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In this side-by-side product review Outside Pursuits leads you through everything you need to know in order to pick the best winter gloves for your specific needs and winter weather environment.
We’ll take a look at what makes a great winter gloves product and what to avoid. Also see How To Choose The Best Winter Gloves later in the article. What are the top-rated best cold weather winter gloves for the money?
Best Winter Gloves
Also see: Winter Gloves Comparison Table
Quick Answer: The 10 Best-Rated Winter Gloves
Best Men’s Winter Gloves
- MCTi Waterproof/Windproof Men’s Winter Gloves
- Dakine Men’s Nova Gloves
- Men’s Luxury Touchscreen Italian Genuine Leather Fly Hawk Gloves
- Gordini Men’s Polar Glove
Best Women’s Winter Gloves
- MCTi Waterproof/Windproof Women’s Winter Thinsulate Touch Screen Gloves
- Women’s Columbia Fast Trek Glove
- Isotoner Women’s Smartouch Chenille Knit Gloves
- Columbia Women’s Pearl Plush Glove
Best Winter Work Gloves
- Wells Lamont Men’s Hydrahyde Winter Work Gloves
- Ski Gloves Winter Insulated Glove 3M Thinsulate Leather for Men Women
- Ironclad Ranchworx Glove
Best Winter Gloves Reviews
Best Men’s Winter Gloves
#1 MCTi Waterproof/Windproof Men’s Winter Gloves
- Best For: Operating machinery, driving a motorbike or motorcycle, or participating in winter sports
- Shell Fabric: Three layer composite softshell to prevent cold air and snow from getting in
- Inner Lining Fabric: 3mm foam palm cushion to reduce shock-impact and relieve hand fatigue
- Closure: Adjustable wrist buckles and drawstrings
- Insulation: Heat-trapping system: 150 grams G-type 3M “Thinsulate”
- Temperature: N/A
- Grip: 3D reinforced PU leather fingers
- Moisture Management: FAN-TEX insert wicks away moisture to keep hands dry
- Waterproof: Yes; FAN-TEX waterproof TPU
- Windproof: Yes; windproof polyester technology
- Color Options: Black or Grey
- Size Options: Small – X-Large
- Cleaning and Care: Wash by hand. Soak in soapy water, rub and wash, and then dry in a shaded area. Do not clean with hot water, strong acids, or bleach. Try not to wash too often.
The MCTi Work Gloves are the best winter gloves for extreme cold. They are lightweight, but have all the insulation you need to tough out working in extreme conditions, or spending a full day on the mountain.
They are fairly thick but offer the dexterity you need for driving or maneuvering equipment. They are flexible, and will last you for years to come.
#2 Dakine Men’s Nova Gloves
- Best For: Skiing, snowboarding, shoveling, alpine and winter expeditions
- Shell Fabric: Polyester with durable water repellent (DWR) treatment
- Inner Lining Fabric: No glove liner
- Closure: Adjustable buckle strap
- Insulation:High loft synthetic [Glove 110/230g]
- Temperature: Can be worn in up to -20 Degrees Celsius
- Grip: Palm durable water repellent leather
- Moisture Management: N/A
- Waterproof: Yes; DK Dry™ waterproof insert
- Windproof: Yes
- Color Options: Black, black and tan, or carbon grey
- Size Options:Small – X-Large
- Cleaning and Care:Machine washable; hang to dry. Dry at room temperature.
If you hate taking the time to hand wash things, you’re in luck. These are one of the best cold weather gloves we’ve found, and they are machine washable! They are comfortable and keep you warm for a full day of skiing, snowboarding, tubing, or whatever winter activity you fancy.
These gloves don’t come with a liner, so you may want to purchase one if you plan on being in extremely cold weather for long periods of time.
Bonus: Dakine offers a 2-year limited warranty with their men’s winter gloves.
