By Michael Lanza
Looking for winter gloves that keep your hands warm and dry and are made to last for years? As a professional gear reviewer who gets cold hands easily and spends many days outside in winter, from downhill, backcountry, and Nordic skiing to trail running, biking around town, and working outside, I’ve used many types of gloves and learned a lot over the years about how to select the right gloves for a variety of uses.
This review covers the best gloves for a wide range of purposes and temperatures, from the 40s and 30s Fahrenheit to well below freezing. I’ve tested them in snowstorms, cold rain, graupel, and every kind of frozen precipitation, on numerous days of backcountry, Nordic, and resort skiing, on multi-day backcountry yurt trips, trail running, and climbing the mountains from frozen Eastern peaks in winter to higher elevations of the American West—as well as, of course, shoveling snow and doing yard work in winter.
I bring to this review nearly three decades of experience field-testing and reviewing a huge variety of outdoor gear, including the 10 years I spent as the lead gear reviewer for Backpacker magazine and even longer running this blog. I’ve learned to identify the minute differences between excellent, mediocre, and poor gear.
Besides coming in a range of prices and styles, the gloves reviewed below have different strengths and weaknesses, making each better for varying activities and circumstances, which I specify in each review. I’m confident you’ll find a pair here that meet your needs—and you’ll find the best prices at the affiliate links in each review below. And you can support my work by making purchases through those links (at no cost to you). Thanks for that.
See also my picks for “The Best Mittens for Winter.”
If you have a question for me or a comment on this review or any gloves in it, or other gloves to recommend, please make it in the comments section at the bottom of this story. I try to respond to all comments.
Scroll down past the tips on how to choose gloves if you want to jump directly into the glove reviews.
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Two Types of Gloves
I’ve divided the reviews below into two categories:
1. Under-the-cuff gloves, which have shorter, closer-fitting gauntlets designed to be worn under a jacket cuff. They vary in degree of warmth and dexterity, but (with just a couple of exceptions among those reviewed here) are usually less warm and expensive and more dexterous than over-the-cuff gloves. They are typically used for high-intensity activities like running and classic Nordic or skate skiing on groomed trails, but depending on your needs and typical temperatures encountered, can be used for winter and three-season hiking, climbing, ski touring gentler terrain in the woods, and snowshoeing in moderate temperatures from the 20s to 40s Fahrenheit.
2. Over-the-cuff gloves, which have longer, adjustable gauntlets designed to be worn over a jacket cuff. They have more insulation and often better water resistance than under-the-cuff gloves—or are fully waterproof—making them appropriate for temps in the 20s Fahrenheit and lower, and they usually cost more. Two-piece “system” gloves, with removable liners, are more versatile for activities like backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, ski touring, climbing, or winter hiking and backpacking, where temperatures and your exertion level often vary greatly; whereas over-the-cuff gloves that lack removable liners are designed for activities where your exertion level remains fairly constant, like resort skiing and working outside.
How to Choose Winter Gloves
How do you choose between under- and over-the-cuff gloves? While either style can be worn for most of the activities I’ve mentioned, consider these factors:
• Your activity.
• Your usual range of weather conditions and temperatures.
• How easily your fingers get cold.
• Thicker, warmer gloves are overkill for high-intensity activities like skate skiing and winter running.
• Under-the-cuff gloves are usually best for outings of a few hours or less.
• Over-the-cuff gloves are usually best for multi-hour, all-day, or multi-day activities, especially when your hands are repeatedly in snow (such as when backcountry skiing or snowshoeing).
I’ve listed the products below in ascending order by weight within the two categories and pointed out the pros and cons of each and what they’re best for.
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Under-the-Cuff Gloves
Black Diamond Midweight ScreenTap Gloves
$45, 2 oz. (unisex medium)
Sizes: unisex XS-XL
blackdiamondequipment.com
Pros: Very lightweight and breathable stretch fabric, excellent dexterity, touchscreen sensitivity in all fingers and palm.
Cons: Minimal warmth, no weather resistance, unisex sizing.
Best For: Running, hiking, backpacking, walking, and similar activities in mostly dry weather and temps in the 30s and 40s.
No matter how easily your hands get cold, you will encounter conditions at any time of year (not just winter) when you need a light glove. I found this featherweight model ideal for trail runs and hikes in winter sunshine, little wind, and temps in the 30s and 40s Fahrenheit. The gloves kept my hands warm and breathed so well my hands rarely got sweaty, even on hard runs and fast-paced hiking uphill; and when they did get damp, the fabric dries super quickly, minimizing the conductive cooling that causes hands to rapidly get cold.
The MidWeight ScreenTap gloves combine a lightweight stretch fleece on the back with UR Powered conductive material on the palm and fingers, which creates superior touchscreen sensitivity throughout all five fingers and the front of the hand. Suede goat leather palm patches improve grip. The unisex sizing is average for men and some women, with a comfortably close, stretchy fit that helps accommodate different hand types.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the Black Diamond MidWeight ScreenTap Gloves at backcountry.com, moosejaw.com, or blackdiamondequipment.com.
Black Diamond Mont Blanc Gloves
$25, 2 oz. (unisex medium)
Sizes: unisex XS-XL
blackdiamondequipment.com
Pros: Lightweight, very breathable, excellent dexterity, touchscreen fingertips.
Cons: Minimal weather resistance and warmth, unisex sizing.
Best For: Being active in temps from the 30s into the 40s.
Whether for high-exertion activities like running or Nordic skiing in temps around freezing to well above, hiking in cool weather, or long ultra-runs and hikes—BD designed this model with the ultra-race of the Tour du Mont Blanc in mind—these very lightweight gloves are a good pick, although not quite as warm as BD’s Midweight Screen Tap Gloves. With my typically cold fingers, I found them perfect for hiking and trail running in temps in the 30s and 40s, but not warm enough for high-speed skate-skiing in temps in the 30s, because you create your own wind; but my wife, whose fingers don’t get cold easily, found them ideal for skate-skiing in those temps.
A weather-resistant shell fabric on the back of the hand and digits sheds light precipitation and blocks some wind, while the stretch palm and cuff release perspiration and dry quickly; and the cuff seals snugly around the wrist. A silicone grip pattern covers the entire palm and grabbing side of the digits, for easily holding onto poles and bottles. And the thumb and forefinger tips have excellent touchscreen sensitivity. Sizing is average, with a skin-tight fit that doesn’t feel too tight because of the stretch, which also helps accommodate different hand types.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the Black Diamond Mont Blanc Gloves at backcountry.com, moosejaw.com or blackdiamondequipment.com.
Enjoy your cold-season activities more. See “12 Pro Tips For Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter.”
Marmot Infinium Windstopper Softshell Glove
$65, 2 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XL, women’s S-L
moosejaw.com
Pros: Lightweight, warm for their weight, windproof, breathable, excellent dexterity and touchscreen sensitivity on all finger and thumb tips, men’s and women’s sizes.
Cons: Not warm enough for temps well below freezing.
Best For: Moderate- to high-exertion activities when dexterity is needed in temperatures from below to well above freezing.
With a combination of good warmth for their low weight and superior wind resistance and dexterity, these gloves excel for cool-weather hiking, backpacking, and fast, high-exertion activities like trail running and Nordic skiing, not to mention walking, bike commuting, and wearing around town. They kept my chronically cold fingers warm in cool wind and temps in the low 40s Fahrenheit while backpacking four days through Utah’s High Uintas Wilderness in early October, on the Nigel, Cataract, and Cline Passes Route in the Canadian Rockies in August, and on a chilly October morning hiking in the shallow creek in Death Hollow while backpacking southern Utah’s Boulder Mail Trail-Death Hollow-Escalante River Loop, as well as on local spring trail runs in strong, chilly wind.
