Reviews You Can Rely On

The Best Winter Gloves

To find the best winter gloves, we tested 16 top models for men and women from top brands and budget manufacturers to confirm which deliver when the temps drop
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Best Winter Gloves Review
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Clark Tate
By Clark Tate ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Updated October 21, 2025
Contributions From: Jason Wanlass

Sick of cold hands? In the heart of winter, a warm pair of gloves is the final piece of a well-assembled outdoor kit — whether it's for commuting to work, walking the dog, or hitting the slopes. We gathered some of the most popular gloves and wore them for everything from late fall trail running to glacial research to hanging around town. We tested these gloves where you'll wear them the most, and pushed them to their limits in more extreme environments. We ran every pair through a barrage of controlled water resistance, temperature, and dexterity tests. From hard-working options and warming liner gloves to cold-weather classics that will have you stacking snowballs, these winter gloves will keep you and your hands going when the temperatures drop.

After compiling our notes, the REI Co-op Gauntlet GTX Gloves came out as the best overall glove of the bunch. They have a long, drawstring gauntlet, they're warm, and a Gore-Tex barrier adds effective waterproofing. If you're looking for warmth at a fraction of the price, your best option is the Carhartt Waterproof Insulated. For women, the Carhartt Quilts Insulated is our pick. They are well-sized for smaller hands, without skimping on warmth, although they are not very waterproof.

If your feet are freezing, a great pair of winter boots and the right socks will keep you toasty this winter. And as a last word of advice: start with a good layering system to keep your torso warm, and your hands are more likely to stay warm as well.

Our Top Picks

Our Favorite Men's Winter Gloves
Editors' Choice Award
Our Favorite Men's Winter Gloves
REI Co-op Gauntlet GTX Gloves

$85 List
Check Price at REI

Best Women's Winter Gloves
Editors' Choice Award
Best Women's Winter Gloves
Carhartt Quilts Insulated

$28 List
Check Price at Amazon

A Great Deal on A Warm Daily Wearer
Best Buy Award
A Great Deal on A Warm Daily Wearer
Carhartt Waterproof Insulated

$30 List
Check Price at Amazon

Best Liner Glove
Top Pick Award
Best Liner Glove
Achiou Touch Screen Thermal

$9.00 List
Check Amazon (on sale!)

Our Favorite Wool Liner
Our Favorite Wool Liner
Smartwool Liner

Check Price at REI

Best Touchscreen Winter Glove
Top Pick Award
Best Touchscreen Winter Glove
Black Diamond Midweight ScreenTap

Check Price at Amazon

Best Men's Glove for Winter Sports
Top Pick Award
Best Men's Glove for Winter Sports
Rab Khroma Freeride Gore-Tex Gloves

$180 List
Check Price at Amazon

Best Women's Glove for Winter Sports
Editors' Choice Award
Best Women's Glove for Winter Sports
Outdoor Research Revolution II Gore-Tex - Women's

$89 List
Check REI (on sale!)

Best Unisex Winter Work Glove
Top Pick Award
Best Unisex Winter Work Glove
Mechanix Wear Coldwork Original

$33 List
Check Amazon (on sale!)

Best Women's Winter Work Glove
Top Pick Award
Best Women's Winter Work Glove
Wells Lamont Hydrahyde Leather Hybrid

$21 List
Check Amazon (on sale!)

10 Best Winter Gloves


Our Favorite Men's Winter Gloves


REI Co-op Gauntlet GTX Gloves


Material: Polyester, Spandex | Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
Warm and waterproof
Touchscreen fingers and thumb
Long gauntlet
Drawstring cuffs
Leash compatible
REASONS TO AVOID
Not as breathable
Thinner construction

Who is it best for: The REI Co-op Gauntlet GTX Gloves are perfect for just about any winter activity. They hit the bullseye when it comes to warmth, features, and waterproofing. We wore them while shoveling snow, commuting, sledding, and almost anything else that took us outside this winter. The polyester fill traps heat well, and this glove made it through our wind and water tests without skipping a beat. The cherry on top is the touch screen compatible thumb and pointer finger. It is a great full-coverage glove for those who want to get through chilly mountain winters without spending a fortune.

