Best Winter Hiking Gloves: Keep Your Hands Toasty Warm

Winter hiking is a magical time to enjoy outdoor adventure. But cold hands can ruin your fun. Not only are you incredibly uncomfortable, frostbite damaging your fingers is a very serious risk. If you want to enjoy winter activities make sure you have high-quality gloves that will keep you dry and comfortable in the cold. In this guide, we share the best winter hiking gloves. Plus we look at the pros and cons of each.

Black winter hiking gloves laying in snow

Winter snow and cold doesn’t stop us from getting outdoors. Brad and I love to hike, snowshoe, and cross-country ski in the winter. And we both really appreciate gear that keeps us warm and toasty in the cold. When properly dressed for an outdoor adventure you can be as comfortable as you would be on a warm summer day. In fact, we wrote a complete guide to what to wear when hiking in cold weather.

In this guide to the best gloves for winter hiking, we’ll teach you how to find the perfect gloves for your needs and budget. We’ll also share our top picks with you so that no matter what kind of gloves you prefer. We are confident that there will be something here just for you! To make shopping easy, we’ve included links to where you can buy these gloves. Some links are affiliate links which means we may earn a small commission.

Why Winter Hiking Gloves are Important

If you are like our family, you have a whole box of assorted gloves in the hall closet. So why can’t you just grab the thickest pair and go? A pair of mittens that you might use when shoveling snow or those sharp-looking leather winter gloves you use for driving won’t suffice during a long hike.

Why are Hiking Gloves Different?

  • When you are winter hiking you are exposed to the cold for a much longer time than during most other activities. You need the best winter gloves that will keep your hands warm the whole time.
  • You will probably also work up a little bit of a sweat when you get moving. You’ll want gloves that wick away sweat to keep your hands dry and comfortable.
  • And then you’ll stop to enjoy the view, and your hands will get cold as your body cools down. That means your gloves need to adjust with your body temperature.

Winter hiking gloves are designed specifically for keeping your hands safe and warm in extended cold weather.

Types of Hiking Gloves for Winter Weather

There are three types of winter gloves: liner gloves, shell gloves, and mittens. The best hiking gloves can be either shell gloves or mittens, depending on your preference. What’s important is that the gloves keep you warm like our TOP CHOICE: Burton Gore-Tex Gloves

✔ Shell gloves are the most common type of gloves for winter hiking. They function independently or can be worn with a liner glove to provide extra warmth in cold weather. They’re also more durable insulated gloves than other types of winter gloves.

✔ Mittens can keep your hands warmer than any other type of glove because the heat from all four fingers collects in one pocket. However, you’ll have less dexterity than provided by a traditional glove.

✔ Liner gloves are thinner and lighter gloves, often made of merino wool. Worn under a shell mitten or glove, liners add extra warmth. We like that a liner glove allows you to take off your outer glove without directly exposing your fingers to the cold. We deep dive into our favorite liner gloves in this article.

An interesting specialized glove called a Lobster Glove is a cross between a glove and a mitten. It has a separate pocket for your index finger in addition to the thumb pocket, while the last 3 fingers are in a mitten pocket. It looks a little weird, but some hikers find it to have better dexterity than mittens.

Below you’ll find complete reviews of the best winter hiking gloves and more of our top choices designed for different hiking situations.

Review of the Best Winter Hiking Gloves

Here are our top choices for hiking gloves that will keep you warm in winter weather, from extreme cold trails to those sloppy snowy days.

Burton GORE-TEX Gloves – Best Gloves for all Winter Activities

TYPE: Gauntlet Style Glove
SHELL FABRIC: DRYRIDE two-layer fabric – waterproof and breathable
GLOVE INSULATION: Thermacore insulation
TOUCHSCREEN COMPATIBLE: Yes
LINER INCLUDED?: yes, fleece with touchscreen tips
SIZING: Men’s and Women’s XS to XXL
COLORS: Black, Heather, Denim, Camo, Red

About Burton GORE-TEX Gloves

The most impressive feature of Burton’s GORE-TEX gloves is Burton’s DryRide technology. DryRide insulates your hands while very efficiently wicking away sweat. Burton uses this technology in most of their outerwear to keep you dry and warm while active outdoors.