#3 Men’s Luxury Touchscreen Italian Genuine Leather Fly Hawk Gloves
- Best For: Anyone wanting touchscreen compatible winter gloves
- Shell Fabric:Genuine Nappa leather
- Inner Lining Fabric: Cashmere/Polyester fiber
- Closure: Wrist snaps
- Insulation:Cashmere lining
- Temperature: Can be worn in up to -20 Degrees Celsius
- Grip: Leather (good for driving)
- Moisture Management: N/A
- Waterproof: Leather is not treated for water
- Windproof: N/A
- Color Options: Black or brown
- Size Options:Small – 2X-Large
- Cleaning and Care:Dry cleaning recommended. Can iron on low heat. Do not put in drier or wash with bleach or oil products.
These tight-fit leather gloves are quite slim and look stylish, but you can still rely on them to keep you warm in -20 Degrees Celsius weather. You can still use your touchscreen phone with these gloves on, but they don’t have the best grip for handling sports equipment or machinery.
These are beautiful leather gloves, and as such, you need to be careful. The manufacturer recommends keeping them out of the direct sun and avoiding rubbing the gloves on sharp or rough objects.
#4 Gordini Men’s Polar Glove
- Best For: Skiing, snowboarding, shoveling, alpine and winter expeditions
- Shell Fabric:Genuine deerskin with “breathe weave” stretch woven fabric (96% nylon and 4% spandex) and faux suede trim
- Inner Lining Fabric: Lavawool® lining on the palm with thermo-plush on the back of the hand
- Closure: Wrist cinch
- Insulation:Naturaloft® insulation package: 600 fill power of 70% goose down and 30% waterfowl feathers on back of hand, with Megaloft® insulation on the palm side
- Temperature: 0-Degree weather
- Grip: Fingers are genuine deerskin; palm and thumb patch are made of “breathe weave” stretch woven fabric with reinforcement
- Moisture Management: Lavawool® moisture management system lining on the palm with thermo-plush on the back of the hand
- Waterproof: Yes; Aquabloc® technology
- Windproof: Yes; Aquabloc® technology
- Color Options: Black, black and gold, or black and grey
- Size Options:Small – 2X-Large
- Cleaning and Care:Hand wash
They are incredibly comfortable and warm; they are a bit “puffier” than some of the other cold weather gloves we’ve reviewed, but they do exactly what they are supposed to do.
The Polar Glove runs a bit small, so we recommend ordering a size up.
Best Women’s Winter Gloves
#1 MCTi Waterproof/Windproof Women’s Winter Thinsulate Touch Screen Gloves
- Best For: Snow sports, long expeditions, extreme snow storms
- Shell Fabric:Windproof polyester, waterproof composite softshell TPU
- Inner Lining Fabric: Thinsulate membrane insert
- Closure: Adjustable wrist buckle and drawstring
- Insulation:40 grams 3M Thinsulate with 140 grams warm cotton insulation
- Temperature: Subzero -20
- Grip: Premium Anti-slip PU leather enhance grip and prevent daily wear and tear
- Moisture Management: Yes; TPU membrane insert that wicks away moisture
- Waterproof: Yes; Waterproof composite softshell surface
- Windproof: Yes; windproof polyester
- Color Options: Black and: grey, red, rose red, or yellow
- Size Options:Medium or large
- Cleaning and Care: Hand wash
To be honest, we were a bit disappointed with the lack of extreme cold weather gloves for women. There’s just not as many options for women as there are for men. That being said, these gloves are exceptional and have all of the features any winter-sport enthusiast would want.
#2 Women’s Columbia Fast Trek Glove
- Best For: Cold weather walks, sledding, and tubing
- Shell Fabric:100% polyester micro fleece, 250g
- Inner Lining Fabric: N/A
- Closure: Elasticized wrist and security clip
- Insulation:Shell; 100% polyester micro fleece, 250g
- Temperature: 0-Degree weather
- Grip: Abrasion resistant palm
- Moisture Management: No
- Waterproof: No
- Windproof: No
- Color Options: Black, chalk, pink, or blue
- Size Options:Small – X-Large
- Cleaning and Care: Machine washable
These aren’t waterproof, windproof, or have moisture management, so they aren’t a good glove for a snowball fight or other activities where your hands will be in contact with snow.
