Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski 3-Finger Mitt Review

The Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski 3-Finger Mitt is our review team's favorite “lobster claw” or “trigger finger” mitten. It is among the warmest models we tested but offers far better dexterity than any other mitt in our review. Even for folks who don't typically like the clunky feel of a mitt still liked this model because it provides enough dexterity and respectable feel combined with a TON of warmth.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

The Leather 3-Finger Mitts are warmer than you might think, especially when you consider that it has a removable glove (not mitten) fleece liner. After our side-by-side testing, we thought the 3-Finger Mitt is one of the warmest overall. While some of the contenders were close, the 3-Finger wasn't quite as toasty as our warmest gloves, the Black Diamond Guide, and a little warmer than The North Face Montana Mitt. The 3-Finger wasn't was as warm as its mitten cousin by Hestra, the Army Leather Heli Mitt.

Dexterity

When compared to most mittens, the 3-Finger Mitt has an obvious advantage when it comes to dexterity, as it features a separate index finger. We think this contender takes full advantage of this in its design; not only does the separate index finger add to the dexterity, but the feel of the removable fleece glove make this mitt feel significantly less clumsy. We don't feel it sacrificed too much warmth. These mittens felt more dexterous than the warmer Hestra Army Leather Heli Mitt or the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt.

Water Resistance

Water resistance is the main downfall of the Leather 3-Finger. They are fairly water resistant, as the 3-finger will fend off colder snow, and most Rocky Mountain or East Coast skiers will find this glove will be a great option. However, because there is not a waterproof membrane, they were less than ideal in near freezing temps. The leather palm started to wet out after extended use and needed to be regularly treated. That said, these mitts are designed to be used in colder climates where water resistance is less of an issue. The more classic mitten, the Hestra Army Leather Heli Mitt, and the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt, all suffer from this same problem.

Durability

The Army Leather 3-Finger is tough. Using a supple leather palm and beefy nylon backing, they are built to last. We feel that these mitts are some of the toughest gloves or mittens in our review and are built to last many seasons. We also think that the fleece liner, while a little bulkier and heavier, takes a lot longer to pack out and is thus warmer, lasting longer than PrimaLoft or other synthetic insulated options.

Features

The removable keeper leashes are especially nice. They are low profile, seemingly the perfect length, well-designed, and comfortable. We found ourselves using them often, even more so than a glove, as the chances of removing this “mitten” for a task are higher. The wrist side strap helps lock the mitt into place, providing increased dexterity, while the gauntlet cinch does a great job of keeping snow out. A small feature we like is the loop on the index finger; this loop can be used to hang the gloves up, so they have the opportunity to dry out more efficiently. The pile fleece liner is also removable, which makes drying the glove quick. The Black Diamond Mercury Mitt was the only other pair that scored higher.

Best Applications

The Army Leather Heli 3-Finger is best for skiers and snowboards who need something that is exceptionally warm. It is a good option for those in cold climates, or for those instances in which a glove just won't cut it (but the lack of dexterity and the clumsy feel offered by most mittens is not welcomed).

Value

This pair of ski gloves are average in price but still provide nice features, long lasting durability, and warmth.

Conclusion