Gordini Cirque Ski Glove Review
The Gordini Cirque ($140) is a classic leather ski glove that leans into comfort and dexterity rather than warmth and stormproofing. Its cozy interior, supple goatskin build, and undercuff design make it a pleasure to wear when the conditions are right, but that encompasses a narrower range than warmer, more waterproof competitors. For fair-weather skiing, the Cirque is legit, but there’s also better value to be found elsewhere.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
N/A
Upper
Goatskin leather
Cuff style
Under cuff
Liner
Fixed
Pros
Cons
Gordini Cirque
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Ski Gloves.
The Gordini Cirque pairs a goatskin leather shell with PrimaLoft synthetic insulation and a soft, thin fixed fleece liner. I found it noticeably toastier than lightweight spring gloves or basic hardware-store gloves, but not nearly as insulating as heavyweight ski gloves like the Black Diamond Guide or Oyuki Sencho GTX. Overall, the Cirque’s design creates enough warmth for the relatively mild Pacific Northwest resort conditions that I tested it in, but perhaps not enough for colder climates like the northern Rockies.
During a powder day at Washington’s Crystal Mountain, I skied comfortably in the Gordini Cirque without any issues. The glove traps heat effectively, while the fleece liner wicks moisture enough to keep my hands from ever feeling sweaty or swampy. However, once I got tired late in the day and my core temperature started dropping, I noticed my fingers cooling off quickly—that’s where the extra warmth provided by thicker insulation or a mitten would come in handy. Compared to similar leather ski gloves I’ve used from Hestra and Stio, the Cirque feels among the warmest in its niche; just make sure you don’t overburden it with frigid days on the hill.
The Cirque is water-resistant rather than waterproof, and that distinction matters. It doesn’t have a waterproof insert, and so, while the leather shell does a respectable job shedding moisture initially, it will eventually reach a saturation point and soak through. I experienced this firsthand while filming an event at Crystal Mountain during one of the wettest ski days I’ve ever experienced—the glove soaked through after roughly three to four hours while I shot and swapped lenses. Once saturated, my hands got cold quickly.
As with any leather glove, you can waterproof the Cirque's shell with a treatment from Nikwax or other brands. However, be aware that you’ll have to reapply the treatment from time to time to keep it functional. If you’re a Pacific Northwest skier or tend to get out during storms, I’d recommend going with a glove that has full waterproofing—something like the burly leather Black Diamond Guide, the affordable synthetic Dakine Titan GTX, or the Flylow Wolverine.
Dexterity is one of the Cirque’s strongest traits. Right out of the box, the glove felt supple and easy to move in, with almost no break-in period required. I never felt like I was fighting the glove while adjusting bindings, opening zippers, or handling camera gear. The leather shell felt natural around my hand, and the glove maintains enough articulation that I could comfortably touch my thumb to all my fingertips or make a fist without much resistance.
There are certainly thinner, less insulated gloves that offer even more precision, but for a moderately insulated winter glove, the Cirque strikes an excellent balance between warmth and mobility. It feels significantly more natural than many heavily insulated ski gloves, such as the Guide, which are bulky and stiff. The lack of a removable liner also helps keep the fit streamlined and prevents the annoying bunching or liner migration that can plague other models. It’s not touchscreen compatible, but otherwise, the Cirque delivers the kind of dexterity that makes you want to keep wearing your gloves instead of constantly taking them off.
The Gordini Cirque feels comfortable in a way that many leather gloves only achieve after weeks of use. The interior lining has a soft fleece texture that is smooth against the skin, and I never noticed any irritating seams or pressure points inside the glove. The overall feel is plush but not bulky, and the leather shell molded naturally around my hand during testing.
I also appreciated the soft panels on the thumbs, which worked well for clearing my goggles or wiping my nose on storm days. The panels absorb moisture faster than the rest of the glove, but they retained their softness surprisingly well when wet. Compared to my heavily used Hestra gloves—a brand known for its comfort—the Cirque actually feels nicer inside at this stage. Many premium leather gloves feel fairly stiff and unforgiving when brand new, but the supple Cirque immediately stood out as a glove I genuinely enjoyed wearing all day.
