13 Best Winter Gloves: Touchscreen, Waterproof, and Heated Options for Travelers
When I moved from California to Syracuse, New York—one of the snowiest cities in the country—I proudly invested in what I thought was a trendy pair of leather winter gloves. But as soon as the first snow fell on Halloween day, I quickly realized they were way too short and loose, and I ended up with exposed wet wrists and frozen fingers.
After that fateful day 20 years ago, I started trying out different pairs, but just wasn't a fan. Wearing gloves made my hands feel confined, like I couldn't operate properly. Eventually, I thought I could cheat the system by just tucking my hands into the warm pockets of my cozy winter coats. Of course, I'd inevitably return home with numb hands.
That began a crash course in winter accessories that was the start of my education in quality handwear. I soon realized that it wasn't just about material and fit, but also about having the right gloves for every situation. Before I knew it, I had a collection of thin, lightweight polyester pairs for exercising, warm woolen varieties for hanging out outside, waterproof polyester ones for snowy days—as well as a heated pair for when I'd be spending long periods out in the intense cold.
This upcoming winter season, proper hand gear just might be more essential than ever, as the Old Farmer's Almanac predicts “above normal” levels in “snow-prone areas,” as well as “normal to colder-than-normal temperatures" in those places. So I set out to find the best hand coverings for every aspect of winter living. Below, 13 of the best winter gloves for travelers.
- Best heated glove: Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gore-Tex gloves
- Best liner gloves: Patagonia Capilene midweight liner gloves
- Best waterproof glove: Arc’teryx Fission SV glove
- Best for skiing: REI Co-op Guide insulated gloves
- Best for running: Brooks Fusion midweight glove
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
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Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gore-Tex gloves
Best heated glove
For those daylong outdoor activities when you need a reliable source of heat, these Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gore-Tex gloves just might be the warmest on the market (hence the steep price tag). They use two batteries for each glove, effectively doubling the Altiheat technology. Couple that with the EnduraLoft insulation, and there’s no part of your hand left out in the cold in any sense. A Gore-Tex insert and water-resistant goat leather palm guarantee ultimate performance and ensure no moisture gets in the way of these heat pockets. As proof of just how toasty they are, the previous version of these gloves got me through a 12-hour wait on the Rockefeller Center sidewalk in sub-30 degree temperatures last year in the Saturday Night Live standby line—had it not been for the heat, I may not have scored a front-row seat to see John Mulaney's Five-Timers Club episode live!
Patagonia Capilene Midweight Liner Gloves
Best liner gloves
Much like starting with a base layer, a glove liner can make all the difference on especially rough winter days. Patagonia’s Capilene Midweight Liner Gloves are thicker than a traditional liner, thanks to a recycled polyester diamond-grid double knit that also controls odor. The smooth and soft outer layer makes it easy to slip another glove on top, yet the moisture-wicking hollow-core yarn traps so much warmth that it can also be used as an everyday glove on its own, which is what I do. My favorite part is the sturdy elastic pull loops that make it fast and easy to pull on and off. As a bonus, the gloves are part of Pataognia’s Bluesign system that works to make sure every step of the supply chain is safe for the environment and its employees.
Vermont Teddy Bear Vermont Mittens
Best knit mittens
As amused as I was by the viral Bernie Sanders wool mitten meme from the 2021 inauguration, I was even more intrigued by the cozy-looking handwear themselves—and jumped right on the bandwagon. At the time, I had to join a waitlist before I was able to order a pair, but they remain one of my favorites and are more readily available these days.
Made by Vermont author and fiber artist Jen Ellis—who released a book in May 2023 about her skyrocketing internet fame—each handmade pair is bespoke since they're upcycled from retired wool sweaters. I chose the “warm colored traditional patterns” category and while the surprise design turned out to be slightly darker than I may have chosen normally, they're still my coziest pair since they're lined with the softest fleece—and there's something so heartwarming about a pair of mittens that always puts a smile on my face.
Columbia Bugaboo Interchange Gloves
Best all-weather glove
No matter what elements are thrown your way, the Columbia Bugaboo Interchange gloves allow you to adapt on the go with a versatile two-in-one design. The outer layer features the brand’s dependable, waterproof yet breathable Omni-Tech fabric on the outside, paired with Omni-Heat thermal reflective technology, which traps in heat. In fact, that silvery surface is the only material I trust in the winter months. But what I love most is that the outer glove layer fits over an inner glove, upgraded in its recent designs to be touch screen-compatible. Choose to wear the outer or inner gloves on their own, or slip them on top of each other for maximum protection. No matter which of the three options you choose, you’ll have a cinched wrist for guaranteed insulation and a pre-curved fabric for an ergonomic fit.
