Old gloves not cutting it anymore or looking to keep your hands warmer for your winter outdoor pursuits with a specialist pair? Whatever your needs are, we’ve tested the best winter hiking gloves in various different categories to bring you our 22 favorites. Our small team of testers have put these gloves through rigorous tests before we’ve made our recommendations to you (you can read more here about how we tested hiking gloves).
Below, we’ve covered a range of different categories, from cold weather gloves, through to thin winter gloves for various needs and purposes. So whether you’re skiing or mountaineering in cold alpine climates or just need something to keep the edge off, we’ve got you covered.
Putting these winter hiking gloves through their paces has taken us to a whole range of different locations and testing environments around the world. From milder winter conditions, extreme winds and rain through to full on, high altitude mountaineering to give them all a run for their money.
Helly Hansen Swift HT Ski Gloves | Rab Pivot Gore-Tex Gloves | Hestra Heli Three-Finger Insulated Gloves | Sealskinz Waterproof All Weather Insulated Glove | Hestra Fall Line Glove | The North Face Women's Apex Insulated Etip Glove | The North Face Women's Montana Insulated Ski Mitt | Black Diamond Mercury Mitt Womens | Outdoor Research Stormtracker | Carhartt Women's Quilts | Carhartt Quilts Insulated Women's Mitts | Black Diamond Guide Gloves | Helly Hansen Men's LIFA Merino Glove Liner | Wells Lamont HydraHyde Leather Hybrid Men’s | Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor | Carhartt Men's Waterproof Insulated Glove | Mechanix Wear Coldwork Original | Arc'teryx Rho Liner Glove | Trendoux Winter Gloves | icebreaker Merino Oasis 200 Glove Liners | Cotopaxi Teca Fleece Gloves | Burton Touchscreen Glove Liners | |
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Buying Options | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Our Rating | Best Overall Winter Gloves | Warmest Winter Gloves | Best Insulated Gloves | Best Winter Gloves for Touchscreen | Best Winter Gloves for Men | Best Winter Gloves for Women | Best Waterproof Winter Gloves | Best Women's Technical Ski Mitt | Best Liner Gloves | Best Touchscreen Gloves | Best Budget Winter Gloves | |||||||||||
Type and Shape | Performance/technical/ski | Performance/technical/ski | Performance/technical/ski | Hiking/general sport | Performance/technical/ski | Hiking/general sport | Hiking/general sport/ski | Performance/technical/ski | Hiking/general/ski | Hiking/general | Hiking/general | Performance/technical/ski | Performance/technical/ski | Work | Hiking | Hiking | Work | Performance/technical/ski | General | General | General | Performance/technical/ski |
Warmth | High | Very High | Very High | Medium | Very High | High | High | Very High | High | Medium | Medium | Very High | Medium (Liner) | Medium | High | High | Medium | Medium (Liner) | Medium | Medium (Liner) | Medium | Medium (Liner) |
Water Resistance | Waterproof | Waterproof | Waterproof | Waterproof | Waterproof | Water Resistant | Waterproof | Waterproof | Not Waterproof | Waterproof | Waterproof | Waterproof | Not Waterproof (Liner) | Water Resistant | Not Waterproof | Waterproof | Water Resistant | Not Waterproof (Liner) | Not Waterproof | Not Waterproof (Liner) | Not Waterproof | Not Waterproof (Liner) |
Wind resistance | High | High | Very High | High | Very High | High | High | Very High | High | Medium | Medium | Very High | Not Windproof (Liner) | Not Windproof | Not Windproof | Windproof | Not Windproof | Not Windproof (Liner) | Not Windproof | Not Windproof (Liner) | Not Windproof | Not Windproof (Liner) |
Fit | Fits true to size/High Dexterity | Fits true to size/High Dexterity | Fits true to size/Medium Dexterity | Runs Small/High Dexterity | Run Small/Medium Dexterity | Fits True to Size/High Dexterity | Fits True to Size/Medium Dexterity | Runs Tight/Medium-Low Dexterity | Runs Small/High Dexterity | Runs Small/Medium Dexterity | Runs Small/Medium Dexterity | Runs Small/Low Dexterity | Runs True to Size/High Dexterity | Runs True to Size/High Dexterity | Runs Large/High Dexterity | Runs True to Size/High Dexterity | Runs True to Size/High Dexterity | Runs True to Size/High Dexterity | Runs True to Size/High Dexterity | Fits Slightly Tight/High Dexterity | Fits True to Size/High Dexterity | Fits True to Size/High Dexterity |
Durability | High | Very High | Very High | High | Very High | High | High | Very High | High | Medium | Medium | Very High | High | High | Medium | Medium | High | Very High | Medium | Medium | Medium | High |
Price | $70.00 | $155.00 | $127.96 | $73.35 | $139.99 | $59.90 | Price not available | $97.88 | $95.14 | $27.99 | $27.99 | $143.96 | Price not available | $15.08 | $31.47 | $28.29 | $32.99 | $40.00 | $7.99 | $40.00 | Price not available | $14.67 |
This article is part of our series on the best winter hiking gloves, view all other articles below:
The 5 Best Cold Weather Gloves
The best cold weather gloves are ones that will keep you going further in temperatures that really take a drop. However, this can really vary and some gloves that are intended for intense cold can be overkill for around freezing.