The exterior fabric on the shell of these warm gloves for hiking is waterproof. They use a waterproof gore-tex membrane that sits between the outer and inner layers to ensure the gloves are both waterproof and windproof. And at the innermost layer, you’ll find a cozy brushed microfiber lining. The soft fleece lining is “fixed,” which means when you pull out your hand the lining stays in place rather than pulling out with your hand.

The fingers of this glove have Screen Grab technology to control your touchscreen devices with any finger. The palm has a “sticky grip,” to keep your trekking or ski poles from slipping as you hike. The Burton Glove has Ergonomic Pre-Curved Fingers for greater dexterity. You’ll also find a heater/vent pocket in the back of the gloves. There are 2 cinch points: first at the wrist and then at the end of the gauntlet cuff. In addition, you’ll find a removable wrist leash that ensures that your gloves stay attached to you.

Each pair of Burton Gloves includes a removable liner four-way stretch fleece gloves that are also touchscreen compatible. That means you can wear these cold weather hiking gloves alone or together for greater levels of warmth. You can even machine wash these gloves when they get dirty. Lastly, these gloves come with a lifetime warranty.

PROS and CONS of the Burton GORE-TEX Gloves

Pros:

  • Moderately Priced
  • Super Dry and Warm
  • Highly Comfortable

I also like that Burton put a lot of thought into how to help you adjust for body temperature changes in multiple ways in this design. When you are hiking in winter, you are just as likely to be sweaty from the activity and sun as you are to be freezing from damp dropping temperatures. You can quickly adjust your hand temperature by wearing it with or without the glove liners. Then the heat pack pocket also doubles as a ventilation pocket due to the mesh lining. And lastly, using 2 cinch points on the cuffs allows you to snug up or ventilate as needed.

Cons:

  • Correct Sizing is critical for proper snug fit.
  • Synthetic leather palm

Outdoor Research Carbide Sensor Gloves – Runner UP

SHELL FABRIC: 85% nylon/15% spandex stretch nylon twill shell
GLOVE INSULATION: 130 g/m2 VerticalX polyester (85% recycled) with 200 g/m2 VerticalX 100% polyester (85% recycled) on the back
TOUCHSCREEN COMPATIBLE: Yes
LINER INCLUDED?: no, usually worn without a liner
SIZING: Men’s and Women’s XS to XL
COLORS: Black

About Outdoor Research Carbide Sensor Gloves

These high-end gloves feature waterproof, windproof, and breathable shells. A GORE-TEX insulation layer delivers maximum cold weather protection. Additionally, the soft goat leather palms provide a tactile grip with touchscreen compatible index finger area and thumbs to operate devices without removing the glove. The Outdoor Research Carbide Sensor Gloves also have a soft suede nose wipe on the thumb for added convenience.

The Ladder-Lock wrist cinch is equipped with Arcade Belts elastic webbing for durability and warmth. And the SuperCinch™ gauntlet locks in heat and seals out the cold. Additionally, the gloves have removable leashes to ensure they stay on your wrists when removed from your hands. Pull-on loops help the gloves go on easily, while clips keep them together when packed away.

PROS and CONS of the Outdoor Research Carbide Sensor Gloves

Pros:

  • Cadillac of winter gloves and will keep you super warm in the harshest weather
  • Well thought out layers of insulation
  • They also have a sharp appearance
  • Naturally curved fingers and a soft brushed built-in lining for comfortable fit
  • Goat leather palm ensures a firm grip on trekking poles
  • Index finger and thumb work well with electronics.

