Gloves just might be the most underrated part of a winter wardrobe.  When the temperature drops below freezing, it is important to have a good pair of winter gloves to keep your hands warm and protected.

But finding the right winter gloves for you depends on the type of activities you do during the winter season. Whether you are working, skiing, snowshoeing, cycling, ice fishing, or camping, there is a different type of glove for every scenario.

With so many brands to choose from, it is hard to decide which gloves will work the best. Read on as we dive deeper into the best winter gloves and mittens for various activities and weather conditions.

Types of Winter Gloves

Winter gloves don’t get as much attention as other winter gear, but having a good pair can be the difference between having a good and bad day out in the cold. Gloves have different warmth levels depending on whether they are thin, lightweight, waterproof, or heavily insulated.

Any outdoors enthusiast knows that gloves can be good for a while, and then fail instantly when they get wet or the mercury drops just a bit too much.  We want to help you avoid that kind fo situation.

Below, we have recommended five of the top gloves to choose from for any cold adventure.

Best Winter Gloves for Extreme Cold

The Arc’teryx Fission SV Gloves (also available in mittens) is an excellent choice for extremely cold temperatures. The Fission SV has impressive resilience, breathability, and waterproof material in extreme conditions.  It is our go-to when all we know is that it will be darn cold outside.

The Fission SV is Insulated with PrimaLoft Silver and Gold to ensure maximum warmth in harsh conditions. These gloves are designed with a waterproof/breathable GORE-TEX insert, OCTA Loft lining to help wick moisture, and a double layer of goat leather for enhanced durability.  If you find yourself subzero skiing, mountaineering, or shoveling your driveway, these gloves will ward off the cold weather.

But what will they cost you?

There is no doubt that these are some of the warmest winter gloves on the market because of the quality material and advanced design. The retail price for a pair on REI’s website is just under $200. That price might scare away some shoppers, but if you need gloves that will last years to come, it could be worth the investment.

These gloves are unisex and come in various sizes. There have been reviews stating that the glove’s sizing can be off. At times the sizes can be smaller than expected, or the fingers can be loose and bulky. It is important to try on the gloves prior to purchasing. If you can’t try them on then, it is good to be aware of the return policy of the place you are purchasing them from.

Best Winter Mitten for Extreme Cold

If you like mitten gloves and need a pair for extremely cold conditions, then look no further. The Black Diamond Mercury Mitten is well designed and impressively warm.

Designed with PrimaLoft Gold insulation, the Mercury Mitten has a cold rating of -20 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don’t need that much insulation, you can always remove the liner for less freezing conditions.

The Mercury Mitten has a price tag of just over $100 undiscounted, which isn’t too bad for how well it does in below-zero temperatures. This mitten can be overkill when it comes to any conditions that aren’t arctic-like. Nonetheless, these are popular mitten for skiing and backcountry trekking.  Much like a good pair of thermal underwear, the Black Diamond gloves rely on layering from different materials to give you the incredible cold-fighting ability.

Best Winter Work Glove

Working hands may be tough, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need protection during the winter season. No matter what the job is at hand, the Kinco Heavy-Duty Pigskin Driver Glove is an incredibly warm and durable work glove.

This work glove features thermal liner insulation, a rugged pigskin leather shell, and a premium knit wrist to seal in heat. While these are all fantastic features, we haven’t even got to the best part about these work gloves.

They remind us a little of old-fashioned chopper mitts, only in a glove format.

Not only has Kinco been known to make durable work gloves, but their reasonable pricing makes them stand out even more. The Kinco Driver Glove can sometimes be purchased for under $50! You can’t beat that kind of value.

To keep in mind, while these work gloves are waterproof, the leather can break down, letting in moisture. Grab a jar of waterproofing leather wax to protect the leather shell, and you will be good to go.

Considering that these gloves are meant for working hands, they aren’t the warmest glove on the market. Kinco designed the gloves with less insulation because they knew worker’s hands would sweat. So for the average person going for a walk outside in the cold, these aren’t the best option.

Overall, Kinco has made a name in the work glove community, and for a good reason. Their bargain pricing and proven performance throughout various work sectors make them an excellent work glove of choice.

Best Winter Gloves For Everyday Use

It’s a good idea to have a pair of gloves for different activities. If you are on the hunt for a pair of gloves that are lightweight but warm enough for running or hiking, then the North Face Denali Etip Gloves are a great choice. These durable gloves are made with a polyester fleece material that is warm and breathable.

These gloves aren’t insulated, so they aren’t the best pick for extremely cold conditions. Another thing to keep in mind is that they aren’t waterproof since they are made with fleece material. These aren’t the gloves that you will be making snowballs with because your hands will be frozen.

The Denali Etip is touchscreen capable, so no need to take them off to navigate your cell phone. Another great thing about these gloves is that they are reasonably priced at $35 for a pair. These are exceptional everyday gloves for the causal run to the store, morning jog, or winter hike.

Best Heated Gloves

Heated gloves might come across as overkill, but for people whose hands seem to get colder than normal, they can be a lifesaver. Some of the best-heated gloves are Velazzio Heated Gloves because of their various heat settings, fast charging, and reasonable price of $86. They are also plenty warm when the heating featuring is turned off.

The heated gloves have three heating features, touchscreen capabilities and adjustable wrist straps. Consumers who suffer from Raynaud’s Syndrome will be happy to know that their fingertips will be nice and warm with the Velazzio Heated Gloves.

Overall, these are good everyday heated gloves at an excellent price.

What To Look For When Buying Gloves

Hands are one of the most exposed parts of our body, and keeping them warm in cold weather can sometimes be difficult. What can be even more difficult is figuring which gloves to buy. That’s why we put together some simple tips on what to look for when purchasing gloves.

Glove Use

The first thing to do is ask yourself this question: What will I be using them for? Do you need them for colder temperatures in the mountain when you are skiing, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing? Or are they more for everyday use in mild weather? Your answer will help narrow down the type of gloves that you should look at.

For activities where you will be in temperatures below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, such as skiing, you will want to look at gloves that are insulated, waterproof, and made with durable material.

For even colder conditions, taking a look at heated gloves is also a good option. Check the temperature range of the gloves to ensure that they will meet your needs.

If you need a pair just for everyday use where you will be exercising or will be outside for short periods, you won’t need heavily insulated gloves. For mild winter temperatures, finding a breathable glove but still warm enough is the way to go. Thin gloves made out of polyester or fleece are good for runners, hikers, and daily commutes.

Glove fit

Just like clothing, gloves fit everyone differently. You may wear a size medium in your old gloves, but a medium might be too small in a different brand. Go to a local outdoor store and try different pairs on.

Think of it as if you were buying a pair of shoes. You wouldn’t want them too big or too tight; it’s no different when buying a pair of gloves.

Temps

Temps are a major factor in the glove you will need to choose.  The less-severe the expected temps, the more you can get by with a lighter, more comfortable, and perhaps less-expensive glove.  But if you think you will be exposed to extreme cold, you do not want to skimp — or you may experience frostbite.

Remember, too, that moisture plays in to it.  If you expect your gloves to get wet, that may reduce the ability for the gloves to keep you warm.