Frostbitten hands are one of the worst things to endure on your winter hike. But you don’t want to keep your hands in your pockets the whole time. How will you grip your hiking pole (or rock faces) or adjust your gear?
What you need are quality hiking gloves for winter. Ones that fit perfectly and give you cold-weather protection as you hike through the snow and wind.
Take a look at our top picks to find your perfect pair of winter hiking gloves!
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Cevapro Winter Gloves
Best Budget
FanVince Winter Warm Gloves
Best Elemental Protection
Outdoor Research Carbide Sensor Gloves
Best Overall
Cevapro -30°F Winter Gloves
Not only are the Cevapro Winter Gloves quality hiking gloves for winter, but they’re also for any outdoor activity. Their 3M insulated cotton and fleece provide warmth for temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit! Even the windproof elastic wrists keep out the cold.
These gloves won’t overheat your hands thanks to the breathable deerskin suede shell. With the waterproof thermoplastic polyurethane sewn in the gloves, snow and rain aren’t able to penetrate them.
Other features include the palms’ durable polyurethane leather enabling a good grip and the index fingers’ conductive material. The latter material lets you use your mobile device without removing your gloves.
Pros
- Ambidextrous
- Warmth and comfort for different temperature ranges
- Year-long 24/7 customer service
Cons
- Difficult texting due to bulky touchscreen-compatible fingers
- Short-lasting warmth in subzero weather
Best Budget
FanVince Winter Warm Gloves
Save money while protecting your hands from cold weather with the FanVince Winter Gloves. Its coldproof fleece warms your hands without the additional bulk. And its windproof polyester and knitted cuffs prevent icy winds from seeping through.
The water-resistant thermoplastic polyurethane repels water enough to keep your hands dry. Also, the thumb and index fingertips are touchscreen compatible, while the palms contain a non-slip silica gel, providing a secure grip.
Pros
- 48-hour after-sales service for any issues
- Machine-washable
- Mult-sport gloves
Cons
- Thumbs may be a little too long
- Large sizes may require women to choose a smaller size to fit properly
- Not for extensive periods of time in extreme cold
Best Elemental Protection
Outdoor Research Carbide Sensor Gloves
The idea of winter hiking gloves is to keep the cold out of your hands while you hike. And the Outdoor Research Carbide Sensor Gloves have the best features for maximum cold weather protection.
These breathable gloves have a waterproof and windproof Gore-Tex membrane. They also have soft water-resistant goat leather on the palms and a ladder-lock wrist cinch. The latter feature’s elastic webbing locks in warmth.
Also, the pull-on loops make applying and removing the gloves easy. And don’t hesitate to text with the touchscreen-compatible index fingers and thumbs!
Pros
- Sizing up not required with very thin liner gloves
- Removable leash to keep your gloves on if you accidentally snag them off
- Nose-wipe on the thumb
Cons
- Gloves’ inner parts come out easily upon hand removal
- Leather dries slowly when wet
Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves
Warmth is good for your hands, but too much warmth makes them sweat. The breathable AlpinWool Plus in the Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves don’t do that. Combined with the polyester fleece, these materials wick away moisture and provide comfortable warmth.
Besides breathable material, these winter hiking gloves have silicone prints on the fingers for a secure grip. This adds to their dexterity and touchscreen compatibility. Just like the previous gloves, they come with pull-on loops for easy application and removal.
Pros
- Stretchy fit to accommodate hand size
- Lightweight
- Fast-drying fabric
Cons
- Not ideal for extremely cold temperatures
- Not very water-resistant
REI Co-op Liner Gloves 2.0
Perhaps you’re experiencing a mild winter, or winter is transitioning into spring? Or maybe you want to add an extra layer to your current winter hiking gloves? Consider these stretchy Co-op Liner Gloves, designed to be standalone gloves or fit under bigger gloves as a base layer.
The 2.0 indicates updated features for these breathable and dextrous hiking gloves for winter. It’s more durable than its previous version, it’s made of recycled and health-risk-free material, and its spandex better secures your wrists.
Pros
- Recycled, sustainable material
- Abrasion-resistant
- Machine-washable in warm or cold water
Cons
- Unknown functionality underneath hockey gloves
- Inconsistent touchscreen compatibility
Winter Hiking Gloves Buyer’s Guide
Size and Fit
Gloves for winter hiking need to fit without constricting your hands or hanging loose on your wrists. This is where glove size charts and your hand size come in, as they’ll help you decide what size you need.
Balance is the key objective for choosing the perfect fit. The gloves should be tight but not so there’s no dexterity, and loose but not so you have no grip.
Material
A good amount of insulation from material like 3M Thinsulate or cotton and fleece is important for winter hiking gloves. The faster they retain warmth, the better. Too much insulation will overheat your hands, so consider gloves with removable layers.
Examples of breathable material in gloves include deerskin suede and AlpinWool Plus. They should be able to wick away moisture to prevent sweaty hands. They’ll also keep you from removing your gloves too often to cool them down unless you’re wearing separate layers.
The gloves’ material should also be durable so they’re not easily ripped or worn down. Leather, polyurethane, or other synthetic materials toughen the gloves, especially important if you wield hiking poles.
Layering
Wearing thinner winter hiking gloves underneath bigger ones is optional. However, they add extra warmth to your current gloves if the weather is extremely cold.