REI Co-op Guide Insulated Gloves
Best for skiing
When a grip matters most, turn to REI’s Guide insulated gloves, which feature a double-stitched reinforced leather palm that breaks in easily and is ready for your more rugged needs. The soft-shell fabric on the rear side makes this pair easy to maneuver, whether you’re grabbing tight to a snow shovel or ski poles. The shearling fleece lining provides a dose of coziness during those rough moments and the ribbed cuffs guarantee no snow will slip into your palms.
Brooks Fusion Midweight Glove
Best for running
Whether you're training for a winter race or venturing out on a casual jog, hitting the right balance for winter runs can be a challenge: Some gloves are too cold, with the chill biting through the fabric into your skin. Some gloves are too hot, so much so that a mile in, you find yourself yanking them off to cool down. But the Brooks Fusion Midweight glove has the “just right” amount of everything. The mesh palm insert regulates the temperature, offering breathability when you warm up. The tech-friendly gloves are available in black and a gray-ish hue, as well as a limited edition that's part of the brand's Run Visible Collection, making sure runners can be seen after dark thanks to its reflective surface points.
Ugg Women's Leather Sheepskin Vent Glove
Best for formal nights
Why should only your feet get all the fun of an Ugg? The brand’s Classic Leather Shorty Tech Glove features a timeless design and chic silhouette giving way to sheepskin trim along with a cozy cashmere blend lining. The conductive leather palm allows for smart phone use, earning it its tech name, but above all, the glove—available in chestnut brown or black—radiates luxury that's suited for all-day wear.
Nathan HyperNight reflective gloves
Safest after dark
If your outdoor winter activities keep you out past dark, the Nathan Hypernight reflective gloves ensure you’ll never fade into the night. The reflective graphic on the back of the fleece-lined gloves keeps you visible in low-light situations; plus, there’s a slip-in pocket on the back of both hands that fits a lightweight waterproof StrobeLight LED safety light clip, which casts eight lumen from three bulbs in four modes. For an extra layer of safety, the SafeRun Ripcord Siren personal alarm also clips into the pocket and can emit an audio sound as loud as an ambulance from 600 feet away.
Arc’teryx Fission SV Glove
Best waterproof glove
Designed for severe weather, the Arc’teryx Fission SV Glove is made of waterproof material that blocks moisture out completely, and has a Gore-Tex insert to further help wick away water, cold, and wind away so that all you’re left with are dry, warm hands. The elastic wrist with an open-close pull string offers another guard against any moisture seeping in.
Strathberry Stockbridge gloves
Best statement glove
Yes, gloves can be statement pieces too! From Edinburgh-based Strathberry comes this leather Stockbridge glove with soft cashmere lining combining quality materials with a timeless look, turning any winter day into a classy occasion. Available in black or tan and in two sizes, the delicate stitching and Strathberry's trademark music bar detail all come together to show that you have elegance on your hands.
Duluth Trading Men's Manzella Cascade Convertible Glomitts
Best fingerless gloves
Fingerless gloves are a bit of a funny thing: they keep the heat in your hands while letting your fingers go about their everyday adventures, yet leaving them out in the cold. Then there are convertible pairs that normally flip from mittens to gloves, still confining your fingers in different ways. So this pair of Manzella Cascade Convertible gloves from Duluth Trading is a bit of an anomaly. It goes from fingerless to mittens, giving you the dexterity to go from one extreme to the other in glove categories—while still keeping your palms and wrist toasty with a 280-gram microfleece shell and 40-gram insulation.
Pinktag Shirring Trimmed gloves
Best budget
Let's face it—gloves are one of those accessories that somehow have a habit of going missing, so sometimes a budget pick might be wise. At $18, Pinktag's Shirring Trimmed gloves—half cotton and half polyester—come in the simple shades of black and charcoal, but have a playful hem with criss-crossing shirring to exude a bit of winter fun.
The North Face Kids’ Mossbud Swirl gloves
Best for kids
Keeping the gloves on the little ones is one of the biggest challenges of the season. But this pair from The North Face just might do the trick. It's got all the warm and fuzzies of their favorite lovey with plush cuffs and lining, with the brand's FlashDry technology to quickly wick away any inevitable moisture. Parents can also rest assured that the durable water repellant finish is non-PFC to keep kids safe from any chemicals.
