We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Style Apparel The 14 Best Winter Gloves, Tested and Reviewed These winter accessories will keep your hands warm all winter long. By Theresa Holland Theresa Holland Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer and editor specializing in lifestyle, beauty, apparel, and more. She has contributed to numerous digital publications, including Byrdie, People, The Spruce, TripSavvy, The Financial Diet, Thought Catalog, and Elite Daily. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 27, 2023 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Other Gloves We Liked Our Testing Process Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T+L Photo: Travel + Leisure / Alli Waataja You definitely need a warm jacket, hat, and boots when heading outside in the winter, but never underestimate the power of a good pair of gloves to elevate your comfort in chilly destinations. Of course, everyone's idea of the perfect cold-weather gloves is different. For some, it's about layered insulation and waterproofness for protection in the snow. For others, freedom of movement, dexterity, and touchscreen compatibility are top priorities. We surveyed our Travel + Leisure team on their favorite winter gloves and mittens to find the pairs that stand the test of time. We rated each pair for comfort, warmth, water resistance, moisture management, durability, design, quality, and overall value. Our top picks include cozy fleece; buttery leather; luxe cashmere; warm thermal; and high-tech, water-repellent designs. Whether you're looking for something for everyday wear, winter sports, or traveling to a frosty locale, you'll find a new pair of gloves here. Our Top Picks BEST OVERALL: Head Unisex Ski Gloves at Costco.com ($24) BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: L.L.Bean Women's PrimaLoft Packaway Gloves at L.L.Bean ($50) BEST FLEECE: Spyder Men's Speed Fleece Glove at Amazon (See Price) BEST FINGERLESS: Smartwool Cozy Grip Flip Mitt at Amazon ($45) BEST FOR COLD WEATHER: Outdoor Research Men's Revolution II GORE-TEX Gloves at Amazon ($89) MOST STYLISH: Ugg All Weather Quilted Gloves at Marshalls ($40) BEST LEATHER: Give'r Frontier Mittens at Give-r.com ($139) BEST CASHMERE: Quince Mongolian Cashmere Gloves at Onequince.com ($30) BEST INSULATED: Burton Women's GORE-TEX Mittens at REI ($85) BEST FOR WINTER SPORTS: B-Forest Lyna Winter Gloves at Amazon ($19) Best Overall: Head Unisex Ski Gloves Costco $24 at Costco.com Why We Love It These weather-proof gloves will keep you warm and dry in the coldest outdoor conditions while the palm and finger patches ensure a solid grip. What to Consider They're slightly bulky and may make your hands clammy after a couple of hours. 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 L.L.Bean $50 at L.L.Bean $50 at Zappos Why We Love It Packaway Gloves have NASA-developed insulation that's light as air yet incredibly warm, plus they're stylish and machine washable. What to Consider They're water-resistant but not 100 percent waterproof. 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 Best Fleece: Spyder Men's Speed Fleece Glove Spyder Buy on Amazon $49 at Zappos $49 at Spyder.com Why We Love It These soft, stretchy gloves provide finger flexibility, a sturdy grip, and decent protection from the winter elements. What to Consider They aren't billed as waterproof but seem to perform well in wet conditions. 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 The 6 Best Heated Gloves of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best Fingerless: Smartwool Cozy Grip Flip Mitt Amazon $45 at Amazon $45 at Zappos $45 at Smartwool.com Why We Love It This glove-mitten hybrid allows you to keep your fingers free or cover them if they get cold, and you can type with your thumbs at any time. What to Consider They are not waterproof or washable: the care instructions recommend spot-cleaning. 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 REI $89 at Amazon Buy on REI $89 at Outdoorresearch.com Why We Love It These feature-rich gloves have water-repellent shells, high-tech insulation, waterproof membranes, hand warmer pockets, and nose-wipe pads. What to Consider Warranty claims can take a few weeks to process. 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 UGG Buy on Amazon $40 at Marshalls.com Buy on Ugg.com Why We Love It This fashion-forward glove features a water-resistant quilted shell, genuine sheepskin trim, and cozy micro-fur lining. What to Consider They runs slightly large, and the fingertips aren't touchscreen-compatible. 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 The 7 Best Heated Clothes and Accessories, Tested and Reviewed Best Leather: Give'r Frontier Mittens Give'r $139 at Give-r.com Why We Love It Crafted from waxed cowhide with ample insulation, Frontier Mittens are durable, weather-proof, and remarkably warm. What to Consider They don't have grippy palms and make your hands somewhat sweaty. 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 $30 at Onequince.com Why We Love It These surprisingly affordable cashmere gloves are cozy, stylish, and perfect for everyday wear. What to Consider They need to be carefully hand-washed and don't offer any water resistance. 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 REI $85 at REI $85 at Burton.com Why We Love It Thanks to thick foam insulation and waterproof membranes, these mitts will keep your hands reliably warm and dry for hours. What to Consider They're backed by a lifetime warranty, but the repair turnaround is up to four weeks. 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 The 12 Best Women’s Winter Coats and Jackets of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best for Winter Sports: B-Forest Lyna Winter Gloves Amazon $19 at Amazon Why We Love It These unisex neoprene gloves are comfortable, stretchy, and insulated (but not bulky) with good dexterity. What to Consider They're good for outdoor winter workouts but not necessarily snow sports. 