Cons:

  • No pocket for heat pack
  • Higher priced

Dakine Gore-Tex Gloves – Best Value

TYPE: Gauntlet Style Glove
SHELL FABRIC: Nylon / Poly with DWR treatment
GLOVE INSULATION: Gore-Tex Insert with Hi-Loft Insulation
TOUCHSCREEN COMPATIBLE: Yes, with Glove Liner
LINER INCLUDED?: Dakine’s Storm liner glove with touchscreen tips
SIZING: Men’s and Women’s XS to XXL
COLORS: Wide variety of colors, depending upon the style

About The Dakine Gore-Tex Gloves and Mitts

For great value in Gore-Tex gloves check out the Dakine Sequoia for Women or the Dakine Titan for Men. Most importantly, they are lined with Gore-Tex + Gore Warm technology to keep your hands warm and dry while winter hiking.

These gloves and mitts feature rubber-tec palms for a sure grip and rugged durability. You’ll find water-resistant zippered stash pockets on the backs of these amazing warm hiking gloves where you can tuck in heat packs. These also feature removable wrist leashes.

The durable gloves both come with a pair of removable liners: the Storm Liner Gloves are one of our go-to glove liners for warmth and functionality.

PROS and CONS of the Dakine Gore-Tex Gloves and Mitts

Pros:

  • Great Price
  • Storm Liner Gloves included
  • Extremely warm
  • Durable

Cons:

  • Snug fit pulls liners off with gloves

Black Diamond Arc Gloves – Great Midweight Waterproof Glove

TYPE: Gloves
SHELL FABRIC: 2-layer stretch-woven polyester, waterproofed
GLOVE INSULATION: 40 g Thinsulate® with BD.dry™ membrane
TOUCHSCREEN COMPATIBLE: Yes
LINER INCLUDED?: no, snug fit
SIZING: Unisex XS to XXL
COLORS: Black with gray palm

About Black Diamond Arc Gloves

The Black Diamond Arc Gloves are a great midweight waterproof glove. The woven nylon shell is water-resistant, and they are made with Black Diamond’s proprietary 100% waterproof BD.dry™ insert to keep your hands dry. These gloves dry quickly if they get soaked by slushy snow and water.

They’re also lined with 40 g Thinsulate® insulation and have fixed tricot linings to keep your hands warm in temperatures ranging from 15-40 degrees F. The Pittards Oil Tac leather palms and capped fingers provide durability and help reinforce the construction. Best of all, the Hook-and-loop closure with gussets at the wrist keeps the gloves secure for a snug fit.

PROS and CONS of the Black Diamond Arc Gloves

Pros:

  • Perfect for moderate weather
  • Quick Drying
  • Comfortable to wear with the snug fit we like
  • Thinsulate insulation provides the perfect warmth for a sunny hiking day.

Cons

  • Not warm enough for most people in sub-zero temperatures

The North Face Etip Recycled Gloves – Lightweight for Chilly Day Hikes

TYPE: Traditional Style Gloves
SHELL FABRIC: 93% recycled polyester/7% elastane double-knit fleece
GLOVE INSULATION: Fleece lining
TOUCHSCREEN COMPATIBLE: Etip™ functionality gives you 5-finger touchscreen capability
LINER INCLUDED?: n/a
SIZING: Men’s and Women’s XS to XXL
COLORS: Wide assortment

About The North Face Etip Recycled Gloves

We like The North Face Etip Recycled Gloves for those winter days when you need hand protection, but the temps are not extremely cold. Made of 93% recycled fabric, these gloves are weather-resistant and durable. The double-knit soft fleece glove is quite cozy. And the Radiametric Articulation keeps your hands in their natural, relaxed position, improving blood flow and warmth.

The best feature is that these gloves work amazingly with your phone. All 5 fingertips are touch-screen compatible, allowing you to use your phone without taking your gloves off. And the silicone gripper palm ensures that you won’t drop your phone again. If you want to take pictures on your hike, these gloves are perfect.