Gordini built the Cirque with a goatskin leather shell, which lends it a good degree of durability. It’s not quite as thick as a glove like the Oyuki Sencho, but it nevertheless feels well-constructed, with sturdy stitching and materials that seem designed to last for several ski seasons. Based on my experience with Gordini’s three-finger mittens—which I’ve used heavily for roughly 30 ski days and absolutely beaten up, but which have aged quite well—I have fairly high confidence in the long-term durability of the Cirque.
The Cirque’s hook-and-loop closures feel secure, the leather’s seams are holding up well, and nothing about the glove feels flimsy or cheap. Even after repeated wet/dry cycles and heavy resort use, the materials continue to feel solid. Like any leather glove, it will eventually require conditioning to maximize its lifespan, but overall durability appears excellent for the category.
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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 of 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 Gordini Cirque has a straightforward undercuff design with a hook-and-loop wrist closure and a pull loop that makes the glove easy to slide on and off. I’m a big fan of this style because it creates a secure, low-profile fit under a jacket sleeve without the bulk of a gauntlet cuff. The closure system is simple, effective, and never gets in the way. Additional features include removable wrist leashes, a carabiner loop for hanging the gloves, and the aforementioned soft thumb wipes, all of which I expect at this price point but which I appreciated nonetheless.
Gordini does not make a women’s version of the Cirque, and sells the glove in unisex sizes small to XXL. My hands are usually at the upper end of the men’s medium range, and I tested the Cirque in that size. I’m glad I went with the medium—the glove offers enough room to move my fingers freely while still allowing good control and responsiveness—but this also means those with smaller hands don’t have much room to play at the lower end of Gordini’s sizing spectrum. I’d strongly recommend measuring your hands and checking Gordini’s online size chart carefully before ordering. Glove sizing varies wildly between brands, and what qualifies as a medium in one company may feel completely different in another.
Hestra Fall Line ($190): Even More Refined
The Fall Line is a benchmark leather freeride glove, offering outstanding fit, comfort, and craftsmanship, along with a low-profile under-cuff design similar to the Cirque. Compared to the latter, the Fall Line feels slightly more premium and wearable, particularly after break-in. Its cowhide is a touch more supple, and its ultra-comfy liner is removable, which improves drying between ski days and versatility in warm conditions. Like the Cirque, it also lacks a waterproof insert, so neither glove is designed for wet conditions. The Cirque may be a bit warmer and is just about as comfortable for the price, so it’s a slightly better buy in our eyes. For more, read our review of the Hestra Fall Line.
Flylow Tough Guy ($50): A Budget Workwear Alternative
The Tough Guy is also a leather glove, but it takes a far different approach than the Cirque in terms of aesthetics and features. This glove is much simpler, lacking leashes and nose wipes, and it feels even less waterproof than the Cirque without a treatment. It’s also noticeably less warm, and some folks find its cuff a bit too short. But the Tough Guy is plenty comfortable, and its pigskin-and-canvas shell offers a ton of durability for not a lot of money—there’s a reason it’s beloved by ski bums and dirtbags. The Cirque feels more purpose-built as a ski glove, but if cost is your primary concern, the Tough Guy is an excellent alternative. To learn more, read our Flylow Tough Guy review.
The Cirque is Gordini’s take on the premium all-leather ski glove, and it’s an impressive example of the form. This glove is highly dexterous and comfortable, with a supple yet durable build. It has middling warmth and low waterproofing, though, and might be asking a lot for the price.
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
The daily driver of many a lifty, patroller, and ski bum, this glove is prized for its durability at a low price. It’s supple from the get-go, decently warm, and pre-treated with a lasting water-repellent finish. However, the feature set is bare bones and the glove lacks a waterproof membrane.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Is the Cirque for You?
The Gordini Cirque is an attractive option for skiers who mainly want a glove that offers dexterity, comfort, and a handsome leather look, rather than impenetrable protection and unbeatable warmth. It performs especially well in milder, drier climates, and its immediately broken-in feel makes it easy to wear all day long. Skiers who shred in frigid climates or those regularly riding in the rain may want a warmer or more waterproof glove. But for fair-weather everyday use, the Cirque offers an appealing balance of feel and durability.
Go for it if you want to keep your gloves on for almost every task, swaddle your hands in a comfortable cocoon, and have your friends note how cool your gloves look.
Pass on it if you want to stay warm and dry, no matter how cold and wet the conditions are.
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