The Best Winter Gloves of 2023

If you want warm hands this winter regardless of what you’re doing, Norrøna’s trollveggen GORE-TEX ($229) is our pick for the best winter glove. It’s made for mountaineering with a mid-length cuff and goat leather palm.

But you don’t need to have big-mountain summits on your bucket list to wear them. These gloves are significantly lighter and more supple than other big mitts, with a tough cuff that’s light, flexible, and trim, which makes them easy to slip on.

On blustery days, keep the warmth in with the low-profile, one-hand tighten-and-release wrist strap, or seal your hands inside with a pull tab on the cuff. A wool liner under the synthetic-insulated shell wasn’t as fuzzy as fleece but gave the gloves dexterity for gripping a ski pole, a mountaineering axe, or holding onto a sled handle.

It also kept the inside from ever feeling sweaty. Use the stretchy, removable wrist straps to prevent dropping them in the snow when you take these off to send a text or snap a pic. Overall, the trollveggen tops our list as a formidable, versatile, and comfortable glove that still allows for dexterity.

For less than a bowl of chili and a hot chocolate at the ski resort, these winter gloves ($20) from Jeniulet provide good warmth, quality materials, and touchscreen compatibility.

Don’t expect these gloves to offer the performance or durability of our all-around top pick. Still, they’re quite impressive for the price. Made from six layers of wind-resistant and high-density fabrics, these gloves kept many users’ fingers warm and comfortable in temperatures down to -30 degrees. The surface of the palm area is leather, which improves grip and dexterity whether you’re riding a bike, skiing, or working with a snow shovel.

Though they do run quite large, the Jeniulet Winter Gloves simply don’t have many flaws, especially considering they cost less than half that of most competitors.

Designed by professional snowboarder John Jackson, the Black Diamond Legend Gloves ($150) are — no surprise — high-quality with all the features that you need. They are completely waterproof and breathable with a GORE-TEX insert, so they’ll hold up even on the snowiest of days or while digging pits in the backcountry. If it’s more than 20 degrees and sunny outside, opt for a thinner internal liner as the inside can get a bit swampy during activity. 

With 170g of PrimaLoft Gold on the back of the hand and 60g on the palm, we found our hands stayed warm with these puppies on, though dexterity was a bit compromised. Regardless, clipping in and out of snowboard bindings was still easy thanks to the palm’s grippy goat leather. Plus, the gloves have removable wrist straps, so the chance of dropping and losing one is slim. 

Depending on the day or athlete, an undercuff might be preferred over a larger gauntlet. The Legend will keep you comfortable and happy on snowy, deep-powder days with a sturdy, neoprene undercuff that easily and efficiently slides under jacket sleeves with little bulk. There isn’t a pull tab to get these on quicker, but there is a large hook-and-loop closure strap to tighten and seal out any cold air or snow. 

The 4-Season Give’r Gloves ($119) have been such a hit with wearers over the years that they made a pair of mitts, too. The versatile gloves have a following and it’s no surprise why. The Give’r Gloves have the old-school aesthetic but with all the features and tech that a solid winter glove needs. 

The all-leather cowhide exterior is paired with a 100 percent waterproof and breathable Hipora membrane, so your fingers will stay dry in whatever condition you wear these in. For warmth, the gloves have a Thinsulate inner layer, 150g of insulation on the palm, and 260g of insulation on the outside. A reflective heat shield is also on the front of the glove. 

At first try, the leather mitts feel a bit stiff, and take some break-in time to truly feel the most comfortable and malleable. To keep the Give’r 4-Season Gloves lasting for as long as you plan to use them, wax them every season with a waterproofing wax, like Sno Seal Beeswax Waterproofing. Although a solid winter glove, the elastic undercuff with the short leather cuff did feel a bit bunchy under a ski and snowboard jacket. 

Even though mitts are usually warmer than gloves, they can sacrifice the use of your fingers if you don’t take them off. The long-cuffed and fully waterproof Dakine Leather Titan Gore-Tex glove ($100) offers the best of both worlds: top-notch warmth and dexterity.

The gloves are equipped with Hi-Loft insulation and a waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX membrane. Seams stitched on the outside, not the inside, reduce pressure points if you’re poling while splitboarding. On the palm, you get full coverage with durable, goat leather for a better grip whether it’s for a grab or ratcheting your binding.

As an added bonus, the removable and stretchy glove liner of the Titan is touchscreen-compatible. Gone are the days of chilly fingers resulting from cold air exposure after sending a quick text. For all-day shredding on the mountain, these are the best winter gloves for the job.

Slipping your hand into Hestra’s Army Leather Patrol Gauntlet Gloves ($165) is like putting on your favorite sweater. The three-layer dobby polyester melange is soft and molds to your hand over time. The proofed goat leather palm material is durable and water-resistant. Overall, this is a reliable glove fully equipped for harsh conditions.

Inside, the removable five-finger liner is deliciously cozy and warm but not bulky. We like the extended wrist cuffs and integrated Velcro cinch. Even on the deepest of days, these gloves keep bits of snow from entering at the opening.

We recommend these gloves to skiers who spend lots of time in cold conditions with lots of snowfall. They are certainly on the more expensive end of the spectrum, but if you’re looking for high performance and durability, the Patrol Gauntlet is a solid value.

Though they aren’t ideal for the coldest of winter days, the Etip Recycled Gloves ($45) from The North Face are perfect for wintertime active use and are made from 93 percent recycled polyester. From trail running to skiing, these lightweight yet warm gloves are highly versatile and can serve as a glove liner when you need a little extra insulation.

