Leather palm gloves—typically made from goatskin or premium Pittards leather—offer the best grip and pole feel you can get. The material naturally molds to your hand over time, creating a custom fit that makes pole planting feel intuitive and precise. That's why freeriders, instructors, and anyone who spends all day gripping poles tends to prefer them.
The trade-off is maintenance. Leather needs regular waterproofing treatment, and if you skip it, the palms can get slippery when wet. Synthetic alternatives like Clarino mimic the leather feel with less upkeep, but they won't last as long or develop that broken-in grip that leather fans swear by.
If you ski frequently and value pole control and long-term durability, leather is absolutely worth the extra care. For casual days or if you'd rather not bother with treatment, synthetic suede is a solid low-maintenance alternative.