Hestra Heli & XCR Gloves – REVIEW

I work as a ski patroller, and finding a glove that can withstand the abuse of the job, keep my hands warm and dry and actually last the season is difficult. While not perfect, Hestra has a couple of gloves on offer that come pretty close. Understand that no glove is going to do everything, and the debate between leather and synthetics can be a long one. I choose leather. Sure, it’s a little high maintenance and requires constant treatment with wax to keep it waterproof, but if you take care of them, leather gloves are durable and tough.

I’ve used two different Hestra gloves over the last few years, both gauntlet gloves from their Army Leather line. The Heli Glove, which was designed by heli ski guides and has been their bestseller for years, and the Hestra XCR Glove, which is essentially the same thing but with non-removable liner and a Gore-Tex membrane between the leather and lining.

Heli Glove – Impressions

I have to say, while this glove has proven durable and when taken care, fairly waterproof and warm, the removable liner is a pain. Sure, it’s easier to dry and allows me to run a light glove without the liner on those warmer days, but I find that if it does get wet, I’ve now removed its usefulness for the full day. Once it’s broken in, it offers really good dexterity for a glove of its thickness and size.  The stitching is burly and strong and this glove has proven to be one of the better choices out there for a beefy winter ski glove that can put up with just about everything you can throw at it.

XCR Glove – Impressions

After using the heli glove for a couple of seasons, I decided to try the XCR glove and see the difference. This glove is a little more expensive because it offers the Gore Tex membrane but to me the extra cost is absolutely worth it. It’s a little warmer than the heli glove and once broken in offers the same level of dexterity. Like the Heli Glove, it requires treatment on a regular basis with glove wax to maintain the leather’s waterproofness but here is the kicker: Even when it’s soaked through completely, your hands stay warm and dry. The XCR wind and waterproof membrane keep the liner and your hands toasty on even the wettest of west coast  days. Yes, it’s a bit of a mission to dry it out at the end of the day, but these gloves have withstood 150 days of work, multiple days being soaked and my hands have almost always been dry and warm. Like the Heli Glove, the stitching is bomber and withstood everything from pulling rope, dealing with sharp ski edges and manhandling todoggans day in and day out.

VERDICT:

The Hestra Heli Glove has long been the choice of snow professionals spending their days heli guiding and working in the mountain environment. And don’t get me wrong, compared to a lot of what’s on offer out there, the Heli Glove delivers. But to choose between Hestra’s bestsellers and their XCR gloves, I choose the XCR.  Sure, they’re a little pricey, but they’re totally worth the extra cost, especially if you are like me and prefer to have one glove to do it all.  The Hestra XCR offers a good compromise between warmth, durability, waterproofness and dexterity. It will keep your hands happy no matter what you’re doing. Both models come in various styles from short versions without a gauntlet to mitts.

BY THE NUMBERS:

**HESTRA HELI GLOVE**

Shell Material – Hestra Triton / Polyamide Fabric

Insulation – Quallofill/Fiberfill Insulation

Lining – Removable Bemberg/Polyester Lining

Palm – Proofed Army Leather – Goat leather palm

Features:

Handcuff – An elastic band that wraps around the wrist and attaches to the glove. They act as a safety line when you take off your gloves.

Specs:

Glove Warmth: Warmest

Material: Leather, Polyester

Insulation: Synthetic

Cuff Style: Over the Cuff

Warranty: Limited Lifetime

BY THE NUMBERS:

**HESTRA XCR GLOVE**

Shell Material

Impregnated Goat Leather and Flextron Softshell Fabric – No, not goats that have been knocked up, but the leather’s been treated with a water-resistant and flexible polymer before construction. Flextron Softshell fabric is waterproof and breathable.

Membrane – GORE-TEX® XCR waterproof breathable insert

Insulation – Soft fiberfill insulation

Lining – Bemberg/polyester lining

Features:

Eagle Grip – Hestra’s own pre-curved finger construction makes gripping your poles a done deal.

Hestra Handcuff – Elastic fabric cuff to secure glove to wrist and lock out snow

Snap Hook – Small carabiner to attach gloves to each other

Snow Lock – Wrist closure to keep snow out and heat in

Specs:

Glove Warmth: Warmest

Material: Goatskin, GORE-TEX®, Polyester

Insulation: Synthetic

Cuff Style: Over the Cuff

Warranty: Limited Lifetime