The selection of gloves we’ve included in this section cover a real range of different scenarios, including gloves suited to general snow and cold weather hiking, mountaineering and skiing. In this category, you will find the most hard wearing of gloves that will keep you protected from the elements and are all waterproof and offer varying wind resistance, depending on the circumstances.
Helly Hansen Swift HT Ski Gloves
Best Overall Winter Gloves
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Very reasonably priced
- Extremely comfortable, warm and durable for varied use
- Excellent all rounder
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Fingers can be long for some hikers
- No wrist attachment included
See the Helly Hansen Swift HT Ski Gloves in more detail:
We were incredibly impressed by the Helly Hansen Swidt HT Ski Gloves. Whilst they have ski in their name, we found them fantastic for all outdoors use, especially for winter hiking and mountaineering.
What our tester really loved about these gloves is how they offer such a high end, versatile product that can be used for so many applications, for a pretty reasonable price tag considering their feature set. Their soft inner liner also makes it feel like you’re putting your hands straight into a comforter, which gives them brownie points too.
Whilst there are absolutely more full on alpine gloves in our line up, we loved these winter hiking gloves from Helly Hansen because they are such a good all-rounder. Some of the more full-on alpine gloves are too much for varying conditions, and our tester really felt like Helly Hansen have the balance right with the Swift HT gloves.
These gloves are also light without being bulky, which allows them to have an almost second skin feel, which is comfortable on the trail and allows for a good level of dexterity. We’d expect to see this level of wind protection, fit and warmth at a much higher price point; these gloves really punch above their weight. Read our full review of the Helly Hansen Swfit HT Ski Gloves here.
Rab Pivot Gore-Tex Gloves
Warmest Winter Gloves
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Excellent level of warmth offered
- Very rugged build quality
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Expensive
- May be too warm for general winter hiking (depending on conditions)
See the Rab Pivot Gore-Tex Gloves in more detail:
The Rab Pivot Gore-Tex Gloves really impressed us in our tests out in the field. These are specialized gloves best suited to extremely cold conditions and demanding alpine terrain.
They’re probably overkill for some hikers, but if you venture out in the extreme cold, or, like our reviewer, tend to really feel the cold in your hands, then they are an excellent choice. We found the Rab Pivot Gore-Tex winter hiking gloves to be really well made, and they will certainly give many years of long service, even if you hike in the most demanding conditions.
The gloves are not compatible with touch screens, and we were slightly disappointed that they didn’t come with a liner glove, especially given the high price point. However, these are minor niggles and the excellent build quality, good level of dexterity and phenomenal warmth more than balance this out.
The heavily reinforced leather palms and pads with an extra layer of leather between the thumb and first finger to offer more protection when handling rope are paired with extra padding around the knuckles. Our tester found that makes these gloves a great choice for technical mountaineering or scrambling in winter. Read our full review of the Rab Pivot Gore-Tex Gloves here.
Hestra Heli Three-Finger Insulated Gloves
Best Insulated Gloves
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Included removable liner
- Very warm and exceptional insulation
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Expensive
- Three finger design does take some getting used to and may not suit all hikers
The Hestra Heli Three-Finger Insulated Gloves are an interesting option that get the best of both worlds exceptionally right. Mittens are well known for providing extra levels of warmth but lack the dexterity of a glove. Having the thumb and forefinger available whilst keeping the rest of the hand as a mitt in the Hestra Heli gloves makes this a non-issue.
Our tester did find the ‘lobster claw’ style of these gloves took some getting used to, but once they did, they were incredibly happy with them. They remarked that whilst they are expensive, they’re really worth the price and let them push the limits of what kind of temperatures they’d withstand.
We also love that they come with a liner, which means you’ll be buying less overall, and makes their price point more reasonable too. What’s great is you can remove this liner if you want to, meaning these gloves provide a better range of temperature suitability.
We do think that the Hestra Heli Three-Finger Insulated Gloves will be overkill for some hikers. They’re absolutely better suited to full on alpine missions, high altitude skiing and winter mountaineering. But if this is your thing, they’re some of the warmest gloves we’ve tested and feel unbelievably comfortable. Read our full review of the Hestra Heli Three-Finger Insulated Gloves here.
Sealskinz Waterproof All Weather Insulated Glove
Best Winter Gloves for Touch Screen
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Very warm
- Dexterity is great considering the warmth and insulation
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Sizing can run small
- The cuffs are tight and they do take effort to get on
See the Sealskinz Waterproof All Weather Insulated Gloves in more detail:
We love how much the Sealskinz Waterproof All Weather Insulated Gloves show you don’t always need to make tradeoffs when it comes to warmth and dexterity. These gloves really get the balance right and offer a great level of warmth and comfort in cold (but not extremely frigid) temperatures whilst still being able to carry out your usual tasks.
Our tester did find that the sizing runs small on these gloves, so we’d recommend you measure your hand with the charts at the buying links we’ve provided. However, once you get the right fit, these gloves feel truly next level in terms of their second skin appeal.
Our tester found it’s possible to do extremely fine tasks on a phone with these gloves on too. This is one of the reasons for our award of best winter gloves for touch screen use. The Sealskin Waterproof All Weather Gloves allow so much more, meaning you don’t need to take them off to operate your phone.
They’re offered at a pretty good price point considering the feature set; we think they’re a real bargain and perform well next to some of the more tech heavy gloves in this line up. If you want a glove that gives you the dexterity you have normally and the ability to use your phone, these may well be the gloves for you. Read our full review of the Sealskinz Waterproof All Weather Insulated Gloves here.