#3 Isotoner Women’s Smartouch Chenille Knit Gloves
- Best For: Anyone who wants to use their touchscreen phone in cold weather
- Shell Fabric:100% acrylic
- Inner Lining Fabric: Thermaflex fleece lining
- Closure: Elasticized wrist
- Insulation:Thermaflex fleece lining
- Temperature: Not specified
- Grip: Non-slip palm grip
- Moisture Management: No
- Waterproof: No
- Windproof: No
- Color Options: Black, ivory, oxford heather or ultra violet
- Size Options:Small – X-Large
- Cleaning and Care: Hand wash
#4 Columbia Women’s Pearl Plush Glove
- Best For: Cold weather walks, sledding, and tubing
- Shell Fabric:100% polyester
- Inner Lining Fabric: N/A
- Closure: Elasticized wrist and security clip
- Insulation:N/A
- Temperature: Not specified
- Grip: None
- Moisture Management: No
- Waterproof: No
- Windproof: No
- Color Options: Black, nocturnal, purple dahlia, night shade or bright plum
- Size Options: Small – X-Large
- Cleaning and Care: Hand wash
They are easy to slip on and off, but you’ll need to wash these by hand.Like Columbia’s Fast Trek Glove and Isotoner’s Smart-Touch Glove, these aren’t waterproof, windproof, or have any moisture resistance. If you are looking for women’s waterproof winter gloves, you should stick to MCTi’s Thinsulate Gloves.
Best Winter Work Gloves
#1 Wells Lamont Men’s Hydrahyde Winter Work Gloves
- Best For: Winter work with tools, shoveling etc.
- Shell Fabric: 50% synthetic leather, 38% polyester, 12% fleece
- Inner Lining Fabric: N/A
- Closure: Hook and loop top closure
- Insulation:C40 3M Thinsulate traps warm air
- Temperature: Not specified
- Grip: Rugged Armortex palm and thumb reinforcement
- Moisture Management: N/A
- Waterproof: Water Resistant
- Windproof: Laminated wind barrier
- Color Options: Grey
- Size Options:Medium – XXX-Large
- Cleaning and Care: Machine washable
If you’re a stickler for warranties, these warm and durable winter work gloves come with a 12-month warranty for your peace of mind.
#2 Ski Gloves Winter Insulated Glove 3M Thinsulate Leather for Men Women
- Best For: Snow activities and working outdoors in the winter
- Shell Fabric:Genuine Deerskin suede leather, soft polar fleece, and waterproof TPU
- Inner Lining Fabric: Heatlok insulated cotton lining
- Closure: Elastic wrist and knitted cuff
- Insulation:Heatlok insulated cotton; thick cotton fingers
- Temperature: – 40°F to -20°F
- Grip: Reinforced leather patch on palm; waterproof and strong grip
- Moisture Management: Yes; breathable and sweat resistant
- Waterproof: No
- Windproof: Yes
- Color Options: Denim-black, grey-black, or tan-black
- Size Options:Small – X-Large
- Cleaning and Care: Machine or hand washable
These gloves are good for medium-duty work. They are not appropriate for heavy duty work, where there is risk of the hands being cut or punctured.
#3 Ironclad Ranchworx Glove
- Best For: Working outdoors in the winter; farm work, construction, etc.
- Shell Fabric:Genuine Bullwhip leather; thermoplastic rubber that protects the knuckles from impact and abrasion; TPR finger construction
- Inner Lining Fabric: None
- Closure: Thermoplastic cuff puller with Velcro adhesive
- Insulation:None
- Temperature: Up to 0 Degree weather
- Grip: Patented palm design and roll top fingers for ultimate dexterity
- Moisture Management: No
- Waterproof: Yes
- Windproof: Yes
- Color Options: N/A
- Size Options:Small – XXX-Large
- Cleaning and Care: Machine washable
These heavy-duty gloves are made of genuine bullwhip leather and won’t shrink or dry out when they get wet. They don’t have any moisture-resistant qualities, so make sure you wash your gloves regularly or mold can form. If mold does development, Oxyclean is a great solution.