Made of Gore-Tex Infinium with Windstopper fleece, the gloves seal out nearly all wind, performing better than many competitors in their weight class: While biking around town on chilly days in late fall, they blocked the wind and kept my fingers warm in conditions where my hands need warm gloves. And they still provide good breathability for activities like running.
The fabric repels light rain up to a point: On a six-mile hike in light but steady rain and temps in the 40s in southern New Hampshire in late October, the gloves got damp—although not waterlogged—and my hands got quite cold from the combination of the temps and, mostly, being wet. They also dried quickly after the hike, demonstrating that if they get wet, you can stuff them into a jacket pocket and dry them with body heat.
With a comfortably close fit for my relatively thick fingers and good stretch for almost any hands, they deliver excellent dexterity. They extend slightly beyond the wrist to insulate blood vessels in the wrist that help keep fingers warm. All four fingertips and the thumb are touchscreen compatible with excellent sensitivity, making it easy to tap, scroll, make phone calls, and take photos. The fabric and reinforced palm deliver reliable grip and they clip together to avoid getting separated when stored.
Other models include the Marmot Women’s Infinium Windstopper Glove ($50, 2 oz.) and the Marmot Infinium Windstopper Mitten ($60, 3.5 oz.).
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the men’s Marmot Infinium Windstopper Softshell Glove at backcountry.com or moosejaw.com, or the women’s Marmot Infinium Windstopper Glove at backcountry.com, or the Marmot Infinium Windstopper Mitten at backcountry.com.
Get the right synthetic or down puffy to keep you warm. See “The 10 Best Down Jackets.”
Outdoor Research Vigor Heavyweight Sensor Gloves
$45, 2.5 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XL, women’s S-L
backcountry.com
Pros: Lightweight, warm liner, excellent dexterity, breathable, touchscreen finger and thumb tips, men’s and women’s sizes.
Cons: Not weatherproof, too warm for milder temps.
Best For: Moderate- to high-exertion activities when dexterity is needed in temperatures from well below to around freezing.
From cold-weather hiking and trail running to ski touring and Nordic skiing, I have worn these lightweight but remarkably warm gloves repeatedly. OR’s toastiest fleece liner glove, the Vigor sport ActiveTemp thermo-regulating technology, which OR says adjusts to your body’s release of heat to keep hands comfortable during high-exertion activities. Plus, the Vigor Gloves have a double-layer fleece construction, with 265g weight exterior fleece and 100g weight on the interior. They extend slightly beyond the wrist to insulate blood vessels in the wrist that help keep fingers warm.
My hands, which get cold very easily, remained comfortable in temps down into the 20s when ski touring, trail running, or hiking in little to no wind and did not overheat until temps rose into the upper 30s in warm sunshine—partly because these gloves are highly breathable, wick moisture, and dry quickly. Still, people whose hands do not get cold easily may find them too warm for temps around or above freezing, especially for high-exertion activities, and ideal for somewhat colder conditions than I used the gloves.
They have excellent dexterity, with a very close fit and abundant stretch—they’re a little difficult to pull the cuff over my somewhat thick hands, but comfortable when wearing them. With silicone dot grip on the two middle fingers and upper palm and thumb, touchscreen sensitivity in forefinger and thumb tips, and a clip to keep them together when stored, the Outdoor Research Vigor Heavyweight Sensor Gloves are the warmest gloves for their weight and ideal for moderate to high exertion in cold temperatures.
One caveat: These gloves don’t block wind, which can make hands much colder (absent a shell glove or mitten over them)—as happened to my chronically cold hands when skate-skiing, which creates its own wind, in temps in the upper 20s; and on a January hike with temps just above freezing but a steady wind on an exposed ridgeline that made it feel much colder.
OR’s lighter options are the men’s and women’s Vigor Midweight Sensor Gloves ($39) and Vigor Lightweight Sensor Gloves ($35).
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the men’s or women’s Outdoor Research Vigor Heavyweight Sensor Gloves, Vigor Midweight Sensor Gloves, or Vigor Lightweight Sensor Gloves at backcountry.com, moosejaw.com, or outdoorresearch.com.
Black Diamond HeavyWeight Wooltech Gloves
$50, 2.5 oz. (unisex medium)
Sizes: unisex XS-XL
blackdiamondequipment.com
Pros: Lightweight, warm for their weight and when wet, excellent dexterity, touchscreen fingertips, and great value.
Cons: No women’s sizes.
Best For: High-intensity activities in temps below freezing or moderate activity in temperatures above freezing.
On December hikes with the sun low and sending little warmth and temps ranging from the low 40s into the low 30s Fahrenheit, my hands stayed surprisingly warm, considering the minimal weight and bulk of these gloves—even after the sun went down and the temperature plunged.
BD rates the gloves for 25° to 40° F, but that’s entirely relative to your hands: As someone whose hands get cold very easily, I find these gloves ideal for moderate- to high-exertion levels in temps from the mid-30s to the 40s. I did find that, with the temp stuck in the low 30s, these gloves were fine for the strenuous uphill, but I had to swap them out for warmer gloves on the descent, when the wind turned icy and the sun neared the horizon.
They are impressively warm for their weight and the dexterity they deliver. Combining a lightweight, 302g Nuyarn Merino wool—engineered for more durability while weighing less and drying faster—on the back of hand with goat leather palms and fingers and a soft fleece lining, these lightweight gloves naturally eliminate odors and trap warmth even when wet. The index fingers and thumbs have touchscreen functionality.
If you don’t need that warm a glove—whether for winter or three-season activities—lighter options are the MidWeight Wooltech Gloves ($40, 1.9 oz.) with 210g NuYarm Merino wool and the LightWeight Wooltech Gloves ($35, 0.9 oz.) with 160g NuYarm Merino wool.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the Black Diamond HeavyWeight, MidWeight, or Lightweight Wooltech Gloves at backcountry.com, moosejaw.com, or blackdiamondequipment.com.
Outdoor Research Sureshot Softshell Gloves
$50, 3 oz. (unisex medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XL, women’s S-L
backcountry.com
Pros: Lightweight, excellent dexterity, very breathable, touchscreen finger and thumb tips, men’s and women’s sizes.
Cons: Not weatherproof, less warm than gloves of comparable weight.
Best For: Moderate- to high-exertion activities when dexterity is needed in temperatures from slightly below to above freezing.
Skate-skiing in temps from the mid-20s Fahrenheit to around freezing, moving between sunshine and pockets of shaded, chillier forest—conditions that can quickly make my fingers achingly cold in light, breathable gloves—I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable my hands remained in OR’s Sureshot Softshell Gloves. They’ve also kept my fingers entirely warm on winter trail runs in temps in the 20s and 30s Fahrenheit.
The Sureshot have all the dexterity of light, close-fitting gloves, as well as touchscreen sensitivity in the fingertip and thumb, goat leather overlays in the palm for added durability, and a stretch cuff that wraps snugly around the wrist and extends a good inch behind the wrist bones—longer than many gloves this light—insulating the blood vessels that help keep fingers warm. The fit is borderline tight for my slightly chubby hands and fingers.