Hestra Fall Line Glove
Best Winter Gloves for Men
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Well-made and durable
- Very comfortable
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Expensive
- You will need to look after the leather
The Hestra Fall Line gloves are comfortable and really impressed us as an all-rounder suitable for winter hiking, mountaineering and skiing, which is why we awarded it as best winter glove for men. We loved their build quality, and it was evident from our tests that these gloves are built to last.
Our tester really loved that these Hestra gloves come with removeable liners which can also be replaced. This is great to see as the liners are the area which are likely to need replacing on any glove set you buy, so this gave the Fall Line gloves extra brownie points from us.
Their sturdy leather outer is constructed with a foam insulation layer. This is then followed with a fleece liner. Together, we found that this combination offers incredible insulation without feeling overbearing.
These gloves are certainly not the cheapest in our line up by any stretch, but they also may be the only gloves you’ll ever need to buy if you look after them. Which, over time, makes them a fantastic investment in your winter kit. Read our full review of the Hestra Fall Line Gloves here.
The 5 Best Thin Warm Gloves
The thin warm gloves in our line up cover both liner gloves and thin gloves that are intended to be worn on their own for lighter winter conditions. These are also good for taking the edge off when shoulder season hits and temperatures take a drop. We’ve also covered several options that we’ve tested that offer fantastic touch screen compatibility.
Arc'teryx Rho Liner Gloves
Best Touchscreen Gloves
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Very easy to use with a mobile device
- Feels really warm considering it’s a liner glove
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Expensive considering they’re a liner glove
- Longer term durability concerns
See the Arc’teryx Rho Liner Gloves in more detail:
We loved the Arc’teryx Rho Liner gloves in our tests, and when it came to it, felt that they were some of the best touchscreen gloves out there by a long way. Our tester found themselves reaching for them time and time again and when paired with a thicker glove, make an incredible deep winter layering system that will pretty much take you through any circumstance.
Their textured finger pads, which are incredibly well made and durable, help with smaller tasks on a phone and make it easy to do pretty much everything you normally would with them on. We loved how responsive they are compared to some other gloves with this feature.
The Rho Liner gloves may be expensive, but Arc’teryx are known to produce some of the best products on the market, and these gloves are no exception. Our tester loved how effortlessly soft they feel compared to some other liner gloves (which can feel scratchy) and we all agree they’re a no brainer if you want to take your layering game up a serious notch or two. Read our full review of the Arc’teryx Rho Liner Gloves here.
icebreaker Merino Oasis 200 Glove Liners
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Great at wicking moisture
- Sustainable production
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- You’ll need to remove the tags
- Simple design may be too basic for some hikers
The icebreaker Merino Oasis 200 Glove Liners are a great liner glove for colder temperatures and will also keep you warm as a stand-alone before temperatures take a full-on drop. We were impressed with their serious softness from the moment we got our hands on them for our tests.
Our tester commented on just how comfortable they were to wear and that they worked really well for longer length hikes. They found that after a while, you feel like you aren’t even wearing them and offer some excellent moisture wicking.
What we also love about the icebreaker Merino Oasis 200 glove liners is that they’re made to be biodegradable and recyclable when they reach their end of life. Merino liners won’t last forever, so this is a great feature to see.
Whilst they may be at the higher end of the price scale for a liner glove of its feature set, these icebreaker thin winter gloves feel really well made and we feel that they are more than worth it. Read our full review of the icebreaker Merino Oasis 200 Liner Gloves here.
Cotopaxi Teca Fleece Gloves
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Great, bright iconic design
- Fair Trade glove
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Doesn’t offer waterproofing or water resistance
- Not good on their own for very cold temperatures
See the Cotopaxi Teca Fleece Gloves in more detail:
Whilst the Cotopaxi Teca Fleece Gloves aren’t suited to the coldest of cold temperatures or rain, we loved testing them and really found ourselves liking what they had to offer. We think these gloves offer a great balance between a day-to-day glove and a hiking glove for conditions that don’t get seriously cold.
Their price point makes them really attractive, especially if you’re looking for a glove with an iconic and fun design, which the Teca Fleece has in plentiful amounts. Aside from this, our tester really loved the grippy undersides which give a really good level of traction when using hiking poles and when holding a phone or camera.
They aren’t really a technical winter hiking glove as such, but they really kept our testers hands warm in dry winter conditions, they’re also really nice when paired with a liner glove to take them further. Though do keep in mind that if things get wet outside, these gloves can get seriously soggy!
If you find your hands get hot easily and want to embrace a layering system for drier, cold winter climates, then we seriously recommend checking them out. They’re a good value, well produced product. Read our full review of the Cotopaxi Teca Fleece Gloves here.
Trendoux Winter Gloves
Best Budget Winter Gloves
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Fantastic option for the price
- Warmth and comfort are great considering the price
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Not waterproof
- The sizing is a bit confusing, and they start at a medium
See the Trendoux Winter Gloves in more detail:
Admittedly, the Trendoux Winter Gloves were a bit of a wildcard in the mix for us, but once they arrived and we got to testing them, we were pleasantly surprised with what they had to offer in our lineup. Considering how unbelievably cheap they are (they’re less than a coffee in most places), our tester found them very comfortable, and the fit was absolutely impeccable.
