Best Hiking Gloves for Winter Wanders

Reliable paw protection is a must on any winter hike. Find the kind of protection you need for adventures of all shapes and sizes in this guide.

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Written by: | Reviewed by: Brian Conghalie
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On cold-weather hikes, what you wear on your hands can make the difference between an enjoyable day out and a miserable one.

But how do you choose the most suitable winter gloves for your particular hiking needs?

In this article, we offer detailed buying advice that will help you decide which type of glove will work best for you. We’ve also put together a list of 9 awesome pairs of gloves and mitts that are the best on the market for cold-weather adventures. 

Whether you’re a hiker or a mountaineer, a novice or a veteran, or somewhere in between, there is a glove on our list sure to be the perfect fit for your activity type and personal requirements.

Editor’s Choice

Black Diamond Mercury Mitts

Black Diamond Mercury Mitts Cold Weather Mittens, Black, Medium

In choosing the winner of our best hiking gloves for this year, we sought a glove that ticked all of the most important boxes – durability, weather protection, and above all, warmth. The Black Diamond Mercury Mitt (click here for womens version) is that kinda glove.

The Mercury Mitts are designed for extra-cold environments. Made with a waterproof nylon/leather shell and beefy PrimaLoft Gold insulation they keep your hands warm in even the most frigid conditions. The Kevlar-reinforced leather palm and backing on this mitt also make it among one of the most durable gloves on our list.

Because this is a mitt, it isn’t the most dexterous of options out there. However, it has a removable, split-finger inner liner glove that allows you to whip the outer mitt off when you need to take care of more intricate tasks. 

Bottom Line: If you need a winter glove that’s guaranteed to keep your hands warm in all but Arctic conditions, this one gets the thumbs up.

At a Glance: Our Top Winter Hiking Gloves Recommendations

  • Editor’s Choice:  Black Diamond Mercury Mitts
    “This beast of a glove is good to go just about anywhere you might wish to take it (short of the summit of K2 or the cooler portions of the Arctic!).”
  • Best Lobster/Runner Up:  Black Diamond Soloist
    “This mitt-glove hybrid is ideal for hikers who want the warmth of a mitt without forfeiting all dexterity.”
  • Best Mitt:  Outdoor Research Alti Mitts
    “An extra-warm mitt that lacks dexterity but is ideal for below-freezing temps or slower-paced winter hiking.”
  • Best Wool:  REI Co-op Merino Wool
    “These offer all the benefits of merino wool and a few bonus features to boot.”
  • Best Five-Finger Glove:  Black Diamond Guide
    “A superbly warm and extra-tough full-finger hiking glove ideal for those who need maximum warmth without compromising on dexterity.”
  • Best Budget:  Columbia Wind Bloc
    “A simple but effective windproof glove that’s ideally suited to three-season and warmer winter conditions.”
  • Best Softshell:  Rab Power Stretch Contact Grip
    “A performance-oriented, lightweight pair of gloves that offer a little more warmth and grip than your average liner.”
  • Best Liner:  Rab Flux Liner
    “A frill-free but functional liner that’s just a little more durable than similarly priced competitors.”
  • Best Value:  The North Face Gordon Etip
    “A well-designed and nicely priced option with a few more dialed-in features than your average fleece glove.”

Best Hand Protection for Outdoor Adventures in Colder Months

Black Diamond Mercury Mitts Cold Weather Mittens, Black, Medium

Black Diamond Mercury Mitts

Editor’s Choice

Plan on hiking in exceedingly cold conditions? If so, the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt (click here for womens version) is precisely the kind of protection you need for your paws.

These mitts are designed with alpinists in mind, using 340 grams of PrimaLoft Gold insulation in combination with a waterproof nylon/leather shell to provide awesome all-weather protection. 

This may make them overkill for three-season hiking or outings on warmer winter days, granted. But if you’re the kind of hiker who’d rather risk being a little too warm instead of a little (or a lot) too cold, the Mercury are a great choice.

Like all mitts, the Mercury aren’t going to win any prizes for dexterity. Makers Black Diamond, however, threw in a detachable liner that goes a long way towards mitigating that problem. Whenever you need to undo zippers, tie knots, or upload that all-important Instagram story, you can simply whip off the outer gloves and do so wearing the liner. 

The Mercurys’ Kevlar-reinforced leather palm, fingers, and backing also make them tough as nails. So, you won’t have to worry about wear and tear caused by trekking poles, ski poles, or your ice ax. 

