Hestra Heli Ski Jr. Mitt: Full Breakdown
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The quick verdict: The junior version of a guide-favorite mitten: leather palm, removable liner, long snow-sealing cuff, and warmth that outlasts the coldest chairlift. ~$120
Overview
Hestra's adult Heli mitt has been a ski-patrol and guide staple for decades, and the junior model is the same recipe cut smaller: a tough Army Leather goat-skin palm, a windproof and water-resistant fabric back, fiberfill insulation, and a removable wool-blend liner. The long gauntlet cuff cinches over the jacket sleeve with a snow lock, so wrist-deep powder stays outside where it belongs. Liners pull out at the end of the day and dry by morning.
Where It Shines
- Warmth that ends the cold-hands complaints for good
- Removable liners dry overnight on multi-day trips
- Leather palm survives years of tow ropes, ice scrapers, and snowball fights
- Leashes mean mittens dangle instead of disappearing off the lift
Tradeoffs to Know
- Costs two to three times a basic kids' mitten
- Leather palm needs occasional wax treatment to stay waterproof
- Not the pick for kids who insist on finger dexterity; see a glove instead
Who It’s For
Kids who run cold, families who ski in genuinely cold places, and anyone tired of buying replacement mittens every January. The durability means one pair often serves multiple children in sequence.
How It Compares
See how it stacks up in our full guide: The Best Kids' Ski Gear of 2025-26. Other picks from that list: Smith Glide Jr. MIPS · Smith Snowday · Patagonia Kids' Powder Town Jacket · Roces Idea Free · Smartwool Kids' Wintersport OTC.