PROS and CONS of The North Face Etip Recycled Gloves

Pros:

  • Great for casual hiking on sunny winter days in the 30s
  • Breathe well so your hands won’t get sweaty.
  • Fully function with your phone
  • These gloves would also work well as a liner under a pair of mittens if temperatures drop.

Cons:

  • Not fully waterproof, although they are water-resistant and fast-drying

AKASO Heated Gloves

TYPE: Gauntlet Style Gloves
SHELL FABRIC: Faux Leather, Thermoplastic Polyurethane
GLOVE INSULATION: 3M Thinsulate
TOUCHSCREEN COMPATIBLE: Yes
LINER INCLUDED?: n/a
SIZING: Unisex, Med and Large
COLORS: Black

About Akaso Heated Gloves

These rechargeable battery powered heated gloves are a dream come true for anyone who suffers from cold hands in the winter. With 3 temperature settings you are sure to keep you hands warm on the coldest days.

Even without the extra heat from the battery, these hiking gloves are toasty due to their 3M Thinsulate lining. The waterproof and windproof shell provide ample protection from the elements.

With a full battery charge, you can get up to 8 hours of heat from these gloves. We like that since you already have a well insulated glove under most conditions you can warm up and then stop the battery powered mode to extend your heating power.

PROS and CONS of Akaso Heated Gloves

Pros

  • Perfect for extreme cold
  • Benefits hikers with medical conditions
  • Waterproof and windproof

Cons

  • Risk of battery running out when hiking

How to Choose a Glove Based on Your Needs

Now that you know the different types of gloves, how do you choose the best hiking gloves for you? Here’s a list of things to consider when you select hiking gloves.

  • What kind of climate you’ll be hiking in? If you’re in a cold environment, you’ll need something more heavy-duty than if you’re in a milder climate. Wet weather will make waterproofing a critical feature.
  • What activities will you be doing while wearing your gloves? If you plan to do a lot of dexterity-requiring activities like setting up camping gear or putting on snowshoes, you’ll need a pair of shell gloves that allows for good grip and movement.
  • Fit and comfort are essential when choosing gloves for winter hiking. Often this is a case of personal choice; for example, Brad doesn’t like the loss of good dexterity with mittens and will only use them in extreme weather. In contrast, I love the warmth of a pair of cozy winter mitts over a pair of merino wool liner gloves for almost all conditions.

Finally, consider your budget. Quality gloves can range in price from as little as $50 to over $100, so it’s crucial to find the right balance between durability and cost. Yes, cheaper gloves are available, but be careful because you usually get what you paid for when you get into the super-cheap choices.

A Winter Glove Layering System is Critical for Cold Weather Hiking

There are 2 parts to a good winter glove layering system: the outer shell and the liner.

The job of your outer shell gloves is:

  • to stop moisture from the outside, to stop snow or a light rain from soaking your gloves. A shell glove or mitten should be waterproof to keep outside moisture from getting to your hands.
  • to insulate your hands and hold in your body heat. The level of insulation to protect from the cold varies between glove styles. Which ones you choose will depend upon weather conditions and your propensity to feel cold.

The job of your glove liner is:

  • to add a snug layer of insulation, just the same as your base layer shirt protects your core.
  • to wick away sweat from your hands. Once you get moving on the trail, you will build up body heat and sweaty hands. (This is even true for someone like me who always has “ice cube hands”.) The best liner gloves are very efficient at wicking away sweat from your hands and breathing to allow air movement to dry that moisture.
  • and a removable liner provides a lightweight pair of gloves for when you get too hot or to protect your hands when you need to send a text, and your thick gloves are in the way.

We prefer a system that uses a separate glove liner plus an insulated shell glove or mitten.

Some hiking gloves have a built-in liner that forms the first insulation layer. The upside of a built-in liner glove is that you have all your pieces in one place, so there’s less risk of losing your liners. However, a built-in liner is not flexible with your gloves if you get too hot or your gloves get wet, so this type of glove is generally not our first choice.