These gloves don’t have insulation, so they are appropriate for mild winter conditions. If you want to use these gloves in the extreme cold, you’ll have to get a liner.
Winter Gloves Comparison Table
Waterproof | Best for | Special Features | Customer Ratings | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Men’s Winter Gloves | |||||
MCTi Waterproof/Windproof Men’s Winter Gloves | Yes | Operating machinery, driving a motorbike or motorcycle, or participating in winter sports | FAN-TEX insert wicks away moisture to keep hands dry | 4.0 / 5.0 Stars | |
Dakine Men's Nova Gloves | Yes | Skiing, snowboarding, shoveling, alpine and winter expeditio | Adjustable buckle strap, High loft synthetic | 4.1 / 5.0 Stars | |
Men’s Luxury Touchscreen Italian Genuine Leather Fly Hawk Gloves | No | Anyone wanting touchscreen compatible winter gloves | Cashmere lining, Dry cleaning recommended | 4.2 / 5.0 Stars | |
Gordini Men's The Polar Glove | Yes | Skiing, snowboarding, shoveling, alpine and winter expeditions | Lavawool Moisture Management System | 4.5 / 5.0 Stars | |
Best Women’s Winter Gloves | |||||
MCTi Waterproof/Windproof Women’s Winter Thinsulate Touch Screen Gloves | Yes | Snow sports, long expeditions, extreme snow storms | Adjustable wrist buckle and drawstring | 4.2 / 5.0 Stars | |
Columbia Women's Fast Trek Glove | No | Cold weather walks, sledding, and tubing | Elasticized wrist and security clip | 4.3 / 5.0 Stars | |
Isotoner Women's Smartouch Chenille Knit Gloves | No | Anyone who wants to use their touchscreen phone in cold weather | Thermaflex fleece lining, Non-slip palm grip | 4.4 / 5.0 Stars | |
Columbia Women's Pearl Plush Glove | No | Cold weather walks, sledding, and tubing | lasticized wrist and security clip | 4.5 / 5.0 Stars | |
Best Winter Work Gloves | |||||
Wells Lamont Men's HydraHyde Winter Work Gloves | Water Resistant | Winter work with tools, shovel, lumber, firewood etc. | Hook and loop top closure | 4.0 / 5.0 Stars | |
Ski Gloves Winter Insulated Glove 3M Thinsulate Leather | No | Snow activities and working outdoors in the winter | Heatlok insulated cotton; thick cotton fingers | 4.0 / 5.0 Stars | |
Ironclad Ranchworx Glove | Yes | Working outdoors in the winter; farm work, construction, etc. | Thermoplastic cuff puller with Velcro adhesive | 4.2 / 5.0 Stars |
How to Choose the Best Winter Gloves For You
Winter is coming whether you like it or not – so you might as well be prepared! To keep your hands and fingers safe and warm we’ve reviewed the 10 best winter gloves for work and play! Now we’ll go through the criteria that separate good gloves from the best gloves.
Winter Glove Terminology
Fingers
Glove have separate compartments for every finger. Gloves are excellent when you rely on your hands and need dexterity and a firm grip.
Mittens
Mittens are generally warmer than gloves because fingers aren’t separated; they share one compartment. This limits the mobility and use of your hands, however.
Shell
Shell refers to the outer material of the glove. Most winter gloves have a shell made of leather or synthetics like acrylic, TPU, or PU.
TPU
TPU stands for Thermoplastic polyurethane. It has many desirable properties like transparency, elasticity, and resistance to oil, grease, and abrasion.
PU
PU is Polyurethane, a popular substance used to manufacture high-resilience foam, rigid foam insulation, and many other products and materials.
