Black Diamond Spark Ski Glove Review
The Black Diamond Spark ($130) is a leather freeride glove designed for moderate warmth in a streamlined undercuff style. Our tester was admittedly hard on the glove—namely, the sloppy fit, grabby liners, and questionable build quality—but acknowledged some redeeming qualities too. Supple leather, plush insulation, and practical freeride touches give it appeal if the fit works for you. With consistent waterproof treatment, the integrated membrane should keep it working well on all but the wettest days.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
BD.dry
Shell
Leather
Cuff style
Under cuff
Liner
Fixed
Pros
Cons
Black Diamond Spark
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Ski Gloves.
With a mix of Primaloft Gold insulation, high-density EVA foam across the knuckles (a nod to race-glove design), and a soft fleece liner, the Black Diamond Spark Gloves sit on the warmer end of the spectrum. They’re noticeably toastier than a classic Kinco but fall short of the heavyweight Black Diamond Guide Glove. For me, they’re a solid match for most resort days in the Pacific Northwest, though if you tend to run cold—or get out in consistently frigid temps—you’ll probably want a warmer ski glove. On the flip side, the Sparks felt downright sweltering during our warm spring photoshoot, and I was grateful for the wrist lanyards, so I could quickly remove them to dump the heat.
The Black Diamond Spark features a full leather shell, paired with the brand's proprietary BD.dry waterproof membrane and a factory-applied hydrophobic treatment. Black Diamond also includes a tube of Nikwax, which should help keep the leather beading for at least a season. In testing, the exterior shed wet snow and slush well, and any moisture that slipped past the leather was stopped by the membrane.
That said, anyone who’s blown through a pair of Kincos knows the inevitable: once leather fibers fray, the exposed tips soak up water like sponges, no matter how much wax you apply. The Spark's relatively soft leather raises similar concerns about long-term durability. The BD.dry membrane provides a helpful backup, but between sweat build-up and the discomfort of soggy leather, it’s not a perfect solution. All told, I’d recommend the Spark for cold, dry climates, while skiers in wetter regions may be better off with a burlier leather or synthetic option such as the Outdoor Research Arete Modular or Showa Temres 282-02.
I usually fall between a medium and a large in ski gloves, and sizing up to a Large was the wrong call here. Between the looser fit and some “slipperiness” between the liner and the soft goatskin shell, fine motor control took a hit. The Spark’s leather exterior grips well, but my fingers slid around inside the roomy tips, which made tasks more awkward than they should be. I also noticed the liner grabbing at sweaty hands, making it challenging to pull the gloves on and off cleanly—likely a symptom of the liner and shell not matching up perfectly. A thin liner glove could help with the stickiness, but it wouldn’t solve the Black Diamond Spark's overall dexterity issues.
Dexterity gripes aside, the Black Diamond Spark is impressively plush and comfortable from the moment you take it out of the box. The supple (if somewhat thin) leather pairs nicely with a soft fleece liner, creating a warm, broken-in feel from day one. I especially like the low-profile undercuff design, which slides easily under the sleeve of my ski jacket and secures with a Velcro tab that’s easy to cinch with the opposite glove.
That said, the closure system and liner introduce some notable comfort issues. The oversized Velcro tabs feel rough and rigid, digging into my wrist, and the cuff itself doesn’t integrate cleanly with the rest of the glove. I especially noticed friction points where the cuff liner meets the glove liner on the back of my hand—a stark contrast to the seamless design of the Flylow Wolverine. The liner also isn’t well anchored to the shell, making the gloves a chore to pull on and off; with even a hint of moisture, I found myself wrestling with fabric and tugging at odd angles to smooth out bunching. The Spark has all the makings of a highly comfortable glove, but it needs a round of refinement from Black Diamond to get there.
If I’m honest, the Spark doesn’t inspire much confidence in long-term durability. The goatskin leather is buttery soft out of the box, but that pliability usually comes at the expense of lifespan, and I expect it to wear down quickly. On paper, the cut and design mimic a quality leather race glove, but in practice, the proportions and execution feel clunky and off. The fleece liner is only loosely attached to the leather shell, making the gloves difficult to pull on and off with damp hands and contributing to reduced dexterity in the fingertips. Around the cuff, the cheap-feeling nylon and poorly cut Velcro tab only add to the impression of subpar build quality, with rigid corners that dig into the wrist. Taken together, the Spark feels more “big-box budget” than premium ski glove, and at $130, I’d expect far better attention to detail. Flylow’s Wolverine offers a much more refined take on the race-freeride design for the same price, and even a pair of Kincos from the hardware store will keep you just as happy for a fraction of the cost.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
PFAS-Free Waterproof Membrane
The membranes used in waterproof products such as rain jackets, ski jackets, and shoes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are valued for their resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product’s waterproof membrane is PFAS-free, while a red X means it contains PFAS.
