittens: Sizes4-16, amazingly durable and super waterproof, $50 (use code BRINGKIDS20 for 20% off)

Stonz Kids Mitts: Sizes 2-8, super durable, love the cinchable elastic cuffs, $49 (use code bringthekids10 for 10% off)

WARMEST Mittens For COLD HANDS

If your kid’s hands just can’t ever get warm enough, OR if you’re in SUPER COLD TEMPS, you’ll likely need more than just warm mittens. We’ve found that pairing one of the mittens above with a pair of Aurora Heat Fur warmers is the absolute best combo for really warm hands. The warmers are made of beaver fur, are ethically made, reusable for years, and work amazingly well. Shop Aurora heat and use code BRINGTHEKIDS to save 10% off.

Note: these aren’t cheap, but we feel they’re absolutely worth the price! We use them to keep the kids feet warm too!

While you’re getting ready for winter, don’t forget to check out our other winter gear reviews for kids:
Best Waterproof Coats For Kids
Best Kids Base Layers
Best Snow Boots for Kids
Best Kids Ski Face Masks
Best Ski Harnesses for Kids
Best Kids Mid Layers

The Best Gloves and Mittens for Kids Compared

GloveBest FeaturesProblemsDiscount Code
Akova Gloves – BEST KIDS GLOVES!!Great grip, super waterproof. longer cuff, wrist straps, great dexterityNone25% off with code ADVENTUREFAMILY
Reima Skimba Warm, very waterproof, longer cuff, affordableGrip is only moderate20% off with code ADVENTUREFAM20
Burton Gore-Tex GlovesWaterproof, very warm, medium cuffMedium cuff still lets a little snow in
Reima TartuWater resistant – best budget/basic gloveVery basic, cuffs don’t cinch up20% off with code ADVENTUREFAM20
Hestra CZoneVery waterproof, warm, good dexterity with leather palmshort cuffs let snow in
Swany X ChangeVery waterproof, super durable, warm, leather palmcuffs are too short
Swany X-Overwater resistant, medium warmthcuffs too short, loses waterproofing over time
Best Kids Mittens
MittenBest FeaturesProblemsDiscount
Chopper Mill – BEST KIDS MITTENSLong cuffs keep snow out, great grip with leather palms. easy to clip together, they will send you a replacement if your child loses one!NONE15% off with ADVENTUREFAM
Reima SnoukkaLong cuffs, waterproof, warmGrip isn’t great20% off with ADVENTUREFAM20
Stonz mittensExtra long cuff, durable fabric, warmonly goes from size 2-810% off with BRINGTHEKIDS10
Reima OteBest budget mittens, waterproof, durablecuff isn’t adjustable, and can fall down20% off with ADVENTUREFAM20
Swany SoftySuper warm and cozyShort cuffs so snow gets in easy, not great waterproofing

As you read through these reviews below, you’ll notice that most of these gloves and mittens scored really high on our tests. This isn’t because we didn’t review them well, it’s because we are only testing the very best kid’s gloves and mittens available so they all should perform well. These are the best waterproof gloves for kids.

Akova Elevated Kids Gloves – Best Kids Gloves

We absolutely LOVE these gloves. We’ve been HUGE Akova/Shred Dog fans for several years, and have been patiently waiting for them to release their kid’s gloves. Akova is well known for making the top of the line kid’s ski clothing, so we were thrilled when they finally released these gloves.

best kids gloves akova skiing

I am pretty picky about the gloves that I buy for my kid’s, because we spend A LOT of time outside in the winter. These gloves for kids have everything I could have wanted and MORE! They have all of my favorite features like longer cuffs, a wrist leash, and of course warmth and excellent waterproofing, but the feature that really surprised me was the GRIP! Oh my goodness, I’ve never seen such a grippy glove, which makes a world of difference in the snow.

Unlike some of the big-name brand gloves we reviewed below, you can get these for right around $76 when you use my code ADVENTUREFAMILY for 25% off.

Whether you’re going to be spending long snow days in the backyard, or you’ll be doing a lot of skiing or snowboarding this winter, we highly recommend these gloves. They’re a great investment in making sure that your kids hands stay warm and dry this winter.

The design of these is fantastic for keeping snow out and warmth in, so they quickly became our favorite. Created by professional skiers, we’re not surprised. but it’s incredible to see this type of glove quality available for kids.