The water resistant, two-way stretch-woven fabric breathes quite well—after high-exertion Nordic skiing, only the wrists of the gloves were slightly damp from sweat, and they had been underneath my jacket sleeve. That high breathability also means more cold wind passing through compared to some (usually heavier) models, resulting in my hands getting cold in the Sureshot in any combo of wind and cold temps that feels below the high 20s (though people whose fingers don’t get cold as easily may find these gloves good in the low 20s). These aren’t as warm as OR’s Vigor Heavyweight Sensor Gloves.
OR’s Sureshot Pro Gloves ($65, 5 oz.) add a waterproof Ventia insert. Winter lovers with chronically cold fingers may want to consider OR’s Sureshot Heated Softshell Gloves ($269, 7.4 oz.). With the AltiHeat technology, which offers three heat settings and rechargeable battery life ranging from 2.5 to eight hours (according to OR—I have not tested these gloves), the Sureshot Heated Gloves provide a rare combination of dexterity and assured warmth in breathable, water-resistant handwear. OR’s Prevail Heated Gore-Tex Gloves or Mittens ($339, 11.5 oz.) add waterproof-breathable, windproof protection.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the Outdoor Research Sureshot Softshell Gloves, Sureshot Pro Gloves, or Sureshot Heated Softshell Gloves at moosejaw.com, backcountry.com, or outdoorresearch.com, or OR’s Prevail Heated Gore-Tex Gloves or Mittens at moosejaw.com, backcountry.com, or outdoorresearch.com.
Active in the cold? Build a perfect layering system with “The Best Clothing Layers for Winter in the Backcountry.”
Hestra Tarfala Gloves
$140, 3.5 oz. (unisex 9)
Sizes: unisex 6-11
backcountry.com
Pros: Lightweight, good dexterity, water-resistant, removable fleece liner, durable shell materials.
Cons: Not warm enough for deep cold or resistant to moisture when repeatedly immersed in snow, no touchscreen sensor.
Best For: Temps just below or above freezing while skiing or riding downhill, snowshoeing, bike commuting, or working outside, or colder temps in high-exertion activities.
From Nordic skate skiing very hilly trails in wind and temperatures around 20° F to biking around town on winter days below freezing, the Tarfala kept my typically cold hands warm except at times of sustained, cold wind, usually on a long downhills. Another tester with chronically cold fingers has worn these gloves on numerous days of backcountry ski touring in Utah’s Wasatch Range, finding them adequately warm for skinning uphill when the perceived temp (depending on sun and wind) sat in the teens and 20s F and skiing downhill only when the temp tops around 25° F—when the gloves, conversely, are too warm for the uphill track.
The goat leather and weather-resistant polyester shell fabric kept hands dry even when skiing deep powder or in wet, falling snow; but hands got cold and wet quickly when the gloves were in snow a lot, as when evaluating avalanche hazard or boot-packing up a steep couloir and repeatedly plunging an ice axe into the snow. The removable fleece liner with G-loft synthetic insulation provides more temperature versatility, enables drying them faster, and integrates smoothly with the outer glove.
Dexterity is good enough to write with a pencil taking notes on avalanche conditions and handling small snow-science gear like a loupe and crystal card. The stretch wrist leash is handy for pulling them off briefly without having to stash them in a pocket and a wrist grabber loop makes pulling on and off a snap. The fit is a bit tight on moderately thick hands.
The Hestra Pull Over Mitts ($75, 3 oz.), a lightweight shell mitten with windproof, breathable, stretch Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper fabric on the backhand and goat leather palms, fit over the Tarfala Gloves for creating a more weatherproof system.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the Hestra Tarfala Gloves at backcountry.com or rei.com, or the Hestra Pull Over Mitts at backcountry.com.
Seirus Soundtouch Xtreme All Weather Gloves
$65, 3.5 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s and women’s S-XXL
rei.com
Pros: Lightweight, waterproof-breathable, warm, excellent dexterity, touchscreen fingertips, and great value.
Cons: Too warm for some users for high-intensity activities in temps above freezing.
Best For: High-intensity activities in temps below freezing or moderate activity in temperatures above freezing.
Through waves of heavy rain and thunderstorms in chilly temperatures on a mid-September backpacking trip in Wyoming’s Wind River Range, these lightweight gloves kept my hands warm and absolutely dry. They also proved plenty warm enough for a morning near freezing while backpacking in May in Utah’s Dark Canyon Wilderness, as well as chilly mornings of spring backcountry skiing and on frosty days cycling and hiking at home.
With a light fleece lining and a stretchy cuff that extends about two inches behind the wrist bones, these gloves felt quite warm in temps in the low 40s Fahrenheit; even with my cold fingers, I could wear them in temps down into the 20s, so they’re as warm as some bulkier fleece gloves. But unless you get cold fingers easily, they’re too warm for hiking in temps in the 40s or running in temps much above freezing. A waterproof-breathable Pro-Fit insert kept my hands dry through heavy rain during thunderstorms in the Winds, and even when I ran tap water over them; they’ll certainly repel snow. The soft-shell outer fabric’s four-way stretch affords a close fit with excellent dexterity. Soundtouch sensitivity in the thumb and forefinger allowed me to easily tap out text messages and select icons on a phone screen, and PVC in the palm adds durability.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase the men’s or women’s Seirus Soundtouch Xtreme All Weather Gloves at rei.com or the lighter Seirus Soundtouch All Weather Gloves at backcountry.com.
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Black Diamond Tour Gloves
$85, 4 oz. (men’s/unisex medium)
Sizes: men’s/unisex XS-XL
blackdiamondequipment.com
Pros: Lightweight, waterproof-breathable even when repeatedly immersed in snow, windproof, good fit and dexterity, durable materials.
Cons: Not warm enough for deep cold, no touchscreen sensor.
Best For: Temps from below to above freezing while skinning uphill in the backcountry, snowshoeing, bike commuting, or working outside.
Black Diamond’s Tour Gloves have kept my hands warm most of the time and absolutely dry on days of ski touring in Idaho’s Boise Mountains, in temps from the low 20s into the 30s Fahrenheit. Not unusually for me (my fingers are typically colder than anyone’s I ski with), my fingers started out cold on the skin track one morning, partly because we began in flat terrain in temps in the low 20s; but these gloves otherwise kept my digits warm for uphill travel. (I always switch to warmer gloves for the downhill.)
They also kept my hands dry even when getting them in snow a lot, thanks to the waterproof-breathable and windproof Pertex Shield shell fabric in the gauntlet and water-resistant goatskin leather throughout the hand. (I applied leather treatment for water repellency before wearing them.) A fleece lining and a gauntlet extending slightly beyond the wrist, with a hook-and-loop strap to provide a snug closure, makes them respectably warm for gloves this light and dexterous. The goatskin leather’s suppleness, a close but not tight fit, and quality construction lend these gloves good dexterity, enabling me to easily manipulate everything from pack buckles to climbing skins to ripping the wrapper off an energy bar. A clip keeps them together.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase the Black Diamond Tour Gloves at blackdiamondequipment.com or backcountry.com.
Marmot XT Glove
$83, 4 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XL
moosejaw.com
Pros: Water-resistant, lightweight, good fit and dexterity, palm pad.
Cons: No women’s sizes or touchscreen sensor.
Best For: High-intensity activities in sub-freezing temperatures or moderate activity level in moderate temps.