For mild to moderate cold, our tester found the Trendoux gloves performed really well, and they have a great level of dexterity which meant he could get on with tasks as normal. They’re not really intended as a full-on mountaineering glove, but for general hiking, they worked really well.
Our tester also really loved the silicone grippers on the underside of these gloves, which he found great when using hiking poles and touching rocks when scrambling out on the trail. We think that if you only need gloves every now and then and don’t want to commit to a hefty price tag, you can’t go wrong with these comfortable, soft and functional winter hiking gloves. Read our full review of the Trendoux Winter Gloves here.
Burton Touchscreen Glove Liners
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Low cost, and work well for the money
- Good moisture wicking
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Thin
- Can’t really be worn alone and no waterproofing or wind proofing
If you’re looking for a good glove liner that punches well above its weight for the price, then we think you’ll be impressed with the Burton Touchscreen Glove Liners. We certainly were, and from our tests, thought they were stitched well, easy to take on and off and really good at wicking moisture.
Our tester was really impressed with how they kept him feeling comfortable all day long. When worn with a thicker glove, he commented that they really helped to keep moisture away from his skin which kept him feeling comfortable on more demanding winter mountaineering and backcountry missions.
What’s also great about this budget liner glove option from Burton is that they have a lifetime guarantee, which we think for the price makes them pretty much a no brainer. Their only downside is that they’re not windproof or waterproof. However, we think this is more than outweighed by their price to performance ratio.
As a touchscreen liner glove, they work really well and allow you to do basic things with your phone, like taking a picture and scrolling a map. Anything more detailed like sending a text is more difficult. But in general, the dexterity they offer is really good. Read our full review of the Burton Touchscreen Glove Liners here.
The 6 Best Winter Gloves for Women
Our guide to the best winter gloves for women covers a number of options that have seriously impressed us in our tests. These gloves will keep you warm, whatever you’re doing outdoors, and we’ve also included various options that can be layered with a liner to take things even further.
The North Face Women's Apex Insulated Etip Glove
Best Winter Gloves for Women
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Good touchscreen capability
- Good features for the price
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Aren’t fully waterproof for heavy, prolonged rain
- Touch screen sensitivity is limited to fairly basic tasks
See The North Face Women’s Apex Insulated Etip Glove in more detail:
We absolutely loved The North Face Women’s Apex Insulated Etip Gloves in our tests, they’re a well featured product that will keep you really warm. A perfect all-rounder and the touch screen sensitivity they offer means that for the majority of tasks, you can keep them on.
Our tester was really impressed with the feature set that you get for the price with these gloves and felt that they really punch above their weight. They’re made of synthetic, recycled materials and have a PFC free DWR.
Our tester particularly loved the wind resistance, having experienced exceptionally bad windstorms in them, and they found their hands were kept warm throughout. Even when their hands were more exposed using hiking poles.
These Apex gloves do fit a little close to the skin, but once you are used to this, it means that the dexterity they offer is very good. We also think they look good, so this could very easily be the only pair of gloves you need for day to day and hiking. Read our full review of The North Face Women’s Apex Insulated Etip Glove here.
The North Face Women's Montana Insulated Ski Mitt
Best Waterproof Winter Gloves
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Very warm, with waterproofing and wind proofing
- Wrist straps stop you losing them when taking them off
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Dexterity is limited due to bulk
- Ability to use a mobile device is very limited
See The North Face Women’s Montana Insulated Ski Mitt in more detail:
The North Face Women’s Montana Insulated Ski Mitt is one of the best mid-price range winter hiking gloves and mitts we’ve tested in terms of warmth and waterproofing. You really do get a bargain for your money.
Our tester really loved the fit of these gloves and found that they feel exceptionally soft when putting them on. Their insides are really cushioned and said it felt like wearing a comforter on your hands.
A mitt is always going to be a little less easy to use in terms of dexterity than a glove, but if you want something very warm and are happy with that trade off, this is an exceptional product. They will keep you dry for long missions outdoors, and the drawcord around the wrist keeps them snug into the hand and creates a good seal so nothing from outside is getting in.
The North Face Women’s Montana Insulated Ski Mitt uses a 250g loft layer of insulation alongside the fleece lining and DWR treated polyester which also includes their in house ‘WindWall’ technology. On the palm, you’ll find a faux leather gripper.
These gloves come in a range of colors that we loved, making them stand out from some of the other gloves in our lineup. It’s really obvious from our stress tests outdoors that these mitts are incredibly well made and will stand the test of time. Read our full review of The North Face Women’s Montana Insulated Ski Mitt here.
Black Diamond Mercury Mitt Women’s
Best Women’s Technical Ski Mitt
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Works well in very cold climates
- Is exceptional as a ski glove and for backcountry
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Little dexterity
- Expensive
See the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt in more detail:
The Black Diamond Women’s Mercury Mitts are pretty much a stalwart of ski mitts, technical mountaineering mitts and for time in the backcountry. Their exceptional build quality, warmth and ability to take a lot of heavy stress puts them out in front in this category.
Our tester found that they kept the wind out exceptionally in her tests, experiencing 40-60 miles per hour at some points with no sense of wind running past her hands – pretty remarkable. Sure, these mitts do lack dexterity, but this is a tradeoff we think is ok when you consider just how solid these gloves really are.
The Mercury mitts feature BDdry, which is Black Diamond’s in house waterproof technology. Our tester found the waterproofing next level on these mitts and was never able to reach saturation point with them on.