Specs

  • Type: Mitt
  • Insulation: PrimaLoft Gold
  • Shell: Nylon/Leather
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • PROs

    • Waterproof
    • Extremely durable
    • Split-finger detachable liner
    • Toasty warm
    • Finger-tip carabiner loop
  • CONs

    • Too warm for three-season hiking
    • Lack dexterity

Bottom-Line: An extremely well-made and toasty warm glove that you can rely on when conditions are wild and temps are exceptionally low.

Black Diamond Soloist Finger Cold Weather Gloves

Black Diamond Soloist

Best Lobster/Runner Up

Looking for a glove that provides the warmth of a mitt but with a little more dexterity? If so, the Black Diamond Soloist Finger Glove is well worth a place on your shortlist.

The Soloist is, in short, a slightly more agile version of the winner of our review, the Mercury Mitt. It’s made with the same Primaloft Gold Insulation, has the same toasty-warm fleece liner, and a similar nylon/leather shell. The only significant difference is that the Soloist uses a split-finger design that provides a little more dexterity by isolating the index finger. 

So how to decide between the two? The answer lies in the anticipated end-use.

Both the Mercury and Soloist are rated at -20 to 10˚F, however, we found that keeping our fingers together kept our digits just a fraction warmer in the Mercury Mitts. This makes them our top pick for activities where warmth is more of a priority than precision. 

The Soloist’s added dexterity, on the other hand, makes them a better option for any pursuit in which having a freely-moving finger is useful, such as outdoor photography or mountaineering.

Need more dexterity still? A full-finger version of the Soloist is also available. 

Specs

  • Type: Split-finger/Lobster
  • Insulation: PrimaLoft Gold
  • Shell: Nylon/Leather
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • PROs

    • Waterproof
    • Warm
    • Relatively dexterous thanks to isolated index finger
    • Durable
    • Great value for money
  • CONs

    • Overkill for some
    • Not as dexterous as a full-finger glove

Bottom-Line: Tough, superbly warm, and waterproof hiking gloves that excel in frigid conditions but have added dexterity due to their spilt-fingered design.

Outdoor Research Men's Alti Mitts, Black, Medium

Outdoor Research Alti Mitts

Best Mitt

Built for high-altitude and Arctic expeditions in freezing conditions, the Outdoor Research Alti Mitts (click here for womens version) are a no-nonsense kinda mitt that truly means business.

Made with a combo of PrimaLoft insulation, high-loft fleece, a Gore-Tex Membrane, and a burly nylon-leather shell, the Alti are essentially winterized, weatherproof, abuse-resistant sleeping bags for your hands. 

What we love most about the Alti, however, is that despite their stellar defense against inclement weather, they remain super-breathable. This reduces the risk of getting cold hands if your sweat soaks into the insulation, which is often the case with such well-insulated gloves.

The downsides? 

Well, the elephant in the room with these mitts is that they cost around the same price as a mid-range down jacket, and aren’t as rugged as models like the BD Guide, which offer better value for money. They also aren’t the most minimalist gloves you’ll ever come across, so you’ll have to consider how much dexterity you need before making them your go-to winter hand warmers.

Nevertheless, they’re still among the best gloves out there for extremely cold weather.

Specs

  • Type: Mitts
  • Insulation: PrimaLoft Gold
  • Shell: Nylon/Leather
  • Waterproof: Yes
  • PROs

    • Waterproof mitten shell
    • Excellent in extreme cold weather
    • Removable liner gloves
    • Durable leather palms
    • Nose wipe thumb
    • Polyester fleece lining
  • CONs

    • Bulky
    • Pricey

Bottom-Line: The ideal winter gloves for hikers prone to cold digits or those headed to locations where a little extra warmth will be greatly appreciated.

REI Co-op Merino Wool Liner Gloves 2.0

REI Co-op Merino Glove

Best Wool

Need an upgrade on your regular polyester liner? Look no further than the REI Co-Op Merino Glove. 

These gloves offer all the regular benefits of merino; lightweight, high-wicking, breathable, odor-resistant, and feels great against the skin too. It’s also more durable than your average synthetic liner and is a thermoregulating fabric, which means it adjusts to the temperature of your body. 

These liners are fairly pricey but have a few add-ons that are well worth having. These include an elasticated wrist, a carabiner hand loop, chafe-free seams, and touchscreen compatibility. 

Specs

  • Type: Liner
  • Insulation: N/A
  • Shell: Merino/polyester
  • Waterproof: No
  • PROs

    • Breathable and moisture-wicking
    • Naturally odor resistant
    • Stay warm even when wet
    • Relatively durable
    • Elasticated wrist for a snug fit
    • Touchscreen compatible
  • CONs

    • Short on warmth for the price

Bottom-Line: These are high-wicking, super-soft, and breathable gloves that pack a few more add-ons than your average liner.