Why we love it: Features like an extra-long gauntlet and Gore-Tex membrane work together to improve this glove's weather resistance, and it rivals the performance of some much more expensive options we tested. A drawstring closure and cinchable wrist strap to close up any gaps and dial in the fit. “I loved the easy-to-adjust drawstrings,” said one tester. “I can cinch them tightly around my wrists whenever I need extra protection from wind, rain, or snow. It's a simple feature, but it makes a huge difference when you're out in bad weather and want to keep the cold from sneaking in.”

Should you buy it? We have a very short list of cons when it comes to the Gauntlet GTX Gloves, the first being that the somewhat bulky fingertips make operating a smartphone a bit difficult, and you might end up removing the gloves to do anything more than skip to the next song on your playlist. One tester commented, “Typing long sentences can be tough, but the convenience outweighs the drawbacks. I can still check maps, skip tracks, or send a quick reply without freezing my fingers, which is a game-changer when you're out in the cold.” Second, when compared against more robust models, these gloves feel thinner; however, they manage a great balance of performance, price, and practicality. For most use cases, the Gauntless GTX is a great choice.

The Gaunlet GTX passed all of our tests. It has lots of features, and is a great winter glove for doing just about anything.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Best Women's Winter Gloves


Carhartt Quilts Insulated


Material: Polyester Insulation and Shell | Touchscreen Compatible: No
REASONS TO BUY
Water-resistant
Soft fleece lining
Warm and windproof
Some recycled fabric
REASONS TO AVOID
Slightly clunky
Slow to dry
Not entirely waterproof

Who is it best for: The Carhartt Quilts Insulated is a women's specific winter glove that has a soft fleece inner lining, and uses a quilted layer of lofty polyester to trap heat and block wind. The thick synthetic palm makes it durable for hands-on work like shoveling, pulling sleds, or making snowballs. Despite not being officially waterproof, these gloves performed surprisingly well in our testing, resisting water and blocking wind completely. During our submersion test, only a small amount of water seeped through one seam after nearly two minutes. The women's specific fit is designed to fit slimmer hands and fingers, and has a velcro cinch strap to get a snug fit around the wrist, and the pull tab makes them super easy to get on, even when your hands are wet or cold.

Why we love it: These gloves are warm and protective for sure, but the main reason to consider these gloves is the fit. Our tester told us, “I appreciate the smaller fit and that there is extra adjustability to get it just right. Most gloves feel too roomy in the fingers for me, so it's nice to find one that hugs my hands without cutting off circulation.” However, she also notes that “the finger length verges on being too short for me, even as someone who usually wears a size small glove.” We'd recommend trying a pair on before committing to a size, but it could be a holy grail glove for those with smaller hands.

Should you buy it? Probably, yes, but it's wise to consider your environment before committing to a glove. If you encounter wet snow or slush on a daily basis, the Quilts might not be the best fit. They are fairly water resistant, but if they do get soaked through, they take a very long time to dry (nearly two days in our tests). They can also feel a bit clunky at times and are not dexterous enough to complete detailed tasks like tying their shoes or zipping their jackets. However, they still hold their own in cold, damp weather, making them a good pick for quick outdoor chores and shorter adventures close to home. We recommend these to any small-handed folks who want to keep their hands warm with a wallet-friendly glove.

Carhartt also makes a mitten version. The Quilts Mitt has the same material makeup, quilted insulation, wrist cincher strap, and fleece cuff as the glove, but all your fingers are housed in the same pocket. We haven't tested it yet, but if you're a mitten kind of gal, we can recommend it based on the consistently great performance of the Quilts glove.