Always carry an extra pair of glove liners

And there’s a third piece to this layering system. You should always carry an extra pair of glove liners in your backpack. Glove liners are compact and easy to carry, making them the perfect backup solution. If you lose your gloves or get soaked, you’ll still have something to keep your hands warm.

Some of the best hiking gloves come with removable liners, while others depend upon selecting your liners separately. It doesn’t matter which you choose as long as the glove liners are high-quality, moisture-wicking, and breathable.

Features of the Best Hiking Gloves for Winter

Before you purchase your new warm gloves for hiking, here are a few features you should know more about:

Shell Materials and Durability

The best shell glove has waterproof material on the exterior. It should both wick away sweat and insulate your hands from the cold without getting wet and losing its insulation value. If your glove or mitten gets even a little damp, it will lose most of its heat-holding ability.

Most good hiking gloves use nylon for their outer shell material. Nylon is also used in many lower-priced gloves because of its durability and wide availability.

Insulation Layer

The insulation is the layer between the waterproof shell and the lining of a hiker’s glove or mitten. You will find these three are the most widely used in the best hiking gloves.

  • Thinsulate – This is synthetic insulation made by 3M with an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio and water resistance.
  • Primaloft – This is a synthetic insulation that also has an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio and water resistance. Like Thinsulate, Primaloft can be found in different grades, and you will discover higher grades of Primaloft used in ski gloves.
  • GORE-TEX – This membrane is used for winter gloves because of its superior waterproofing and wind resistance. You’ll often find other insulation layers combined with Gore-tex for the best combination of waterproofing and warmth.

Waterproof (vs. Water Resistant)

The best winter gloves have a waterproof shell that keeps your hands the driest. The waterproof exterior makes it hard for snow to penetrate the glove or mitten. However, you need to combine that waterproof exterior with a liner for wicking moisture away from your hands if you start to sweat, so you don’t create a sauna.

Breathable and Quick Drying

Gloves that are breathable and quick-drying are essential when hiking because your hands sweat a lot when you hike. The more your hand’s sweat, the wetter they get, which can lead to cold hands or genuine discomfort. The best winter gloves are made of fabrics with wicking properties that will draw moisture away from your skin and help it evaporate quickly, so your hand stays dry and comfortable for an extended period.

Look for easy-to-release cinches at wrist and top of gauntlet.

Easy to fasten

Look for winter hiking gloves that are easy to fasten. If the straps on your gloves aren’t easy to fasten, it can make putting them on and taking them off tough. This can be incredibly frustrating during winter hikes when your fingers are already cold. Gloves that are easy to fasten have these features:

  • A hook and loop strap at the wrist to help keep snow out of your gloves.
  • One-handed pull cinches at the wrist and gauntlet.
  • Quick-release latches so you can easily remove them.

Dexterity

When selecting the best hiking gloves, consider how much dexterity your gloves will have. Gloves with a lot of insulation will be bulkier and have less flexibility. This can make them harder to use when you’re putting on your backpack or taking off your rain shell. Dexterity is vital for activities like using trekking poles or cooking at night while camping.

Budget

The cost of a good pair of winter hiking gloves will depend a lot on the quality of the materials. A membrane that keeps your hands dry will add to the cost. Gloves with several layers of insulation cost more than single-layer gloves because it takes more material to make them thick.

Sizing and Fit

You will want to buy gloves in a size that fits you. Some brands may fit smaller than others, so it’s important not to rely on knowing your exact glove size. Use the manufacturer’s size chart and compare the length of your hand for the best fit.

Weight and bulk

The weight and bulkiness of the gloves you choose are important because you’ll likely find that you don’t wear your gloves all the time. As the sun warms up the day or your hands get sweaty, you will probably take off your gloves and switch out to a lighter glove or only wear your glove liners. The last thing you want is a pair of gloves that won’t store easily in your backpack.

