Hestra Gauntlet Sr 3-finger

The Gauntlet Sr. 3-finger is Hestra's entry-price ski gauntlet, and its trade-off is printed on Hestra's own spec sheet: three fingers share one chamber, so it runs warmer than the 5-finger (5/8 Toasty against 4/8) and less dextrous (4/8 Good against 5/8 Flexible) — and it has no waterproof membrane.

Fabric and construction

Hestra Proton polyamide across the backhand, polyurethane on the palm, Fiberfil synthetic insulation, brushed polyester lining. No leather anywhere, which is why Hestra badges the glove Washable — nothing to condition. The fingertips use Wolf Paw construction, which puts no seams on the surfaces subjected to the most wear. The gauntlet cuff goes over the jacket sleeve, with a snow lock and elastic at the wrist, plus attachments for handcuffs.

Warmth and weather

Hestra rates it 5/8 Toasty: "Noticeably warm — built for sustained exposure to cold." The weather badge Hestra puts on it is Windproof — wind, not water. It is not waterproof. The structured Performance spec on Hestra's own product page reads Waterproof: No: "The glove does not include a waterproof membrane. It may offer water resistance from its outer material but is not designed to keep hands dry in sustained wet conditions." Hestra's dealer catalogue calls the backhand fabric waterproof; the spec sheet overrules it. Water resistance here comes from the outer fabric only.

Fit and sizing

Hestra sizes by hand circumference on a numeric run, not S/M/L, so measure your hand and use Hestra's size guide. The run differs by colour on this style: Black & Black is offered 6 through 12, while Dark Sand/Graphite stops at 11. PTO stocks Black & Black in sizes 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, and Dark Sand/Graphite in 7, 8 and 9.

Who it's for, and who should skip it

Cold, dry-to-normal resort days. At $85 it is the cheapest way into a Hestra gauntlet with a snow lock, Wolf Paw fingertips and a removable liner. Skip it if your snow is wet: spring slush, rain and sustained storm cycles are what Hestra says it is not designed for, and the CZone Mountain 3-finger at $125 carries the membrane this one does not (Waterproof: Yes, warmth 6/8). Skip it if you need fingertip precision — the 5-finger Gauntlet Sr. is 5/8 Flexible for the same $85. Skip it if warmth is your only axis — the mitt is 6/8 Insulated, same shell, same price. And this is 4/8 Dependable synthetic, not the 7/8 Heavy duty Army Leather Gore-Tex 3-finger at $230.