The Quilted Carhartt gloves are mostly waterproof and work well enough for extended time in the snow.
Credit: Clark Tate

A Great Deal on A Warm Daily Wearer


Carhartt Waterproof Insulated


Material: Polyester Insulation and Shell | Touchscreen Compatible: No
REASONS TO BUY
Well-insulated
Flexible and unrestrictive
Comfortable with fleece cuff
Largely waterproof
REASONS TO AVOID
Thick, unwieldy fingers
Less breathable
Slippery fabric
Not unisex

Who is it best for: The Carhartt Waterproof Insulated gloves are a warm, comfortable, and reliable winter classic. Even on cold days in coastal Maine, the thick polyester insulation kept our hands warm while shoveling snow or walking the dog. We wore them in temps down to -20°F while collecting data on a remote glacier in the Yukon, and we still stayed warm. They block wind very well, and unless you're submerging your hands in a bucket of water (like we did), these are functionally waterproof.

Why we love it: We love how comfortable and flexible these gloves feel, though they do have some bulk. The elastic wrist cuff is comfortable against the skin and closes any gaps without being restrictive, and there is an additional adjustable wrist cuff that you can tighten to get a more secure fit. They aren't a technical glove by any means, but for the price, these stand up surprisingly well when temps plummet. One tester made the point, “I was impressed with their warmth even on colder days — for the price, I don't think you can find a better deal out there.”

Should you buy it? If you are looking for a high-performing budget option and aren't concerned about fit or technical features, then yes, the Carhartt WP Insulated could be a great choice. However, these gloves are pretty bulky. The roomy flexibility that we love comes with a slightly oversized fit, and they are not unisex. Carhartt only makes sizes down to S, and for women with especially small hands, they still might be too big. These also don't breathe super well, so it's best to save them for the truly cold days and low-output activities.

We also tested the mitten version of this glove and liked it almost as much. The Carhartt Waterproof Insulated Mitten is made from identical materials and is just as warm and weather-resistant as the glove. The only downside is the lack of dexterity, which is the main deterrent for most people. However, for the mitten lovers out there, this one from Carhartt is a warm and affordable choice.

We tested the Carhartt thoroughly. It's warm, reasonably waterproof, and perfect for daily wear.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Best Liner Glove


Achiou Touch Screen Thermal


Material: Acrylic and polyester | Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
Helpful palm grips
Block wind impressively
Dry quickly
Great price
REASONS TO AVOID
Shorter cuff
Handwash

Who is it best for: The Achiou Touch Screen Thermal is a lightweight glove that works well for high-output activities, adding an extra layer of warmth under your waterproof gloves, or for those who need something that offers good dexterity without exposing bare hands to the cold. The synthetic blend fabric is more durable than other liners we have worn, and, while not waterproof, it dries quickly if it happens to get wet.

Why we love it: These gloves have a few thoughtful details that allow you to handle items like a phone, zipper pulls, or shoelaces with more dexterity. The Achiou has sticky palm grips that keep things secure in your hand, and three-finger touchscreen compatibility enables you to scroll, swipe, or pinch-to-zoom as you normally would. They're fairly breathable if you choose to wear them on a winter run, and one tester notes, “They block wind surprisingly well without getting clammy and sweaty on the inside. That's rare for gloves this thin.

Should you buy it? The Achiou is a very functional liner, and it is our top recommendation, especially for the price. However, there are a few things that we found slightly annoying while wearing the glove. They aren't machine washable, and the fit is a bit off. The thumbs are a little too long, and the cuff is a little too short, and they would often disappear into the depths when layered with another glove. Still, they offer better durability than most liners, and are surprisingly warm for how thin they are. The Achiou is a great way to add a boost of warmth to you winter kit at a very manageable price.

winter gloves - light, easy, durable, and inexpensive, the achiou liner gloves are a...
Light, easy, durable, and inexpensive, the Achiou liner gloves are a great addition to any kit.
Credit: Clark Tate

Our Favorite Wool Liner


Smartwool Liner


Material: Merino wool, recycled polyester, elastodiene, elastane | Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
Natural materials
Good fit
Warm for a liner
REASONS TO AVOID
Questionable durability
Only two finger touchpads

Who is it best for: The Smartwool Liner is a thin liner glove with a 50/50 merino wool and recycled polyester makeup. Its soft skin feel had us sold on the glove from the start, and the wool blend material offers a significant amount of warmth relative to its heft. It is a great choice as a standalone glove for mildly cool weather, and makes a comfortable addition underneath a bulkier outer glove. They provide some of the best finger dexterity of all our tested gloves, and have touchscreen-compatible tips on the thumb and forefinger.