BLACK DIAMOND Equipment Guide Gloves - Natural - Small

Black Diamond Guide

Best Five-Finger Gloves

It’s rare for one of our ‘best-of’ lists to feature three products from the same brand, but in this case, we had to make an exception to squeeze in another outstanding offering from Black Diamond (click here for womens version).

The Guide have been around for a few years now and in that time have earned legions of fans in the worlds of skiing, mountaineering, and hiking. While not quite as warm as the Mercury or Soloist, they’re every bit as tough and plenty warm for the needs of most winter hikers. 

The Guide excel in wet conditions thanks to their use of a Gore-Tex insert. They also offer a lot more dexterity than the Mercury and Soloist and have a leather-reinforced rear for added resistance to wear and tear.

What we love most about the Guide is their versatility. Their stellar weather protection, warmth, ruggedness, agility, and stylish appearance makes them suitable for hiking, ice-climbing, skiing, mountaineering, and even cold days around town.

The only real downside to the Guide is that the leather can be a little stiff and takes time to wear in. After that, you’ll have a pair of toasty-warm, extra-tough, and incredibly comfortable hiking gloves that are built to last a lifetime, maybe even two.

  • PROs

    • Waterproof
    • Warm
    • More dexterous than mitts
    • Durable 
    • Gauntlet cuffs
  • CONs

    • Less dexterity than other five-finger models

Bottom-Line: An extra-warm, waterproof, hard-wearing glove that provides all the insulation of a beefy mitt but with a lot more dexterity.

Columbia Men's Wind Bloc Glove, Black, Medium

Columbia Wind Bloc

Best Budget

Looking for the best bang for your buck? If so, the versatile and surprisingly warm Columbia Wind Bloc fleece gloves (click here for womens version) are well worth considering. 

The Wind Bloc are made with super-soft, cozy, polyester fleece backed with an Omni-Heat reflective lining. This lining is specially designed to block wind and retain body heat whilst also allowing your sweat to escape, which makes them ideal for high-output winter activities or three-season hiking and one of the best gloves for backpacking out there.

The suede palm grip on the Wind Bloc also makes them more durable than most gloves in their price range, while the touch-screen-compatible fingertips let you operate your GPS or smartphone without having to remove the glove.

The Wind Bloc aren’t waterproof and, of course, don’t provide nearly as much warmth as insulated gloves like the BD Guide or Soloist. However, this is only to be expected of a glove in this price range. 

Specs

  • Type: Windproof Glove
  • Insulation: OmniHeat reflective lining
  • Shell: Fleece/Suede
  • Waterproof: No
  • PROs

    • Affordable
    • Warm for such a lightweight glove
    • Wind-resistant
    • Anti-slip palm print provides good grip
  • CONs

    • Not waterproof or water-resistant
    • Not warm enough for extremely cold conditions

Bottom-Line: One of the best lightweight winter gloves and best backpacking gloves out there.

RAB Men's Power Stretch Contact Grip Touchscreen Gloves for Hiking and Skiing - Black - Medium

Rab Power Stretch Contact Grip

Best Softshell

For high-intensity winter activities or hikers who plan on using their smartphone while on the move, there are few options out there as suitable as the Rab Power Stretch Contact Grip.

The elaborate name of these gloves is equaled by its elaborate design, packing a handful of non-standard add-ons that make it a standout compared to other peers in its price range. 

The Contact Grip is made with a polyester, nylon, and elastane blend that hits the sweet spot in the durability, comfort, breathability, and dexterity stakes. And while not suitable for hikes in freezing temps, their warmth-to-weight ratio is impressive.

Other gloves in our review, such as the Columbia Wind Bloc and TNH Gordon Etip, also have touch screen compatibility. However, the CG’s low-bulk design, grippy silicon palm, four-way stretch, and smartphone-friendly index fingers make them a better option for buyers seeking something more performance-oriented than your average lightweight glove.

Specs

  • Type: Liner/Lightweight Outer
  • Insulation: N/A
  • Shell: Polartec Power Stretch Pro (53% polyester, 38% nylon, 9% elastane)
  • Waterproof: No
  • PROs

    • Four-way stretch
    • Touch screen compatible
    • Grippy palm
    • Highly breathable
    • Thick enough to provide sun protection
  • CONs

    • Not warm enough for sub-zero conditions

Bottom-Line: Sleek, well-designed, lightweight hiking gloves that are just a little more performance-oriented than others in their price range.