Responsible Leather
Responsible leather is typically sourced from suppliers certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG), a third-party nonprofit that evaluates tanneries on factors such as water and energy use, chemical and waste management, emissions, traceability, and worker safety, and assigns ratings ranging from Bronze to Gold. A green check mark indicates a product uses responsibly sourced leather, a yellow check mark indicates the brand sources responsible leather for the majority of its products but does not specify it at the product level, and a red X indicates the product does not use responsibly sourced leather.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
The Spark is a fairly simple glove with what Black Diamond dubs a “Freeride” cuff designed to slide under a jacket. At the wrist, the synthetic material is smooth and stretchy, and I found myself wishing the entire back of the hand used this fabric instead of the looser, catchier fleece. The knuckles get a layer of EVA foam protection borrowed from race-glove designs—useful not just for gates but for punching through branches while tree skiing. Both thumbs feature a soft suede patch that doubles nicely as a goggle squeegee or nose wipe, and the included wrist lanyards are a welcome detail. On warm days at the resort, they gave me the security to take off my gloves for chairlift fiddling without risking the "walk of shame” retrieval beneath the lift.
My hand measures 8 inches from wrist to fingertip, and had I followed Black Diamond’s size chart, I probably would have gone with a Medium. That said, I also own the Black Diamond Guide as my ultra-warm option, and the Large in that model already feels snug on my fingers. I’ve also been skiing in the Flylow Wolverine—a glove with a nearly identical race-inspired short cuff leather design—and that glove (in size L) was almost too tight until it broke in. Based on those experiences, I went with a Large in the Spark.
The Spark, however, feels oddly proportioned. If I had to sum it up in one line, the interior just doesn’t feel shaped like a hand. There’s excess room in the palm and fingers that kills dexterity, yet the cuff is uncomfortably tight around the wrist. If there is a hand that would truly fill the space inside this glove, I can’t imagine it making it past the wrist gasket without frustration. In the end, the Spark’s fit felt unrefined and mismatched for my hand—too roomy in the palm and fingers, but likely too restrictive at the wrist to size down.
Flylow Wolverine ($125): The Better-Executed Freeride Glove
If you like the design of the Black Diamond Spark, join the party. We do too! But we think other ski gloves execute it better. The most notable of these is the Flylow Wolverine, which follows a very similar formula: all-leather shell, neoprene cuff, back-of-hand padding, built-in synthetic insulation, and waterproof membrane. The Wolverine fit our tester much better than the Spark, features a softer and sleeker wool liner, and adds supple leather tabs to the cuff flaps that are easier to grab and softer next to the skin. If you’re going to spend $125 on a glove and like the Spark’s design, we recommend taking a look at the Wolverine. For more, read our review of the Flylow Wolverine.
Hestra Fall Line ($190): Better Fit, No Waterproofing
Fit is one of our main gripes with the Spark, and this is where the Hestra Fall Line truly stands out. The Fall Line features pre-curved fingers and outseams along the entire palm, minimizing bulk inside the glove and making it feel like an extension of the hand. As a result, it’s one of the best-fitting gloves we’ve had the pleasure of wearing, especially after a small break-in period. The downside to the design is that it’s not waterproof. But if you don’t mind reapplying a waterproof finish a few times a season and don’t plan to subject the gloves to particularly wet conditions, it’s a solid choice (and the removable liner makes it quick-drying, too). For a deeper dive, see our Fall Line review.
This leather glove exudes freeride vibes, with an under-cuff design and back-of-hand padding that offers a nice middle ground between highly insulated gloves and pared-down leather models. Both the fit and finish, however, are unrefined, and the BD’s proprietary waterproof technology doesn’t provide the same protection as Gore-Tex.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
This is Flylow’s freeride-inspired leather glove. The cuff design is better executed than much of the competition: It’s snug-fitting, has no pesky pressure points, and is easy to adjust. But with thin insulation, we don’t recommend these gloves for low-output, frigid days.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Thanks to a supple cowhide shell, pre-curved fingers, and outseams at the palm, the Fall Line is a highly dexterous glove. It’s durable, too: We’ve been wearing our pair for six years and it’s still going strong. But with no waterproof membrane, you won’t want to push it in wet conditions.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Is the Spark for You?
The Black Diamond Spark is a mid-range freeride glove, best suited for skiers who spend most of their days in cold, relatively dry conditions and want race-inspired protection. It’s plush out of the box, with thoughtful touches like wrist lanyards, suede thumb patches, and foam padding at the knuckles, and it delivers enough warmth for typical resort days without tipping into Guide Glove territory. That said, the Spark’s soft leather raises durability concerns, the fit feels unrefined, and the liner/shell interface hampers both dexterity and comfort. We think there are better tools for the job.
Go for it if you want a waterproof, all-leather ski glove that’s warmer than a Kinco, comfortable out of the box, and adds some race-inspired back-of-hand protection.
Pass on it if you prioritize long-term durability, precise dexterity, or a refined fit—Flylow’s Wolverine and Hestra’s Fall Line are stronger contenders in those areas.
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