Why we love it: We love the soft feel of the natural fibers, and appreciate the nod to ecofriendliness Smartwool makes by using recycled materials. A little bit of elastane gives it a comfortable stretch, and this glove has a better fit than other liners we tested. Wool is a naturally breathable insulator, and we never got a clammy feeling in these gloves, which can often happen in 100% polyester options.

Should you buy it? The Smartwool Liner is our favorite liner glove in terms of fit and warmth, and most people will be happy with this option. However, it is worth noting that it started to pill early on in our testing, and we have some concerns about longer-term durability. In addition, it requires special care when washing (as all wool garments do) to stay in good shape. However, this is still an option we would reach for for anything from a winter run, laps around the skating rink, or any other gloves-on-gloves-off kind of day where we still want to keep our fingers warm.

The Smartwool liner has a snug enough fit that they layer well under mid/heavy weight gloves, and work well with touchscreens.

Best Touchscreen Winter Glove


Black Diamond Midweight ScreenTap


Material: Nylon, polyester, elastane fleece, leather | Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable with a great fit
Useful features
Can layer over a liner
REASONS TO AVOID
Not as warm
Not weatherproof
Slower to dry

Who is it best for: If you need a lightweight option that makes it easy to check your touchscreen devices without freezing your fingers, we would steer you to the Black Diamond Midweight ScreenTap gloves. We were able to complete complex tasks on our phone, like typing out a text message, whereas in heavier winter gloves, we could realistically only skip a song or answer a call. A leather palm on the BD Midweight improves your grip and increases the longevity of the gloves. A soft fleece inner lining adds some warmth, but don't expect them to work as a standalone glove in sub-freezing temps. Luckily, we wore them over a pair of liner gloves and found the touchscreen capabilities still worked when doubled up.

Why we love it: These gloves have a snug fit, and the material has a slight stretch that provides more freedom of movement. They are easily the most touchscreen-compatible gloves we have worn, thanks to conductive materials that allow screens to recognize your touch on all ten fingers and both palms. We find ourselves wearing these gloves around town when exploring new trails and need to consult our digital maps often. Overall, it's the best way to stay connected to your device without fully exposing your hands to the cold.

Should you buy it? The Black Diamond Midweight ScreenTap fills a niche, and as long as you know what to expect, this is a glove we highly recommend. It is breathable enough to perform well during active pursuits like runs, cross-country ski tours, and fast-paced commutes, but it isn't much warmer than a liner glove. Don't wear them during the next cold snap, but in the words of one of our testers: “They aren't super warm, but I enjoyed their added protection during morning runs.”

While not waterproof, the Black Diamond Midweight ScreenTap gloves do shrug off a bit of dry snow.
Credit: Clark Tate

Best Men's Glove for Winter Sports


Rab Khroma Freeride Gore-Tex Gloves


Material: Stretch Nylon, Leather, 3-layer Gore-Tex | Gauntlet or Cuff: Gauntlet
REASONS TO BUY
Amazing warmth
Excellent durability
Waterproof
Detachable wrist leashes
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Somewhat basic

Who is it best for: The Rab Khroma Freeride Gore-Tex is an absolute workhorse of a glove. It has enough warmth, weatherproofing, and durability that you can rely on it to keep your hands protected for a full 10-hour day outdoors in frigid temps. This is marketed as a ski glove (and has a price tag to match), but in our experience, it is a great option for just about anything that takes you outside in the winter. Their three-layer Gore-Tex build makes them especially suitable for hands-on snow activities, whether it's skiing, ice fishing, or building a snow fort.

