Best Winter Gloves: Picks and What to Look For

For general cold-weather use, a mid-priced insulated glove with a weather-resistant shell, such as the Outdoor Research Stormtracker Sensor Windbloc or The North Face Denali Etip, covers most commuters and walkers, while skiers and snowboarders are better served by a waterproof leather glove like the Hestra Fall Line or Army Leather Heli, and anyone facing extreme cold should look at a mitten such as the Outdoor Research Alti II Gore-Tex. The best winter glove depends less on a brand and more on three questions: how wet will it get, how cold is it, and how much finger control do you need.

Winter gloves fall into rough categories that overlap. Everyday gloves trade a little warmth for touchscreen use and dexterity. Ski and snowboard gloves add waterproof membranes, longer cuffs and durable palms. Mittens keep fingers together for warmth but make fine tasks harder. Reading how outlets such as Switchback Travel, Treeline Review, GearJunkie, Outdoor Life and REI describe each category helps narrow the field quickly.

Our top picks

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At a Glance: Current Winter Glove Picks

Listings, prices and exact materials change by season, so treat the table as a guide to category fit rather than a spec sheet. The makers’ own product pages carry the final word on insulation, shell fabric and size ranges.

How to Choose by Use Case

Commuting and daily errands

Most people need wind protection, a snug cuff and touchscreen fingertips. The North Face Denali Etip is the sort of fleece glove Treeline Review rates as an overall winner for general use, and the Outdoor Research Stormtracker Sensor Windbloc steps up with a windproof layer. These gloves are not meant for hours in snow. If your fingers go cold while waiting for transit, adding a thin liner glove underneath often helps more than switching to a thicker glove.

Skiing and snowboarding

Snow contact, wind chill and lift rides call for a waterproof or water-resistant shell, a longer gauntlet that fits over or under a jacket cuff, and a palm that holds up to ski poles and edges. Reviewers repeatedly highlight Hestra leather gloves for warmth with good feel, and Black Diamond for waterproof snowsports models. BetterTrail’s note on the Fall Line is useful: leather is supple and precise, but it absorbs water unless it is treated regularly and the glove lacks a waterproof liner.

Backcountry and ski touring

Touring is a start-and-stop activity. You sweat on the climb and chill on the descent, so breathability matters. OutdoorGearLab rated the Black Diamond Tour as its best backcountry glove, though GearJunkie scored a related Tour LT 7.5 out of 10 and noted seams that leak water. Many tourers carry a thin glove for climbing and a warm one for the descent.

Extreme cold

Mittens warm better than gloves because fingers share heat. Treeline Review picked the Outdoor Research Alti II Gore-Tex Mittens for extreme cold, and Greenbelly lists them as rated to -30F. If you need dexterity at those temperatures, a liner glove under a mitten shell lets you work briefly without bare skin exposure.

Work and shoveling

Durable palms and waterproof insulation matter more than style here. Carhartt’s insulated waterproof glove shows up as a budget choice in both Switchback Travel and Treeline Review. Expect more bulk and less touchscreen function, and check that the cuff fits over or under your jacket sleeve.

Materials and Features Explained

• Leather shells. Cowhide, goat and similar leathers are durable and give good grip. They need conditioning and can soak through if left untreated.
• Waterproof membranes. Gore-Tex and similar membranes block water while letting vapor out. They add cost and can reduce dexterity, but they are the usual answer to wet snow.
• Insulation. Synthetic fill keeps warming when damp. Down is lighter for the warmth but handles moisture poorly unless the maker treats it. Fleece linings suit mild cold.
• Touchscreen tips. Conductive threads in the thumb and finger allow screen use. Reviewers generally report these work better on newer thin gloves than on thick ski gloves.
• Wrist and cuff design. A gauntlet cuff seals over a jacket, a short cuff tucks under. Choose to match your outerwear.
• Removable liners. Useful for drying, and for wearing alone on mild days.

Fit, Sizing and Care

A glove that is too tight compresses insulation and restricts blood flow, which can leave hands colder. One that is too loose gives up dexterity and lets air in. Measure around the palm and compare with the maker’s size chart, then check finger length. Leather often stretches slightly with wear, so a snug fit at first may relax.

For care, dry gloves away from direct heat since radiators and fires can damage membranes and leather. Treat leather with the maker’s recommended wax or conditioner. Wash synthetic gloves only if the care label allows it. Never store them damp, and rotate between two pairs if you use them daily.

Budget Tiers

Budget tier. Fleece and light insulated gloves with touchscreen tips suit commuting. Carhartt-style waterproof work gloves fill the wet-weather budget slot. Expect shorter life and less refined fit.

Mid-range tier. Gloves such as the Outdoor Research Stormtracker Sensor Windbloc and Hestra Windstopper Tour balance weather protection with dexterity. This tier is where most all-rounders live.

Premium tier. Leather and Gore-Tex ski gloves from Hestra, Black Diamond and Outdoor Research sit here, along with extreme-cold mittens. They can last many seasons when cared for, but cost more and often need regular waterproofing or conditioning.

Pick X If: Decision Table

Alternatives to Consider

• Liner gloves plus a shell. A thin wool or synthetic liner under a windproof shell lets you adjust to conditions and handle small tasks without baring skin.
• Mitten-glove hybrids. Flip-top mittens expose fingertips when needed. They are handy for photography and fishing, though the seams can leak air.
• Heated gloves. Battery-heated styles are an option for people with circulation concerns. If you have a medical reason for cold hands, such as numbness, color changes or pain, talk with a doctor, and follow the maker’s charging and use instructions for any electric product.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are mittens warmer than gloves?

Generally yes. Fingers share heat in a mitten, and there is less surface area for heat to escape. The trade-off is reduced dexterity, so many people use a thin liner glove inside a mitten for brief tasks.

Do I need Gore-Tex gloves?

Only if you expect wet snow or rain. For dry cold, fleece or softshell gloves are lighter and more breathable. Waterproof membranes add cost and can feel warmer than needed during high-output activity.

How should gloves fit?

Snug but not tight. You should be able to close your fist fully without strain, and fingertips should not be crushed against the end of the glove. Compressed insulation does not warm as well, so avoid forcing a size down.

Can I use my phone with winter gloves?

Many thin gloves include conductive tips. Reviewers report these work reasonably on lighter designs, while thick ski gloves often do not register well. If you use your phone often, a liner glove with touch tips under a shell is a common compromise.

How do I keep leather gloves waterproof?

Follow the maker’s care guide. Hestra and similar makers sell waxes and conditioners made for their leathers. Apply when dry, let the glove dry slowly away from direct heat, and reapply when water stops beading.

Why do my hands still get cold in good gloves?

Causes include damp insulation, a poor fit, cold wrists, or simply not enough insulation for the conditions. Warm your core and wrists, and rotate between pairs. If cold hands come with pain, numbness or color changes in normal temperatures, see a doctor.