Cuffs

Gloves for winter activities have two cuff styles:

  • Over the Cuff (gauntlet style) – Over-the-cuff styles are the best for extra warmth. This style layers over your jacket sleeve and seals in your wrists with an insulated sleeve. However, most protective gauntlet gloves are also bulky. Hikers tend to shy away from bigger gloves if the winter weather is moderate.
  • Under the Cuff – Under the cuff styles, either meet or slide under your jacket sleeve. They are less popular for frigid weather, although they tend to be less bulky.

While over-the-cuff tends to be the top choice for extreme cold, many under-the-cuff gloves also work well in the cold. For many hikers, wearing the cuff style is based on personal comfort preference.

Also, look for wrist cinches in the best hiking gloves. These allow you to pull your glove tight around your wrist in extreme cold.

Other design features

A few other features are expected in the best hiking gloves that are pretty nice to have, although not critical. They make your life easier!

  • Glove Clips: This feature is great for clipping your gloves together, so you don’t lose them while they are off.
  • Leather or Reinforced Palms: Leather or palms reinforced with a textured material provide grip and durability.
  • Touch Screen Compatible: Touch screen compatible gloves mean you can use your smartphone without taking your glove off, which is perfect for those winter selfies!
  • Warmer Pockets: Many of the best hiking gloves have a pocket where you can insert a chemical warmer to create more heat. My favorite winter mittens have a zippered pocket for a warmer, and I love using that option when it is super cold.
  • Wrist Leash: A wrist leash is a small loop attached to the glove that you can use to attach it to your sleeve, so it doesn’t get lost when you take it off. Yes, exactly like what your mom used when you were a toddler. Except, in this case, you might be saving a $100 pair of gloves.
  • Suede Nose Wipe: Some gloves have a special material built into one of the thumbs or fingers so you can wipe your nose when it’s super cold. Yes, I know… kinda gross when you are thinking about it in your warm living room. But that doesn’t change the truth that cold noses drip, and a soft nose wipe is just part of life.

Are Gloves or Mittens better for Hiking?

Ask a group of hikers this question “Which is better, gloves versus mittens?” and you’ll get very split results. That’s because, for many hikers, the choice between mittens or gloves for hiking is very personal. Here are a few things to think about as you choose the best option for you.

  1. How much dexterity do you need? If you’re going to be cooking and setting up camp, then mittens might not work for you because they don’t allow for the same range of motion as a shell glove would. Usually, gripping trekking poles with mittens is very easy. So if you can deal with not holding things like pencils, picks, or ice axes with mittens, then they can be a good choice.
  2. How prone are you to having cold fingers? This is my most significant reason for choosing mittens whenever I can give up a little dexterity. I have cold hands ALL THE TIME. How about you?
  3. What are the weather conditions? Without a doubt, mittens will keep you warmer than gloves. So in the case of extreme cold, mittens should be your first choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Care for your Winter Hiking Gloves

The best winter hiking gloves are machine washable, but it is important to check the label of your specific outdoor gloves before you toss them in the wash. Most will be ok in cold water with a mild detergent. Hang dry or tumble on low heat only if necessary.


You can find more product reviews for winter hiking gear here:


If you’re looking for a way to keep your hands warm and protected this winter, we highly recommend that you invest in the best hiking gloves. We’ve included our favorite picks so that you can find the perfect pair of gloves that will work for Hiking and all the other outdoor activities you love. The key to the best winter hiking gloves is finding a glove with an insulation factor and enough dexterity to do whatever type of activity you enjoy most.

Author

  • Ladona Stork

    The Authors: Hey, we are Ladona and Brad, avid campers and hikers. We are crazy about getting outdoors at every possible moment and have decades of experience exploring nature. Our current goal is to visit all 63 US National Parks and just completed #42. WooHoo! Our mission is to help you plan your own adventures and create memories beyond your imagination!