Why we love it: Many gloves with this level of warmth and durability can essentially feel like big pillow wraps for your hands. The Rab Khroma gloves manage to offer a supreme level of protection while still allowing you full use of your hands. We also just love the general quality of this glove; no corners were cut in the design process. Their impressive stretch-nylon gauntlets are dense but pliable, and our tester points out, “Some gloves skimp on insulation through the wrist, but these gloves are packed with insulation through the gauntlet. That detail makes a huge difference when you're in biting wind all day.”

Should you buy it? With comments from our testers like, “I just loved the overall feel of these gloves; they're hefty and weighty, and they just feel like they mean business,” it's hard to not recommend the Freeride. We have been wearing them for over 3 seasons now, and they have yet to show signs of wear. However, these are much more expensive than other winter gloves, and the price can be a deterrent for those who just need something to walk the dog or shovel the driveway. That said, they're built to last, and they'll keep your digits warm and protected.

We tested these alongside a full lineup of other men's ski gloves. Check out the full review to read more about their ski-specific features, and see how they compare to other ski-oriented options.

Read more: Rab Khroma Freeride Gore-Tex Gloves review

Whether bombing an untouched slope in the backcountry or carving runs at our favorite resorts, the Rab Khroma Freeride Glove was always our main go-to glove.
Credit: GearLab Team

Best Women's Glove for Winter Sports


Outdoor Research Revolution II Gore-Tex - Women's


Material: Polyester, PU grip, Gore-Tex | Gauntlet or Cuff: Gauntlet
REASONS TO BUY
Good fit for small hands
Multi-activity glove
Good dexterity
REASONS TO AVOID
Not fully waterproof
Might be too slim for some

Who is it best for: The Outdoor Research Revolution II Gore-tex is a women's specific ski glove that our testers ended up using on a near daily basis. The polyester insulation keeps your hands warm in everything from 30°F days to below-zero mornings, and convenience features like touch screen compatible finger tips, a wrist leash, and a cinch closure on the gauntlets increase the usability.

Why we love it: The OR Revolution II actually feels like it was made for women's hands. Rather than just sizing down in a unisex or men's glove, the design of the Revolution features slimmer fingers, which will be appreciated by small-handed people who usually have a hard time finding gloves that fit. But just because they have a slimmer fit, doesn't mean they don't crush it on active days outdoors. Our lead tester summed it perfectly: “As a snow professional, I put these to the test—digging snowpits, climbing ice, backcountry skiing, and spending long mornings at freezing ski resorts. I think they nailed the balance between warmth, dexterity, and cost. They feel they were made for women who work and play hard outside.”

Should you buy it? If you are looking for a glove that can carry you through a full 10+ hours out in the cold, and fits smaller hands, then yes. However, they're not built for extreme weather conditions. A Gore-Tex insert blocks snow and slush, but the waterproofing in our pair degraded after heavy testing. And due to the narrower fit, some of our female testers with wider fingers didn't love the fit as much. If you want to fit a liner glove underneath for extra warmth or have wider fingers, you may want to size up or consider other options for maximum heat retention. Keeping these things in mind, the Outdoor Research Revolution II gloves can still be your one-and-done option that gets you through multiple seasons of snow sports, and relative to other gloves that perform this well, they are a steal.

We tested the OR Revolution II in our side-by-side review of women's ski gloves, and they were one of our favorite options there, too. Check it out for more details on the strengths and weaknesses of this glove while out on the slopes.

Read more: Women's Outdoor Research Revolution II Gore-Tex review

The Ourdoor Research Revolution II is a favorite among the snow proffessionals we enlisted for gear testing.

Best Unisex Winter Work Glove


Mechanix Wear Coldwork Original


Material: Rubber, fleece, softshell | Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Extremely dexterous
Work well with a liner
Seriously durable
Can use washing machine
REASONS TO AVOID
Not the warmest
Don't dry quickly
Not as versatile

Who is it best for: The Mechanix Wear Coldwork Originals are the best in our lineup at protecting our hands without restricting their function. They are great for anyone needing a dexterous glove for light-duty work in moderately cold weather. Think raking leaves, shoveling snow, or even small engine repair. They have a light fleece lining that keeps hands warm down into the twenties, and they're well-suited to those who need precision and comfort rather than maximum insulation. They also have full-hand touchscreen compatibility, which is also great for DIYers who frequently consult a phone or tablet while working. They come in unisex sizing, but those with smaller hands might struggle to get a snug fit.

