Give'r Frontier Mittens Review
The Give'r Frontier ($139) looks every bit the rugged, bombproof leather workhorse, and in durability, it lives up to that promise thanks to its thick, full-leather build. But insulation underwhelms in real cold, and the stiff break-in period and poor dexterity make it one of the least user-friendly mittens we’ve tested. The proprietary waterproof membrane does its job, and the Frontier’s workwear styling has undeniable appeal, but with warmer, more comfortable, and equally durable options available for the same price—or less—it’s hard to recommend the Frontier on performance alone.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
Waterproof membrane
Shell
Leather
Cuff style
Under cuff
Liner
Fixed
Pros
Cons
Give'r Frontier
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Ski Mittens.
If you read Give’r’s marketing copy, you might expect the Frontier Mittens to be one of the warmest on the market: the brand advertises 490 grams of insulation on the back of the hand and 380 grams on the palm. In reality, this head-spinning mix of foam, synthetic fill, fleece, and reflective materials performs more like a midweight mitten than a true cold-weather heavyweight. Warmth is on par with the Flylow Oven (200g/100g fill) and best suited for days in the low 20s and above—anything colder left me reaching for alternatives.
Compared to ski mittens like the Black Diamond Mercury, Outdoor Research Mt. Baker II, or even The North Face Montana, the Frontier doesn’t inspire the same confidence on truly frigid days. The lack of adjustability at the cuff also makes it harder to seal out drafts. There’s no catastrophic failure here, but at this price point, I expected more reliable warmth.
The Frontier relies on a proprietary waterproof/breathable membrane backed by a beeswax-coated leather shell. In practice, it performs well, though not at the level of a premium Gore-Tex insert. In dry snow and cold conditions, the beeswax treatment worked as intended, causing moisture to bead and roll off while my hands stayed comfortable on groomers and tree runs. But in wetter storms and above-freezing temps, the leather began to soak up water and grew noticeably heavy.
For skiers in the Rockies or other cold, dry climates—and who are diligent about re-waxing—the Frontier can serve as a capable daily driver. In maritime regions like the Pacific Northwest, however, or anywhere wet powder and sleet are common, a glove with a more reliable waterproof layer will serve you better. At a similar price, the Black Diamond Mercury ($140) offers more dependable weather protection and added warmth, while the Outdoor Research Carbide Sensor delivers comparable performance for even less ($130).
There’s no way around it: the Frontier is one of the least dexterous ski mittens we’ve tested. Out of the box, the cowhide leather is stiff, and the bulky mix of foam and insulation only adds to the clumsiness. Even after break-in, gripping ski poles feels awkward, and tasks like buckling boots, tightening straps, or unzipping pockets usually require taking the mitts off. Compared to three-finger designs like the Gordini Cirque or more supple leather mitts like the Hestra Fall Line, the Frontier feels like a blunt tool—serviceable for keeping your hands covered, but far from nimble.
Comfort is another area where the Frontier lags behind its appearance. The stiff leather shell and bulky insulation make it feel clunky at first, and the fleece lining doesn’t fully offset that. The fabric cuff is also a weak point: it’s floppy, quick to soak up moisture, and doesn’t seal particularly well. The good news is that patience pays off—the leather does mold to your hand over time, and once broken in, the fit becomes noticeably better. Still, if you’re expecting the plush, glove-like feel of a Hestra mitten straight out of the box, the Frontier will likely disappoint.
Durability is where the Give’r Frontier shines. Its thick cowhide leather shell is robust and clearly built to handle season after season of use—leather generally outlasts synthetic mitten fabrics, which are more prone to abrasion. After several days on the slopes, I saw virtually no signs of wear, and with proper care (regular waxing to prevent drying and cracking), the leather should only improve with age. The one potential weak point is the fabric cuff, which may fray or stretch more easily over time than a reinforced synthetic or leather cuff. Still, compared to more affordable options like the Dakine Titan or The North Face Montana, the Frontier is well ahead in durability and long-term longevity.
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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.
Wrist Leash
The Frontier’s removable, functional leash works well for on-mountain use. It kept the mitten secure when I needed to pull it off for phone use, gear tweaks, or literally any other task (it’s hard to overstate how un-dexterous this mitten is).
