The 14 Best Winter Gloves of 2024, Tested and Reviewed (2024)

Best Overall: Head Unisex Ski Gloves

The best winter gloves for you really depends on when or where you plan to wear them and what activities you'll be doing. Having said that, this unisex pair from Head should satisfy most people's needs. They're great for snow sports, sledding, playing in the snow, shoveling snow, spending long hours outdoors, and winter driving.

These gauntlet-style gloves come in five sizes (XS through XL) and fit as expected. We found them easy to get on and off and super comfortable to wear. The waterproof, wind-resistant, insulated design is also exceedingly warm (we never needed to place hand warmers in the internal pockets but appreciated the option). Other standout features include grippy palms and fingertips with screen-sensor technology. While the dexterity is decent, these gloves are a bit bulky for phone use. There's also a "breathability insert," though our hands got a little clammy after a couple of hours simply because the gloves are so warm.

After two years of use, our Head Ski Gloves are still in excellent shape. Considering the very affordable price tag, you really can't go wrong buying them.

The Details: Twill, brushed polyester tricot, DuPont Sorona insulation | Waterproof | Touchscreen fingertips

Best Lightweight: L.L.Bean Women's PrimaLoft Packaway Gloves

If you prefer something lightweight and easy to pack or stuff into your coat pockets, we highly recommend the L.L.Bean Packaway Gloves. The insulation uses aerogel technology developed by NASA. Made of more than 95 percent air, the silica is the "lightest solid material known to man," according to PrimaLoft. After using these gloves for several months, we found them incredibly warm. They do a great job wicking moisture away from your skin to prevent sweaty palms and are conveniently machine-washable.

We like how the stylish yet functional design isn't too thick or bulky like many other winter gloves. Since the gloves aren't 100 percent waterproof, they're better for everyday activities rather than snow sports. The Packaway Gloves come in three sizes, fit as expected, and are easy to pull on and off. This particular pair is sized for women's hands, but L.L.Bean makes the same style for men.

The Details: Recycled polyester, PrimaLoft Gold insulation, silica aerogel | Water-resistant | Touchscreen fingertips

Watch How We Test Travel Products

Best Fleece: Spyder Men's Speed Fleece Glove

The polyester fleece of these Spyder gloves boasts 360-degree stretch for a full range of movement and flexibility throughout your hands and fingers. Sure enough, we found them to provide impressive dexterity. The silicone palms also ensure a sturdy grip, while a conductive material on the fingertips allows you to use your phone or dashboard screen without taking the gloves off.

Though these gloves aren't billed as waterproof (or even water-resistant), they seemed to perform well in wet conditions, keeping our hands mostly dry and not sweaty. We wish they had wrist tighteners to keep cold air and snow out. Still, they're a good option for bicycling, hiking, or running in cold weather, as well as everyday activities, like running errands or commuting to work. The Speed Fleece Gloves come in four sizes and fit well. This pair is for men, but Spyder also makes them for women.

The Details: Polyester fleece, silicone, conductive material | Touchscreen fingertips

Best Fingerless: Smartwool Cozy Grip Flip Mitt

Fingerless gloves definitely aren't as warm as their full-finger counterparts, but they can be a more practical choice in many situations. We like this unisex pair from Smartwool, which is made of —you guessed it — wool, with recycled polyester and elastane for extra stretch and durability. In three years of use, these gloves sustained only one hole — and it was no problem to repair.

The Cozy Grip Flip Mitts are ideal for daily wear and casual activities, like walking, driving, sightseeing, or shopping. We found them incredibly comfortable to wear and warm enough on dry (or mostly dry) winter days. The thumbs have touchscreen-compatible tips so you can still type on your phone. And if your other fingers do get cold, you can slip on the attached mitts.

The Details: Merino wool, recycled polyester, elastane, nylon | Touchscreen thumbs

Best for Cold Weather: Outdoor Research Men's Revolution II GORE-TEX Gloves

The Outdoor Research Revolution II Gloves might be your best bet for below-freezing temps. Designed for winter sports and any outdoor activity involving ice or snow, they have water-repellent shells, waterproof Gore-Tex membranes, lightweight EnduraLoft insulation that traps warmth inside, and cinchable gauntlet wrists that keep cold air and snow out.

