James Roddie was impressed by the features on the Black Diamond Glissade, a good value winter glove suited to harsh environs.
The Black Diamond Glissade is an impressive glove, which I found very well-suited to the rigours of harsh Scottish winter conditions. A size Medium pair weighs 172g – marginally less than other gloves providing similar levels of insulation. Warmth is excellent for a glove which feels relatively low bulk and dexterous.
James Roddie’s Best in Test 2025
The overall performance of this glove matches similar products I have tried that almost cost twice as much.- very warm
- breathable
- good value for performance
- leather palm does not extend over fingertips
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £75 |
| Weight: 172g (Size M pair) |
| Materials: Outer 100% recycled Polyester, goat leather palm |
| Insulation: Thinsulate |
| Waterproof: Pertex Shield and BD.Dry insert |
| Features: Drawcord cuff, nose wipe, pairing clip, carabiner loop |
| Sizes: XS – XL |
| Men’s version: Unisex |
| blackdiamondequipment.com |
Black Diamond emphasise the ability of these gloves to remain breathable when you are working hard. I was surprised with how well they performed whilst moving fast up some Grade I winter gullies – a high intensity activity.
The waterproofing of this glove consists of a Pertex Shield shell with DWR coating, and a Black Diamond BD.dry insert. Together it works extremely well in wet conditions. The BD.dry insert should keep the gloves waterproof once the DWR coating on the shell has worn off – which can happen quite quickly with any gloves if you are using an ice axe frequently.
The wind-proofing abilities are also excellent. I was able to use these gloves comfortably on days with extremely high, cold winds.
Goat leather is used for the palm material. This is reinforced between the thumb and forefinger, but I would prefer for the palm leather to extend right over the fingertips to slightly improve durability.
I love the gauntlet cuff. This opens wide and extends further down your wrist than is often the case, allowing you to pull it over almost any jacket sleeve you could think of.
At £75 RRP, the overall performance of this glove matches similar products I have tried that almost cost twice as much. After using a pair for a couple of weeks at the start of the winter, I found myself reaching for them whenever I was heading out in the most challenging weather. I’m happy to award these Best in Test.
Testing Conditions
James tested these gloves in a variety of conditions during winter in the Scottish Highlands. Weather included 40mph+ winds, heavy rain, wet snow, dry snow and clear/frosty days. James usually wears size medium gloves. Gloves were measured on his own scales.
This review was first published in the November 2024 issue of The Great Outdoors. For more winter glove reviews, as tested by the experts, see our guide to the best winter gloves for hillwalking and mountaineering.