Mitten Clip
A small, metal loop lets you keep the pair together during storage. It’s a nice bonus feature, even if basic.
What’s Missing
The Frontier keeps things very simple, which means a few features you’ll find on competitors are absent here. There’s no goggle or nose wipe on the thumb, no pocket on the back of the hand for a heat pack (like we see on the Dakine Titan GTX), and no cinch or adjustability at the cuff to lock out drafts. You also won’t find touchscreen compatibility, which is increasingly common even on leather ski mitts. None of these are dealbreakers if you value the Frontier’s rugged simplicity, but they do highlight that you’re paying more for build and style than for modern convenience.
Give’r recently updated its sizing chart, so it’s worth checking the website before ordering. The Frontier comes in seven unisex sizes (XS to 3XL), which offers plenty of coverage even without separate men’s and women’s versions. My hand measures 7 inches long, and I typically wear a men’s medium; the medium here fit well once broken in. Just note that the break-in period is significant—don’t expect supple comfort out of the box, but with patience, the fit becomes reliably comfortable.
Stio Hardscrabble Insulated ($159): Sleeker, but with Less Tech
The Hardscrabble is another full-leather mitt, but it leans more toward comfort and dexterity than durability or wet-weather protection. Its cowbelly leather is noticeably more supple than the Frontier’s, which makes for a quick break-in and better in-hand feel, though at the cost of long-term toughness. With 100-gram PrimaLoft Gold Eco, warmth is also a step down from the Frontier. Finally, it also lacks a waterproof membrane, leaving the Hardscrabble best suited for fair-weather skiers who prefer its refined look over the Frontier’s workwear vibe—and don’t mind paying $20 more for it. To learn more, read our review of the Stio Hardscrabble.
Flylow Oven ($55): Leather on a Budget
If you like the Frontier’s workwear aesthetic but don’t want to spend over $100, the Flylow Oven offers a stripped-down alternative at less than half the price. Like the Frontier, it’s a leather build designed to be long-lasting, but the Oven is far more bare bones: it lacks a waterproof membrane, has no leashes, its insulation is minimal, and the shell is softer and less hardwearing pigskin. In other words, the Oven skips many features that help justify the Frontier’s premium price. If all you need is a tough, inexpensive leather glove for drier conditions, the Oven is an easy win on value. But if you want more reliable waterproofing, a beefier build, and longer-term durability, the Frontier is still the more capable option.
Flylow Unicorn ($70): More Affordable, Still Waterproof
Give’r’s price tags tend to run high, but the Flylow Unicorn Mitt delivers a very similar feature set for significantly less. Like the Frontier, it sports a waterproof membrane, durable leather shell, and knit under-cuff design. The real difference lies in insulation: while the Frontier layers in foam, synthetic fill, and a heat-reflective liner, the Unicorn keeps it simple with 100 grams at the palm and 220 grams on the back of the hand. That means you don’t get the same padding or cold-weather protection that makes the Frontier appealing for both work and play. Still, for standard resort days, the Unicorn is nearly as capable—and at less than half the price, it’s the better value for most skiers.
Give’r took a traditional leather mitten and winterized it, tacking on a waterproof membrane, multiple layers of insulation, and a beeswax coating. However, the Frontier is not as warm as we’d expect and takes effort to break in.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
The Hardscrabble is a durable leather mitten with premium materials, including a merino wool liner. It's soft and flexible from the get-go. However, the price tag is high for such thin insulation.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
The Oven is an affordable yet durable workhorse mitten. It's supple from the get-go and pre-treated with a durable water-repellent finish. However, don't expect too much warmth, and the mitten will soak through in wet conditions.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Is the Frontier for You?
The Give’r Frontier is a rugged leather ski mitten that puts durability and waterproofing first, but struggles to keep pace in warmth, dexterity, and comfort.
Go for it if you want a tough, no-frills ski mitten and don’t mind investing the time to break it in. It’s also a great pick for those wanting high-performance waterproofing alongside a workwear aesthetic.
Pass on it if you need reliable warmth for truly cold days, care about dexterity or out-of-the-box comfort, or want the best value—there are warmer, more user-friendly options at a similar or lower price.
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