I wore the XT Gloves for numerous one- and two-hour, skate-skiing workouts from the Harriman Trail in Idaho’s Wood River Valley to my local Nordic trails above Boise, and for cold-weather biking around town. Even in temps in the low 20s and some wind on a sunny, two-hour ski tour in the Boise Mountains, and a four-mile dayhike in the Boise Foothills on a 15° F morning, my chronically cold fingers stayed warm.
The proprietary, water-resistant, breathable MemBrain stretch fabric on the backs of the hands repels snow and light rain, while the DriClime lining wicks sweat. Falcon Grip articulation and Pittards leather in the palms and undersides of the fingers deliver good dexterity, fit, and easy gripping for manipulating pack buckles and zipper pulls; that leather makes the palms more durable than nylon, too. A small palm pad cushions the ulnar nerve, especially useful when using poles. The hoop-and-loop wrist closure seals out cold air. There is a quick clip for mating the gloves, but no touchscreen sensor.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase the Marmot XT Glove at moosejaw.com.
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Outdoor Research Extravert Gloves
$85, 5 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XL, women’s S-L
backcountry.com
Pros: Versatile balance of warmth, weather resistance, and dexterity and a good value.
Cons: Not warm enough for deep cold, no touchscreen sensitivity.
Best For: Moderate cold while hiking, backcountry skiing or snowboarding, snowshoeing, climbing, bike commuting, or working outside.
The Extravert has become a go-to glove for me on days of backcountry skiing both uphill and downhill in temps in the 20s, at times in heavily falling, wet snow, or just for the up track in deeper cold.
Snow slides off the tough, wind- and water-resistant, stretch nylon shell and the durable goat leather palms, which also lend good grip to the hands and textured fingers. The wool blend lining strikes a good balance of warmth for the snow pit avalanche-hazard assessment, skinning exposed ridges in cold wind, and skiing downhill in moderate temps while wicking moisture and keeping hands from overheating when cranking up the skin track.
The pre-curved fingers are comfortable without feeling at all stiff. The fit runs true to size and is just right: snug enough for good dexterity without choking off circulation to the fingers. A big loop makes pulling them on easy and the hook-and-loop closure and beyond-the-wrist gauntlet lock snow out and fit over the cuff of an insulated jacket or under the adjustable cuff of a shell. They have a carabiner loop on the middle fingers for hanging to dry and a buckle to clip them together.
The Outdoor Research Extravert Gloves hit a sweet spot for warmth, weather protection, and dexterity that makes them useful for everything from backcountry skiing, hiking, and climbing in moderate winter temps to bike commuting and clearing snow—at a good price for this level of performance.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the Outdoor Research Extravert Gloves at backcountry.com, outdoorresearch.com, or moosejaw.com.
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Smartwool Ridgeway Glove
$90, 5.5 oz. (unisex medium)
Sizes: Unisex XS-XL
backcountry.com
Pros: Very durable, water-resistant, lightweight, good dexterity.
Cons: No women’s sizes or touchscreen sensor.
Best For: Everything from high- and moderate-intensity activities in temps below and above freezing to all-around, everyday use, including working outside.
For high-speed Nordic skate-skiing in temps down to the mid-20s as well as biking around town, these gloves kept my chronically cold fingers happy, thanks to the warm and soft, Merino wool and nylon lining. And yet they’re low bulk, fitting easily in pole straps and offering good dexterity. With goat leather everywhere but on the back of the hand (to make that area more breathable and the glove more flexible), and a double layer of leather reinforcing the thumb and forefinger, the Ridgeway is an excellent all-around winter glove for everything from cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to bike commuting and working in the yard and elsewhere.
The cuff lacks a closure strap or elasticity, leaving it slightly open, but fits easily under any jacket cuff to keep snow and cold out. They’re not warm enough for downhill skiing, except on sunny, warm early-spring days. Sizing runs slightly small, probably to accommodate women’s hands (since these are unisex); men on the cusp between sizes will probably need to size up. But I almost always wear men’s medium, and the medium Ridgeway fit my hands well.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the Smartwool Ridgeway Glove at backcountry.com or moosejaw.com. Or get the Ridgeway Sherpa Lined Mitten at backcountry.com or moosejaw.com.
Need serious warmth? Check out “The Best Mittens for Winter.”
Black Diamond Legend Gloves
$150, 8 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XL, women’s XS-L
blackdiamondequipment.com
Pros: Waterproof, all leather, padded, very warm.
Cons: Too warm for moderate temps, minimal dexterity for under-the-cuff gloves.
Best For: Deep cold while backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, ice climbing, and mountaineering, or working outside.
BD’s Legend Glove achieves a successful marriage of the warmth of a three-in-one, over-the-cuff glove with the fit of an under-the-cuff glove. With 170g of PrimaLoft Gold insulation on the backs of the hands and 133g of PrimaLoft Gold Eco in the palms, these are among the warmest under-the-cuff gloves I’ve ever used—and they come loaded with high-end features.
Shoveling out our tent after a night of wet, heavy snowfall, and taking the tent down later—with my hands repeatedly in heavy, sloppy snow—I found the Gore-Tex-lined Legend Gloves lived up to their fully waterproof claim. Ditto when I shoveled about a half ton of wet snow off the deck of a backcountry yurt in Idaho’s Boise Mountains. They’re built for hard use, with goat leather construction, Kevlar stitching, and compression-molded EVA padding on the backs of the hands. The soft suede nose wipe on the thumbs and a neoprene cuff with hook-and-loop closure close out a rich feature set.
Not surprisingly, I also found these gloves too warm for highly aerobic skate skiing in temps around freezing. They’re best for moderate-exertion, cold-temperature activities like ice climbing, resort skiing, skiing downhill in the backcountry (or skinning uphill in very cold temperatures), or hiking, snowshoeing and ski touring in temperatures well below freezing.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase the men’s or women’s Black Diamond Legend Gloves at backcountry.com, blackdiamondequipment.com, or moosejaw.com.
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Over-the-Cuff Gloves
Black Diamond Recon Gloves
$100, 7.5 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XL, women’s XS-L
moosejaw.com
Pros: Very warm, waterproof-breathable, fully featured, durable, relatively lightweight.
Cons: Too warm for relatively mild temps or spring skiing, no removable inner glove.
Best For: Resort and backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, ice and alpine climbing, winter hiking and backpacking in deep cold.
On a sunny but cold day skiing north-facing backcountry slopes that remained shaded, I wore these gloves for our first three deeply refrigerated downhill runs (skinning uphill in lighter gloves because these are too warm for that level of exertion). With fingers that numb very easily, I was shocked at how quickly my digits warmed as soon as I slid them inside the fat Recon.
Part of BD’s Freeride Series, the Recon Gloves draw their abundant warmth—they’re warmer than heavier models in this category—from 340 grams of PrimaLoft Gold insulation on the back and 170 grams on the palm. BD rates the temperature range of the Recon Gloves as -11° F to 10° F, but that will vary based on how easily your hands get cold and weather conditions like wind and sunshine versus overcast. I find them comfortable from single digits to around 20° F.
The waterproof-breathable, BD.dry insert, Pertex Shield shell fabric, and soft, moisture-wicking lining keep all environmental moisture on the outside while helping prevent sweat from building up inside. The adjustable gauntlet extends almost halfway down your forearm and slides easily over a shell jacket sleeve. Padding on the back of the hand and tough fabric throughout protects against the abuses of climbing and there’s a fat nose wipe on each thumb.
