Outdoor Research Arete Modular Gore-Tex Ski Glove Review
Updated:
Sep 05, 2025The Outdoor Research Arete Modular Gore-Tex Glove ($120) is designed to be a one-quiver glove that will protect your hands from cold winter storm days to warm spring laps. Unfortunately, it falls short in a few key areas. While the Gore-Tex insert delivers reliable waterproofing, its warmth and dexterity are significant limitations, and the Arete’s removable liner appears more functional than it actually is. Wearing the shell alone is a decent choice for warm weather, but overall, this glove doesn’t have the insulation or finesse for daily driver use. There’s potential here, but the Arete feels undercooked.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
Gore-Tex
Shell
Synthetic / leather palm
Cuff style
Gauntlet
Liner
Removable
Pros
Cons
Outdoor Research Arete Modular Gore-Tex
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Ski Gloves.
The Outdoor Research Arete Modular Gore-Tex Glove is clearly meant for deep winter use, but I found it lacking when put to the test. From the outset, the Arete’s specs announce that its warmth is going to fall short of category leaders: Its 100-gram EnduraLoft Insulation and 300-weight fleece lining are less insulating than, say, the Black Diamond Guide’s combination of 170-gram PrimaLoft Gold, boiled wool on the back of the hand, and 200-gram fleece on the palm. That glove (which, to be fair, costs $190) is Better Trail’s pick for the warmest model on the market and a true heavy hitter. The Arete’s performance skews midweight at best: I wore it at Grand Targhee ski resort in Wyoming on a gray, cold day with temps in the 20s, and my hands froze almost immediately—particularly my left pointer finger, thanks to a hole in the liner straight out of the box.
Even compared to other midweight ski gloves, such as the basic (but classic) leather Kinco, the Outdoor Research Arete Modular Gore-Tex under-delivered. It can’t hold a warmth-providing candle to models like the Guide or the Swany X-Cell in terms of insulation. It’s fine in the sunshine, but if you run cold or vow not to let bad weather keep you from the slopes, the Arete just won’t cut it. On warmer days, this glove fared much better, especially when I used just the shell for hot pow laps. But for mid-winter resort use, I simply couldn’t rely on it.
Here’s where the Arete redeems itself somewhat. Outdoor Research built this ski glove with a full Gore-Tex insert, which is our go-to for take-no-prisoners waterproofing (as opposed to proprietary membranes, which we’ve found sometimes don’t function as well). The Gore-Tex works as promised, and the Arete kept my hands dry in wet, warm snow and slushy conditions. Despite having a leather palm and fingers—which can sometimes absorb moisture—this glove impressed me with its protection. No water seeped through, and I never got that clammy, trapped feeling that sometimes comes with cheaper membranes.
The stretch-woven nylon/Spandex blend that covers the back of the glove doesn’t wet out as quickly as leather does, and contributes to the Arete’s protective feeling. (Even so, this glove still falls a bit short of the waterproofing provided by the ultra-burly Black Diamond Guide and the legendary Showa Temres 282, which is made entirely of polyurethane.) A gauntlet that you can cinch close also boosts the Arete’s rating in this category. I haven’t used it long enough to say how the waterproofing will perform after a season or two, but I feel better about the Arete’s moisture protection than most leather-heavy alternatives I’ve used.
The lack of fine motor skills is one of the most frustrating aspects of this glove. Even without the removable liner in, the Outdoor Research Arete Modular’s fit is oddly proportioned—it’s tight through the fingers but too long in the fingertips. Once the liner is in, the feeling only gets worse. Performing tasks that require finesse—such as closing zippers, adjusting boot buckles, or using a touchscreen—required me to remove the glove. That’s certainly not ideal if you’re wearing the Arete in the temperatures for which it’s designed. I even found myself pulling it off to adjust my ski goggles, which is usually a task that requires gloves.
Outdoor Research claims that the liner has touchscreen compatibility, but that didn’t work for me either. The Arete’s combination of poor fit and bulky liner material makes it harder to use my phone in this glove than even with some bulkier models I’ve tested. It’s especially disappointing because you’d expect better dexterity from a glove that skimps on insulation.
Unfortunately, the Outdoor Research Arete Modular Gore-Tex doesn’t do so hot in this category, either. When I was wearing only the shell on a warm spring ski outing, the glove felt fine. Its stretch-woven nylon is soft and supple, and the glove moved reasonably well with my hand. But once the liner comes into play—which, of course, is how you’ll be wearing the glove 95% of the time—things get clunky fast. I could often feel the hook-and-loop liner attachment points shifting or poking into my hands, and getting the liners aligned correctly inside the shell was a daily struggle. I don’t want to have to develop a glove-donning strategy just to get the fit right, but that’s exactly what I did: liner on first, shell second, every time. Even then, it never quite felt seamless.
Each glove features a soft nose wipe on the back of the thumb, which I appreciated, but that's not enough to boost the Arete’s comfort score into viable territory. Compared to something like the super-comfy Hestra Army Leather Heli or, again, the cushy Guide, the Arete misses the mark.
The shell materials are actually one of the Arete’s high points. Its goat leather palm pairs a premium material with a high-wear area while feeling grippy and supple. The stretch-woven back (70D by 40D) adds further tear resistance without feeling cheap. After several days on snow, there’s no sign of stitching, fraying, seam wear, or excessive leather breakdown—as with the waterproofing, though, I'm curious to see how everything holds up over a couple of seasons. (Overall, full-leather ski gloves usually perform a bit better in the long run.)
That said, I do worry about the longevity of the Arete’s leather palm and fingers. It feels more delicate than the beefier material found on gloves such as the Guide. Additionally, the fact that one of the liners arrived with a hole straight from the factory raises concerns about the overall build quality. Those concerns aside, though, I haven’t seen any major red flags so far.
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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 Arete has a removable wrist leash on each glove, which I always appreciate for mitigating the potential for dropping off the chairlift. Unfortunately, that was a very real fear with this glove, as its lack of dexterity meant that I found myself constantly removing the Outdoor Research Arete Modular Gore-Tex to perform simple tasks.
Glove Clip
This glove also features small clips on each of the cuff cinches, making for convenient storage or slinging the glove over a pack strap when going touring.
Removable Liner
As I mentioned, you can remove the Arete’s liner if you want to dry the glove out or wear the shell on its own. However, getting the liner back into the shell is burdensome, and the liner-shell connection points often poked into my hands.
Outdoor Research sells the Arete in men's sizes ranging from small to extra large. My hand length is about 7 inches, and I usually wear a men’s small or a women’s medium. I tested the Outdoor Research Arete Modular Gore-Tex in a women’s medium (note: OR no longer offers the Arete in women's sizing). With the liners in place, the gloves feel good around my hand, but entirely too long. There is about a full inch of extra glove material at the tip of each finger. And the bulkiness of the liners makes the fingers feel a bit tight, which makes it difficult to grip objects (even ski poles). Without the liners in, the shells feel very roomy, but the wrist attachment secures them in place, so I’m not worried about them shifting or falling off.
Black Diamond Guide ($190): The Warmest of Them All
If you’re (justifiably) worried that the Arete won’t cut it for ski days where finger numbness is on the menu, the Black Diamond Guide might be your savior. We rated the Guide as the warmest glove in our gear guide, thanks to its construction that features dense, 170-gram PrimaLoft Gold insulation (which outperforms the Arete’s 100-gram fill) along with boiled wool on the back of the hand and a super-cozy, removable liner with a 200-gram fleece interior. We’ve worn the Guide in temperatures as low as the teens, and our hands have never complained. This all-leather glove is also about as durable as they come, with thicker material than the Arete. The Guide costs $70 more, but in this case, that’s money well spent. For more, read our review of the Guide.
Dakine Titan Gore-Tex ($94): Why Pay More for Less?
Like the Arete, the Dakine Titan Gore-Tex (women's Sequoia Gore-Tex) features a gauntlet design, a Gore-Tex waterproof insert, and a removable liner glove. It features a mix of 110- and 230-gram insulation and is slightly warmer than the Arete, but it's still not a ski glove you want to wear in frigid conditions. It’s also fully synthetic, which is a step down from the Arete in terms of durability, feel, and aesthetics. However, while neither glove is a showstopper, the Titan costs about $25 less and offers comparable performance. If you don’t mind giving up leather, we recommend you spring for the more affordable option in this case. For more, read our review of the Dakine Sequoia Gore-Tex.
We like the Arete Modular in theory, with its removable liner, tough shell, and competitive price. Unfortunately, subpar warmth and dexterity hurt its value proposition and make it a difficult glove to recommend for most resort and backcountry users.
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
A waterproof ski glove for just $94, with classic features as well as fun additions like a goggle wipe and back-of-hand pocket. Great for casual skiers and those who only get out a few times a year. However, the synthetic material is no match for the durability and refined fit of leather.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Is the Arete Modular for You?
If you ski mostly in warm conditions and want a ski glove that can double as a shell-only spring piece, the Outdoor Research Arete Modular Gore-Tex might be a suitable option. The Gore-Tex waterproofing is solid, and the goat leather palm and fingers grant solid durability and a nice, supple feel. But if you're expecting legit cold-weather performance or passable dexterity, this glove doesn’t deliver. The Arete runs very cold, feels awkward when the liner is in, and is too clumsy to handle basic resort skiing tasks. For most skiers, there are better options with fewer tradeoffs.
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