Waterproofing: 5/5 – These gloves are so incredibly waterproof. When we did our ice water test, there was no wetting out of the fabric. These Akova kids gloves are made with HDry Technology so that you don’t get water trapped between the outer material and the lining, so they’ll stay in great shape for longer.

Warmth: 5/5 – These gloves came to us just in time for some really cold weather and we’ve been wearing them on single-digit days with no problems. There are 200g of insulation in the gloves, which is AMAZING, so we fully anticipate that they’ll serve us well all winter long, even when the temperature drops below 0.

Windproof: 5/5 – seriously, we didn’t even feel al thing in the wint test, They performed perfectly.

Reima Skimba Kids Gloves – Runner Up Best Kids Gloves Overall

These gloves are the best gloves you’ll find from Reima! We’ve been using them for a couple of years and they never disappoint. Best of all, it’s one of the most affordable kids’ gloves you can buy at only $49 (and you can use our code BRINGKIDS20 for an extra 20% off that).  

When we look for the best kids’ gloves, we want them to have all of the features of a well-built adult glove for kids, and this glove for children has it.  They’re super waterproof and warm down to -20F.  They also have a really long cuff to keep snow out and easily fit over kids’ coats or snowsuits.  At the bottom of the cuff, there’s an elastic band that can be cinched up, and at the top, there’s a wrist strap to trap heat. 

Best of all, there are wrist straps that the kids can wear so that even when they take their gloves off they still remain attached.  The kids are obsessed with the little zipper pocket on the cuff which is the perfect size for a ski pass, or in my kid’s case – treats for the ski chairlift! 

As a mom, I also love that the outer is dirt repellant since if there’s a muddy mess, my kids are always the first to find it, so I know these will last longer!  I couldn’t be happier with these kid’s gloves and I’m so obsessed, I’m telling everyone I know about them.  

Waterproof 5/5: The waterproofing on this is incredible.  They have a 10,000+ waterproofing rating and so far, we’ve been nothing but impressed in both our water bath test and while out in the snow playing and skiing.  These gloves have a Hipora insert which makes them both waterproof and breathable.  

Warmth 5/5: These gloves are rated warm down to -20F which is the best warmth rating that we’ve found for a pair of kid’s gloves.  So far we’ve only tested them in single digits, but they’ve been incredible so far.  The inside of the gloves are lined with soft fleece to kids hands stay cozy all day long!

Windproof 5/5:  These gloves for kids are fully windproof and perform amazingly well in windy conditions!

Burton Gore Tex Kids Waterproof Gloves – Runner Up Best Overall Kids Winter Gloves

We’ve tried just about every brand of waterproof kids gloves on the market, and I can’t say enough good things about these ones. They have all of the qualities we desire in a great glove for kids and cost only $50.

My 12-year-old daughter has been wearing and abusing these gloves all year, and they’ve kept functioning beautifully. It’s got all the features that I look for in the best kids winter glove. The build quality of these gloves is second to none. They are extremely warm and highly waterproof (due to the use of the Kids Goretex glove membrane). The longer wrist gaskets allow them to easily slide over your kids coat AND to be tightened to keep snow out. Both the actual wrist and the end of the glove tighten up to maximize comfort, warmth and dryness and to keep snow out.

Older kids will love them because they’re touchscreen compatible (so nice since my teen and tween ski with a phone now), and they have a soft thumb for wiping snot (a gross but necessary feature).

Of course, from a kid’s standpoint, they’re also amazing, because they look cool with lots of fun color options! The rainbow colors of this pair has my daughter telling everyone they’re the best girls gloves (even though they are a boys ski glove as well). We all consider these the best ski gloves for kids.

Waterproof 5/5: These gloves are amazing when it comes to waterproofing. Not only did they stsay dry after our soak test, but even when staying submerged significantly longer than our 5 minute test, they were incredible. Thanks to the Goretex membrane, these are the most waterproof kids gloves.

Warmth 5/5: We put these gloves on our toughest critic – my daughter who always has cold hands. In fact her hands get so cold that she almost exclusively skis in mittens…but not anymore. Even when spending a full day outside skiing in sub-zero temperatures, these gloves have kept her hands nice and toasty. These are the warmest kids ski gloves!

Windproof 5/5

Reima Tartu Glove Review – Best Budget Gloves for kids

If you’re looking for an amazing pair of gloves for your kids this winter, that doesn’t cost a fortune, the Reima Tartu gloves are AMAZING!!!

