The North Face Montana Ski Mitts Review
The North Face Montana ($65) has the honor of being one of the most affordable waterproof mitts we’ve tested, but it has plenty to offer besides a low price. It’s warm enough for most days at the resort, and it’s a cozy, ready-to-wear mitten that doesn’t need breaking in. The budget build means that it’s not built for storm chasing or heavy use, and don’t expect it to keep up with more technical options if you ski often or in wet conditions.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
Waterproofing
DryVent
Shell
Synthetic
Cuff style
Gauntlet
Liner
Fixed
Pros
Cons
The North Face Montana
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Ski Mittens.
For a mitten that costs way less than $100, The North Face Montana offers impressive warmth. It’s packed with 250-gram Heatseeker Eco insulation on the back of the hand, 160-gram at the palm, and 80-gram in the cuff—all of that plus a midweight fleece lining (non-removable). The build easily handled resort days with temps in the teens—my hands stayed cozy, and the puffy insulation gave the mitt a plush, down-jacket feel. The Montana mitten is noticeably warmer than the Dakine Titan, another budget pick (though more expensive at $85).
However, the Titan also has a removable liner, which the Montana does not. As a result, its non-versatile warmth becomes a downside when the temperature rises, which is a drawback if you want one pair of ski mittens for both winter and spring skiing. On a sunny spring day, I overheated quickly and had to stash the mittens in my pack, opting instead to wear my liner gloves (purchased separately). And on especially frigid days, I’d probably want something warmer, such as the Black Diamond Mercury. But for most midwinter resort outings, The North Face Montana is more than enough, especially given its price point.
The Montana uses The North Face’s DryVent waterproof/breathable insert, which isn’t quite on par with Gore-Tex (the waterproofing tech that Better Trail considers the top of the heap). Still, it gets the job done in dry, cold conditions—which is exactly what this mitten is built for. I didn’t experience any leaks while skiing in sub-freezing temperatures, and the Montana’s PFAS-free, durable water-repellent (DWR) coating helped keep the polyester shell from soaking through in light snow. However, I don’t recommend pushing this mitten too hard on wet days without re-treating the DWR periodically (a spray-on treatment from Nikwax should do the trick), especially if you’re skiing in a warm storm in the Pacific Northwest or bashing through spring slush.
For most skiers, especially those riding in reliably dry winter conditions, the Montana’s waterproofing is good enough. This isn’t a ski mitten built for wet powder days or late-season riding (again, its fixed liner makes it too warm), but if you stick to groomers and don’t mind a little mid-season maintenance, the Montana holds its own in cold snow.
As a heavily insulated mitten, dexterity isn’t the Montana’s strong suit. I couldn’t buckle my boots, unzip my shell vents, or even pull my goggles off without freeing my hands. Holding a ski pole even felt slightly awkward. That’s poor even for a mitten, a step below the dexterity of the Dakine Titan Gore-Tex and far behind that of a leather model such as the Hestra Fall Line or the similarly affordable Flylow Oven ($55). The fill that makes the Montana so warm also makes it bulky, and the mitten format naturally limits your finger mobility.
If you’re wearing the Montana, you’ll probably want to carry a pair of thin liner gloves to avoid exposing your bare hands to the cold (like I did) every time you need to do anything that requires coordination. Compared to the Titan, which has a slightly slimmer build and comes with liners, the Montana feels more cumbersome overall.
Along with warmth, comfort is another area where The North Face Montana excels. Thanks to its above-average insulation, I thought this mitten felt like a cozy, puffy jacket for my hands. The fleece interior feels great against the skin, and there’s no break-in period—unlike leather ski mittens, the synthetic materials are supple from day one.
The lack of a removable liner actually helps here as well. Nothing caught or bunched, and I appreciated how easy it was to get the mitten on and off—even with damp hands. The Montana may not feel as premium as a higher-end or full-leather models like the Hestra Fall Line or Army Leather Heli, but in terms of pure comfort, the Montana once again outperforms its price point.