Fit runs true to size: My slightly thick hands and fingers slide easily in and out and the gloves are neither too loose or too snug—just right. While dexterity is not the strong suit of such well-insulated gloves, the leather palm aids grip as well as durability. BD also offers the even-warmer Recon Mitts ($90, 7 oz.) in men’s and women’s sizes. See my review of those and others in “The Best Mittens for Winter.”
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the men’s or women’s Black Diamond Recon Gloves at moosejaw.com, backcountry.com, or blackdiamondequipment.com.
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Outdoor Research Arete II Gore-Tex Gloves
$109, 8 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XL, women’s S-L
moosejaw.com
Pros: Versatile balance of modular warmth, weather protection, dexterity, and durability at a good value.
Cons: Like gloves of similar warmth, dexterity isn’t as good as lighter, less-warm models.
Best For: Backcountry ski touring, riding, snowshoeing, ice and alpine climbing, winter hiking and backpacking.
In temperatures ranging from the single digits to the 20s Fahrenheit, these modular gloves became a personal favorite for backcountry ski touring. My hands—which get cold easily, often during the first 30 minutes of skiing, even when skinning uphill—stayed warm in these gloves in very cold temps. Credit the combination of the lightweight, wicking, removable, Merino wool liner glove, which has touchscreen compatibility on the forefinger and thumb and is warm enough on its own for moderate exertion levels in moderate temps, and light insulation in the outer/shell glove, ideal when you need a little warmth with the shell’s protection from wind and precip without the greater warmth added by the removable liner.
The waterproof-breathable Gore-Tex insert in the outer/shell glove kept my hands dry when sticking them into deep snow while digging a snow pit for avalanche assessment. That protection extends to getting caught in rain in shifting weather or lower elevations.
The extended, over-the-cuff gauntlet has a one-hand cinching cordlock and big pull-on loop, both easy to grab with the other glove, plus an easily adjustable, removable leash. The fit (I wear men’s medium) is good for my hands, not too tight on my somewhat chubby fingers though slightly long for my fingers, but still quite functional. One drawback: When pulling the shell off the liner gloves to wear the latter alone, especially with damp hands, the liner material will sometimes yank the shell gloves’ finger linings out of the shell’s fingers, and it’s difficult to get those finger linings back into place so that you can pull the shells on again.
All in all, OR’s Arete II Gore-Tex Gloves are a top performer for all-day outings, like backcountry ski touring and riding, where you need modular gloves with full weather protection for changing conditions and levels of exertion.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the men’s or women’s Outdoor Research Arete II Gore-Tex Gloves at backcountry.com, moosejaw.com, or outdoorresearch.com.
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Rab Khroma Freeride GTX Gloves
$180, 9 oz. (medium)
Sizes: unisex XS-XXL
backcountry.com
Pros: Very warm, waterproof-breathable, fully featured, durable, superior construction.
Cons: Too warm for relatively mild temps or spring skiing, no removable inner glove.
Best For: Resort and backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, winter hiking and backpacking in deep cold.
On numerous days of backcountry skiing from Idaho’s Boise Mountains and Boulder Mountains to Utah’s Wasatch Range, I faced weather that translates to great powder skiing but frequently create discomfort in my chronically cold digits: temps ranging from the single digits to the teens Fahrenheit, with periods of cold wind and snow falling heavily much of the time. But through long days out, these gloves kept my hands warm and dry, even when digging into snow pits while evaluating avalanche hazard. They also kept my fingers warm on multiple days resort skiing in temps in the single digits—and have become my go-to gloves for the coldest days.
Credit goes to the hydrophobic PrimaLoft Gold insulation—which delivers warmth even when wet from precipitation or sweat—and the three-layer, waterproof-breathable Gore-Tex Plus Warm technology. That Gore-Texmembrane not only kept moisture out when skiing downhill, it breathed well enough that my hands never became sweaty, even when I wore the gloves skinning uphill in the coldest temps, keeping my hands toasty when they likely would have gotten too cold if I had switched to a lighter glove (as I would in relatively warmer but sub-freezing temps).
The high loft pile lining feels comfortable against the skin. I found the unisex medium Khroma fit my hands like men’s medium gloves from other brands: Roomy enough to not inhibit blood circulation in my thick fingers and just the right length. The fit helps create good dexterity for such a warm and beefy glove, enabling me to easily manipulate helmet and boot buckles and food packaging.
An adjustable gauntlet extends well past the wrist to fit over a jacket sleeve and cinches tight and loosens with a one-hand drawcord. Pittards Armortan goat leather provides excellent grip in the palm and abrasion resistance on the backs of the fingers and knuckles, pairing effectively with a stretch Matrix nylon shell fabric through the back of the hand and gauntlet. The Khroma Freeride also come with all the features you should expect from high-performance gloves, including a removable wrist leash with a wide band for security and durability, pre-curved fingers for comfort gripping poles, and nose-wipe pads on both thumbs.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase the Rab Khroma Freeride GTX Gloves at backcountry.com or rei.com.
Mountain Hardwear Boundary Ridge Gore-Tex Glove
$190, 10.5 oz. (unisex medium)
Sizes: unisex XS-XL
backcountry.com
Pros: Warm, waterproof-breathable, fully featured, very durable, superior construction.
Cons: Too warm for relatively mild temps or spring skiing, no removable inner glove.
Best For: Resort and backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, winter hiking and backpacking in deep cold.
As often happens to me, the best days of backcountry or resort skiing typically correspond with cold temperatures and conditions that make my hands cold. But these gloves kept my hands warm and dry in overcast, snowy weather in the backcountry when the temps plunged low enough that I sometimes had to wear these gloves even skinning uphill (when I’d often wear lighter gloves).
Thanks to PrimaLoft Gold insulation fused with a NASA-developed aerogel technology that blocks heat transfer—keeping your hand warmth on the inside—plus a fleece lining, the Boundary Ridge gloves warmed my hands quickly when I pulled them on after my digits had gotten chilled when the air temp dropped while I wore lighter gloves for skinning uphill. The waterproof-breathable Gore-Tex membrane means hands stay dry through the even wettest conditions, even with your hands in the snow a lot.
Pittards leather on the palm, fingers, and back of the hand—basically, the entire hand except for the soft nose wipe on each thumb—ensures great durability through many days of hard use. Foam padding protects the knuckles. I found the touchscreen compatibility didn’t really work for me in the forefinger but worked well in the thumb: I could actually tap out texts, although very slowly with gloves this big.
The adjustable gauntlet extends well past the wrist to fit over a jacket sleeve and cinches tight and loosens with a one-hand drawcord; it also features a leash with an elastic forearm band, a bit more comfortable and secure than a simple cord, and a big grab loop for using a gloved hand to pull on the other glove. A carabiner loop on the ring finger enables hanging them fingers-up from a pack, so falling snow doesn’t get inside. I normally fit many men’s medium gloves and the unisex sizing medium Boundary Ridge gloves fit me a bit tightly in the pre-curved fingers, which may inhibit circulation for people with bigger hands; but sizing up doesn’t work unless you also have long fingers.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase the Mountain Hardwear Boundary Ridge Gore-Tex Glove at backcountry.com, moosejaw.com, or mountainhardwear.com.
Hello-this is all super informative, and almost overwhelming! I have circulation issues, and the fingertips are suffering. I am in the wind and cold but not generally wet; eastern Idaho. I have to stand out in the cold for 25 minutes every morning, and will be doing some snowshoeing/crosscountry skiing in near-zero temps. What is the most versatile and warmest solution? I have small hands, and don’t need to use my phone (that feature won’t make or break my decision).