We love that they are incredibly waterproof, super warm, and cost under $50. This is the best deal on high quality kids gloves that you can find. While there are a lot of features that we like about this basic kids glove, the biggest drawback is that there is no way to cinch down the opening, so snow sometimes gets in here.

These kids winter ski gloves don’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but they do the just surprisingly well for a budget kids ski glove!

winter kids snow reima gloves

Waterproof 5/5: These did pass our 5 minute water submersion test without getting water in. I’m not sure if they would land much longer than that since they were starting to feel saturated.

Warmth 5/5: We are loving these gloves for really cold days. The wrist does need to be tightened to maintain warmth, and once it is, they stay toasty!

Windproof 5/5

Use code ADVENTUREFAM20 for 20% off your Reima order

Hestra All Mountain CZone Jr Glove Review

hestra kids gloves waterproof

The Hestra All Mountain CZone Jr Glove is one of the top of the line kids gloves made by Hestra.  In many respects, they are incredibly similar to the Swany X-Change Glove, both in appearance and performance.  They are easy to pull on and the cuff is generous enough to be worn either under or over a coat.

These gloves also include a waterproof zipper pocket (perfect for hand warmers), and easy to adjust closures at the cuff and around the wrist for a secure fit.  I also really like the leather palm as well as the durable outer shell that the rest of the exterior is made of. These are some of the best kids snow gloves.

Waterproof:5/5

After being submerged for 5 minutes, the inside of these gloves was completely dry.  Water had started to soak into the fabric and I could wring extra water out of the gloves, but none of it soaked through.  These waterproof gloves kids feature a waterproof lining material, so this should not be an issue.  If you’re looking for kids waterproof winter gloves, these are a great option.

Warmth: 5/5 

These gloves were really warm and would be excellent for super cold winter days.  These are the warmest kids gloves that we tested. These are some of the best kids ski gloves available, and my son wears them almost every time he skis.

Windproof: 5/5

Overall:  

The Hestra All Mountain CZone gloves for kids are spectacular.  They have everything that I would look for in a high-end adult glove, yet are made in a miniature size for kids. 

Although we haven’t taken them out on a long ski day yet, I’m confident that they will perform well. Note: Hestra also makes this glove in a mitten style if you prefer mittens more.

Swany X-Change Jr Glove Review

Swany kids gloves

The Swany X-Change Glove is one of the top-end best waterproof gloves for kids made by Swany.  They have all the bells and whistles that I would expect in a high-end adult glove but made for kids.  They are made of a softshell outer with a leather palm and trim and even have a little pocket for inserting a hand warmer. 

I also really like the easy Speed Draw closure on the bottom which allows you to adjust how tight or loose they are with the press of a button (and allows them to be worn both under or over a jacket cuff) If you’re looking for the best winter gloves for kids, you absolutely need to consider these.

Waterproof:5/5

After being submerged for 5 minutes, the inside of these gloves was completely dry.  These are the best waterproof kids gloves that we tested. Water had started to soak into the fabric and I could wring extra water out of the gloves, but none of it soaked through.  

These waterproof kids gloves performed about the same at the end of the season as they did at the beginning. Overall, these are some of the best waterproof kids gloves on the market.

Warmth: 5/5 

These gloves were really great kids warm gloves and would be excellent for super cold winter days.  These are the warmest gloves for kids that we’ve found.

Windproof: 5/5

Overall:  

The Swany X-Change gloves are amazing!  They are warm, waterproof and windproof.  These have become the go-to gloves for my teenage son and they always seem to do great. His hands are always warm and dry and even in extreme cold, his hands are comfortable.

The Best Mittens for Kids: Warm & Waterproof

There are SO MANY wonderful mittens on the market for kids that we would recommend buying. Each one of the kids mittens that we reviewed is a little bit different, so think about your kids personal preferences (long or short cuffs, fluffy or streamlined, etc).

Chopper Mill Mitten Review

chopper mill mittens

If I could design a mitten with EVERY important feature, I couldn’t do a better job than Chopper Mill has. They are quite literally my DREAM MITTEN (and they come in adult sizes too). The construction and quality is exceptional. Truthfully, it’s no wonder, since they’re made by an outdoor-loving mom in freezing cold Minnesota. She was sick of her kids hands never staying warm enough when they went out on adventures and after trying every mitten she could find, she finally decided to make her own. And we’re beyond thrilled that she did!