Some gloves for winter hiking come with removable layers, which helps if your hands tend to overheat. Other times, you may have to wear two different kinds of gloves. For this, you’d have to compare sizes for a proper fit.
Elemental Proofing
Gore-Tex is a windproof and waterproof membrane that protects hands from windy and wet conditions.
There are waterproof gloves, and there are water-resistant gloves, and both function differently.
Waterproof means that water can’t penetrate the material. This kind of protection will add bulk to your gloves, minimizing your hands’ dexterity.
Water-resistant means repelling most of the water before a period of exposure has the water soaking through. Fortunately, water-resistant material allows for better dexterity and doesn’t compromise the gloves’ comfort.
Cuffs and Gauntlets
To keep out the cold, your gloves must be wrapped securely around your wrists or forearms. Where exactly you want them secured depends on the level of protection you desire.
Cuffs on hiking gloves have either traditional elastic or Velcro straps. To keep icy winds out of your gloves, the cuffs must successfully close around your wrists.
Gauntlets work similarly, but they extend to the forearms for more protection. These usually have adjustable straps or drawstrings to close them off.
Features
The more features winter hiking gloves have, the more expensive they are. There are some features that you won’t use often, while some may be important depending on hiking conditions.
Some winter hiking gloves include a nose-wipe material on the thumb. Cold weather makes people’s noses run, so this would be extremely useful for those who don’t carry tissues for winter hikes.
Another example is touchscreen capability, a common feature on many gloves to keep you from repeatedly removing them. You may need to text someone or pinpoint your location on a map app while hiking.
Types of Hiking Gloves
Liner
Liner gloves are thin and easily fit into bigger ones for extra warmth and insulation. They’re usually made of leather, nylon, cotton, and polyester with a small amount of spandex for a snug fit.
Besides wearing them for extra warmth, liners also protect your hands from potential irritation from the shell or insulated gloves’ interior.
Shell
Shell gloves are the most common type of gloves to wear. They have windproof and waterproof or -resistant material and will protect against moderate to harsh weather conditions when hiking.
They’re durable and provide insulation and breathability. And the fingers and palms are reinforced for easily gripping items.
Insulated
Insulated gloves are more suitable in extreme weather conditions, as they have various insulation materials such as Thinsulate. Besides elemental protection, they also provide breathability so the insulation levels don’t overheat your hands.
Measurements for a Perfect Winter Hiking Glove Fit
As mentioned, overly tight winter hiking gloves are very uncomfortable and will limit your hands’ movement. You also don’t want them to be too loose; otherwise, your hands won’t receive the proper warmth.
Learning some hand-measuring tips will help you avoid these situations. That way you’ll be able to refer to the glove size chart and pinpoint the perfect size of your gloves.
Length
To measure your hand’s length, extend your middle finger and measure from the tip to your wrist’s fold. Use a ruler to record the length of your dominant hand in inches.
Circumference
Now that you have the length of your hand, measure its circumference with measuring tape. Wrap it around your hand at your fingers’ base and around your knuckles. Don’t include your thumb in the wrapping!
Glove Size Chart
Refer to a glove size chart, especially one by the company selling your potential winter hiking gloves, and compare measurements.
Different brands have different size charts since each brand of gloves is made differently. If your measurements don’t match what’s on the chart, try on some gloves to determine the best fit.
Winter Hiking Gloves Frequently Asked Questions
Are mittens just as good as gloves for winter hiking?
Yes. In fact, mittens provide more warmth since your fingers, except your thumb, are grouped together. However, depending on a trail’s features in winter, mittens aren’t always the best choice.
For example, mittens limit your fingers’ range of motion. If a trail requires rock climbing, you’ll need to maneuver your fingers for a secure grip. The same goes for needing to adjust your gear before, during, or after your hike.
Should my winter hiking gloves be waterproof or water-resistant?
If there’s a lot of snow and rain falling, choose waterproof gloves, especially if you touch something wet. Cold winds freeze bare hands, but wet and soggy gloves will do the same if they don’t seal out water.
You can also wear water-resistant gloves on your winter hike. Ideally, the weather ought to be less chilly with no rain or snow unless the precipitation is light and brief.
If I wear liner gloves, should the shell or insulated gloves be a size bigger than my hand size?
Some brands don’t require sizing up if the liners are thin enough. But you’ll definitely need to refer to a glove size chart and test out both types of gloves.
After putting on your liners, select gloves that are about a size or two bigger than what you’re wearing. Test them out to see if they fit well, warm your hands up, and let you move them easily.
Warm Your Hands With Winter Hiking Gloves!
No matter the season, your hikes ought to let you keep your hands out of your pockets without freezing. Take on the wintry elements as you hike the trails with the best-fitting and quality winter hiking gloves!
Visit our hiking archives for ideas on what trails you can take throughout the US. And take a look at our various camping gear for the best items you’ll need for your hiking or camping trips!
- About the Author
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Sarah Keck is a long-time resident of the Midwest and loves its warm and cool atmosphere. She takes any walking or hiking opportunity with open arms and likes to learn and write about the best trails.
Sarah’s first camping experience was her church’s teens’ and twenties’ summer conference years ago. Her favorite activities were exploring the campground and sitting by the fire, listening to the wildlife.
As time went on, Sarah looked forward to camping and other vacation opportunities. Writing for Beyond the Tent has opened her eyes and mind to the country’s many beautiful destinations.