They also include a removeable insulated line which uses Primaloft Gold Cross Core which dries really quickly and insulates even when wet. This is a game changer as it means even when you sweat, your hands stay warm and sweat wicks without making you cold. Read our full review of the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt Women’s here.
Carhartt Women's Quilts
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Well priced
- Waterproofing is good
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Durability concerns
- Not able to use with a smartphone
We really like how the Carhartt Women’s Quilts look. They have a quilted design which is nice to look at and the fleece lining makes them feel really soft once you put them on.
For the price, our tester thought that you actually get a real bargain for your money, especially if you don’t want to spend a huge amount on hiking gloves, but still want a really good pair. We also think that if you don’t hike all the time, but are still looking for something solid, these are a great option.
Above freezing temperatures, our tester found that the Carhartt Women’s Quilts offered a good level of warmth, but anything under this, they start to reach their limits. They’re a pretty no-nonsense day to day and moderate winter hiking glove which, for many hikers, will be all they need.
These gloves contain Carhartt’s inhouse ‘Dry-Max’ waterproof insert. On some of our tester’s hikers, it rained pretty heavily and so they got to experience putting this feature well and truly through its paces. They handle exceptionally well in rain and will provide a good level of protection here.
Carhartt are a well-known name in the outdoors and workwear, and we think that the Women’s Quilts are a good, relatively budget option which will keep you going well for general winter use. Read our full review of the Carhartt Women’s Quits here.
Outdoor Research Stormtracker - Women's
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Exceptional wind resistance
- Fit close to the skin
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Not fully waterproof due to materials
- Not suited to below freezing temperatures
The Outdoor Research Stormtracker Women’s Sensor Gloves are a great option if you hike in conditions where it never really reaches much below freezing. They provide an amazing level of protection from the wind and are a good all-rounder in this regard for general hiking.
Our tester loved how well these gloves from Outdoor Research are cut and found that they sit really close to the skin, without being uncomfortable. They have a good level of stretch without the bulk. Our tester was really happy that they were able to do pretty much all of their normal tasks with them on.
These Stormtracker gloves are known to run a little small. Our tester usually wears a medium and found this to be a little smaller than usual, but not bad. We’d just recommend looking at the sizing chart available through our buying links above before you buy.
We loved that you can also use the Outdoor Research Stormtracker Women’s Sensor Gloves for most tasks with your smartphone. Our tester was able to take pictures, zoom through a map and send a basic text message. This makes a big difference to on trail warmth – they’re a great option from a brand who always impresses us. Read our full review of the Outdoor Research Stormtracker Women’s Sensor Gloves here.
Carhartt Quilts Insulated Women's Mitts
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Well priced
- Good movement considering it’s a mitt
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Durability concerns
- Sizing runs small
We enjoyed testing the Carhartt Quilts Insulated Women’s Mitts and were impressed with the warm, soft lining inside these gloves that felt incredibly nice once on. Adding to this, these mitts are waterproof, which is incredibly helpful if you find yourself hiking through changing conditions.
Our tester thought that considering these are a budget range mitt, the level of insulation offered is really good, making them a good value product. They’re great if you don’t want to spend a lot on winter hiking gloves or mitts, and maybe don’t hike quite as often.
The sizing does run small on these mitts, so we’d really recommend looking at the sizing guide available in our buying links to get the right fit. Though our tester did order their usual size and found they fit well with a decent amount of room.
Something our tester really loved about the Carhartt Quilts Insulated Women’s Mitts was the dexterity that was still available in the finger of the mitt was really good. For their tests, they were impressed with the amount of flex you still have. Read our full review of the Carhartt Quilts Insulated Women’s Mitts here.
The 6 Best Winter Gloves for Men
In this section of the best winter gloves for men, we’ve covered options for all needs and scenarios outdoors. From professional/enthusiast ski gloves through to lighter work gloves that will see you through winter tasks. We’ve also included another liner glove option, which performed really well in our tests.
Black Diamond Guide Gloves
Best Pro Ski Gloves
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Very well built
- Very strong protection from the elements
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Expensive
- Lack of dexterity
See the Black Diamond Guide Gloves in more detail:
It’s fair to say that the Black Diamond Guide Gloves are at the top of the line when it comes to skiing. Our tester, who is a former ski instructor, was delighted when he got his hands on these gloves to test out, saying that they feel luxurious and warm beyond belief. In fact, Black Diamond says these are their warmest offering.
Whilst this may all sound good on the surface, these gloves from Black Diamond are intended for serious time in the snow, whether that’s on the slopes or in the backcountry. They’re made from boiled wool, fleece, Gore-Tex with Plus-Warm Technology and Goat leather.
Our tester was happy when considering what these gloves are intended for, the dexterity offered is pretty incredible. He also found their surface to be very abrasion resistant which he tested with great results against the impacts, bumps and scuffs you’d expect in ski mountaineering and touring.
Whilst they may be expensive, if snow sports are seriously important to you, we think that the Black Diamond Guide Gloves will compliment your adventures perfectly, keeping you warm, dry and protected from the wind all day long. Read our full review of the Black Diamond Guide Gloves here.
Helly Hansen Men's LIFA Merino Glove Liner
Best Liner Gloves
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Fantastic at wicking moisture
- Well fitted and soft
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Can’t use with touchscreens
- Doesn’t offer much wind resistance
See the Helly Hansen Men’s LIFA Merino Glove Liner in more detail:
Admittedly, we’d actually had little experience with testing Helly Hansen gear until the gloves we’ve included in this round up. That’s changed at this point as we’ve been seriously impressed with their products’ performance.