Hi Dalynn,
First of all, you should consider getting some chemical hand warmers when you’re standing around in the cold for long periods because your body just isn’t producing as much heat as when you’re moving and active.
For snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, those sports can be very different from one another and you are likely to do them in temps warmer than near 0 F, too. I would want gloves at least as warm as the Outdoor Research Extravert, understanding that you might also want hand warmers on the coldest days. Consider gloves that are even warmer, like the Black Diamond Legend. The over-the-cuff gloves are probably more than you need, although the OR Arete II Gore-Tex have the removable insert to enable you to adjust to different temperatures.
If you don’t really need a lot of dexterity for your winter sports, consider getting mittens, which are much warmer than gloves.
I hope that helps.
Thank you! I have experimented with mittens-they are cumbersome but definitely warmer. I am going to order an over-the-cuff simply because it’s easier for me to manipulate the glove; will read those reviews again and move forward. Thank you (Oh and yes, I have a bulk box of hand warmers now!). Thanks!
You’re welcome, Dalynn. Good luck.
Hi Michael, I’m hoping you can give me a good recommendation for a warm glove with good dexterity for no to little activity. I’m headed to Norway over Christmas to photograph the Northern Lights. So I’ll be out in the extreme cold, during the over night hours. So I need a glove warm enough to keep my hands from going numb, but also with enough dexterity to operate my camera. Do you know of any gloves that would be good for this upcoming trip?
Hi Sean,
Thanks for that good question because it illustrates the needs of a lot of people who like to get outdoors but are doing something, like you, in deep cold without exerting in a way that creates body heat. I think I have some good suggestions for you.
For starters, make sure your body core is warm enough with the right layers and a warm down or synthetic puffy jacket. (See my picks for “The 12 Best Down Jackets.”) Without that core warmth, your hands and feet will get cold first and stay cold. Sometimes people wear enough warm layers on top but not on their legs, so make sure you wear bottom layers that provide insulation and block wind, like the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Pant with thick long underwear underneath them. (That’s an affiliate link.)
Plus, your feet will be on frozen ground for a long time; wear very warm, insulated boots and thick socks. See my “12 Pro Tips for Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter.”
For your hands, you need the dexterity of lighter gloves, which when photographing at night in Norway in December cannot possibly keep your hands warm enough. I think the glove with the best dexterity that’s still reasonably warm for working a camera (which will get very cold, too) is the Outdoor Research Vigor Heavyweight Sensor Gloves; other gloves that light aren’t nearly as warm and heavier gloves won’t give you the dexterity you want.
But have a pair of warm mittens to pull on over those gloves for when you’re just standing around, like the Black Diamond Recon Mitts or Gordini Polar Mitt. (See my picks for “The Best Mittens for Winter.”) You might need to size up on the mittens to pull them over the gloves; otherwise, you could switch between mittens and gloves and keep the pair you’re not wearing tucked inside a jacket pocket close to your body’s core heat, to keep them warm. In fact, you might only need the glove on your dominant hand for manipulating camera controls and keep a mitten on your other hand.
Lastly, of course, if you’re standing around most of the time not using your hands and just relied on the Outdoor Research Vigor Heavyweight Sensor Gloves, you can stuff your hands inside warm pockets on your down jacket when you need to warm them. But I think for all the time you’ll spend outside in the cold, with your hands holding a cold camera, combining the gloves and mittens in whichever manner I suggest above works best for you is the way to go.
Good luck and have a great adventure!
Hi Michael,
Thanks for the recommendation about getting the Outdoor Research Vigor Heavyweight Sensor Gloves. They ended up being the only gloves I needed the whole trip. They were warm enough that I didn’t need to use anything else, and still had enough dexterity to operate just about anything I held in my hands, i.e. phone, camera, remote shutter release, etc.
Sean
Excellent, Sean, I’m glad to hear that. Thanks for reporting back on how the gloves performed for you. Enjoy!
Great synopsis… thank you. Question: I live in NH near the ocean and walk the dog. Is the Marmot glove the best for giving me warmth and dexterity? To handle the leash and pick up poop. My fingers get super cold and we have wind chills around -10 a lot. Thank you look forward to hearing from you
Hi Margo,
I’ve spent much time in N.H. and all over New England. I don’t think the Marmot is warm enough for those really cold days. The OR Extravert is warmer and the minimum I’d suggest for you. If you want very warm with adequate dexterity for picking up somewhat small items, go for the Black Diamond Legend Gloves.
Good luck and thanks for the question.
Hi Michael,
I came across this review while looking into Baist and their trigger glove. Do you know anything about their gloves and this one in particular?
Btw, I appreciate how thorough you are with your reviews!
Best wishes,
Danny
Thanks, Danny. And I’m sorry but I’m not familiar with Baist.
Hi Michael,
Thanks for doing all this research, it’s very helpful. Maybe you could help me zero in the right glove for me and my activity. I recently moved from So Calif. to Middle Tennessee. I volunteer at the local county animal shelter to walk dogs at 6:30 am each morning for 2+/- hours. As of late, the temps have been -2. But before this cold snap, it appears 16-20 will be my challenge. Pretty cold for me and the wind blowing is raw. I need dexterity for the leashes and harnesses and my fingertips get really cold with tipless gloves under a heavy bulky glove. Maybe I’m asking too much of a glove. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Hi Nancy,
Sounds like you need warm gloves for cold temps and a relatively low exertion level, walking. Look at some of the warmest gloves in this review that aren’t too bulky, such as the Black Diamond Legend Gloves or The North Face Steep Patrol Futurelight Gloves (or a similar TNF model).
Good luck.
Hi Michael,
Glad I found your page and thanks for doing all the testing legwork for us!
Looking for some new gloves to buy for my dad on his new adventures. He recently went to Mount Kilamanjaro and said his current gloves weren’t great for the temperature hitting -19 Celsius.
Really appreciate your recommendations for some gloves that are super warm but also won’t have a problem gripping his walking poles.
Thanks in advance!
You’re welcome, Janice, and thanks for the comment. You should take a good look at the Black Diamond Legend Gloves. Good luck.
Usually, a temperature below 40°F (around 4°C) should make many of us put on a pair of gloves, especially if our region has warm weather all year round.
Agreed, Stephen.
Very informative blog post, thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Stephen.
In depth review, very grateful for the extensive and great information shared!
Thanks, Sonia, I’m glad this was helpful for you.
Thank you, Michael, for this very informative article! In your opinion, what would you say are the top two warmest waterproof gloves in the world? Gloves, not mittens, and not battery-powered.
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for the nice compliment on my gloves review. I don’t think I can definitively identify the warmest gloves in the world, but in this review, the warmest, most waterproof gloves are the Black Diamond Recon and the Rab Khroma Freeride GTX. But keep in mind they’re made for below-freezing temps, so while they’re not truly “waterproof” because they’re not fully taped at all seams, in sub-freezing temps, you won’t encounter liquid water, anyway.
Good luck.
Thanks Michael for comprehensive guide. I am planning for a bike tour on upcoming weekend from Texas to Oklahoma and according to weather forecast, there will be a snowfall in Tulsa. Do you think Outdoor Research Extra Vert Gloves will be good? Please give me your recommendation asap. I will be very thankful to you
Thanks, Alexandra, good question. I do plenty of cycling so I believe you want gloves that will be adequately warm and block wind and wet precipitation like snow as well as feel comfortable on your hands for hours of gripping the handlebars. OR’s Extravert do all that and their long gauntlet provides added coverage to protect from precip and trap warmth. I don’t know what temperatures you will likely encounter, whether just below or well below freezing or above freezing at times, or how easily your hands get cold. But as long as you’re not riding in severe cold, I think the Extravert would serve you well. Good luck.
