Before hitting the slopes, any snowboarder – from beginners to professionals - must slip on a pair of snowboard gloves. In fact, they are one of the few essential pieces of gear that someone needs to participate in the sport of snowboarding. Without them, it can be a miserable day on the slopes.
Snowboard gloves are longer than most ordinary gloves. In fact, they can reach as far as mid-forearm, in many cases. The reason behind this is that people who snowboard often spend time dragging their hands through the snow as they go down the slope. If the snowboard gloves were shorter, they would quickly fill with cold, wet snow - a chilling experience.
The material that snowboard gloves are made of varies according to the brand and the style. For example, some are made from water-resistant leather and have a warm fleece liner. Others are made of a thinner fabric and have a GOR-TEX® insert – famous for its breathability and waterproof qualities.
Usually the warm fleece liners are removable. This is perfect for variable snowboarding conditions. For example, when it is cold, wet, and windy out – slip the liners in the gloves to keep hands toasty warm. Then, during Spring boarding conditions – when the weather is a little warmer – the liner can be removed and hands will never sweat.
For those snowboarders who want a little extra protection, some snowboard gloves have wrist guards. These can be ideal to give the wrists a little extra strength and prevent bone breaks and fractures. They are great for forward falls.
Interestingly, snowboard gloves often have special whistles and bells. These vary drastically from brand to brand. For example, a special cloth on the outer thumb area of the glove can be an option. Then, the snowboarder can wipe his nose, if it is running. Another option that is often seen is a zippered vent on the top of the glove. The vent is the perfect place to store a hand-warmer during the coldest conditions or it can simply be left open to cool hands off during warmer days.
Many snowboard gloves have a reinforced durable piece of material for the palm of the hand. The reason behind this is that the snowboard has sharp edges, used for cutting a trail down the slope. These edges can quickly ruin the palm area of a normal pair of gloves, if the material is not tough. This is particularly true when the snowboard is carried from one spot to the next. Even carrying the snowboard to the car from the slopes on a continuous basis can wreak havoc on a pair of gloves without durability.
Of course, it must be mentioned that snowboard gloves come in a variety of colors and styles. They can even be found in mitten-style – with all the same options as the gloves. They are available for men, women, and children, as well. It is important to try them on and make sure they fit before they are purchased – as some brands are cut smaller than others. Once the right pair of quality snowboard gloves is found, they can last for years.