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 Amazon $45 at Amazon $45 at Hestragloves.us $45 at Moosejaw.com Why We Love It Windshield Liners work as standalone winter gloves or extra lining for insulated, water-repellent shells. What to Consider They're windproof but not ideal for wet conditions without shells. 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 The North Face $55 at The North Face $55 at Dick's Why We Love It These attractive mittens perform remarkably well in winter weather, keeping your hands toasty and dry in snowy conditions. What to Consider They don't have touchscreen fingers, but you can still grip things pretty well. 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 The 9 Best Ski Jackets for Men of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best Cozy: Gordini Women's Wooly Mittens Amazon $44 at Amazon $45 at Scheels.com Why We Love It These extra-thick, fuzzy mitts will keep your hands toasty-warm and reliably dry during the cold season. What to Consider They don't have a good grip, so you probably shouldn't wear them while driving. 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 lululemon $24 at Lululemon Why We Love It Suitable for daily wear and casual outings, these low-maintenance mittens are stretchy, soft, and warm. What to Consider They don't have grippy palms or fingers and can make your hands a little clammy. 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 Other Winter Gloves We Liked We found some other notable options when surveying our team members, although there were some issues that kept these gloves from our main list. The North Face Montana Ski Glove: These gloves fit well, feel comfortable during various activities, and effectively wick away moisture. The performance is all-around good, but unfortunately, one of the wrist-tightening straps broke. Smartwool Striped Liner Glove: These liners kept our hands dry and sweat-free. Though they're perfect for winter walks, outdoor runs, and leisurely activities, you'll need something more substantial for snow. Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Mitt: These insulated mittens kept our hands warm and dry for hours on the slopes. The price is pretty steep, but they might be worth the investment for skiers or snowboarders. Fox River Double Ragg Mittens: These simple, lightweight mittens are just the thing for everyday activities, like walking or commuting to work. That said, they're not waterproof and get pretty wet in the snow. Kinco Premium Leather Work and Ski Mitt: These heavy-duty mitts held up well over multiple years of use. They kept our hands reliably warm and dry, though the insulation appears to be getting thinner over time. Our Testing Process We surveyed the T+L team on their favorite winter gloves and had them score each pair based on comfort, warmth, water resistance, moisture management, durability, design, quality, and overall value. The gloves and mittens were used in real-life settings over periods ranging from several months to three years. After evaluating the ratings and insights, we narrowed it down to options that held up well and kept our hands warm. Above are the options that we ultimately think are worth buying. Tips for Buying Winter Gloves Choose materials designed for warmth and wicking moisture When buying winter gloves, opt for warm, breathable materials that wick away moisture, such as polyester, wool, or nylon. Look out for tech-enhanced materials, too. For instance, PrimaLoft and DuPont Sorona insulation stay warm even when they get wet, Thinsulate and Megaloft are lightweight down-alternative insulators, Gore-Tex repels liquids while still allowing airflow, and tricot fabrics offer excellent wind resistance. Consider waterproofness You should also consider waterproofness, as it'll be much harder for your hands to stay warm in the rain or snow if they get wet. Waterproof gloves can be made of various materials, including nylon, polyester, or leather, and usually have a water-repellent coating and sealed seams to keep moisture out. Some also have Gore-Tex membranes — if water seeps inside or your hands begin to sweat, the waterproof material essentially absorbs then evaporates moisture to release it from the gloves. Buy for your intended activity Consider your intended activity when buying a pair of winter gloves. Will you be hitting the slopes, going on a snowy hike or a winter camping trip, running in windy conditions, or just strolling the sidewalks on a sightseeing excursion? Bulkier, insulated gloves are a must-have for snow sports and below-freezing temperatures, whereas lightweight, slim-fitting designs will work for most other activities. 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. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Theresa Holland is a commerce writer specializing in travel, lifestyle, recreation, and apparel. For this story, she considered compiled surveyed insights from the T+L team on their favorite winter gloves and narrowed it down to those with the best performance, feel, durability, and style. The 5 Best Heated Socks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Edited by Jackie Cucco Jackie Cucco Jackie Cucco is a Commerce Testing Editor at Travel + Leisure, where she assigns, edits, and writes travel-related product reviews based on in-depth product testing. She previously worked as a travel agent, has a Master’s degree in journalism, and has over six years of experience creating gift guides and writing about various products. She has made over 100 TV appearances discussing consumer products and shopping trends. learn more