The Best Winter Mittens of 2023

We think of these mitts as cocoons for the hands. They’re indeed stuffed full of PrimaLoft insulation, the same fill used in cold-weather sleeping bags. This was one of our first favorites all the way back in 2007, and it’s still a strong contender.

The Mercury Mitts ($120) are among the best mittens on the market. They’ll last for several years (at least), and with a removable liner, they can be used in frigid or kinda-cold weather. Plus, the stretchy outer shell is made from 100 percent recycled material.

What seems to be a trend among Black Diamond’s warmest gloves (the BD Guide Gloves are the same way), is that these mitts fit a good bit tighter than what you’d expect. We highly recommend trying these gloves on in person before committing and don’t be afraid to size up to get that perfect fit.

The waterproof membrane of the Mercury Mitts and the long gauntlet cuff are both appreciated to keep us warm and dry in wet conditions.

This mitt didn’t blow us away as the snazziest or most high-tech, but it’s gosh-darn warm. A basic design and budget-friendly, we found the Challenge Mitt ($68) to be warm enough for a variety of snow activities and, best of all, easy to put on.

The mitts have wrist leashes and easy-pull tabs so you can shed them when you need more dexterity. (Although the mitts are touchscreen-compatible, so you don’t need to ditch them to check your phone!)

While our male testers found these gloves to fit just about right, our female testers reported a slightly snug fit in the size they traditionally would fit in. Size these mitts for comfort, with enough space at the end of your fingers to avoid cold spots.

We also found these gloves to be extremely soft on the inside, thanks to the cozy fleece lining that extends all the way to the cuff. To top it off, Gordini added tech like a textured water-resistant shell and a waterproof and windproof GORE-TEX Warm insert.

Read our full review to see how this awesome mitt made the cut.

Designed for mountaineering and high-elevation adventure, the Outdoor Research Alti II GORE-TEX mittens ($199) prove warm even in the coldest conditions. Newly redesigned for 2022/23, the Alti’s got a brand new fit, and has been optimized for better dexterity — something we’re always looking for in a big, bulky mitt.

The leather palm provides plenty of grip, and the three-panel thumb construction allows for even better dexterity to grab gear. We like the longer cuff for its all-around sturdy construction, which kept snow from sneaking in.

Aimed at the shivering hands of high-altitude mountaineers, these mitts do command a higher price, but we’d pay it every time to receive the warmth these mittens pump out.

Perhaps best of all is the thumb insulation that keeps the secluded digit warm all day long. The gloves boast 170 grams of PrimaLoft Gold on the backside of the exterior mitt and integrates two layers into the inner mitt. Both the outer and inner polyester fleece mitts have 312 grams of insulation on the palm.

This synthetic insulation not only repels water, but also dries quickly if it does get wet. This is key for staying warm all day. And if you get too warm, simply remove the liner. We’re in our fifth or so year using some version of the Alti II GORE-TEX Mittens, and they’re still going strong.

The Dakine Diablo mitten system allows for a lot of versatility. For $250, you get three unique sets of handwear — a lightweight glove liner, a puffy down mitten liner, and a burly GORE-TEX outer shell. You can easily switch between layers during high-output activities and pile all three layers on when the temps drop.

The removable liner glove has a silicone grip and touchscreen-friendly fingertips. The 650-fill-down mitten liner provides plenty of lofty warmth. And the GORE-TEX outer makes for a breathable, waterproof shell.

We really like the outer shell’s goat leather palm, which provides just enough grip for managing ski poles or carrying your board. These are a big investment and, depending on your needs, you could perhaps get away with a cheaper pair. But if you’re looking for a versatile mitten system that will keep you cool on the uphills and warm on the mountain, the Diablo Mittens can’t be beaten.

Like the Dakine Diablo mitt system, but looking for something less pricey? Check out Dakine’s gauntlet-style Titan Mitt, also with a removable liner and GORE-TEX (but no down), for just $80.

The Give’r Frontier Mitten ($139) raised more than $1 million during its initial crowdfunding efforts, and we’re not surprised. The brand had already built a solid reputation for super-durable yet warm and weather-resistant gloves. Its expansion into mittens had fans stoked from the beginning.

From our Frontier Mitten early prototype testing to the brand’s 2.0 pair, these mitts proved wonderful from the get-go. They have the same burly leather build as the gloves, which means they can handle turns on the slopes or grabbing a log out of the campfire. Under that, five layers of insulation and a waterproof membrane keep hands cozy.