Thanks for your quick response, Michael. I will order them from backcountry tomorrow
You’re welcome, Alexandra, and enjoy your bike tour.
Terramar gloves are very thin, soft and fit my large hand. I could never find a liner that fit in any of my gloves until I tried these. My fingers are so exposed (and frozen). With these I can get a lot more “open” time. The only downside I noticed is that they don’t like coming into contact with the velcro that holds my glove in the open position. I have recommended these to others.
Thanks for that recommendation, Stephen.
Thanks so much for sharing! I have no complaint about your article. I love it!
Thanks, Stephen.
Well done on a very thorough review, but the fact that no Hestra glove was mentioned or reviewed here lowers it’s credibility. But, to each their own. Cheers.
Thanks, Michael, and I am looking at Hestra models for possible coverage in this review. Stay tuned.
The Hestra Falt Guide is their best glove IMO. Love them.
Thanks, Eric.
As someone with hands that are frightening to inadvertently have touch any other part of me, the search for gloves to cope with my love of hiking in remote places whilst handling my Dobermanns has seemed endless. Your article is brilliant because you get how debilitating truly freezing hands can be, especially when trying to get your gear/waist harness off! So much great information. Thank you.
Thanks Di, I’m glad this helps you and you have my complete empathy.
Hello,
My Son in law is stationed in Alaska. I would like to buy gloves for him, my daughter and granddaughter. It is -17 degrees there this week. I have no clue what kind of gloves to order, can you point me in the right direction ?
Thank you
Hi Danna,
Thanks for that question. It’s hard to recommend specific gloves without knowing more about what they all need gloves for and I’m not sure whether temps around -17 (F or C?) are common where they live. The gloves or mittens I’d recommend for -17 F are not in this review because most people don’t need handwear for such extreme temps—and they’d be very expensive.
Of the gloves reviewed above, the Black Diamond Legend and Recon are the warmest. Mittens are, ounce for ounce, generally warmer than gloves, so you should also look at my review of “The Best Mittens for Winter.”
Good luck.
Greetings,
I have been looking for winter gloves for extreme cold weather for 2 days. Of all the websites I have seen, you have the Best Review of each product. Please give me your recommendation. I am more than happy to buy them through your website.
I am 70, but in great shape.
I Need them for riding my Harley all winter. Sunday with the wind chill factor it was in the teens (F) . It will get colder.
Windproof is more important than waterproof.
Thank you,
Mike Rosati
Hi Mike,
Thanks for that question. For the best warmth, I think there are two good choices above: the Black Diamond Legend Gloves and the Black Diamond Recon Gloves. They’re comparably very warm, though the Legend may have a slight edge for fingers and hands. The Recon has the extended gauntlet, making them a bit bulkier but also providing warmth beyond your wrists, which keeps the blood flowing to your hands warmer, which is important to keeping fingers warm.
I hope that helps. Good luck.
Mike,
WOW, thank you for the swift response! I am going to take your suggestion and try the Black Diamond Legend gloves. My fingers always get cold. I really appreciate your quick and informative response. I will let some of my friends who ride know about your website.
All the best to you,
Mike Rosati
You’re welcome, Mike, and thanks for sharing my blog with others. Good luck.
Gloves for Renauds Disease
Hi Jean,
I have Raynaud’s Syndrome and it’s very unpleasant, so I empathize with you. The best answer is to choose gloves warmer than most other people would wear in the same temperatures—which means it depends on what temps you’ll wear the gloves in.
I also offer tips on keeping fingers and toes—which are most susceptible to Raynaud’s—warm in my “12 Pro Tips for Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter;” see tips 7 and 9.
I hope that helps you.
OutdoorEssentials gloves are very light weight and would work best in >45 degree winter climate. I use them under my short-finger biking gloves and remove them as it warms up. Great price for gloves that work well for touch screen uses and fit nicely inside my other winter gloves for added warmth.
Thanks for that suggestion, Stephen.
Thanks so much for sharing! I really like your post because it showed the information about all the best products. This is useful and helps me easier to choose a suitable one for me.
Hi there! Very glad to find your webpage with a lot of useful tips. I am not a mountaineering person, but an avid cyclist 365 days a year. Suffering from the same problem as you (cold fingers) and needing total waterproofness ( under the cuffs glove) I’ve found Black Diamonds to suit best for my needs. Are there any similar quality gloves that can compete them ( price is not important)? Some that I consider are made byNorrona and Canada Goose. Your advise would be highly appreciated.
Regards
Petar
Hi Petar,
Good question. I’ve struggled with keeping fingers warm when cycling in cold temps, too. Because my fingers get cold so easily, I tend to wear gloves that are warm, definitely windproof for cycling, at least water-resistant if not waterproof, and have adequate dexterity. Among the gloves in this review that I’d recommend are the Outdoor Research Extravert Gloves, The North Face Steep Patrol Futurelight Gloves, and the Black Diamond Legend Gloves.
You might also consider mittens for deep cold. See my review of “The Best Mittens for Winter.”
I hope that’s helpful. Thanks for the question and keep in touch.
Helpful post and good suggestions for gloves to protect hands in winter. I appreciate your hard work!!
Thank you for the comprehensive and detailed reviews. My primary goal is for a warm/waterproof glove that I can wear on the coldest days when walking my dog or hiking on my own for up to 60-80 minutes in temps between 0-20 degrees F (I am in good shape glove-wise for warmer temps). As a glove expert, what do you think?
Hi Bill,
For temps that cold, you don’t technically need a waterproof glove because you won’t encounter water in liquid form; water-resistant is adequate. But the top model I’d recommend for warmth is the Black Diamond Legend Gloves. The more affordable and best value, though not quite as warm, is the Gordini GTX Storm Trooper II.
I hope that helps.
Michael,
Thanks for the great article. My need is similar to Bill’s – dog walks in the teens and single digits. I’ll likely use your link to buy the BD Legends. Much appreciated.
Super, thanks Jeffrey.
Great information about winter gloves, many times you need good flexibility also. Your post about gloves will help anyone make a good choice, thanks.
Thanks, Abel.
I was searching trekking gloves advice on the internet and arrived here, Black Diamond HeavyWeight Wooltech Gloves look great value trekking around alpine terrain in the Himalayas.
I think that’s a good glove for trekking in the Himalaya. I’ve been on the Annapurna Circuit, and I’ve been using those gloves a lot hiking and trail running on my local trails in cool temps, they’re pretty warm for their low weight and bulk. Good luck.
Hi,
Thank you for your suggestions. I decided to purchase the Black Diamond women’s gloves. When I clicked on the link to be directed to moosejaw, I noticed the gloves they advertise do not look the same as the gloves in the picture on your webiste.
Are they the same? thank you
Thanks for the question. Your comment doesn’t mention which Black Diamond gloves you wanted to purchase, but I have three BD gloves reviewed in this article: the Mont Blanc and HeavyWeight Wooltech Gloves are available in unisex sizes and the BD Legend Glove comes in men’s and women’s sizes. All of the affiliate links, including the Moosejaw links, open to the correct gloves for sale at those retail websites. Sometimes the photos may look slightly different, but my reviews all link to the same gloves for sale at those sites. I appreciate you asking and wanting to purchase through my affiliate links.