The construction is the perfect blend of leather and performance-waterproof fabric. This allows kids to keep their hands dry AND the leather gives them better grip and flexibility than most other mittens have. The cuffs are extra long to go over the outside of a coat and to keep snow out. They have an easy to cinch up cuff strap so everything stays snug, and a webbed wrist strap to keep the mittens comfortable and keep the warmth in.

chopper mill mittens

Probably the most brilliant idea to enter the glove industry is the Chopper Mill Re-Pair Program. If your child has Chopper Mill mittens and loses one, they’ll send you a replacement pair FOR FREE! This is so amazing and will save so many families from having to buy a new pair of mittens when their child inevitably loses one.

Each pair has mini carabiners for attaching the mittens together, which seemed buky at first, but once I saw how easily my kids could clip them together, I was completely SOLD! These are the easiest mittens to hook together, which goes a long way for now losing them.

The personalization aspect is also FANTASTIC! Each pair of kid’s mittens has a removable patch area, where you can choose your child’s favorite color, get their name printed on the later patch, and you can easily see who the mittens belong to. We love that they are removable, so when your kids move up into the next size of mittens, they can take their name patch with them.

Waterproof 5/5: Between the leather and the performance fabric, the waterproofing is the best we’ve seen on any kids gloves. Nothing soaks in and the quality of the waterproofing is really fantastic. My kids wear these ones outside on cold mornings to water the pets and know that they’ll always have dry hands!

Warmth 5/5: These mittens are really warm, which was no surprise to me. Being made by a Minnesota Mom, I knew that they would be incredibly warm (without being too hot), and they are!

Windproof 5/5: These are super windproof! With high wind, you couldn’t feel anything on the inside!

Reima Snoukka Mitten Review + Discount

The Reima Snoukka Mittens stand out as one of the best options for kids’ winter mittens, thanks to thoughtful features and excellent performance. The long cuff provides extra coverage, making these mittens great for snowy activities. My kids are constantly grabbing for these mittens because they’re not too stiff and always keep their hands warm and dry. Best of all, they’re one of the best deals around with prices after our discount under $50/pair.
A unique cuff pocket on the cuff is good for storing a ski pass too! The mittens are easy to tighten and we love that there is a way to tighten them at both the wrist and the arm, so really keep out snow and keep in warmth.
The only thing I don’t love about these mittens is that they hook together with a snap, which isn’t very strong, so they don’t stay together as well as pairs with a clasp.

Waterproofing 5/5:
The waterproofing on the Reima Snoukka Mittens is exceptional. Even after hours of playing in wet, slushy snow, these mittens keep hands completely dry. The materials and seams are carefully constructed to block out moisture, making them perfect for skiing or building snow forts. Whether your child is on the slopes or enjoying everyday winter fun, you can trust these mittens to maintain their waterproof integrity all season long.

Warmth 5/5:
While the Reima Snoukka Mittens aren’t quite as warm as the ultra-cozy Chopper Mill mittens, they still deliver an impressive level of insulation. With a warmth rating of 4.5 out of 5, they are more than sufficient for most winter conditions. My kids have worn them skiing in below-freezing temperatures and reported that their hands stayed comfortable for hours. For families who spend a lot of time outdoors in extreme cold, adding a thin liner glove could provide additional warmth without sacrificing the mittens’ great fit.

Durability:
We’ve had these mittens in our winter rotation for 3 years and they are performing SO WELL! Reima has a reputation for making some of the most durable kids gear on the market and these are no exception. They withstand heavy use and lots of outdoor winter play from my boys.

Overall:
The Reima Snoukka Mittens are an excellent choice for kids ages 4-14, offering a great combination of waterproofing, warmth, and durability. While they may not be the absolute warmest option on the market, they provide more than enough insulation for most winter activities. My kids love wearing them, and as a parent, I appreciate their reliable performance and convenient features like the wrist pocket and leash. With the added bonus of a 20% discount using code ADVENTUREFAM20, these mittens are a fantastic investment for families looking for high-quality winter gear.

Stonz Mitts Youth Mitten Review

Stonz waterproof mittens for kids

I don’t know if I can possibly say enough good things about Stonz kids winter mittens.  They were the first mittens we got a few years ago, that were actually EXCEPTIONAL (and convinced me that the $20 gloves I kept buying were a rip-off!).  Over and over the are the warmest kids mittens we have ever owned, and also the most waterproof kids mittens we have had.