Since these burly mitts use an all-cowhide exterior, there is a bit of a break-in period to be expected, as well as upkeep to maintain that supple texture. Waxing them every season with Sno Seal Beeswax Waterproofing is a surefire way to keep your leather from going waterlogged.

The Burton Vent Mitts ($40) are built for young shredders. These mitts cinch at the wrist if the weather requires and have a zippered pocket for your little one’s hand warmers. The design has a big cuff to help pull ’em on, up and over a jacket.

The Vent mittens have Burton’s DryRide two-layer shell for waterproofness and breathability and Thermacore synthetic insulation. The mittens also have a grip texture feature on the palm, and a soft, fixed microfiber lining to keep hands and fingers cozy inside.

One of our lead testers has found that Burton’s kids’ gloves are durable, based on years of experience teaching students in an outdoor class with activities like climbing and digging — usually, their miniature Burton gloves hold up well.

Folks also tend to like these kid mitts most for their different size options (kids’ mittens really shouldn’t be one size fits all), ease of use and adjustability, and warmth. Parents rave at the length of the cuffs and cinches that do a great job of keeping snow out. The price isn’t bad, either.

Looking for even smaller (toddler) mitts? The Columbia Chippewa II Toddler would take our second vote.

Call ’em gloves, call ’em mittens, call ’em lobster claws — the added dexterity of a split mitt is great for cyclists. The concept itself isn’t new, but GORE’s in-house brand, GORE Wear, has a lobster mitt ($90) we’ve tried and love.

And because it’s made by GORE, it offers superior wind protection, loads of warmth, solid durability, and enough water resistance to stand up to snowmelt (once you’re inside) or light freezing drizzle.

GORE rates them to temps that fall below 40 degrees F, but if the mercury plummets to the teens or single digits, a set of pogies like Bar Mitts will (most often) afford you the extra warmth you need on top of these mittens.

And while we’ve pushed the INFINIUM Windstopper layer from GORE pretty far in the past, it’s important to note that these gloves won’t be 100% waterproof (just dang close).

For shoulder season and year-round commuters, the Thermo Split Gloves also have touchscreen-compatible index digits to check directions or send quick texts. Best of all, you can score these for under $100.

Heated gloves or mittens can cost upward of $300 — but not these. Volt’s 7V Heated Mitts ($120) are fully decked out like many other mitts on this list: with a nylon shell, leather palm, and waterproof breathable membrane. In terms of the heating element, the Volt mitts have ultra-thin stainless steel heating wires bonded into the fabric to heat across the back and palm of your hand.

The system, which heats up to more than 150 degrees, has a built-in microprocessor for heat control and is powered by a 7-volt portable battery. Volt says it lasts for 2 hours on the highest setting and up to at least 8 hours on low.

While they are cheap compared to many other heated options, the 7V Heated Mitts are still a pretty penny compared to other mitts in our testing. But for those who might suffer from Reynaud’s or just dang cold hands, having a little extra juice can make the difference.

We’ll admit, these aren’t for the coldest of temps, but if you’re looking for a lightweight mitt that can perform, check out the Fast Wing Winter from Salomon ($55). Best for high-output winter activities like running, cardio, and hiking, the Fast Wings prioritize lightweight and versatility.

Technically, the Fast Wing is a glove. But the attached DWR-treated windproof, water-resistant mitt cover is a nice addition that helps retain warmth, block wind, and keep hands dry in rainy, wet, or snowy weather.

The glove has Salomon’s AdvancedSkin Warm tech, which reflects warmth back to your body and works to retain heat, plus an extended cuff and touchscreen finger pads. All that and these mitts weigh less than 2 ounces.

If you want lightweight hand protection, the Fast Wing is a solid option. Just know they aren’t for the coldest temps, as they don’t have added insulation.

The Hestra XC Over Mitts ($45) aren’t the most versatile, but they get the job done of keeping digits warm during a mild day outside. Made for cross-country skiing, the shell mitts are aimed to layer over liners if the weather is a bit much for your outing. They don’t have any insulation but still felt warm enough on 30-degree days, mitts only. 

For a slim mitten, the Over Mitts might seem pricey, but the construction is top quality. The outer is made from Hestra’s three-layer interlock polyester fabric. We found them to be wind and water-repellent. And despite being rated as breathable, our hands stayed completely dry when reaching into a cold creek.