Durability is where the Montana shows the downsides of its budget build. The polyester shell and faux leather palm aren’t made for hard use, and if you regularly ride rope tows or log 50-plus days a season, you’ll probably see the effects pretty quickly. There’s no reinforcement in high-wear areas, and I wouldn’t trust the palm to last more than a season or two under heavy abuse. If you want a synthetic ski mitten that is built for the long haul, I’d suggest something like the hardshell-like Outdoor Research Mt. Baker II.
That said, my pair of Montanas held up fine during regular resort days. If you ski a handful of times each year and don’t do much backcountry or scrambling up rocky bootpacks, this mitten should suit you just fine. But if you’re a ski patroller or liftie—or aspire to their level of commitment—look elsewhere.
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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.
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.
Nose Wipe
The North Face Montana keeps things basic. It includes fleece nose wipes on each thumb. I find these super handy, but like most fabric wipes, they freeze up quickly in cold, wet weather. Notably, unlike the Dakine Titan, the Montana forgoes a goggle wipe or zippered pocket that can hold a handwarmer.
Wrist Leash
The Montana's wrist leash is functional but doesn’t cinch tight, so it felt a little loose and underbuilt compared to more premium designs. I appreciated that it was removable, though—it’s nice to have the option. Still, the lack of a secure wrist fit made the mitten feel like it might fall off if I wasn’t paying attention, which defeats the purpose of a leash in the first place.
My hand measures 7.5 inches from wrist to fingertip, and the men’s medium The North Face Montana fit me true to size, if maybe a touch snug. There’s enough insulation that the fit can feel a little tight, especially if you add a liner glove underneath. The North Face offers five sizes for men (S to XXL) and women (XS to XL), which covers a good range. If you’re on the upper end of a size bracket, I’d recommend sizing up.
Dakine Titan Gore-Tex ($94): Better Versatility for a Range of Conditions
The Titan is slightly more expensive than it used to be, but it still comes in under $100 and offers a substantial improvement in quality and performance compared to the Montana. It’s more versatile, featuring a removable liner glove that adds or subtracts a good deal of warmth, a more breathable Gore-Tex membrane, and vents on the back of each hand (which can also be used as hand warmer pockets). The Titan’s insulation is not as warm, but the liner glove brings it up to speed—if it fits (we’ve had issues with too-tight liners). All told, the Titan is a great value and a bit better made, but the Montana gets the job done for less cash. To learn more, read our Dakine Titan GTX Mitt review.
Flylow Oven ($55): Leather on a Budget
For skiers on a budget, the Flylow Oven might be another attractive option. It costs even less than the Montana, and its all-leather build is much more durable and dextrous. From a pure price-to-longevity standpoint, the Oven is hard to beat. However, this model isn’t waterproof, and you’ll need to apply a waterproof wax or finish frequently to keep moisture out. The Oven also lacks quality-of-life features such as leashes, nose wipes, and a liner. It does have a classic look, though—just know that you’ll be making even more performance concessions than you are with the Montana.
The Montana is the most affordable waterproof mitten here. It has all the features most skiers need and is warm enough for most resort conditions. However, the synthetic shell won’t last as long as leather alternatives, and many of the features are poorly executed (although still functional).
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
The Titan (women's Sequoia) gives you a fully featured, waterproof ski mitten for less than $100, with fun additions like a goggle scraper and back-of-hand pocket. It's great for casual skiers and those who only get out a few times a year. However, the material set is no match for the durability and refined fit of leather.
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
Are the Montana Mitts for You?
If you ski a few times a year and want a warm, no-fuss ski mitten that’s comfortable the moment you first put it on, The North Face Montana is a great pick. It’s cozy, budget-friendly, and easy to wear, making it ideal for casual resort laps in cold, dry weather. Dedicated skiers or anyone requiring bombproof waterproofing and long-term durability should consider more premium options. Still, for the price, the Montana hits the mark and offers above-average warmth to boot. We’d recommend it to anyone looking for a puffy for their hands—just don’t forget to add a pair of liners for on-snow gear adjustments.
pray for snow
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