They’re entering their fourth season of almost daily winter use and are still going strong! They are warm and dry and do a great job of keeping the snow out with their extra-long cuffs. Overall, I think that these are the best kid mittens both in performance and value. They are the best ski mittens, and the best waterproof mittens for kids.

The feature that sets Stonz waterproof mittens for kids apart from regular mittens is the long cuff and stiffer material. While some people complain that the material is too stiff, we’ve found that it’s the secret to keeping the long cuff up on the arm and the snow out! This means that hands stay warmer and dryer with these kids ski mittens than with any other kids ski mitten.

Waterproof: 5/5

These kids waterproof mittens were the most waterproof mittens or gloves for kids that we tested.  After 5 minutes they were completely dry inside and the water hadn’t even soaked into the fabric at all.  I did notice with our older pair we own that while they are still waterproof, water does soak into the outer fabric some.

Warmth: 5/5

My daughter gets the coldest hands of anyone in our family and she said she’s never been cold wearing these (except for the day her brother put a snowball inside of them!!!) These are the warmest ski mittens we tested.

Windproof: 5/5

Use code BRINGTHEKIDS10 for 10% off your order when you buy directly through Stonz


Overall:

Stonz mittens are both excellent quality and excellent value.  They only cost about $40 and the performance is really incredible.  Personally, I love that these mittens have extra long cuffs since it helps keep the snow away from my kids’ wrists (the cuffs go about halfway up the forearm). 

However, I know that these can be difficult to put on and tighten independently, especially for younger kids. Truthfully though, my kids need help getting their mittens and gloves on and adjusted well until they’re 5 or 6, so it’s not too big of a deal.

Reima Ote Mittens – Best Budget Mittens

Our kids have been wearing the Reima Ote mittens for several years and I really like them. They’re a basic mitten with a longer (but uninsulated) cuff. They’re the mittens that I send to school with my kids because I know they perform well, and can handle the abuse from the kids at recess.

The Reima Ote Mittens are an incredible option for families looking for high-quality kids’ mittens on a budget. At only $36 after our discount ADVENTUREFAM20, these are some of the best budget mittens you can buy for kids. Whether your kids are skiing, sledding, or engaging in an epic snowball fight, the Reima Ote Mittens are a reliable and practical option.

The main downside to these mittens is that the cuff isn’t very rigid, so it can slide down sometimes. SInce the end of the cuff is just elastic that’s not adjustable, it doesn’t always stay in place, especially with a thinner jacket on instead of a coat. While this does make them very easy for kids to put on without help (school teachers rejoice), I usually don’t pick them for longer adventures, since snow can get in.

winter kids akova reima mittens skiing

Waterproofing 5/5
The Reima Ote Mittens excel in waterproofing, keeping little hands dry even during the slushiest of snow days. The durable, high-quality materials and well-sealed seams ensure that no moisture seeps in, even after hours of outdoor play. We’ve had our kids wear these mittens in wet snow and during ski days, and they’ve consistently stayed dry, making them a fantastic option for both casual winter fun and more demanding activities.

Warmth 4/5
When it comes to warmth, the Reima Ote Mittens are hard to beat for the price. The insulation workds well, even if they’re not the absolute warmest kids mitten. While these mittens might not rival higher-end options like the Chopper Mill mittens in extreme cold, they are perfect for everyday winter conditions.

Durability 5/5
The Reima Ote Mittens are built to last through rough and tumble play, just like all of Reimas gear. We’ve had our kids wearing them for 4 years and those same pairs are still in good shape. From snowball fights to skiing adventures, the mittens have held up beautifully for multiple seasons in our experience.

best kids mittens reima snowsuit stavanger

OVERALL:
The Reima Ote Mittens are the perfect balance of affordability and quality, making them one of the best budget mittens for kids. With excellent waterproofing, good warmth, and durable construction, they provide exceptional performance at a price that’s easy on the wallet. The flexible material makes it simple for kids to grab and hold items, though the long cuff could benefit from better elasticity to stay in place during active play.

 Swany Softy Jr Mitt, with Toaster Construction Review

swany mittens for kids

The Swany Softy Jr mitten is a bit of a hybrid.  It performs like a mitten, but with the dexterity of a glove.  These are the kids’ versions of the mittens that I’ve had for 15 years that performed like a champ. 

