Hestra Fall Line Winter Gloves Overview

Bottom Line

The Hestra Fall Line glove (men’s / women’s) is a premium built glove for skiers and outdoor enthusiasts requiring durability and performance, with a classic style. 

Crafted from supple cowhide leather, these gloves are designed to withstand repeated use while offering great dexterity. The neoprene cuff with hook-and-loop closure ensures a secure fit, while the synthetic insulation provides reliable warmth without bulk, making them ideal for all-day wear on the slopes.

The removable fleece liner is warm and comfortable on the skin and dries quickly when exposed to warm air. However, this is not our top pick for a cold-weather glove. Comfortable to about fifteen degrees, the Fall Line is ideal in moderate winter temperatures. While not fully waterproof, it does come with an included tube of leather treatment to help keep the gloves weather-resistant.

The Hestra Fall Line may lack the insulation for coldest days, and weather resistance for wet weather use, it’s a stylish and versatile winter glove capable of handling most winter conditions.

How We Tested

Miles Knotek is based in Alaska and is no stranger to cold weather. He took the Hestra Fall Line Gloves out and about in variable conditions to see if they would perform as well as the Hestra hype reviews suggested. He also did a comparison test to see how long the gloves resist moisture. He then ranked and reviewed this pair and they ended up making it on our list of the best winter gloves of the year.

Comfort & Dexterity

Like many other leather gloves we’ve tested, the Hestra Fall Line requires a break-in period. For the first handful of uses, the gloves were stiff and cumbersome to perform tasks with. 

However, they broke in more quickly than others and soon became easy to use. While you won’t be trying your shoes while wearing these, they have dexterity enough to work zippers, unclip buckles, and tighten backpack straps.

The Fall Line is extremely comfortable to wear. Hestra has designed a well-thought-out glove that conforms to the shape of your hand. The removable fleece liner is comfortable on the skin and the fingers are curved to give the gloves their anatomically pleasing feel. 

We wore these gloves all day long and were comfortable in them without feeling overly restricted or cumbersome. The wide cuff on them while shorter than others tested, is comfortable and secure.

Warmth

Made with Hestra’s G-loft polyester insulation, we were warm in these in moderate temperatures. The sturdy cowhide leather blocks the wind and the fleece liner provides most of the warmth. However, the gloves are too snug to add another thin liner or hand warmer if you need that extra warmth.

While testing the Hestra Fall Line while skiing and hiking in Alaska’s Chugach and Kenai ranges, we found that these gloves are most suited for moderate temperatures. They excel in temperatures around the twenties and higher. 

We tested these gloves down to ten degrees but found our hands starting to get too cold to be comfortable. The short cuff is another entry point for cold air and snow, as they do not provide the level of coverage offered by gauntlet gloves. 

While we can’t recommend these gloves for long stints in temperatures much below ten degrees, they work best for moderately cold temperatures or cooler so long as you are staying active.

Moisture Control

The thick leather cowhide of the Hestra Fall Line is durable and does a great job blocking the wind, but does not allow the gloves to breathe as well as other tested. This is pretty common for winter gloves prioritizing warmth over breathability.

We tried high-output activities in these like backcountry skiing and quickly found our hands wet with sweat. While the fleece lining does a reasonable job of wicking moisture away from the skin, the leather does not let that moisture escape further. 

Once wet, we found that the Fall Lines take a long time to dry out due to the snug interior. Removing the liner and exposing it to warm circulating air is the best way to speed this up. 

Designed for downhill skiing, it’s important to note that these gloves are not designed to be for aerobic activities where you’ll be hiking while hiking uphill or going for a run. For that use, they excel and are great for lower-output adventures in moderate temperatures.

Weather Resistance

The Hestra Fall Line Gloves provide moderate weather resistance for most snowy adventures, but maintaining their performance requires a bit of care. 

Coming with an included tube of Hestra branded leather balm, reconditioning the leather is vital to maintaining weather resistance and durability. You can also use Sno Seal or other leather treatment products widely available. The number of times to reapply depends on how much you use them, but we typically recondition ours once a year.

During our submersion test, we were surprised by how quickly the Fall Lines wet through. At the one-minute mark, we felt wet between the fingers and at the fingertips, probably penetrating through the sewn-through seams. 

However, the neoprene cuff kept all water from entering through the wrists. While we won’t be reaching for these gloves on the wettest days, they still provide enough weather resistance to be usable in most winter conditions.

Durability

The Falls Lines are built with exceptional craftsmanship to ensure they last a very long time. Reinforced leather layers through the palm and fingers ensure durability in high-contact areas, and external facing stitching provides extra grip. 

We love the cushioning along the knuckles, back of the hand, and fingers to provide extra protection. When skiing down through brush and trees, our hands were protected from being whipped by branches.

As mentioned previously, reconditioning the leather is crucial to ensuring the longevity of these gloves. Without reconditioning, the leather dries out and cracks with extended use. We noticed discoloration in the leather from wiping our nose on the back of the hand, and in other places frequently exposed to moisture. For their higher price, the Fall Lines are very well built and with the proper care, will serve you for many more seasons to come.

Should You Buy the Hestra Fall Line?

The Hestra Fall Line is a premium quality glove that comes with the associated price point. This is likely not the most beginner-friendly option due to their high price point and upkeep needed to keep the leather performing at its best. 

This glove is best suited for downhill skiers and other winter recreators in moderate temperatures. Comfortable down to around fifteen degrees, the Fall Lines are not our top choice for deep cold. They are exceptionally durable and we loved their versatility and iconic leather style. If you’re looking for a well-constructed glove that is comfortable and ergonomic the Fall Lines are a great fit.

While the price point may not be attainable to someone breaking into winter sports, dedicated wintergoers will find a great moderate-temperature glove in the Hestra Fall Line.

What Other Winter Gloves Should You Consider?

Check out our full guide to winter gloves.

Black Diamond Guide Review: Another glove with leather construction, the Guide is fit for even colder temperatures than the Fall Line and is an excellent choice for mountaineering or adventures in extreme cold.

REI Guide Insulated Review: While slightly lighter than the Fall Line, the REI Guide is a versatile glove durable enough for snowsports or working around the yard.

Dakine Titan Review: If the price of the Fall Line is a bit higher than your budget, the Titan offers waterproof performance while being less than one hundred dollars.