Our tester found the Helly Hansen Men’s LIFA Merino Glove Liner to be one of the best glove liners they’d ever tested. They make a fantastic pairing to a thicker more technical glove and provide an amazing level of moisture wicking.
When testing, our reviewer said that at all times on more full on mountaineering missions where he was building up a serious sweat that he never found his hands sticky, wet, uncomfortable or cold. This really changes the game where liners are concerned.
Fitting true to size, these liner gloves are perfect around the fingers and don’t feel tight in any way. You also don’t get any bunching with them and our tester reported that it’s possible to still get on with pretty much any of your normal tasks.
Considering the price the Helly Hansen Men’s LIFA Merino Glove Liner are offered at, we think they’re a real bargain, and if paired with the Helly Hansen Swift HT Ski Gloves, which we’ve covered earlier on in this round up, you can get an incredibly good set for pretty much all outdoors use for $100. Read our full review of the Helly Hansen Men’s LIFA Merino Glove Liner here.
Wells Lamont HydraHyde Leather Hybrid Men’s
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Durable
- Low price
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Not waterproof
- Not windproof
The Wells Lamont HydraHyde Leather Hybrid Men’s gloves are a hybrid option which can be used for winter hiking, but also work, gardening and other maintenance tasks you’ll find yourself doing in the winter. For their low price, they’re an incredible option.
Our tester said he found the Wells Lamont HydraHyde Leather Hybrid Men’s gloves to be exceptionally well made. When he put them on, he found them ultra soft and had a brilliant level of dexterity. He found that whilst they do have their limits for winter activities, they are great for earlier winter season scrambles and are pretty much bump and scratch resistant.
When it comes to warmth, we found that on our tests, they handle changing seasons really well. So if you hike somewhere where it doesn’t get extremely frigid, you may find these gloves to be perfect for you.
Whilst they don’t offer any real water resistance, or protection from the wind, they’re very good for the price and are exceptionally well made, which we think will stand the test of time. Read our full review of the Wells Lamont HydraHyde Leather Hybrid Men’s gloves here.
Carhartt Men's Waterproof Insulated Glove
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Price to performance ratio is good
- Moisture wicking and waterproof
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Doesn’t offer touchscreen compatibility
- Bulky
We found the Carhartt Men’s Waterproof Insulated Gloves work great for cold temperatures. Considering their low price, the warmth they offer is pretty remarkable.
Whilst they are bulky, if you need a glove that will handle the cold really well, then dexterity is always going to be a tradeoff. Our tester felt that the tradeoff you get with these gloves is actually really worth it. He commented on how well the wind proofing and waterproofing performed, even through harsh winter storms.
Don’t be fooled, these gloves offer a lot of warmth. In fact, for some of his hikes, our tester found these gloves too warm. However, where they really came into their own was for handling hiking poles, ski poles and even worked well for some ice work. The latter especially helped by their moisture wicking qualities and waterproofing.
If you don’t want to spend a lot on your next winter hiking gloves, we’d seriously recommend this option from Carhartt. We were really impressed with what you get for your money. Read our full review of the Carhartt Men’s Waterproof Insulated Gloves here.
Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Very cost effective
- Good dexterity offered
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- No wind resistance
- No water resistance
For their budget price, the Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves get the balance right with their feature set. Up until around freezing, these winter hiking gloves will keep you warm.
They’re great for hikers who don’t get particularly cold winters or for earlier/later in the season. Be mindful that they aren’t really waterproof or wind resistant, though.
Our tester loved the dexterity they offer and found they fit really well on the hand without any bunching. Whilst he did have to size down, they’re comfortable and soft to wear. So, we’d recommend checking the sizing chart at the buying links we’ve provided above.
We found the Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves to be the perfect glove for hikers who want a no-nonsense glove that will take the edge off and still want the dexterity they’d normally get without wearing a glove. Read our full review of the Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves here.
Mechanix Wear Coldwork Original
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Low price for good feature set
- Dexterity is good
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Don’t offer much wind protection
- Not waterproof
The Mechanix Wear Coldwork Original makes a really interesting winter hiking gloves option. They are technically a glove for mechanics or heavy use, so they have a lot of good protection and dexterity, and because of this, they’re actually really good for some winter scrambling and ice work. Though keep in mind, this does have its limits as they’re not fully waterproof.
Where this becomes really appealing is that they’re offered for a really low price, meaning if you’re looking for a low budget option to get into these kinds of outdoor pursuits, the Mechanix Wear Coldwork Original could be a good starter glove for you.
Our tester found they handled well until about 0°C/32F, though for very windy conditions, he did find his hands became cold. So keep this in mind based on where you hike in winter. He also loved the faux leather underside which he found really grippy when holding onto things like hiking poles or for scrambling.
They make use of a 40g 3M Thinsulate insulating material, and our tester found them pretty comfortable in terms of their fit. He did find them a little on the looser side, but this didn’t cause any problems and means you could in theory add a liner if you wanted to. Read our full review of the Mechanix Wear Coldwork Original here.