Lining
Lining is an extra layer of material inside the glove for enhanced warmth.
Things to Consider When Shopping for Insulated Work Gloves
Closure System
Do you need the ability to get out of your winter work gloves, fast? Then you should try to find a pair with an elastic wrist, Velcro, or snap system. If you don’t foresee having to take off your gloves, you can go with whatever closure system you like best – hook and loop, buckles, or whatever you prefer!
Insulation
Some gloves come with insulation, others don’t. If you work in extremely cold weather, you will need insulation and a liner. If your winters are mild, you might not have to worry about insulation or liners.
Waterproof, Windproof, and Moisture Wicking Qualities
Think about what you do with your hands on a day to day basis. Is it likely they will get wet or come in contact with snow? You’ll want to find a pair of waterproof work gloves. Are your winters full of extreme winds?
Windproof is the way to go. What about long hours? These are especially important factors when you’re considering winter gloves for work. If you know you’ll be working away for hours at a time, you should look for moisture management technology.
Winter Gloves FAQs:
Q: Can you put winter gloves in the dryer?
A: This all depends on the individual model and brand. Take a look at the pair’s care instructions. If they say you can tumble dry them then you’re in the clear. If you’ve applied a re-proofing spray on them, the heat from the dryer will actually help make it more effective. If you can’t dry them in the machine, simply leave them to dry somewhere warm.
Q: What are the best gloves for extreme cold?
A: We can’t recommend the MCTi Waterproof/Windproof Winter Gloves Enough. They not only keep the hands and fingers warm, but allow you to still use your touchscreen devices without having to take them off!
Q: Do leather gloves keep your hands warm?
A: No, generally speaking, they do not. While leather works well to protect the skin from small scrapes or irritation, they don’t insulate well unless they’re lined.
Q: Should I get mittens or gloves?
A: While mittens are known to generally generate a bit more warmth, gloves offer a significantly greater amount of dexterity and stil keep the hands warm. If you’re taking part in a sport or will need to handle tools, smart devices, etc. you’ll need gloves.
Winter Gloves Buying Tips :
- If your gloves don’t feel warm enough, try adding a fitted polyester liner. We’re sure these gloves will keep you warm anyway, but this is always a nice option to have.
- If your hands are still cold with gloves on, check the fit. Almost always, the reason for cold hands are poor-fitting gloves. You don’t want them to be so tight they cause chafing, but not so large that the cold gets inside.
- If you use your smartphone outdoors a lot, make sure your gloves operate with touchscreens. Not every glove does, so pay special attention here if that’s something of concern to you.
Thanks for reading The 10 Best Winter Gloves. We hope this article has helped you to discover the best choice for winter gloves to meet your needs and types of winter activities. You might also be interested in our informative article entitled, Winter Clothing Materials and Fabrics.
MORE WINTER GEAR HEATED GLOVES | DOWN JACKETS | FLEECE JACKETS | BASE LAYERS | BEANIES | WINTER GLOVES | WATERPROOF BOOTS | NECK WARMERS & GAITERS | HEATED JACKETS | HARDSHELL JACKETS | SOFTSHELL JACKETS | WINDBREAKERS | ICE FISHING BOOTS | WINTER HATS | WINTER SOCKS
How We Researched
To come up with the 10 best winter gloves, we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as REI, Backcountry, Moosejaw, EVO along with our own personal experience.
We also consulted online magazines for product research and reviews to get as much unbiased information as we could. To help weed out fake reviews we used Fakespot.com to make sure we only looked at genuine reviews.
With so much quality gear available, we had to narrow it down based on what we felt were the best options were for the price. The author, Krysha Thyer, is an avid outdoor adventurer and loves snowshoeing. She has lots of experience of cold weather conditions and a keen eye for fashion.
To help narrow down the selection she used her personal experience along with recommendations from fellow winter sports enthusiasts.
After extensive research, we came up with our list to help you choose the right one for you.
Sources