Nice gloves review! Thanks a lot for sharing!
You bet, thanks Gata.
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Hey Michael, great review for outdoor activities. What I really need is a review of winter gloves for photographers. Any chance you could look into that?
Keep up the great reviews.
John
Hi John, thanks, and good suggestion. As someone who gets cold fingers easily, I find it challenging to shoot in cold temps, for sure, obviously in part because the camera itself gets very cold. But I would answer by saying that I still think a high priority when choosing gloves for winter photography is the temps you expect to encounter, the length of time you’ll be fully outside (i.e., not warming up in the car periodically), and the activity you will engage in to get your photos (skiing, hiking, etc.). Choose gloves for the circumstances, and then with an eye to the best dexterity you can find for the level of warmth you need.
Of the models reviewed above, for photography, I would recommend the Outdoor Research Luminary Sensor Gloves, Black Diamond Legend Gloves, Seirus Soundtouch Xtreme All Weather Gloves, and Outdoor Research PL 400 Sensor Gloves—again, dependent on how much warmth you need, along with dexterity.
Good luck. Nice to hear from you. Keep in touch.
Mike, I just came upon your site, and am thrilled I did. Your tips and reviews are fantastic. Taking care of a farm in Michigan winters, x-country skiing, and walking dogs for miles each day makes for a cold winter without the right gear. It’s a battle to find outerwear that not only lasts more than a few months, but performs and keeps me warm. Your in-depth reviews are just what I needed.
A heartfelt thank you from me!
Phyllis
Thanks, Phyllis, I appreciate that. I hope you share in this comments section any recommendations you have for favorite gloves or outerwear that work for you in your winters. Stay warm.
Hi, Michael,
Thank you very much for your review. I am wondering if you have any suggestions as to the best women’s glove for outdoor photography in extremely cold weather. I am looking for the warmest glove that will allow me the dexterity to operate a camera. My hands are FREEZING. and hurt even after I go back inside. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Deborah
Hi Deborah, I’ve struggled with the same problem, because I’m frequently shooting in very cold temps. The simple truth is that thicker gloves are warmer and offer less dexterity. That said, and without knowing how warm a glove you need, I suggest you look at a few options.
First, two of the under-the-cuff models come to mind. The OR PL 400 Sensor Glove gives the most warmth relative to its excellent dexterity; the question for you is whether they’re warm enough. Much warmer, though less dexterous, but possibly allowing you to manipulate camera controls, is the Black Diamond Legend Glove.
Alternatively, you might try the OR Luminary Sensor Glove, because it would allow you to remove the shell and wear just the liner for maximum dexterity, and pull the shell on again when you need warmth while shooting. Ideally, you would try on each model with your camera to assess dexterity. And lastly, I would also consider getting the OR PL 400 Sensor Glove and some warm mittens to layer over them when needed, employing the same strategy as I suggested with the Luminary gloves.
I think those are your best options, and only you can figure out which is best for your specific needs.
You’ve probably tried using chemical hand warmers, inserting them into your gloves and/or jacket pockets to warm your hands when needed. My other trick is to bring two pairs of gloves: I keep one pair in the pockets of the jacket closest to my torso (ideally inside pockets), where my body heat keeps them warm. When my hands get cold in the gloves I’m wearing, I swap pairs. It’s one of my tips in my “12 Pro Tips For Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter” (https://thebigoutside.com/12-pro-tips-for-staying-warm-outdoors-in-winter/).
Good luck. Let us know if you find some gloves that work really well for you. Thanks for the good question.
I like to wear mittens, rather than gloves, when it’s really cold. I hope you will review mittens one day. Thanks! I love your site.
Thanks for the suggestion, Jan, you’re not the first to ask me to review mittens. Stayed tuned for the next update of this review, I’m testing some mittens now.
Hi Mike,
Joe and I are heading to Banff in March for some backcountry skiing. I find I wear a light glove while climbing. At the top I throw the sweaty gloves in my pack and switch to the warmest system I own for the descent. I’ve got old, cold fingers, too.
I’m ready to buy the warmest system I can find. Is there general consensus that an insulated glove under a waterproof mitten-style shell works best for warmth? Should I give that OR Baker a try? I’m willing to sacrifice dexterity for warmth for the downhill.
Sue
Hi Sue, I’m envious of your plans, especially given how bad this winter has been for skiing.
I regularly wear the OR Luminary Sensor Gloves for backcountry skiing, taking off the shells and wearing only the inner gloves for the uphill. They keep my cold fingers pretty warm.
But I’ll also tip you off that I’ve been using OR’s Phosphor Mitts this winter–they’re super warm (very little dexterity), actually too warm for me when skiing downhill in the 20s F. And I can layer a light liner under them for when it’s really cold; the OR PL 400 Sensor Gloves feel a little snug but work inside those mittens, so most lighter liners would layer inside them just fine. I plan to add the Phosphor Mittens to this review once I’ve tested them a little more. But I see that backcountry.com has a really good sale price on them right now (see http://bit.ly/2nU8Dhv).
I also stick my damp liners or any spare gloves in zippered pockets in my middle/insulation jacket layer, to keep them warm and help them dry out for when I put them back on.
Hope that helps. Have a great trip.
Hi Mike! I got my new OR Phosphors today. Can’t wait to test drive them this weekend! Thanks for the help.
Sue
Good choice, Sue. Let me know what you think of the OR Phosphors.
Doing any kind of work outdoors in the winter require good warm gloves. Many times you need good flexablity also. Your review on gloves will help anyone make a good choice. Great info, thanks.
Mike – Fantastic and thorough article on gloves for Raynaud’s. It is a debilitating disorder if you don’t know the resources available to continue a full outdoor life. Well-written. THANK YOU!
Thanks, Miste. Of course, these gloves are not just for people with Raynaud’s. You’ll also find tips and strategies for dealing with cold fingers and staying warm in general in my “12 Pro Tips For Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter” at https://thebigoutside.com/12-pro-tips-for-staying-warm-outdoors-in-winter/.
Have fun and keep in touch.
Mike, you did an awesome job. Really enjoyed reading all of your reviews. Please keep up the good work. And wish you good health so you keep getting out there. Just reading thru your reviews brought back vivid memories of Yellowstone, Montana, Idaho and Canada. I enjoy hiking, horseback riding and backcountry skiing. I’m somewhat disabled now but still enjoying hiking. I own a Scottish highlander beef farm. Love winter months—so quiet, no bugs, and just downright beautiful. Thanks for helping me decide what’s the right glove. God bless man!
Thanks for those nice words, Michele. I share your love for winter and hope to be out backcountry skiing soon myself. Good health and life to you as well.
Nice glove review. As a cold hands person, I have found that ragg wool gloves, with thinsulate and fleece liner, are the warmest option for dry, cold days (or light snow) in the single digits and teens (or anything below 25 degrees). Make sure the fit is not tight. I use them for running, hiking, snowshoeing.
Thanks, Kim. Do you have any favorites?
Fox River, Woolrich, and Millet. I have all three (you can probably tell, I have very cold hands). Fox River used to make a sherpa-lined ragg wool glove. I still have an old pair, and they are excellent even to below zero. But they discontinued that model. All three mentioned brands have a ragg wool w/fleece lining glove and mitten models.
Thanks, Kim. I’m going to check them out. I like getting good suggestions from readers. Much appreciated.