Rab Flux Liner Glove

Rab Flux Liner Gloves

Best Liner

Glove liners can be hit or miss. Some fall apart after a few outings on the trails. Some have fingers long enough to stash candles in. Others add about as much insulation as your average spider web. I’ve been using the Rab Flux Liner Gloves for a few years now, and can gladly report that none of the above apply. 

The Flux Liner is a lightweight, stretchy fleece glove that’s ideal for use as both a liner under an insulated, waterproof shell or for standalone use in warmer weather. It also has enough “give” to allow the hand to move freely and uses a polygiene treatment for odor control. 

Specs

  • Type: Liner
  • Insulation: N/A
  • Shell: Polyester
  • Waterproof: No
  • PROs

    • Ultralight
    • Versatile
    • Stretchy fabric
    • Snug fit
  • CONs

    • Kinda pricey for a liner

Bottom-Line: Simple, frill-free glove liners that are a little more durable and comfortable than the best of the rest.

THE NORTH FACE Men's Gordon Etip Glove, TNF Black Heather 1, Medium

The North Face Gordon Etip

Best Value

Looking for an affordable pair of gloves that are warm enough for standalone use in all but the most frigid winter conditions? If so, The North Face Gordon Etip are worth penciling in on your shortlist. 

The Etip boast all the attributes you’d expect of fleece gloves. They’re cozy, moisture-wicking, and highly dexterous. But they also have a few endearing add-ons that are sure to be appreciated by certain users, namely reinforced knuckles and leather palms for added durability, touchscreen-compatible thumbs and forefingers, and Z-stitched cuffs for a better fit. 

Compared to other touch-screen-compatible models like the Columbia Wind Bloc or Rab Power Stretch, the Etip is a much warmer glove. This makes it a better bet for buyers seeking a hiking glove that’s suitable for standalone use on outings in 20˚F-35˚F.

Specs

  • Type: Full finger
  • Insulation: N/A
  • Shell: Recycled polyester fleece/Leather
  • Waterproof: No
  • PROs

    • Warm
    • Durable
    • Touchscreen capable
    • Affordable
  • CONs

    • Not waterproof
    • Too chunky to wear as a liner

Bottom-Line: A cozy, robust, affordable fleece glove that’s great for 3-season and warmer winter hikes. 

What to Look for When Buying Gloves for Hiking

Type: Glove vs Mitten vs. “Lobster” Gloves

Full-finger (standard) gloves are the most dexterous of the bunch, allowing you to perform more intricate tasks without having to remove the glove. On the downside, because the fingers are isolated, they don’t warm each other up, as is the case with mittens. 

The next most dexterous are lobster (split-finger) hiking gloves, which typically enclose the middle finger, ring finger, and pinkie in one pocket while giving the thumb and forefinger a pocket all of their own. This hybrid design makes split-finger models almost as warm as mitts but provides you with the ability to perform more intricate tasks using your thumb and forefinger.

Mitts are generally preferred by outdoors enthusiasts who require as much warmth as possible. Enclosing 4 of your 5 fingers within one place the fingers are essentially able to heat each other up, which isn’t the case with a standard full-finger glove. This design, however, does mean you forfeit dexterity. 

A pair of mittens are sat on top a pair of hiking poles on a snowy mountaintop
Wearing mitts keeps your hands warmer than wearing gloves but at the expense of dexterity

Fabric & Materials

No factor has a greater bearing on a glove’s durability and warmth than the materials it is made with. Given that you’ll have a choice of merino wool, cotton, polyester, fleece, nylon, down, leather, and suede, knowing what each material type brings to the table is key to finding the ideal glove for your needs.

For the shell material, we’re big fans of leather-reinforced patches on top of nylon, which is far harder-wearing than fabrics such as regular polyester, fleece, or wool. If the shell happens to have a Gore-Tex membrane underneath, all the better.

Hiking glove lying in the snow
Reinforced patches, particularly on gloves, enhances their durability

Concerning insulation, the most popular materials are fleece, down, and synthetic microfibers like Primaloft.

Down is commonly found in mitts designed for use at high altitudes, so is likely to be overkill for the average hiker. It’s also bulky and the most expensive insulation type available.

Fleece is used as insulation in many gloves and mitts at the cheaper end of the market, though some top-end models also have a fleece liner inside a waterproof Primaloft-insulated outer shell. While fleece is cozy and breathable, its lack of water resistance makes it a poor choice for wet-weather hiking unless worn under a waterproof shell.

The benefits of synthetic materials like PrimaLoft are that they’re durable and have good waterproof performance, insulating even when wet. 