Winter Gloves Buying Guide
Whether you’re looking for a new pair of winter gloves for backcountry ski mountaineering, hiking through snow or just to take the edge off, our guide above has you covered with the best, tried and tested options. However, there is still a lot to consider when it comes to buying winter hiking gloves.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s your first time buying winter hiking gloves or you’re looking for a serious upgrade, the considerations of what’s right for you should always be the same. This will develop and become more nuanced depending on what you do and how this progresses over time. Our guide below has you covered with everything you need to consider to make the right glove choice.
Type and Style
Generally speaking, there are a number of categories that winter gloves fall into that can be used for hiking. Which you go for will depend on what features you need the most.
Specialized or performance gloves and mitts: These types of gloves are specifically for harsh winter conditions, such as ski mountaineering, snow hiking, artic exploration or skiing. You can expect to find a wide range of different features in this category due to the specialisms of each sport we’ve covered here. Though you can expect these to come with a price tag to match that suits their use of top of the line materials, insulation systems and waterproofing. Some of our favorites in this category are the Rab Pivot Gore-Tex Gloves, the Hestra Heli Three-Finger Insulated Gloves and the Black Diamond Guide Gloves.
General hiking gloves: These types of gloves are usually less featured than the performance style gloves above. They’re great in terms of winter hiking gloves because many now are a hybrid offering, so get a good balance with waterproofing and insulation. However, you will likely find with some of these gloves that they have a limit in terms of what temperature ranges you can take them into. They will often have smart screen compatibility and can have extremely good durability. They can be offered at a lower to mid-price point generally. Some of our favorites in this category are the Helly Hansen Swfit HT Ski Gloves, The North Face Women’s Apex Insulated Etip Glove and the Sealskinz Waterproof All Weather Insulated Glove.
Work gloves: Whilst it may not be the most obvious thought, gloves intended for work, such as mechanic or general outdoors work can work fantastically well for winter hiking or the tasks you may expect to do over winter. They generally have simple features, but with this basic level you usually get cheaper, more affordable prices. This makes them an attractive proposition if you don’t want to break the bank. They aren’t generally made for extreme conditions though and are better suited to lighter temperatures and environments. Favorites we’ve covered include the Wells Lamont HydraHyde Leather Hybrid Men’s and the Mechanix Wear Coldwork Original.
Price
Price is without a doubt a serious consideration for most people when buying a product, and we know for many people this will be more limited when it comes to winter hiking gloves. Whilst it may seem like a small piece of kit, we’d advise you buy the best you can, as the warmth of your hands is extremely important in cold conditions.
Think about the kind of hiking you do and the kind of temperatures that your environment gets down to, so you have a better idea really how much you need to push things. Whilst the top of the line performance gloves offer exceptional warmth and comfort, for many hikers they can be overkill, and a general hiking glove, at a much lower price point can sometimes be much better. We love The North Face Women’s Apex Insulated Etip Glove in this category.
If it isn’t wet so much where you live, and you just need protection from the cold, then the chances are, you may be able to use a general day-to day glove or general hiking glove which is more of an all-rounder. These are often much cheaper. Gloves we like in this area are the Trendoux Winter Gloves and the Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor.
Warmth
If we’re talking about winter hiking gloves, there’s no way we can’t consider warmth; it’s one of the main reasons we look to a winter glove in the first place. However, where you hike or spend time outdoors in winter will determine exactly how much warmth you need, as not all gloves give an equal level, due to different levels of insulation.
If you need full on warmth – perhaps you’re skiing or moving quickly, look for gloves with hard shell layers, which will offer the most when it comes to keeping you dry and sheltered from wind. Look for thick linings and loft that will keep you warm, with included liners or soft fleecy insides.
For temperatures that aren’t quite this extreme, look for a glove that is closer fitting to the fingers and still offers a good level of protection from the elements. Depending on whether it gets wet where you are, you may not need a waterproof glove.
We’d also advise looking at adding a liner to your glove set if the temperature changes and you build up a sweat when you hike. This can help to wick moisture a lot, especially if wearing an outer, waterproof glove. This will keep you dry and warm and give you the option to increase or decrease the warmth you get depending on the circumstances.
Water Resistance
Not all winter hiking gloves offer water resistance. So whether you need this or not will really depend on the kind of conditions you hike in. For some people this isn’t really needed – especially if you live in a dry, mediterranean style alpine climate.
For some hikers and winter outdoorsy pursuits, water resistance or waterproofing is absolutely necessary. For full on waterproofing, a Gore-Tex or similar hard shell construction is the way forward, or a full waterproof insert.
This works similar to any waterproof gear, like your waterproof hiking pants or waterproof rain jacket for hiking. Others use leather which needs to be treated with a special product, which is usually provided with high end gloves that need it.
These should all provide an impenetrable seal against water, but some do need treatments and maintenance ongoing, such as leather and some DWR treatments on hard shells. When it comes to water resistant gloves, these offer a light protection from moisture but can’t be trusted to the same level as a glove that claims full waterproofing.
It’s worth keeping in mind with waterproofing that you do loose some breathability. Many manufacturers try to counteract this by using a liner that can wick moisture. If not included, you can always add one to help keep moisture away from the skin and to keep your hands dry and warm.
Wind Resistance
Winter can present a whole range of things to contend with, such as wind. This can be prevalent through winter storms whilst hiking, or on particularly windy days. However, wind can also be a problem for skiers when your hands are exposed and moving at speed.
The wind resistance offered by your gloves does a lot to keep your hands feeling comfortable and warm and can be the difference between turning back or keeping going and just enjoying what you’re doing all the more. Many gloves offer some form of wind resistance, but you generally find that with much cheaper gloves, this reaches its limit very quickly.
