Expert Review: Hestra Women's Patrol Gauntlet Mittens

Published on 09/26/2022 · 3 min readThis review is my honest opinion of the mittens, which I purchased with my own money in January of 2020.
By Ski Expert Lauren Dobbins

Hestra Leashes Doing Their Job at Copper. All photos courtesy of Lauren DobbinsTwo skiers 

About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the mittens, which I purchased with my own money in January of 2020.

My take

The Hestra Women’s Patrol Gauntlet Mittens are perfect for anyone who is tired of suffering from cold hands. Insanely durable, these mittens will keep one happy season after season.

Hi from Vail

About the mittens I own

  • Model: 2020 Hestra Women’s Patrol Gauntlet Mittens
  • Size: 7

About me

  • Height: 5’3.5”
  • Weight: 130 lbs
  • Experience: 20+ years of snowboarding/skiing

Test conditions

  • When I bought them: January 2020
  • Days used: 125+
  • Weather conditions used in: Whiteout blizzards, high wind, below 0
  • Where I’ve used them: Colorado, Utah, California
  • Terrain: All over the resort

How they perform

Breathability
3/5
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Ease of Movement
5/5
Warmth
5/5
Waterproofing
5/5

What I was looking for

I forgot my gloves one day after driving two hours to the ski resort. I needed to buy gloves or mittens on mountain that were the right size for my small hands.

Why I chose this gear

These mittens were the only ones in my size at the ski shop.

Holding Up After 125+ Uses

What I love about it

  • Fit: The adjustable gauntlet allows for perfect adjustment around the wrists.
  • Comfort: The liner of these mittens is super soft and comfortable.
  • Ease of movement: The soft leather allows these mittens to articulate well with my hands.
  • Warmth: Hestra has outdone every other brand when it comes to warmth. The leather keeps heat in, and the removable liner is soft and adds an extra layer of protection.
  • Waterproofing: I’ve never had water enter these mittens, even when it dumps snow.
  • Conditions: These mittens are meant for the coldest of cold days.
  • Quality: The high-quality leather and fabric keep these mittens looking nice after every use. The leather is particularly soft and buttery to the touch.
  • Durability: These mittens are almost bombproof with their durability. The fabric has very limited fraying after 125+ uses. The leather has a few scratches, but nothing lessens the warmth/waterproofness.

Issues I’ve encountered

  • Breathability: These mittens truly do not breathe. The materials are meant to keep heat in through the most extreme conditions, so don’t expect them to release any heat if one gets hot.
  • Conditions: It is easy to overheat as soon as the temp hits the upper 20s.
  • Touchscreen compatibility: I have to take these off in order to use a phone.
  • Other: Since these mittens are leather, I need to ensure they are cared for properly. Hestra sells these with leather conditioner, and it is important to use it to make sure the leather holds up.

Holding Up After 125+ Uses

Favorite moment with this gear

A month after my “accidental” purchase of these mittens, I complained about their price to a friend. At the end of my spiel, my friend’s brother says, “Yeah, but they were worth it, right?” And I had to admit it. They were worth it. These mittens have been the warmest and longest-lasting piece of gear I own.

Value for the money vs. other options

While I was initially shocked by the sticker price, these mittens are worth every penny. I’ve tried gloves/mittens from Spyder, Burton, Flylow, and various other brands I find at the ski shop. No other glove/mitten has compared to the warmth of these Hestra mittens.

Final verdict

I’m so thankful I forgot my gloves that one day. These mittens have survived three seasons of blistering conditions so far, and I have no intention of ever replacing them. Do yourself a favor and invest in a pair of Women’s Patrol Gauntlet Mittens by Hestra.

Lauren Dobbins, Ski Expert
5.0
Lauren Dobbins
Ski Expert
I learned how to ski before I learned how to ride a bike! I grew up shredding my local hill at The Grand Geneva in Wisconsin, but I always had dreams of moving to the mountains after every family ski trip. I made my dream a reality when my husband and I moved to Colorado in 2018. We are the definition of Weekend Warriors, as we ski 70+ days each season while still maintaining a 9 to 5! I've made it my mission to ski every resort in Colorado (I've skied 14 in state so far). Breckenridge is my personal favorite (and the closest to my home), but I've grown to love the independent resorts like Monarch and A-Basin. I've checked off skiing in California and Utah and can't wait to plan the next out-of-state trip. From green catwalks to double-black bowls, there isn't a ski run that doesn't make me smile! Although I'm an aspiring ski bum, I work full time as a Program Manager in internal operations at a global consulting firm. In addition to skiing for fun, I also volunteer at the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park. When I'm not skiing, I'm learning how to snowboard. When it's not possible to ski or snowboard, you can find me mountain biking or hiking with my three rescue dogs. I love finding my new favorite ski gear, and I hope to help you find your new favorites too!
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Written by:
Lauren Dobbins, Ski Expert
5.0
Lauren Dobbins
Ski Expert
I learned how to ski before I learned how to ride a bike! I grew up shredding my local hill at The Grand Geneva in Wisconsin, but I always had dreams of moving to the mountains after every family ski trip. I made my dream a reality when my husband and I moved to Colorado in 2018. We are the definition of Weekend Warriors, as we ski 70+ days each season while still maintaining a 9 to 5! I've made it my mission to ski every resort in Colorado (I've skied 14 in state so far). Breckenridge is my personal favorite (and the closest to my home), but I've grown to love the independent resorts like Monarch and A-Basin. I've checked off skiing in California and Utah and can't wait to plan the next out-of-state trip. From green catwalks to double-black bowls, there isn't a ski run that doesn't make me smile! Although I'm an aspiring ski bum, I work full time as a Program Manager in internal operations at a global consulting firm. In addition to skiing for fun, I also volunteer at the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park. When I'm not skiing, I'm learning how to snowboard. When it's not possible to ski or snowboard, you can find me mountain biking or hiking with my three rescue dogs. I love finding my new favorite ski gear, and I hope to help you find your new favorites too!

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