Warmth

Ready to hear something kinda radical and counterintuitive?

Here goes: the warmest glove isn’t always the best glove, even when it comes to winter gloves.

Let us explain…

When hiking in winter, the main objective is to keep your body comfortable, not just hot. As is the case with your layering system, wearing warmer gloves than you need will lead to overheating, and sweaty hands will lead to damp gloves. Damp gloves, in turn, lead to cold fingers, because moisture will seriously impede the insulation’s ability to insulate.

The takehomes from this are twofold. First, choose a pair of gloves that provide an appropriate amount of warmth for the conditions in which you’ll be hiking. Second, it’s always wise to carry both a thin pair of lightweight gloves as well as a thicker pair. This way, you can alternate between the two as conditions and exertion levels dictate.

Man carrying camping backpack in snow
Wearing warmer gloves than needed can cause discomfort from overheating

The warmest models on our list are mitts like the BD Mercury and Outdoor Research Alti, both best suited to sub-zero conditions or hikers who either anticipate moving slowly or have poor circulation. 

For general winter hiking in temps ranging from 20˚F to 35˚F, we recommend a midweight glove like the North Face Gordon Etip or the Rab Power Stretch if you plan on moving fast.

Weather Protection 

Waterproof or not?

Believe it or not, there are a ton of winter gloves out there that aren’t fully waterproof. The logic behind this is that precipitation in winter months, in many places, is more likely to fall as snow than as rain. And because snow doesn’t saturate fabrics nearly as quickly as rain, waterproofing is seen as a luxury as opposed to a necessity. 

The benefits of waterproof gloves like the BD Mercury Mitt and Guide are obvious. They keep your hands dry and warm when encountering rain and also if your hands are in frequent contact with snow. The downsides are they’re normally pricey and less breathable than non-waterproof gloves, meaning they’re not ideal for high-output activities.

Two hikers climb a snowy slope with walking poles
Less breathable, waterproof gloves are less suitable for high output activities such as mountain climbing

Durability

With any outdoor gear, durability is key to getting good value for money, and hiking gloves are no exception.

The most durable hiking gloves out there are usually those made with tough nylon shells, like the Outdoor Research Alti, BD Mercury, BD Soloist, and BD Guide, all of which use Kevlar stitching and leather-reinforced palms. The North Face Gordon Etip also uses nylon patches on areas prone to wear and tear.

The least durable gloves are those made with wool or fleece. These are prone to develop holes and wear through easily, so aren’t the best option for anyone who prioritizes longevity.

Features

There are a few things that can greatly enhance the convenience and practicality of any pair of hiking gloves.

The most notable additional features to look out for are:

  • Carabiner loops for attaching gloves to your backpack or harness when not in use
  • Nose-wipe thumb patches 
  • Touchscreen compatibility
  • Wrist cinches to keep drafts out
  • Removable liners so you can take the outer glove off to perform more delicate tasks without exposing your skin
Gloved hand holding a phone in the snow
Some gloves have touchscreen-compatible fingertips

Best Hiking Gloves and Mittens: The Verdict

When temps are low, a good pair of hiking gloves are the only thing standing between you and a pair of frozen – and probably all but useless – hands. On the above list, we’re sure you’ll find a pair capable of keeping your hands warm and comfortable no matter where you plan on doing your hiking.

For extra-frigid conditions, we recommend heavily insulated models like the BD Mercury or Soloist, or the BD Guide if you need a little more dexterity. For warmer winter conditions or fast-paced hiking, a glove like the TNF Gordon Etip or Rab Power Stretch will likely suffice, but don’t forget to pack a spare pair just in case conditions take a turn for the worse!

How did you like our article? If we missed any of your favorites or you have any questions, let us know in the comments box below!

Last update on 2024-03-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Kieran Avatar

Kieran James Cunningham is a climber, mountaineer, and author who divides his time between the Italian Alps, the US, and his native Scotland.

He has climbed a handful of 6000ers in the Himalayas, 4000ers in the Alps, 14ers in the US, and loves nothing more than a good long-distance wander in the wilderness. He climbs when he should be writing, writes when he should be sleeping, has fun always.

Kieran has taught mountaineering, ice climbing, and single-pitch and multi-pitch rock climbing in a variety of contexts over the years and has led trekking and mountaineering expeditions in the Alps, Rockies, and UK. He is currently working towards qualifying as a Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor and International Mountain Leader.

Kieran’s book Climbing the Walls—an exploration of the mental health benefits of climbing, mountaineering, and the great outdoors—is scheduled for release by Simon & Schuster in April 2021.

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