A soft yet durable polyester is incorporated into the palm and offers a slight grip, so you can get a nice grasp on your poles or phone. 

If you’re layering these mitts over slim gloves, the material stretch and wider wrist area is helpful: They easily slide on and off. The Hestra XC Over Mitts are also thin enough that you can easily stash them in a pocket if you heat up and don’t ’em for a whole cross-country session. 

These low-profile insulated mittens are new for the 2023 season. While many mittens on the market aim to be bulky and over-stuffed with insulation, the Hardscrabble Mitts ($159) are sleek and relatively thin. They weigh very little and easily fit into a back pocket, but the 3 ounces of integrated PrimaLoft insulation is plenty warm for most winter conditions.

Stio is based in Jackson, Wyoming — a full-blown ski town where the average lows in January hover around 5 degrees. While the Hardscrabble isn’t the warmest mitten on this list, it’s far warmer than its thin profile would suggest. We wore the Hardscrabble while skiing in fierce winds and walking around town in a blizzard. We never needed a bulkier mitt.

Inside the Hardscrabble, individual finger compartments combine the feel of a glove with the contained warmth of a mitten. The dividers between each finger are soft and cozy. Supple leather covers the entire exterior, while an extra thick patch adds durability to the palm. The cuffs are relatively short — so they aren’t ideal for skiing deep powder — but they fit nicely underneath most jacket sleeves.

Warm, soft, true to size, and at a great price point — the Hestra Moon Mittens ($85) have proven very popular in recent years.

Not only are these puffy mitts great-quality and well-insulated (with PrimaLoft Gold insulation and a windproof ripstop shell), but they’re also great at transcending activities  — from cruising groomers on a dry day to walking around town. The mitts also have a soft, yet strong hairsheep leather reinforcement on the palms for enhanced grip.

Best suited to drier climes (no waterproofing here, unfortunately), the Moon Mittens are quickly becoming our quick stash of warmth on any cold-weather outing.

While these leather ski mittens require a little care, they’ll also last for years. Flylow’s Oven Mitts ($65) perform well in frigid temps and are durable and, of course, toasty warm.

We love the quality of these gloves for the price point. Really, if you want something for cold days — whether hiking, skiing, or working out in the snow — and don’t want to spend a fortune, these mitts will get the job done.

Our only downside? During testing, we noticed that the black pigment in the leather wasn’t quite as fixed as we would have liked, and smudges happened. For the rough-and-tumble type, who are likely drawn to the Oven Mitts anyway, it probably isn’t much of an issue.

We love that this mitt is svelte yet offers just-enough warmth and is stylish, too. Not to mention, we can actually slide the gauntlet quickly beneath our jacket cuff. For multiple seasons, we’ve found the well-made Burton GORE-TEX Under Mitten ($75) to be one of our faves with a quick-drying removable glove liner plus external GORE-TEX technology to barricade the elements.

While snowboarding at the resort, these mittens withstood 10-degree weather with windchill, light snow, and sunnier windows in the 30s. The design provided warmth without bulk, allowing hand control when tinkering with our bindings. The thumbs are generously covered with a smooth polyester nose-wipe panel.

Each mitten’s upper face has a diagonal zipper and pocket, which we opened to drop heat or to slide in hand warmers on freezing days. Slender gloves liners are included with touchscreen compatibility in each forefinger, which we love. One caveat: The liner’s wrist seams are not flexible making them tough to get on and off.

Both palms and interior thumbs have a durable and touchscreen-compatible material that feels like faux leather, but it’s not a super functional placement for operating a phone screen.

Between the high-quality materials and the extra features, like a nose wipe and long wrist leashes, the Picture Organic Anna Mitts ($65) do not disappoint. Worn in high winds and low temps, the mitts can withstand the strong elements of a powder day. 

Where the gloves stood out the most is their warmth and comfort. The insulation comes in at 220 grams. The lining is an extremely soft, warm sherpa fleece with 5-finger separations to keep your hands from being too sweaty.

There’s also sherpa fleece lining in the small gauntlet, which fit easily under large coat cuffs. That said, the circumference is a bit too narrow to slide over a jacket.

The outer is made from biosourced and recycled polyester, which is coupled with a waterproof, breathable membrane to help keep hands dry no matter how much snow is falling. We found that the mitts were grippy enough with their goat leather palm but are not touchscreen compatible. 

Pop these on for your coldest of days on the slopes to stay warm, dexterous, and feeling good.