Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Glove Review
Updated:
Nov 11, 2025The Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski ($185) places comfort above all else, and its cloud-like, fleece-lined removable liner makes this glove a pleasure to wear all day. It isn’t built for warm and wet environments or heavy precipitation, as the Heli lacks full waterproofing. Still, we think its high level of dexterity and cushy hand feel make it a sound choice for skiers or riders who usually head out in moderately cold and dry-snow conditions.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
3L polyamide (partial)
Shell
Leather/synthetic
Cuff style
Gauntlet
Liner
Removable
Pros
Cons
Hestra Army Leather Heli
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Ski Gloves.
Despite the images of high-altitude, freezing summits that its name conjures up, the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski is a step below a full-on frigid-weather ski glove. Insulation comes in the form of midweight synthetic G-loft fill in the glove’s removable liner, which is fleece-like in both appearance and feel. The Heli performs best in mild to moderately cold conditions, and we had no issues staying warm and comfortable while lapping the resort with temps in the high teens and low 20s Fahrenheit. On days where it does approach its cold limit, the Heli’s design helps with heat retention: The liner extends just beyond the wrist, and a cinch at the end of the extended gauntlet seals out cold air. (On the flip side, the liner’s moisture-wicking fleece interior and the glove’s lack of waterproofing mean the Heli won’t swamp you out on spring ski days.)
It’s worth noting that Hestra sells additional liners that are compatible with the Heli glove, ranging from a $325 electronically heated model to a $75 wool option. This concept has tremendous appeal for season-long use, allowing you to tailor your level of warmth to the day’s conditions.
If you expect to ski or ride in frequently wet conditions—such as those found in British Columbia or the Pacific Northwest—the Heli’s lack of full waterproofing is a downside. While the 3-layer polyamide fabric located on the glove’s top side is waterproof, the Heli’s removable liner doesn’t have a waterproof insert, and there’s no seam taping. This means that you’ll feel the effects of extended wet snow contact on the porous leather palm and fingers, which will lead to discomfort as they grow heavy and cold. If dry, sunny conditions are the norm for you (Colorado, stand up), you can get away with prioritizing the Heli’s dexterity and comfort over weather resistance, but this is not the ski glove for folks who fear wet hands. Note: The Army Leather is also available in a Gore-Tex version ($230), which solves your waterproofing problems but also affects dexterity.
The Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski provides a generous amount of dexterity, a notable advantage over competitors at this warmth and price level. Testing the glove during a day of skiing at Washington’s Crystal Mountain, we were able to wear it while accomplishing most of the usual on-snow tasks: gearing up, tightening boots, zipping and unzipping jackets, and accessing pockets. The Heli’s instantly supple leather—no break-in time required—is partly to thank for the glove’s nimble feel, as is its midweight liner and lack of waterproofing (which can make gloves feel bulkier).
We tested both the women’s and men’s versions of the Heli, and the women’s has slim fingers and a trim silhouette that fits close to the hand. Despite a boxier fit, the men’s version delivered similarly high marks, and we found it easy to grab zipper pulls, adjust his hood, and swap out ski goggle lenses all while keeping the glove on.
This category is where the Army Leather Heli Ski shines. The ultra-silky fleece that covers the interior of the liner is among the softest we’ve ever used in a ski glove, and the on-skin plushness makes the Heli feel like a super-premium ski glove that should cost twice as much. Even the Heli’s wrist leash is soft, with a brushed finish that will never chafe. A wrist-adjustment strap helps dial in fit as well, making this a set-and-forget glove that we never found ourselves fidgeting with as we rode lifts and ripped laps.
With only a single layer of goat leather on its palms and fingers, the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski offers less durability than gloves with double-layer reinforcements in high-wear areas. Even so, goat leather is prized for its ability to withstand scratches and scrapes, and one of our Heli gloves is going strong after six seasons (and more than 60 days of use) with only cosmetic wear. About that cosmetic wear, though: We think that the Heli’s white palms and fingers are an odd choice, given what people put their ski gloves through. We’ve noticed smudges and scuffs on the material after just a day of use, and those who have used them for multiple seasons have observed the leather becoming slightly yellow. Sure, it’s only an aesthetic issue, but a darker color would largely avoid this problem.
Hestra does include a tube of leather balm with the Heli to help with upkeep. And, the polyamide material on the glove’s top side is pleasantly rugged, with no cosmetic issues to speak of. We also appreciate that you can buy replacement liners ($55) if your current ones start to pack out, pill, or generally become less comfortable.
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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 Army Leather Heli Ski comes with a retention leash that’s just as comfortable as it is functional. The soft, brushed feel of the large wrist loop is an especially thoughtful touch.
