This is my review of the Dakine Titan. In my opinion, it is a reliable, feature-filled glove at an affordable price. It has good warmth for its cost, even if it doesn’t quite match up when it comes to sturdiness or flexibility.
Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of this ski glove, who it is best for, and other similar alternatives to consider.
Contents
Quick Summary
- Where to buy: Amazon, The House
- Best for: Skiers on a budget looking for a glove that comes with many different features. Good for pleasant or mildly cold conditions too.
- Pros: There are many features packed into this pair, including liners, hand warmer pockets, and a nose wipe on the thumb. The fit is comfortable and the Gore-Tex effectively keeps your hands from getting wet.
- Cons: These gloves don’t quite match up when it comes to flexibility and durability, especially on the palm. They’re a bit stiff in a way that restricts motion and won’t last as long as more expensive handwear.
- Alternatives: Arc’teryx Fission, Black Diamond Guide, Outdoor Research Alti
Are these gloves waterproof?
The Titan’s unique membrane and tight construction actively repel water. They are waterproof the entire way through.
What is the plastic edge of the left thumb?
That small patch is a scraper that can quickly remove ice and snow off your goggles.
Are these versatile?
Yes. The Titan Gloves come with interior lining that enables you to wear them with or without inserts depending on the weather.
Do these work with electronic devices?
The Titan’s liner has touchscreen sensitivity on the thumb and index finger so you can work with your devices without getting your fingers cold.
Why Trust Me
I’ve been hitting the slopes since I was a kid. I enjoy getting out in the snow and have hands-on experience with a wide range of different skiing items. I have spent ample time researching these gloves, talked to skiers who used them, and analyzed how they hold up in many different conditions.
Detailed Review of Dakine Titan Gloves
Though the Titan is not going to give you the strength or reliability of more premium gloves, it still offers a lot at a low price. You get quite a few features with this item, including a nose wipe, removable liners, and a hand warmer pocket. The durability and dexterity are both certainly lacking, but the waterproofing holds up in just about every environment – a solid choice for feature-obsessed skiers on a budget.
Lacking Durability, Solid Water Resistance
To put it simply, I’m not a big fan of the Titan’s overall durability. The glove won’t completely crumble when you’re using them, but they don’t have the reliable strength you’ll see in more expensive models. The glove definitely shows wear, especially around the seams in the fingers, only after a little bit of use. Handling skis also causes small cuts in the material after a short period of time.
However, it’s not all bad. Where the Titan’s material doesn’t quite cut it for me, the waterproofing is a different story. Dakine outfitted this model with Gore-Tex that, as expected, holds up quite well to moisture. This feature is something I enjoy. It helps increase the general warmth and gives the gloves the ability to be used on both light and extreme days. They might not have the longevity I hoped for, but they certainly stay warm in the rain and snow.
Insulation and Flexibility
I was also disappointed with the Titan’s warmth. There just isn’t a lot of insulation here, even with the water-resistant Gore-Tex and liners. The liners do give you more versatility, which I appreciate when the weather gets warm, or you need to push uphill, but they don’t give you the extra amount of toastiness I would expect.
The outer shell feels a bit too thin for what you get. You can only expect so much when buying a more budget-friendly glove, but even so, these lag behind premium options in a big way. That being said, mixing the liner with the glove gives you a lot of versatility and enables you to adapt to different conditions on the fly. That’s worth something.
The flexibility could also be better. It’s not the worst range of motion you’ll see in gloves, but it is certainly nowhere close to the best. The gloves aren’t bulky, which is nice to have when being able to move your fingers. The liners are also lightweight and easy to move around in. However, they can still be a bit stiff at times.
These gloves get average marks when considering movement. You’ll be able to perform a lot of easy tasks, such as unlocking a car or messing with your other gear, but you don’t get the full functionality or movement you see in much lighter options.
Plenty of Additional Features
One area where these gloves get high marks is their features. It’s rare to find a lot of extra stuff in lower-priced snow wear, but Dakine wasn’t afraid to pack the Titan with different traits. The external zippered stash pocket is waterproof and serves as a great place to stick a hand warmer if you want some extra heat on colder days.
Beyond that, you also get a cinch and a removable elastic wrist leash. Both of those work well to keep you going in all environments. The gauntlet cinch is especially easy-to-use and offers some much-needed insulation. There are also nose wipe thumb panels, which is something I’m always fond of when picking out gloves. Being able to wipe without exposing your hands to the elements is fantastic.
Price and Value
Despite its flaws, I consider the Titan to have extremely solid value. The price is much lower than premium options. While that means it won’t give you an endless amount of seasons, it does mean you’re getting quite a lot for not too much money. The removable liner alongside the nose wipe, ice scraper, and external pocket all add to the value. There’s a lot of versatility here, which is typically hard to find in cheaper models.
What I Like
I really like the Titan’s water resistance. The gloves have a strong interior that keeps your hands warm and dry. Wet or freezing hands can quickly ruin your time out on the mountain, and Dakine took extra steps to ensure that doesn’t happen. There’s also something to be said about the low price. I’m always happy when I can save some money without losing general quality.
The features are quite nice. You typically don’t see a lot of extra bells and whistles in affordable gloves, but the Titan has plenty. I’m particularly fond of the nose wipes and the hand warmer pocket because it helps make up for the lower insulation. The cinches are a nice touch in that regard as well.
What I Dislike
The Titan’s durability simply isn’t up to snuff. Though the water resistance is there, the outer material doesn’t have the longevity or toughness I want. Yes, the glove comes in at a low price point, but you’re going to have to replace them sooner than you would more expensive models.
I would have liked better insulation. The liners do not give a lot of extra warmth, and the full package won’t hold up when things get frigid. The gloves do a fine job for warmer environments or pleasant weather, but you’re going to need extra help when temperatures dip.
The Alternatives
The Dakine Titan is a solid glove, but it’s far from the best money can buy. The following models offer unique traits that work to give you a good alternative option:
- Arc’teryx Fission – The Fission (review) definitely comes in at a different price point than the Titan, but the well-rounded gloves still offer great value. In my opinion, they have no weak spot. They are strong and weather resistant, while still remaining flexible and lightweight. The tough construction gives them extra longevity too.
- Black Diamond Guide – If warmth is your number one priority, the Guides (review) are a great pick. They are not the most flexible options out there, which is a bummer if you need to use your fingers a lot, but their insulation is almost unmatched. They dry quickly and are some of the longest-lasting gloves money can buy.
- Outdoor Research Alti – While the Alti (review) can’t quite match up to the Titan in terms of durability or longevity, the well-insulated gloves give you excellent versatility. Basically two gloves in one, this model comes with a tough outer shell as well as a lightweight inner liner. I appreciate the great water resistance and tight cinches as well.
Final Verdict
The Titan is not the most impressive glove on the market, but it’s more than a fine option for its price. You’re getting solid protection without breaking the bank, as well as a wide range of useful features. The hand warmer pocket and removable liners both particularly stand out, giving you an extra amount of versatility.
Serious skiers who put their gear through a lot of abuse will likely want to look elsewhere or pay more for their gloves. However, more casual skiers or beginners just looking to start out on the slopes will enjoy the Titan just fine. It does give you a lot without requiring too much of an investment.