Personally, I love that they keep hands warmer than gloves or mittens alone, and also that when you need to do something more detail-oriented (like answer a phone call or zip a coat), you can just slip your gloved fingers out of the zipper, so they’re never really getting too cold.

Waterproof: 2/5 

After submerging these mittens for 1 minute, they were pretty wet on the inside and after 5 minutes they were totally soaked.  I was really surprised by this, and I am assuming that these mittens didn’t do as well in the test because of the zipper on the side that could allow water in. These are not great waterproof mittens kids should get too wet.

Warmth: 5/5

These mittens may have been the warmest that we tested.  If you have a kid who gets really cold fingers, I highly recommend these.  These kids ski mittens are nice since you get the warmth of the mitten with the flexibility of a glove.

Windproof: 5/5 

Overall:  

While these mittens didn’t perform great in our waterproof test, I’m still going to highly recommend them.  Their unique design really suits kids who have extra cold hands or kids who normally would need to take their mittens off to do detailed tasks.  

Also, I swear these are the absolute best mittens for parents, so look into the adult version for yourself. I am constantly needing to use my fingers during the day when we’re out with the kids (zipping coats, getting into pockets, passing out treats) and these keep my fingers SO WARM!

The best waterproof mittens for toddlers

When it comes to buying the best mittens for your toddler, we have two brands that we really like, Veyo Kids and Stonz. One has thumbs and the other is a thumbless mitten, so your choice will be largely based on what mittens will work best for your toddlers thumbs.

baby skiing with edgie wedgie
Our 1-year-old skiing with Stonz Baby Mittens

People often ask us about buying the best gloves for toddlers. Truthfully, toddler winter gloves always seem to be a bit of a disaster. Not only are the best toddler gloves not as warm as the best toddler mittens, but they are almost impossible to get gloves on a toddlers hands.

If your toddler needs the flexibility of a glove, get them the toddler Veyo Mittyz, since they have the best mitten flexibility for toddlers. In the end, the best toddler winter gloves, are mittens!

Stonz Mitts Toddler Mitten Review

stonz waterproof mittens for kids

Like I mentioned earlier, I really like Stonz mittens, and we’ve had great experiences with them over the years. They are warm and dry and do a great job of keeping the snow out with their extra-long cuffs. This is our first time trying out their toddler mittens and they did just as great as their youth mittens.

Waterproof: 5/5

These were the most waterproof mittens or gloves that we tested.  After 5 minutes they were completely dry inside and the water hadn’t even soaked into the fabric at all.  I did notice with our older pair we own that while they are still waterproof, water does soak into the outer fabric some. We absolutely love these waterproof toddler mittens. If you want an amazing pair of waterproof mittens toddlers can wear, I highly recommend these.

Warmth: 5/5

These mittens are very warm and after a couple of hours of snow play, the kids’ hands are still warm.  These make excellent toddler snow mittens.

Windproof: 5/5

Check Prices on Stonz Mittz
Use code bringthekids10 for 10% off

Overall:

Stonz mittens are both excellent quality and excellent value.  They only cost about $40 and the performance is really incredible.  Personally, I love that these mittens have extra long cuffs since it helps keep the snow away from my kids’ wrists (the cuffs go about halfway up the forearm). 

Overall they are probably the best winter mittens for toddlers. Toddlers will need help putting them on and tightening the cuffs, but they need help with just about any mitten so it’s not a big issue.  They are a stiffer mitten than some other toddler mittens so keep that in mind.

The best waterproof mittens for baby

When it comes to the best baby mittens, there is only one brand that I’ll recommend…

Stonz Mitts Baby Mitten Review

(Notice we only have one to show in our photos? That’s real-life with kids right there. I can’t for the life of me find the other one!)

These baby snow mittens are the absolute best and the design is incredibly simple. They’re winter baby gloves that are super simple to put on, and they actually stay put once they’re on. Yes, these baby mittens stay on, and don’t fall off!

We’ve had a pair of these for the last few years, and finally, with my 5th baby, I can truthfully say that I have found a pair of mittens that are perfect for babies!  The Stonz Baby Mittz are a thumbless mitten that go on super easy and are easy to tighten.