There are also hand warmer pockets when you need extra heat, plus a wrist leash and soft nose-wipe pads for dabbing a runny nose — something that comes up often in frigid conditions. These gloves kept our hands dry and comfortably warm with minimal sweating. These are a great option to pack for a trip to Antarctica. Some stitching came undone after two years of use, but this is covered under the lifetime warranty. If you file a repair or replacement claim, just know it'll take at least a few weeks to process. Outdoor Research makes Revolution II Gloves for women, too.

The Details: Polyester, polyurethane, EnduraLoft insulation, Gore-Tex membrane | Waterproof | Touchscreen fingertips

Most Stylish: Ugg All Weather Quilted Gloves

If you're looking for a pair that not only provides warmth, but also elevates your ensemble, you'll appreciate UGG's Quilted Performance Gloves. Insulated with faux fur lining, they have real sheepskin trim around the wrists and water-resistant textile shells. Although they aren't touchscreen-compatible, we like that the leather palms and fingertips make it easy to grip and pick things up.

We’ve been using these winter gloves for more than a year and thought they performed well in chilly temps and wet weather. They come in two sizes, but they run slightly large. If your hands are smaller, you might want to try them on first before buying. UGG makes fashion-forward gloves for men, too, but this particular style is designed for women.

The Details: Recycled polyester, leather, sheepskin, faux fur | Water-resistant

Best Leather: Give'r Frontier Mittens

Those partial to leather should consider Give'r Frontier Mittens. The exteriors are crafted from genuine cowhide with a wax coating that protects the leather from the elements. Then there's an internal waterproof membrane to absorb and release moisture that seeps inside. With fleece liners and Thinsulate (down-alternative fibers) and foam insulation, you can bet your hands will stay toasty-warm in freezing temperatures.

We used Frontier Mittens for two ski seasons. They held up remarkably well and are by far the warmest we've tried over the years — no internal hand warmers needed. With that said, they trapped heat so well that our hands got pretty sweaty. We should also mention that the dexterity isn't great, as they don't have grippy palms or touchscreen fingertips. Still, these unisex mitts fit well and come in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3XL.

The Details: Waxed cowhide leather, fleece, Thinsulate, foam, waterproof membrane | Waterproof

Best Cashmere: Quince Mongolian Cashmere Gloves

Quince's schtick is offering premium textiles at very affordable price points. If you're not already familiar with the brand, these budget-friendly gloves are a perfect introduction. As the name suggests, they're made of Grade-A Mongolian cashmere, which is considered the softest, warmest, and highest quality in the world. We used these gloves for more than a year for everyday wear and leisurely winter activities.

Like most other cashmere pieces, they call for careful hand-washing. (We actually did toss them in the washer and dryer, and, not surprisingly, they shrunk.) The other thing to note is that these gloves don't provide any water resistance. They're definitely cozy, though our hands got occasionally sweaty. This is a unisex style, but it only comes in one size. However, you can choose from eight colors — and might even consider getting multiple pairs for this price.

The Details: Grade-A Mongolian cashmere | Touchscreen fingertips

Best Insulated: Burton Women's GORE-TEX Mittens

We tested Burton’s Gore-Tex Mittens and were impressed by the exceptional, reliable warmth. With water-repellent shells, soft microfiber linings, thick Thermacore foam layers, and waterproof membranes, our fingers and hands remained toasty and dry for hours on end. Besides keeping water and snow out, the gloves wick away moisture from the inside to prevent clammy palms.

After three years of use (including skiing and going to football games), these mitts look and perform like new — save for some wear on the thumb grips. They're backed by a lifetime warranty, though the typical turnaround for repairs is about a month. These gloves come in five sizes and seem to fit as expected. This pair is sized for women, but Burton also makes men's Gore-Tex Mittens.

The Details: DryRide fabric, microfiber, Thermacore foam, Gore-Tex membrane | Waterproof | Touchscreen thumbs

Best for Winter Sports: B-Forest Lyna Winter Gloves

B-Forest’s Lyna Gloves have stretchy neoprene exteriors and a thin layer of thermal insulation. They're pretty easy to get on and off, but neoprene can stick to your skin (see also: wetsuits). Neoprene is itself a thermal material, so you can count on these gloves keeping your hands warm in cold climates. They also provide good dexterity with grippy palms and touchscreen fingertips.

We’ve been using these gloves for two years and think they manage moisture well enough, though you might experience minimal sweating. While they offer wind protection and some water resistance, they're not 100 percent waterproof, so we wouldn't recommend them for snowy conditions or heavy rainfall. Lyna Gloves are ideal for outdoor winter workouts, like running, hiking, or bicycling.

