Choosing the right snowboarding gloves is one of the most important decisions that you need to make when outfitting yourself for your ride. When you ski, you hold onto two poles that keep your hands away from the snow and ice. When you hit the slopes, you need something that protects your hands from not only the snow and the ice, but also the cold temperatures on the mountain.

Most people think about frostbite, but few think about the wind. The wind is bad enough on its own, but that wind becomes even worse as you whip down the mountain. The faster you rip down the mountain, the faster the wind passes by you, and the colder your body and especially your hands get. Snowboard gloves and mitts cover your fingers, hand and upper wrist, protecting the skin from the cold. Without the right protection, you risk the wind and cold weather seriously damaging your skin, or at least just bumming you out.

Snowboarders can be especially prone to skin damage because they often move faster than skiers, and many spend a lot more time planted in the snow whether they are resting, or just bailed. As the wind and snow crosses your skin, it leads to dryness and red spots. You might even suffer from skin chapping, which causes raw spots on your skin. The chapping is extremely painful and might stop you from hitting the mountain in the future. The pain can be so extreme that the idea of even getting back on your board is unbearable.

Whatever snowboarding gloves you choose, you should ensure that they fit your hands properly. They should fit comfortably without limiting any of your movement. If they fit too tightly or have too much padding, then you might not get the same freedom or dexterity. Gloves come in dozens of different styles and designs. You can find designs that match your jacket and board, as well as more colorful designs and basic styles.