We’ve never had these mittens for babies fall off, and our little guys hands always stayed super warm, making these the warmest mittens for babies around.  These are also the only waterproof baby mittens we’ve ever found. These aren’t cheap baby mittens like most stores sell, but are a high quality piece of gear that’s made in baby size.

If you’re planning on adventuring with a baby in the winter, these mittens are a must have for infants, up to about age 2-3. These warm baby mittens will keep your little one’s fingers toasty, and the elastic closure around the wrist and cuff helps them to stay on well.

These are the mittens that I tell all my friends to buy as soon as they have a baby, because I simply love them so much!

While our baby waterproof mittens from Stonz are several years old, they still work amazingly well. They are more stiff than the Veyo Kids mittens so there isn’t a lot of flexibility and I noticed as our son got close to age 2, he started getting frustrated that he couldn’t grab things while wearing them, but for a baby that’s not really a problem. 

Reima Tepas

The Reima Tepas is a new mitten to me, and unfortunately, my kids are all too big for it. However, I have checked them out and they look like a great option for toddlers and babies. They have an excellent warmth rating, and just like all Reima gear, they’re extra durable. I love that they have a zipper to give you a little more room to get little hands in, though, I wish it fully opened the mitten up instead of just making it a little wider.

Should kids wear Mittens or Gloves??

Should kids wear mittens or gloves?  In our home, it’s a longstanding debate.  Two of my kids insist on wearing gloves, and two of my kids always wear mittens.  

mittens and gloves for kids

Honestly, when my kids wear mittens, their hands are always significantly warmer.  Factually, mittens are always warmer than mittens (though not because your fingers are closer together).  Mittens are warmer than gloves because they have less surface area, which means less area to get COLD.  

If you need warmth, or maybe you’re teaching your kids to ski, I recommend mittens.  If you’re going to be doing activities that require a lot of grabbing and manual dexterity, like playing with snow toys or having a snowball fight, gloves are your best option. 

If you really can’t decide, go for the Swany Toaster (my go-to adult gloves). They are a mitten with an inner glove liner, and you can unzip the entire side so that your fingers can stick out and you can grab things more easily.  

How to choose the best kid’s mittens and the best kid’s gloves

Whether your kids are wearing mittens or gloves, there are a few key features that you need to look for BEFORE you buy, and these are the main criteria that we are evaluating each pair of gloves on.  

Waterproof:  The best gloves for kids are always WATERPROOF.  Don’t buy something that’s merely water-resistant, because eventually, your kids are going to get them completely soaked.  With younger kids, it will be faster than you can imagine since they’ll probably be licking the snow off of them, and will eventually grab something out of a puddle while wearing them!

Not all waterproofing is created equally as we learned pretty quickly in our testing.  To see how waterproof gloves and mittens were, we soaked them in water and checked for leaks at 1 minute and again at 5 minutes.  A few pairs didn’t even make it past the one minute mark, while others were struggling a lot by the 5-minute mark.

Keep reading below to see what gloves were the most waterproof. Childrens waterproof gloves are used more than adults waterproof gloves, since kids are always exploring with their hands and get much wetter than adults do.

Warmth:  Cold fingers will instantly ruin any kids’ day, so choosing a warm glove or warm mitten is really important.  While it’s great to have kids mittens or gloves that will keep hands warm during a 15 minute recess, make sure that you choose something that will keep them warm for 4 hours while skiing or out sledding with their friends (even if you aren’t skiers, choosing a kids ski glove instead of a fashion glove will get you much higher quality).  

We’ve spent an entire winter putting kids gloves and mittens to the test so that we can share with you what the warmest gloves and warmest mittens for kids are.  For us, one of the biggest things we look for is the best ski gloves for kids, since we spend a lot of time in the snow and our kids are always wearing their gloves skiing.

All of these kids’ mittens and gloves have been thoroughly used (and abused) by our kids and we are so excited to be able to help you find the absolute best kid’s mittens and the best kid’s gloves so that your kids stay warm and dry this winter.

little boys boulder gear

Windproof:  When it’s really cold and windy outside, you’re going to want your gloves to be windproof, or else your kids’ hands will get cold really fast.  Typically, thin gloves are less windproof and thick gloves are more windproof. To test how windproof they were, the kids decided that they would stick their hands out the window while we were driving down the highway on a cold day (their idea, not mine).  I figure if anything would test to see how windproof gloves were, that would be it.