Like most hardshell outdoor gear, the hardshell performance and general hiking gloves at the higher end offer the most when it comes to wind resistance. This is also the same for gloves that have a strong level of insulation and are thicker. Thinner gloves that don’t have much insulation or any kind of shell are less likely to offer much by way of wind protection.
Fit and Comfort
The fit and comfort offered by your winter hiking gloves is really important and will really vary depending on the kind of gloves you need based on your activities outdoors. Generally, gloves with a soft fleecy lining are going to offer the most in terms of comfort and will feel great against the skin.
However, this can have an impact on how easy they are to use, but this is often a good trade off in terms of the warmth they offer. General hiking gloves usually have a closer to the skin feel which reduces some of the padding to help with dexterity.
Other areas that help with comfort are waterproofing, wind resistance, moisture wicking and warmth, which will help you decide which glove is right for you based on the circumstances and activities you’ll use them for. You’ll find that some tradeoffs will be worth it here that might be completely different for another hiker.
We’d recommend you look at the sizing guide in the product description of the buying links we’ve provided above to find the right size you need before buying. This can vary by brand, so it’s always good to do a fresh check on this, even if you’re fairly sure of your size.
Ease of Use
How easy or not a glove is to use is most often down to dexterity. As you start to increase the thickness and padding of a glove or mitt to help with warmth and wind protection, you start to lose the use of your hands and fingers more and more.
For this area, we advise thinking about what is most important to you with the gloves you need. For example, if absolute warmth is the most important consideration, we’d recommend making a trade off with dexterity. You can also sometimes work around this by introducing a glove liner, which may allow for extra dexterity, in particularly cold situations.
Some hiking gloves offer textured touch pads on the fingers that can be used with mobile devices for basic tasks like checking a map and taking a picture. Some allow even more detailed activity like basic texting. Though whether this feature is important to you will depend on how much you plan to use your phone whilst outdoors.
Materials
Winter gloves are usually either synthetic or animal based. This can be in the form of things like polyester, merino or leather. Don’t let the idea of synthetic gloves fool you, they are usually every bit as hard wearing as things like leather (brand dependent).
Synthetic materials are usually used to create a hardshell with a waterproof insert or coating that will help to keep water out. These can often be combined with a synthetic leather palm or real leather palm for ease of use and dexterity.
Liners are usually made of thin synthetics or merino, which is naturally fantastic at wicking sweat. These are usually quick to dry too, and have little odor.
The fill of your gloves will usually be made of synthetic lofting, or animal-based products to help with insulation. Sometimes brands will use their own in-house materials here or developed technologies.
Appearance
Most winter hiking gloves look pretty chunky, as their main job is to keep your hands as warm as possible. This is really the case when it comes to ski gloves and backcountry gloves.
General hiking gloves often look smoother, sleek and closely fit to the skin, with limited logos and can often be worn as a day to day glove too. This is great in terms of cost effectivity.
Workwear gloves, which are often much cheaper, are less likely to be suitable for day to day wear. They will often include bigger logos, bright colors and designs you may find too much for everyday use too.
Features
The higher end gloves in our line up are generally the ones with more features. This can vary from glove to glove, but you will often find nose wipes, liner gloves, lofting, reinforced thumbs and waterproofing as standard here.
Some gloves in the hiking and general use category actually sit very much ahead in terms of their feature set for their price point. So it is possible to get a lot for your money here.
Usually, day to day gloves, liners and those intended for basic tasks and work will have the least number of features. These are often very basic and just intended to provide some protection from the elements.
Durability
Some hiking gloves are naturally more durable than others. For example, hard shell gloves that offer extreme protection from the elements, or leather gloves are very much top of the line here.
General hiking gloves can really vary in terms of durability, and this may be down to what materials have been used and how well each element has been put together. Naturally, liner gloves are much thinner so they are more suspectable to rips and tears due to this.
It’s worth checking the stitching once your gloves arrive to make sure there are no areas that could form weak spots over time. Gloves likely won’t last forever, and this will also really depend on how much you use them. If you keep them well maintained and don’t use them outside their feature set, you will generally find they last you as long as they can.
Sustainability
Sustainably when it comes to gloves can be divided into two pretty clear areas. The first is whether the brand has any specific sustainability credentials themselves. We always research this in detail and write this into the sustainability section of our individual reviews, which you can see linked above.
This can be down to manufacturing standards, use of materials and other fair trade practices. Many brands also use recycled materials now too, which has an impact on the production process many of the winter hiking gloves above have been through.
The second area we consider is the durability of the product and how likely it is to last. Of course, if you’re using your new gloves a lot, they will last for less time than if they’re used once a week. Within this, we also consider how likely it is that the gloves in question can be used as general gloves too. As buying less is one of the best ways to improve sustainability.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for your first pair of winter hiking gloves or want to get an upgrade to an existing pair, we hope our guide has given you some incredible options to suit every budget. The options on the market at the moment provide such varying and incredible levels of protection from the elements that there are gloves suited to pretty much any activity you could expect to do in cold, wintery conditions.
Our buying advice section has also hopefully helped you to get a good understanding of what considerations you should make before buying to get a pair that are truly right for your needs and will help keep you toasty warm and pushing further in winter. If you’re new to hiking in the colder months, we’d also recommend checking out our guide which includes lots of top tips for hiking in winter.
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