The Details: Neoprene, thermal insulation | Water-resistant | Touchscreen fingertips

Best Liners: Hestra Wind Shield Liner Glove

You can wear Hestra Windshield Liners underneath thicker, water-repellent shells or on their own as lightweight winter gloves in cold, dry climates. They're windproof, but since they don't offer any water resistance, we don't recommend wearing them in snowy or wet conditions without waterproof shells.

We’ve been using these liners for several months and like how they wick away moisture to prevent sweaty hands. The grippy palms and touchscreen fingertips allow you to grasp a steering wheel, pick things up, and use your phone without having to take the gloves off — perfect to pack for a winter road trip. They're also machine-washable, which is convenient. The available sizes for these unisex liners are six through 11. Follow the brand's size guide to measure your hand and determine your size.

The Details: Polyester, spandex tricot | Windproof | Touchscreen fingertips

Best Quilted: The North Face ThermoBall Mitts

We're also big fans of The North Face's ThermoBall Mitts. The quilted design lends to a luxury ski lodge vibe, but the reasons to buy them go well beyond aesthetic. These mittens have waterproof shells that perform very well in wet and snowy conditions. Within each quilted square is lightweight insulation that does an excellent job keeping your hands warm in icy-cold weather — you might even find that your hands get too warm at times.

While they don't have touchscreen fingertips (or thumbs, since they're mittens), the grippy palms and thumbs help you grasp things like a railing, door handle, or dog leash. In over three years of use, these mittens only sustained one small hole, but this was easily mended with a few stitches. The unisex design is available in seven sizes to accommodate different hand sizes.

The Details: Recycled polyester, elastane, ThermoBall insulation | Waterproof

Best Cozy: Gordini Women's Wooly Mittens

If it's coziness you're after, THE Gordini Wooly Mittens won't disappoint. These fuzzy mitts have fleece exteriors with suede palms and thumb patches, plus light and fluffy Megaloft (down-alternative) insulation and ultra-soft fabric linings. We’ve worn them for the past three years as needed for warmth and outdoor work during the winter months. Although they're great for shoveling snow, the grip isn't the best, so we wouldn't recommend them for driving.

These gauntlet-length gloves go over the wrists and have toggle closures to ensure a secure fit while keeping cold air and snow out. Even without finger separators, they're easy enough to get on and off. And despite the extra-thick, insulated design, our hands didn't get sweaty wearing them. While this pair is sized for women, Gordini makes the same style for men.

The Details: Sherpa, suede, Megaloft insulation, microdenier lining

Best Machine-washable: lululemon Women's Textured Fleece-Lined Knit Mittens

Knitted from cotton-blend yarns with a hint of elastane, these Lululemon mittens are notably stretchy. The ribbed design covers your entire wrists, but it doesn't have adjustable closure to tighten and ensure cold air stays out. Meanwhile, the textured fleece lining is delightfully soft and warm.

They kept our hands so warm, in fact, they sometimes got a bit sweaty. While we probably wouldn't wear these in the snow, they seemed to keep most moisture out on days with light precipitation. Overall, we were pleased with the style and functionality. Best of all, they're machine-washable — just make sure to use a delicate cycle with cold water, and let them air dry. This exact pair is sized for women, but Lululemon also has unisex mittens in multiple sizes.

The Details: Pima cotton, polyester, recycled polyester, elastane, polyamide

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do you wash gloves?

  The proper way to wash gloves depends on the material and overall design. Some are conveniently machine-washable, while others call for hand-washing. Either way, you'll usually want to lay them flat to air-dry. Additionally, some higher-end leather pairs should only be professionally cleaned. We recommend checking the brand's care instructions before washing your gloves to prevent damage or shrinking.

• How should winter gloves fit?

  Gloves should fit like shoes and boots. This means there should be roughly a quarter-inch of material at the end of each outstretched finger. This will give you the most flexibility and a solid grip without feeling too tight or overly loose.

• What are the warmest gloves for winter?

  The warmest gloves for winter will have some sort of insulation, whether it's lightweight down or down-alternative fibers, thick foam, or neoprene lining. They should also have waterproof shells and potentially waterproof membranes to keep moisture out, as it's harder for your hands to stay warm when they're wet. Beyond that, a gauntlet-style design that goes over the wrists and tightens to keep cold air and snow out will help with warmth.

The 7 Best Heated Socks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed