Swany X-Cell Ski Glove Review
The Swany X-Cell ($190) is a premium nubuck leather glove built to provide maximum warmth and waterproofing without compromising dexterity. The refined fit and sleek yet maximally insulated build (which kept our tester warm into the teens) set it apart from many competitors. While the price is steep and upkeep is essential to keep the leather in top form, the payoff is a glove that is tough, supple, and built to last. For skiers with cold hands who want real protection without sacrificing the use of their hands, the X-Cell makes a convincing case.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
Dryfinger II W/B
Shell
Leather
Cuff style
Gauntlet
Liner
Fixed
Pros
Cons
Swany X-Cell
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Ski Gloves.
The Swany X-Cell gloves are built for cold-weather performance, and they deliver. I’ve worn a lot of ski gloves, and these feel better insulated and more capable of cutting the chill than most—especially impressive given their relatively low bulk. They’re what I reach for on the coldest days of the season, and they’ve been a game-changing addition to my kit. I’d readily recommend them to anyone with cold hands who still wants the dexterity of gloves.
Swany rates the Swany X-Cell a 5 out of 5 on their warmth scale and claims they’re good down to -20°F, which feels a bit ambitious—but there’s plenty of tech working in their favor. The insulation package pairs PrimaLoft Gold with aerogel, a non-conductive material that minimizes heat transfer, alongside a strategic layout: thicker insulation across the back of the hand, thinner at the palm, and more flexible at the fingers for dexterity. A black heat-shield lining reflects warmth back toward the hand. It’s all just technical jargon unless it works, and in this case, it really does.
To keep moisture at bay, the Swany X-Cell combines a nubuck leather shell with a Dryfinger II waterproof-breathable insert. For such a light and supple ski glove, I was impressed by how well it handled moisture: In everything from wet spring slop to heavy snow at 32°F, the shell repelled water effectively, and my hands stayed completely dry. While moisture didn’t permeate the leather shell of my gloves, I still appreciate that the X-Cell features a waterproof membrane—the added assurance is essential, given that I ski primarily in Washington State, where conditions tend to be mild and wet. Leather gloves that opt against a waterproof membrane (like the Hestra Fall Line or Heli) are ever slightly more dexterous, but less practical for most days in my home mountains. If you live in colder climates, you may be able to get away without extra protection.
As with any leather glove, regular upkeep of the X-Cell is critical. Once the DWR wears off, leather doesn’t just stop shedding water—it soaks it up, becoming heavy, wet, and cold in a way synthetics don’t. To avoid that, I recommend treating the X-Cell consistently with a leather conditioner, such as Nikwax’s Leather Conditioner.
For such a warm glove, the Swany X-Cell is impressively functional—in fact, I’ve never used an insulated glove that felt this dexterous. The design contours naturally to what I’d call an “average” hand, while the soft liner and supple shell flex easily with each movement. I can adjust ski boot buckles, pull goggles on and off, and even operate zippers without taking them off (unfortunately, I can’t operate my phone’s touchscreen).
The X-Cell’s excellent warmth-to-dexterity ratio is largely due to its integrated insulation. Many gloves with this level of warmth (such as the Black Diamond Guide) rely on an uninsulated shell paired with a removable liner that holds all the fill. While removable liners dry faster and can be replaced once the insulation packs out, they don’t promote dexterity—you lose the seamless integration of layers that a built-in design provides. Thus, dexterity is one of the primary reasons to opt for a design like the X-Cell. And of course you’ll find greater dexterity in thinner gloves like the Black Diamond Tour or Rab Khroma Tour, but for skiers with cold hands who want real warmth without sacrificing day-to-day usability, the Swany X-Cell is hard to beat.
The Swany X-Cell is an exceptionally comfortable glove. It’s noticeably soft and supple right out of the box, with none of the break-in time required by many leather gloves. The thick liner is plush against my skin, while the glove’s shape and well-contoured fingers hug my hand closely without constricting movement. Simply put, I love the way these gloves feel, and their comfort is impressive given their warmth and protection.
The Swany X-Cell is a high-quality glove built with longevity in mind. After a full season of use, the nubuck leather shell remains in excellent condition, resisting scuffing, and the reinforced palms show minimal wear, even after countless days of gripping ski poles. I’ve also worn the Hestra Fall Line and Army Leather Heli—both premium offerings from one of the industry’s top brands—and both wore out faster at the palms than the Swany. While the X-Cell sits at a higher price point than many gloves, its durability and long lifespan make it a worthy investment.
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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 Swany X-Cell has just about every feature I look for in a ski glove. Zippered pockets on the back of each hand are perfect for slipping in a handwarmer, clips let you keep the gloves paired together (because one glove is almost as useless as none), and wrist leashes are—at least in my book—non-negotiable. The two-tiered gauntlet cuff is another standout: wide enough to go over a jacket sleeve yet slim enough to tuck underneath without bulk. I didn’t realize how much I’d appreciate that versatility, but it’s great to have the option depending on what jacket I’m wearing or what the weather is doing. To top it off, the cuff closure is easy to cinch one-handed, even with the other glove still on.
One feature the X-Cell notably skips is a removable liner. While liners can add bulk, compromise fit, and feel clunky in use—so it’s understandable that Swany opted against them—they do offer some benefits. A removable liner can extend the life of a glove by allowing you to replace the insulation once it has packed out, and it speeds up the dry time between outings. That’s a meaningful perk for skiers who are on the hill every day, but for most, it’s not a dealbreaker. One of my favorite gloves with a removable liner is the Black Diamond Guide, and Hestra’s Heli and Fall Line also feature this design.
The Swany X-Cell is a unisex glove offered in five sizes, from Small to XXL. In a Medium, it fit me just right and ran true to size. The articulated shape and soft materials hug the hand closely, leaving no gaps between the liner and skin where warmth could escape. The well-contoured fingers feel snug without restricting movement. The design naturally suits what I’d call an “average” hand—average finger length, palm size, and proportions.
Black Diamond Guide ($190): Better in Wet Weather
For the same price as the X-Cell, the Black Diamond Guide is a similarly high-performance glove that might appeal to a slightly different crowd. Most importantly, it’s the better glove for those who ski in wet weather: The partial-synthetic shell won’t absorb sustained moisture as quickly as leather, and the removable liner makes it easy to dry out the glove in between storm sessions. However, the flip side to these features is compromised dexterity, which is where the X-Cell really shines. The two gloves go head-to-head in terms of warmth, so your final decision will come down to whether you’re prioritizing waterproofing or dexterity. For more, read our Black Diamond Guide review.
Hestra Army Leather Heli ($185): Dextrous, but Compromised
Another gauntlet-style glove that we’ve found to be decently dexterous is the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski. With a supple goatskin leather palm and refined fit, they require little break-in and—similar to the X-Cell—can be kept on while adjusting ski boots, changing goggle lenses, or even opening zippers. However, the Heli makes some concessions to achieve this performance: The glove is noticeably less insulated than the X-Cell, not nearly as durable (the goat-leather palm is very soft and stains easily), and lacks a waterproof membrane at the palm. It does, however, have a removable liner, which might appeal to those who like the speedier dry time of that style. If you run warm, the Hestra is a nice alternative (its non-waterproof construction allows for better breathability as well), but the Swany is more of a complete package for season-long skiers. For a deeper dive, read our review of the Hestra Army Leather Heli.
The X-Cell is a high-quality all-leather glove with a very refined fit. Dexterity is impressive given the glove’s warmth, which our testers ranked to be among the best. However, the liner is not removable, and you’ll need to maintain the leather for peak performance and longevity.
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
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
Is the X-Cell for You?
The Swany X-Cell is designed for skiers who want serious warmth and waterproofing without sacrificing dexterity or comfort. With careful attention to detail, premium materials, and a refined fit, it’s built to deliver both performance and long-term durability.
Go for it if you want a ski glove that stays warm in the 20s or colder, offers enough dexterity to grip poles and adjust buckles, and you value craftsmanship enough to justify the higher price.
Pass on it if you’re skiing in consistently wet, slushy conditions or if removable liners are high on your priority list.
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