It’s difficult to strike a balance between insulation and breathability, but the Etip Recycled Gloves are up to the challenge. During high-intensity winter activity, these gloves allow ample airflow and prevent sweating. Silicone texture added to the palms provides solid holding power on ski and trekking poles, while the stretchy fabric allows for freedom of movement.

Of all the touchscreen-compatible gloves on the market, The North Face’s Etip technology is among the most consistent and reliable. Wearers of these gloves will appreciate frustration-free smartphone operation.

Cycling in winter conditions exposes your hands and fingers to the harsh bite of frigid air. These cycling gloves ($85) from Pearl Izumi have been designed specifically with cold-weather riding in mind.

Insulated with 170 g of PrimaLoft Gold insulation and incorporated aerogel particles, these split-finger, lobster-style gloves offer top-notch warmth without sacrificing dexterity.

Gripping handlebars with cold hands is painful. In addition to ample insulation, these gloves include 3D-shaped gel palm pads, which reduce bulk and improve grip comfort. Palm patches of Ax Suede Laredo synthetic leather help ensure reliable grip when steering and braking, even in wet conditions.

Fat bike enthusiasts rejoice — the Pearl Izumi AmFIB Lobster Cycling gloves are the best winter gloves for the job.

In cold and damp conditions, these work gloves by Mechanix ($33) provide reliable warmth, grip, and protection. For an affordable price, Mechanix gloves are the real deal. With a wind-resistant outer layer, a Thinsulate fleece lining, and Armortex reinforcement in the thumb saddle, these gloves are perfect for cold-season manual labor.

Thanks to built-in touchscreen compatibility, you won’t need to remove these gloves to answer a call or send an urgent text. Though they’re primarily made for working, many users report these gloves also perform well for skiing, cycling, and other forms of winter recreation.

For some folks with chronically cold hands, no amount of passive insulation will solve the problem. When you’re wearing the battery-powered Solanos ($400), even arctic temperatures won’t keep you inside.

For a battery-operated glove, the Solano is relatively low-profile, with a rechargeable unit in the cuff and heating elements that wrap around the inside of your wrist, where blood is close to the surface and can best absorb the heat.

The new Solano has more synthetic insulation in the back of the hand (200g) and the palm (100g) than previous versions, but not so much that it’s hard to grip a ski pole or handlebar.

An easy-to-operate switch on the back of this GORE-TEX-lined goat leather glove lets you choose from three settings. We wore these gloves in the deepest freeze that Vermont could muster, alpine skiing, and fat biking down to -20 degrees. Our hands remained toasty and warm throughout.

When you need to feel everything but also need a barrier against winter weather, the Mixalot ($69) delivers, especially for ice climbing. An ultra-tactile, close-fit, single-layer glove, the Mixalot has a no-slip Pittards Gripster sheep leather palm — the same leather used in golf gloves — that covers all the parts of your hand that touch a tool.

The superb grip paired with a new three-finger articulation for tools provides unrestricted movement and gave us total confidence in our tool placements while climbing frozen waterfalls as well as during mixed climbing. A new neoprene cuff and GORE WINDSTOPPER softshell on the back of the Mixalots kept biting wind out and warmth in.

Gordini’s Fayston Gloves ($65) are simple, elegant, and a solid value. For running errands in Breckenridge, Truckee, and the rest of the great mountain towns, the Fayston is perfect everyday attire.

As this glove is more in the lifestyle category, it isn’t really meant for heavy outdoor activities but is a great pick for running around town. The Thindown insulation and moisture-wicking lining are designed to keep your hands cozy while walking to the bar, going for a stroll, or shopping at the resort base area.

We tested the Fayston on chilly morning walks in Crested Butte and were impressed with the elegant design and general comfort. For such a thin glove, the Fayston kept our hands comfortable in temps as low as 10 degrees. Men’s and women’s sizes are available.

For those who prefer gloves without a gauntlet, the Oyuki E-Jack GTX Gloves ($130) are made with the ideal undercuff. There is a side zipper so you can easily fit them over large hands but still zip ’em up for a streamlined hug around the wrist. 

The bottom of the gloves have a large pull tab, which is a unique rectangular cutout in the cuff’s goat leather — an excellent tool for gloves with undercuffs. The opening is large enough to get a gloved finger through to yank on the opposite hand, so you can quickly get your gloves back on without removing the other.

A midweight option, these gloves boast PrimaLoft Gold insulation on the top and palm, which kept our hands warm enough when biking home on a zero-degree night. That said, the E-Jacks weren’t the warmest on very cold, windy days at the ski area, but did keep our hands comfortable in mid-to-low-20s with decent wind. 

Because of the low profile, the gloves provided great dexterity, which makes them ideal for winter biking, transitioning in the backcountry, and holding onto ski poles for downhilling, snowshoeing, or splitboarding. Overall, it’s no surprise that these gloves are all-around an excellent tool for the kit, as they were designed by professional snowboarder Eric Jackson, and built with performance in mind.  

For nordic skiing, less is more. We picked the Hestra Windstopper Tour Gloves ($75) for their lightweight profile, grippy goat leather palm (that never got saturated with snowmelt or sweat), and stylish look.

The Windstopper Tour Gloves are internally lined with GORE-TEX Infinium micro-check material, which keeps the windchill out without sacrificing breathability. Though these gloves include minimal insulation, a layer of fleece on the backhand provides just enough warmth for cross-country touring and other active outdoor activities.

Like all Hestra products, these gloves are well-made and plenty durable for regular use. From a versatility standpoint, we love that these gloves also work well for jogging, running errands, and simply getting your hands warm throughout the winter