Review: Hestra Freeride Czone 3 Finger Gloves
By Snowboarding Expert
Kiana D
8 photos
The Curated Take
4.4/5
The Hestra Freeride Czone 3 Finger Gloves are ideal for cold weather, particularly for those who need extra warmth. Offering a unique lobster claw design, they provide mitten-like warmth without sacrificing mobility. These gloves are long-lasting but require reproofing for waterproofness. They aren't very breathable due to being made of leather, leading to overheated hands, and their short, small cuff is best worn inside a jacket. They are great for those seeking durability and warmth in their gloves, especially on frosty groomer days.
Ideal for
- Lobster claw provides more warmth while not sacrificing mobility
- Has very strong seams
- Durable glove that will last for years
Not ideal for
- Needs to be reproofed to stay waterproof
- Does not breathe very well due to leather, so that hands can overheat
- Cuff is short and small, so it works best on the inside of a jacket
Waterproofing
They are made of leather and require being conditioned often to maintain their water repellency. I notice when the leather starts to absorb water, and once that starts, I have...Read more
Durability
I am a snowboarder, walking to and from the resort every time I ride. Carrying a snowboard is not easy on gloves because it has a sharp edge. Over two...Read more
Comfort
The lobster claw is helpful for more mobility and strapping snowboard bindings. These gloves have a soft inner liner. They have a little bit of a tighter wrist strap, and...Read more
Warmth
If it is super cold outside, these are the only gloves that I will wear. These are the warmest gloves I own, period. My hands rarely get cold in these...Read more
Breathability
These gloves are not breathable due to being made of leather. In fact, they are suffocating at times, and they make my hands sweat because they do not breathe very...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Kiana D
About the gloves
- Model: Hestra Freeride Czone 3 Finger Gloves
Test conditions
- When I bought these: 2021
- Where I’ve used them: In Girdwood, Alaska, which is a resort at sea level, so we experience all weather conditions.
- How many times I've used it: 100
Expert Reviews of the Hestra Freeride Czone 3 Finger Gloves
Kiana D The Hestra Freeride gloves are some of the warmest I have ever owned. These are good for someone looking for a warm glove to use on cold-smoke groomer days. I have Raynaud's, which causes my hands and feet to go numb if I get even a little chilled. With these gloves, my hands stay way warmer, and it is also easier to get them warm since they are similar to a mitten. It is also really easy to use hand warmers.
I got these gloves because a friend has had hers for nearly eight years now and has held up like a champ. The Freerides can stay perfectly dry in the rain if maintained properly, but if not, they will absorb water and take a long time to dry out. These are gloves that should be used when it is frosty outside. Since they are leather, my hands are easy to overheat because they are not as breathable. These are not typically my go-to gloves on a powder day because they have a small cuff that would fit best inside a jacket.
Product Specs
| Gender | Unisex |
| Age Group | Adult |
| Featured technology | VELCRO®, CZone® |
| Features | Breathable, Waterproof |
| Material | Neoprene, Polyester/Polyester blend |
| Best use | Snowsports |
Review Ratings
Waterproofing
4/5
Kiana D gave 4 of 5 stars. They are made of leather and require being conditioned often to maintain their water repellency. I notice when the leather starts to absorb water, and once that starts, I have a few uses before it will penetrate the membrane.
Durability
5/5
Kiana D gave 5 of 5 stars. I am a snowboarder, walking to and from the resort every time I ride. Carrying a snowboard is not easy on gloves because it has a sharp edge. Over two seasons with these gloves, I noticed some cuts in the leather at the palm and fingers (where the board rests). These cuts have not gone through, and they are still waterproof.
Comfort
5/5
Kiana D gave 5 of 5 stars. The lobster claw is helpful for more mobility and strapping snowboard bindings. These gloves have a soft inner liner. They have a little bit of a tighter wrist strap, and sometimes, if it goes over layers, they will leave a pressure mark.
Warmth
5/5
Kiana D gave 5 of 5 stars. If it is super cold outside, these are the only gloves that I will wear. These are the warmest gloves I own, period. My hands rarely get cold in these gloves because they are similar to a mitten. However, when I get cold, the lobster claw makes putting a hand warmer inside the glove easy.
Breathability
3/5
Kiana D gave 3 of 5 stars. These gloves are not breathable due to being made of leather. In fact, they are suffocating at times, and they make my hands sweat because they do not breathe very well. They do not excel in warm temperatures. These are ideal for a cold-smoke day.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Kiana D My favorite moment with these gloves was reproofing them for the first time. After doing so, I went to ride, and it was raining outside. The water beaded up on the leather and dripped off.
Why did you choose this product?
Kiana D I chose this product because all the reviews I read and the people I talked to said they had them for close to 10 years and are super warm. As mentioned, I have Raynaud's, where if my body temp drops, my hands go numb, and these gloves have helped me a lot with this.
