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.
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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 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.