Why we love it: These gloves offer an excellent blend of comfort, grip, and flexibility, and best of all, they have uncompromising tactile control. The thinner lining and the softshell exterior offer durability without bulk. “They move with my fingers so well that I rarely need to pull them off, even to do detail work,” our lead tester said. “I've used them while tuning up my snowblower in freezing temps, and I was impressed by how easy it was to grip bolts and manipulate tools.” The faux leather palms provide reliable traction, and the gloves are breathable enough to keep hands from overheating on warmer days. Bonus: they're machine washable.

Should you buy it? Yes—if you're after a tough, flexible hybrid glove that keeps your hands warm and agile in chilly conditions. The Mechanix Wear are not true work gloves or true winter gloves; they fall somewhere in between. They're not ideal for warmer fall days when you need the kind of abrasion resistance that a hardier work glove can provide. They're also not warm enough for really cold weather. That said, our lead tester often paired them with a thin liner glove for a boost of warmth when needed, and for mild to cold weather jobs where dexterity matters, these gloves are hard to beat. If they fit you well, you'll likely get a ton of use out of them.

If the Mechanix gloves aren't warm enough for your climate, add a liner underneath.
Credit: Clark Tate

Best Women's Winter Work Glove


Wells Lamont Hydrahyde Leather Hybrid


Material: Leather, spandex, neoprene | Touchscreen Compatible: No
REASONS TO BUY
Flexible
Comfortable fit
Great color scheme
REASONS TO AVOID
Not very warm
Too tight for a liner

Who is it best for: The Wells Lamont Hydrahyde Leather Hybrid are thick gardening/work gloves that work well for mild winters and shoulder seasons. While certainly not warm enough for the depth of winter in northern climates, they're great for days when you work hard enough to generate a bit of your own warmth. They have a leather palm that effectively protects your hands and provides grip, while breathable spandex allows sweat to evaporate. These are a compelling option for anyone who needs something they can use for outdoor projects through late fall and early spring.

Why we love it: If you wear a women's size small or extra small, you are likely to find a better fit with the Wells Lamont than with most unisex work gloves. They offer more warmth than your average work glove and more protection/dexterity than your average winter glove. They are a compelling option for anyone who struggles to find work gloves small enough to fit their hands. With a proper fit, they are among the most nimble gloves we have worn. Our lead tester reports, “I was able to tackle every gardening and home-repair task on my plate easily.

Should you buy it? We love the Hydrahyde gloves for what they are, but they are limited to shoulder-season use or milder winter climates. The fit is too tight to comfortably wear liners beneath the Wells Lamont Hydrahyde Leather Hybrid gloves, which is a shame because it would greatly increase their temperature range. Neoprene panels on the back of the hand and wrist add warmth and water resistance. Not a ton, though. They are able to repel a light mist, yet they soaked through immediately in our immersion test. However, if you are looking for a warmer-than-average work glove that fits small hands, this is the way to go.

We appreciate the Wells Lamont women's hydrahide glove for their comfortable fit and protective leather palms.
Credit: Clark Tate

How We Tested


Our testers live in some of the most iconic winter climates in the U.S., and know quickly cold hands can turn a day sour and how much a warm pair of gloves can help. We wore these gloves running errands around town, walking the dog, jogging, hiking, and doing chores in rural Maine's bone-chilling weather and Utah's freezing high-altitude temps. We also tested the men's gloves in Fairbanks, Alaska, while collecting data on a remote glacier in the Yukon. We tied our shoelaces, unbuckled our avalanche beacons, took notes, and clipped dog leashes to test their dexterity. To test their warmth, we wore them in frigid temperatures, sometimes wearing a different glove on each hand for direct comparison. We tossed them in a freezer for 5 minutes with a thermometer inside, and dunked them in a bucket of water for two minutes to test their waterproofing, and timed how long it took them to dry.