*We’ve got lots of winter gear reviews on our site right now if you’re looking for good winter clothing for your kids. We’ve reviewed the best winter snow boots, the best coats for kids, and the best base layers for kids.

kids in snow with gloves and mittens on

How do I make old gloves waterproof again?

If you’ve invested in good quality gloves or mittens for your kids and they just aren’t feeling waterproof enough anymore, consider re-waterproofing them. We find that after the first season, most kid’s gloves or mittens need a waterproofing refresh about every 4-6 weeks in the winter. Keeping them clean with a good quality outdoor-focused detergent is important as well. Read all about waterproofing kid’s outdoor gear here, where we dive deep into the products we recommend and the steps you need to waterproof your kid’s gloves again.

How do I keep snow out of kids gloves?

 The best way to keep snow out of kids’ gloves is to buy a pair that can tighten well around the child’s wrist.  We find that there are a lot of gloves and mittens on the market with a really short cuff, which means that they have to be worn UNDER a child’s coat in order for them to keep the snow out of their mitten or wrist.  Honestly, this is just kind of a pain since it almost always requires adult help.  The gloves and mittens we recommend most, all have longer cuffs so that kids can take them off if they need to, and then easily slide them over the top of their coat, and tighten the cuff.  

How do I get my child to keep their mittens on?

This can be especially challenging with toddlers and young kids, who don’t understand the logic of keeping their mittens on.  One school of thought is that they eventually will get cold and put them back on.  

However, I’m guessing if you’re asking, you’ve got a stubborn child, like one of mine, who doesn’t care how cold their hands get…

The best option for kids who struggle to keep their gloves on, is to wear a long cuffed glove or mitten UNDER their coat, and then tighten the wrist of the coat down.  This makes is REALLY HARD for them to get their mittens off, and this was what worked best for our stubborn mitten wearer!

About Jessica Averett

Hi, I’m Jessica, a mom of 5 kids and married to my favorite adventure partner. I love to bike, ski, camp and hike. We've visited over 40 countries with our kids, but are equally happy on the road as we are exploring our home state of Utah.

6 thoughts on “Test Results: The Best Waterproof Gloves and Mittens for Kids: 2025 Edition”

  1. Last year (Nov/Dec 2019) I purchased a pair of Hestra Gauntlet CZone and All Mountain CZone for my kids. They come in at CAD$100 and CAD$125 respectively. My kids barely got 3 months (until end of Feb 2020) out of them before the material at the fingertips began to wear out causing holes. Both gloves were affected with the same issues, and given the short usage time, I can’t say that it is wear and tear alone. The holes are not on the seams but rather just adjacent – the stitching is still there but the material that holds the stitching has come apart. The leather on the All Mountain gloves has failed in several spots. I regularly rubbed it with balm (per the instructions) but it has worn thin in places and failed. Nowhere is it cracked, it is soft and supple all over. I’m working with Hestra on the warranty, but they are making me feel like I shouldn’t see these as unusual issues. Given that different models failed in roughly the same amount of (very short) time by two different users, I wouldn’t recommend Hestra.

    Reply
    • Oh my goodness, that’s horrible to hear! I’m so sorry you are having issues with their gloves. My oldest wears his All Mountain CZone’s all the time, and we haven’t had an issues at all yet, but now I’m going to watch extra close for the same problems that you’ve had. Thanks for the heads up!

      Reply
  2. We have an active 18 month old – one who likes to pick up small stones, and is a climber. Which would be the better choice for her – the Veyo or the Stonz?

    Reply
    • I have the same issue as Kate, my 4 year old shredded the rubbery grip on her waterproof mittens in the first 5 minutes climbing a tree. I’d love to know if any of the waterproof mittens survive a moderate wear test.

      Reply
  3. We ski all the time and cold hands are a big problem. I’ve found one key to warm hands is to insulate the underside of the wrist. The blood flows close to the surface there. If the wrist stays warm and dry then the rhymes often stay warm too.
    This supports the Stonz mits with the long cuffs. Short cuffs eventually expose the wrists.
    Thanks for putting this all together.

    Reply
  4. After diligently reading through your evaluations, we purchased the Reima Skimba gloves for our kids. Unfortunately, they both ended up with freezing hands while on the slopes. My hands were toasty warm in my different-branded gloves. We ended up having to purchase other gloves while on our trip so that our kids’ hands could be warm.

    Reply

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