Carabiner and Grommet Attachment
Both right and left gloves have a reinforced leather-and-metal grommet just above the wrist, along with a small carabiner for attaching them. While this feature might offer peace of mind for folks in the backcountry who are hanging the gloves from a pack or a ski jacket, it seems like overkill for anywhere else. And unless you remove it each time, it also means you'll have a carabiner dangling off your glove while you're skiing. Compared to the built-in buckles that are commonplace in the ski industry, Hestra’s solution feels unnecessarily complicated.
The Army Leather Heli Ski is available in both men’s and women’s versions, with Hestra’s in-house numerical sizing system used for each (5-9 for women and 5-13 for men). We wore the women’s Army Leather Heli in a size 7, which felt true to size for a women's medium in terms of length and circumference. As we noted above, the slim fit of the Heli women’s version bolsters the glove’s dexterity and comfort. For the men’s Army Leather Heli, we wore a size 9, which also felt true to Heli’s size chart (which is based on hand circumference). The finger length was slightly longer than the Hestra Fall Line, but in general, it worked great for our medium-sized hands.
Black Diamond Guide ($190): Warmer and More Waterproof
The Guide is one of our favorite ski gloves for combating the elements. Although it might look similar to the Heli on the outside—the Guide also has a leather palm and fingers paired with a fabric gauntlet—the Guide’s removable liner is stuffed with PrimaLoft Gold, which is warmer than the Heli’s G-loft fill. The liner also features a Gore-Tex waterproof insert, which fully shields the wearer's hands from moisture, unlike the non-waterproof Heli. If dexterity is your sought-after attribute in a glove, the Heli outshines the bulkier Guide, which it also beats in terms of comfort (the Guide has a fleece lining as well, but it’s not as plush). The Guide also lacks a wrist leash, which is disappointing in a glove that costs $190. Still, this glove—with its reinforced goat-leather palm—is slightly more durable than the Heli, and will maintain its warmth over many seasons. For more, read our review of the Black Diamond Guide.
Hestra Fall Line ($190): Full-Leather Freeride Cousin
This shorter, full-leather model from Hestra shares some similarities with the Heli, most notably a comparable level of warmth thanks to the same G-loft insulation. It also features a wrist leash and a removable liner, making it ideal for mild to moderately cold conditions. Where the Fall Line differs, however, is that it’s even more dextrous, with supple leather throughout that also grants it a high-quality, handsome aesthetic. More leather with no waterproof insert means even less weather resistance than the Heli, though, so this is not a glove built for all-day resort use. But for users who want a glove with which they can manipulate bindings, packs, and ropes during a backcountry descent, though, the Fall Line might be the pick. Some skiers or riders might also prefer its under-the-cuff design to the Heli’s long gauntlet (keeping in mind that the shorter design is also less weather-worthy). For more, read our review of the Hestra Fall Line.
Swany X-Cell ($190): Warmer & Fully Waterproof
The Swany X-Cell is another standout in the premium ski glove category, offering a slightly different approach than the Heli. With a full leather shell and integrated insulation, it’s both warmer and more durable than the Heli—all without sacrificing much dexterity. It’s also fully waterproof. The main tradeoff is its non-removable liner: You can’t wash or dry it separately, and once the insulation packs out, the glove’s lifespan is effectively over. Still, for cold-weather or resort-focused skiers who value warmth and waterproofing above all else, the X-Cell is the complete package. If you run warm or ski mostly in drier climates, the Heli’s modular liner design makes it the more versatile choice. For a deeper dive, read our review of the Swany X-Cell.
One of Hestra’s most popular ski gloves, the Heli is dexterous, comfortable, and made with premium materials. However, it’s not fully waterproof, so we don’t recommend it for those who routinely get out in wet conditions.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
One of our favorite ski gloves for wintery conditions. The wool- and fleece-lined insulated liner is a cozy haven for the hands, and you get full Gore-Tex waterproof protection. The removable design lets the glove dry quickly in between storm 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 Army Leather Heli for You?
The Army Leather Heli Ski is a jack-of-all-trades, master of one. If there’s a more comfortable ski glove on the market, we haven’t worn it yet—we’re huge fans of the Heli’s sinfully soft fleece lining. While this glove also provides impressive dexterity, especially in relation to gloves of comparable warmth and size, we also think that the Heli’s construction somewhat limits its usage. The lack of waterproofing renders its use as a daily driver unsuitable for climates that tend to be dry and sunny. If you ski or ride in a region with those attributes, the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski is a durable choice that feels simply fantastic to wear. If you frequent mountains with a lot of precip—and especially the kind that’s wet and heavy—we’d opt for a more protective glove.
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