Our testing team put these winter gloves through the wringer in some seriously trying conditions.

Why Trust GearLab


Lead tester Jason Wanlass calls the great state of Utah home. No stranger to long, cold, snow-packed winters, he's an avid skier and trail-seeker and enjoys hiking year-round. Jason also tests Men's Winter Jackets, traveling extensively during the winter months to examine the best coats and gloves for the world's colder climates. He is joined by long-time GearLab tester Clark Tate, who has spent extensive time between the Appalachian, Rocky, and Sierra mountain ranges. She currently lives in central Maine, embracing the long winter months with wilderness camping trips, backcountry and cross-country skiing adventures, and trail runs/slides, even when the windchill is well into the negative double digits. Our New England test team is rounded out by Jake Homes, a Registered Maine Guide who leads winter trips on Katadyn for Acadia Mountain Guides. He also studies geophysics and glaciology at the University of Maine, spending a chunk of every year pulling radars around on remote glaciers in Alaska.

winter gloves - a soggy lineup: the aftermath of our side-by-side waterproof testing.
A soggy lineup: the aftermath of our side-by-side waterproof testing.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

How to Choose the Right Winter Gloves


The fastest way to narrow down the right choice for you is to first decide what type of winter glove best suits your lifestyle and preferred winter activities. Think about how you spend most of your days in the winter. For skiing or snowboarding in-bounds, you'll need warm, insulated, and waterproof gloves to handle cold and wet conditions when sitting idly on a lift. If you'll be active the entire time you wear them, as you are when running or cross-country skiing, they need to be more breathable than warm. Touchscreen compatibility and comfort will be nice in casual use cases, like commuting around town. If you want to keep your hands warm while doing chores or yardwork, you'll need your gloves to be well-made and durable. Since many of these gloves are inexpensive, buying a different pair for dedicated tasks may be worth it.

winter gloves - having gloves that keep your hands reliably warm and dry can be a...
Having gloves that keep your hands reliably warm and dry can be a game-changer in the winter months.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Types of Winter Gloves


While not an exhaustive list, most winter gloves fall into the following categories:

The all-arounder: This is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of winter gloves. They generally have an adequate amount of insulation and waterproofing for most winter conditions, and are good for activities like sledding, skating, or brushing snow off your car. Most of the models we tested were waterproof… up to a point. They are not as weather-resistant as ski gloves, but they are typically quite affordable and are plenty protective for day-to-day winter activities.

winter gloves - what do you do during the winter? how much snow and cold is typical...
What do you do during the winter? How much snow and cold is typical for where you live? Answering these questions will go a long way to helping you find the right glove.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Ski Gloves: You need reliable protection on long days on the mountain when you can't run inside to warm up, and ski gloves are (or should be) virtually bulletproof when it comes to warmth and weather resistance. However, they also ned to be dexterous enough that you can make adjustments to your boots or bindings throughout the day. To accomplish all this, ski gloves are built with more technical materials that provide a lighter and less bulky form of protection, and often have price tags that reflect this. They also have cool features like gauntlet-style cuffs, wrist leashes, and nose wipes that make them tailored for long days on the hill. If you're considering this kind of glove, you might want to check out more in-depth specs in either our men's ski glove review or our women's ski glove review.

winter gloves - an extended gauntlet cuff on a ski glove can help keep snow from...
An extended gauntlet cuff on a ski glove can help keep snow from entering your sleeves on deep powder days.
Credit: Kaylee Walden

Liner Gloves: Liners are thin and breathable gloves with a multitude of purposes. They're light on insulation, and most are not waterproof, but they are great for high-output activities like chilly shoulder season runs, cross-country skiing, or wearing to walk the dog when you'll have hands in and out of your pockets the whole time. Aside from wearing them on their own, many people choose to layer them under a heavier pair of gloves to boost warmth. Additionally, because winter gloves can be bulky and unwieldy, you often must remove them to navigate your phone, unsnap buckles, or tighten laces. When it's below zero, liners help protect your fingers from frostbite while you do so.

