So picture this. You finally wrangle your kid into their puffy snowsuit, boots laced, helmet clipped, goggles on. You’re sweating, they’re wiggling, and just when you think you’ve won… plop. One glove falls off, lands in a pile of slush, and your child is already crying like the world just ended.
Sound familiar?
If you’re a parent, aunt, uncle, or anyone who’s ever taken kids skiing, you already know — gloves are the first thing to vanish. They’re like socks in a dryer. One minute they’re on, the next they’ve gone rogue. That’s why figuring out how to attach ski gloves to jackets isn’t just a “hack.” It’s survival.
Honestly, if I had a dollar for every time I heard, “Mom, I lost my glove!”, I could probably buy stock in Burton.
Why Kids Lose Ski Gloves in the First Place
Well, kids are kids. They pull them off to eat snacks, dig in the snow, wave at friends, scratch their nose — you name it. Gloves end up on the ground, stuffed into an open pocket, or forgotten on a chairlift seat.
And ski resorts aren’t glove-friendly. Drop one in the powder, it’s buried instantly. Drop one from the lift, and it disappears into what might as well be Narnia.
The key isn’t nagging them to hold on. It’s making sure the gloves literally can’t go anywhere.
Method 1: The Classic Mitten String (Old but Gold)
Remember the 90s? Kids with mittens dangling from their sleeves like they were on tiny leashes? That trick still works — brilliantly.
How to do it:
- Take a long piece of cord, elastic, or even shoelace.
- Thread it through one jacket sleeve, across the back, and out the other sleeve.
- Tie or clip each glove to the ends.
When your kid takes off their gloves, they just dangle from the sleeves. Zero chance of losing them. Yes, it looks goofy. But goofy is better than dropping $60 on replacements halfway through the trip.
Method 2: Glove Clips
Modern kids’ jackets often come with little built-in clips. If your kid’s jacket and gloves both have them, it’s a no-brainer: clip glove → jacket → done.
If not, you can buy aftermarket glove clips on Amazon, REI, Walmart, or even at the resort shop. From my experience, spring-loaded metal clips last longer than flimsy plastic ones, especially in the cold.
Method 3: Glove Leashes
This one’s more pro. Skiers and snowboarders often use “wrist leashes” — straps that loop around the wrist and attach to gloves. Kids can pull gloves off without dropping them. They just dangle like oversized bracelets.
How to attach:
- Slip the leash loop over your kid’s wrist before putting gloves on.
- Tighten so it won’t slip off.
- Clip or tie the leash to the jacket cuff for extra security.
Great for older kids who take gloves off constantly — for snacks, snowballs, or sneaky phone breaks.
Method 4: The Carabiner Hack
Don’t want to buy anything fancy? Grab a small carabiner. The cheap colorful ones from hardware stores or dollar bins work fine.
Steps:
- Clip gloves together when not worn.
- Then hook them to a belt loop, jacket zipper, or backpack strap.
Not elegant, but cheap, reliable, and surprisingly “cool” in kids’ eyes.
Method 5: Sew-On Tabs (For Crafty Parents)
Okay, not everyone’s got the time or patience, but if you sew, this works beautifully.
DIY steps:
- Stitch a small webbing tab or fabric loop onto the jacket cuff.
- Do the same for the gloves if they don’t have loops.
- Use a clip or cord to attach.
It’s permanent, sturdy, and basically invisible once clipped. Hardcore parents have been known to stitch tabs right in the ski lodge over hot cocoa.
Quick Fixes on the Mountain
Sometimes gloves vanish mid-day and you’ve got no gear handy. Improvise:
- Duct Tape: Tape gloves to jacket cuffs. Ugly, but works for a few runs.
- Zip Ties: Surprisingly tough fix if you loop glove + jacket tab.
- Ribbon or String: Most resort shops have cord — thread it through like a mitten string in minutes.
Better janky than frozen fingers.
Pros and Cons of Each Method
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Mitten String | Cheap, foolproof, nostalgic | Dangles a lot, looks goofy |
| Glove Clips | Clean, easy, widely sold | Can break, sometimes flimsy |
| Glove Leashes | Freedom, no dangling cords | Kids might lose leashes |
| Carabiner | Cheap, durable, multi-use | Less secure while skiing |
| Sew-On Tabs | Permanent, sturdy | Requires sewing time/skills |
My Story: The Colorado Vanishing Glove
One winter in Breckenridge, my nephew dropped his glove straight off the chairlift. He just let it go like he was releasing a balloon into the sky. Watching it tumble into deep snow was heartbreaking — mostly because I knew I’d be buying a replacement at the overpriced resort shop.
That night, I went full MacGyver. Grabbed paracord from my backpack, threaded it through his jacket sleeves, tied the gloves on, and boom — mitten string 2.0.
Next day? Not a single glove lost. He even thought it was “cool” because the gloves dangled like nunchucks when he pulled them off. Parenting win.
FAQs Parents Always Ask
Q: Can I just stuff gloves in their pockets when not in use?
Sure, if you want to lose them. Pockets open, gloves fall out. Not worth it.
Q: Are mitten strings safe for toddlers?
Yes, as long as the cord isn’t too long. Elastic cords are safer than rigid ones.
Q: What’s the easiest method for preschoolers?
Glove clips — simple, secure, and no dangling mess.
Q: Do ski brands make jackets with built-in glove attachments?
Yes. Columbia, Burton, and others have integrated clips. Worth it if you ski a lot.
Q: Will duct tape actually hold gloves to jackets?
Temporarily, yes. But don’t expect it to last all day.
Final Thoughts
Keeping kids’ ski gloves attached to jackets is less about fancy gear and more about sanity. Because let’s be honest — a day on the slopes with kids is already chaos. Adding lost gloves to the mix? Total meltdown territory.
Whether you go old-school with a mitten string, modern with glove clips, or full DIY with duct tape and carabiners, the goal’s the same: keep those tiny hands warm and happy.
So the real question is: are you Team “buy proper clips and keep it neat”, or Team “duct tape and string, whatever works”?
Either way, once those gloves are secured, you can finally focus on the fun part: actually skiing.