Liner gloves often have touchscreen-compatible fingers and some grippy material on the palm to give them greater functionality.

Work Gloves: These have more abrasion-resistant materials on the palm such as leather, rubber, or faux leather. The uppers often have a more breathable material that you'll appreciate if you start to work up a sweat. They are not usually as warm as a standard winter glove, but they offer more durability. Not all work gloves are insulated, but the ones we included for testing have some amount of insulation that makes them suitable for winter chores like carrying firewood or shoveling snow.

winter gloves - the wells lamont white mules have high quality leather palms with...
The Wells Lamont White Mules have high quality leather palms with suede patches that help them grip well.
Credit: Clark Tate

The Debate: gloves, mittens, or lobster claw?

In short, mittens are warmer, gloves offer better finger control, and lobster claw tries to give you the best of both worlds.

The long answer is that mittens keep all your fingers in the same chamber, and they are able to share generated warmth. Gloves keep each finger in its own slot, giving a full range of motion for each digit, and allow you to complete more detailed tasks like unlocking your car, zipping your jacket, and maybe even tying your boots. Lobster claw gloves have three compartments, keeping your three outermost digits in one pocket, and giving thumb and pointer finger each their own. In our experience, they're particularly good for chilly bike commutes, providing a lot of warmth, while still allowing you to keep one finger on the brake.

Final FAQs



The materials your winter gloves are made of will significantly affect their performance. Synthetic materials like polyester or nylon are durable and, with proper treatment, can resist water, making them ideal for outdoor sports. However, untreated synthetic gloves do not resist water well. Gloves made with a high percentage of Merino wool dry faster if wet. While stylish and durable, leather gloves usually need a waterproofing agent like Nikwax to perform well in wet conditions. Consider gloves with fleece or wool linings and added insulation for maximum warmth. If you are engaged in active pursuits, seek options with moisture-wicking properties.

Modern winter gloves come with a variety of features. One of the most important among them is touchscreen-compatible fingertips, which allow you to use your phone without removing your gloves in the cold. Another much-appreciated set of features includes adjustable cuffs and straps, which provide a better fit and help to improve insulation. Similarly, machine-washable gloves are much easier to maintain for those who don't have time or capacity for hand washing or spot cleaning. Considering these factors will help you find gloves that meet your needs.

A proper fit is essential to keep your hands comfortable, warm, and functional. Tight gloves can restrict circulation, reducing warmth. Loose gloves have the opposite effect. They will let in too much cold air and make it hard to use your hands, reducing the functionality of features like touchscreen capabilities. Look for gloves with good sizing information, adjustable cuffs, straps, or elastic bands to ensure a snug fit. Stretchy, knit versions composed of some synthetic fabrics often fit snugly. While the majority of gloves can be considered unisex, if you can't find a good fit for your small hands, it's worth looking into a women's specific model.

winter gloves - touchscreen-compatible fingertips can be an important feature for...
Touchscreen-compatible fingertips can be an important feature for anyone who will need to engage with their smartphones while outdoors in cold climates.
Credit: Clark Tate

Conclusion


Choosing between the many winter gloves on the market today can be hard. We hope that by buying these options, spending weeks testing them, and months wearing them, we've helped you zero in on your perfect pair. Keeping your hands warm is a crucial step to enjoying the winter months. We've got you covered, from heavily insulated and waterproof gloves for outdoor chores to deft liners for the most detailed tasks. See the roundup of our favorite gloves to find the best pairs for specific disciplines.

Need more winter gear to complete your cold weather protection? Whether you want an top-rated insulated jacket, a nice fuzzy sweater, or a new favorite winter jacket, our wintertime experts have thought of it all.

winter gloves - while all of these winter gloves work in some conditions, a few rise...
While all of these winter gloves work in some conditions, a few rise above the rest.
Credit: Clark Tate

Clark Tate and Jason Wanlass