Looking for affordable gloves that will keep you warm? Here's some of the best winter mittens and gloves for men, women and kids. Plus tips on what to look for!
After our Top 10 winter gloves reviews, we put together a guide to help you choose the best pair of winter gloves, for you or your family.
“One kind word can warm three winter months”
- Japanese Proverb -
Gloves have come a long way.
Back in the days, they used to be a symbol of pride, dignity, spirit of chivalry, and relentless courage. If you’ve watched the classic movies, say Game of Thrones, you’ll realize gloves were part of Knights’ attire. They were not only ornaments of power and affluence, but also offered protection against the cold.
While you might not be planning to engage in any form of combat soon, you will need to embrace yourself for another type of battle — fighting the coming chilly months!
Winter is knocking, and so you have to be prepared. You need to invest in good thermal gloves that are designed with insulation to protect your hands from the cold.
Whether you have plans to go for a skiing or snowboarding trip to the mountains, want to have an old fashioned snowball fight, or know outright that you will be stuck behind your snow blower this winter, our selection of thermal gloves will prove to come in handy.
Let’s look together for that perfect fit!
For our product reviews, we chose a mixture of men's, women's and kid's gloves for winter that are affordable. The gloves and mittens on our list are more for causal, every day or work use than they are for any specific sport such as ski gloves or winter cycling gloves.
Don't worry, those reviews will be coming, but in the meantime, if you are searching for those, the links above go to Amazon's best sellers.
Quick Links - Winter Gloves FAQS
In this article we hope to answer the most frequently asked questions about buying the best gloves for winter. Want to go directly to a question? Click the link.
Top 10 Winter Gloves 2021 — Our Picks
Before we get to our reviews, which include links to retailers who carry the products, here's a quick preview of which ones we chose based on quality, overall customer satisfaction and value for the money, along with the our rating.
Some of our picks only got 4 stars from us, mostly because they would not be the best choice for really cold conditions, so use your judgement. If you live in a place where the weather doesn't get that bad, they may be just right!
Best Product— Current Amazon Prices
Table shows products in order from high to low at the time of our research. Since prices frequently change, the order may not be exact when you view it.
Please Note: Links in this chart go to Amazon. To see our reviews, continue reading.
Let's get on to the reviews, so you can learn more about these great gloves & mittens!
Best Affordable Winter Gloves 2021 Reviews
If you are shopping around, you may be wondering, how much is a good pair of gloves?
Let's face it, there are probably thousands of different winter gloves and mittens available to choose from, in a wide variety of price ranges — from super cheap at a few bucks, to ones costing hundreds of dollars.
Since this review is geared towards winter gloves that are affordable for everyone, we focused on quality options that are under $30, with many of them at about $18, as well as some that cost even less.
We chose reputable brands, and featured some of their best sellers — but please keep in mind they each have more to offer. For example, if we chose a pair of men's gloves from a brand, you can trust that their women's and children's options are also good quality.
Carhartt Women's Quilts Insulated Breathable Glove Review
Looking for the best women's winter gloves to keep you warm throughout this coming cold season? Well, how about Carhartt Women's Quilts breathable gloves which come made in 100% polyester.
These gloves are as good as they look. They feature channel quilting and waterproof Dry-Max inset to keep your hands warm and dry throughout this coming cold season.
Coming in a range of colors (charcoal, Black, crab apple, nightshade, and also rose), and sizes, these gloves feature a stylish design for the young and the young and the old.
For enhanced warmth, they also feature a microfiber lining which helps keep the heat inside between your skin the interior of the glove. The FastDry® technology lining wicks away sweat.
The stretchy fleece cuff ensures that the gloves don’t overstretch during hand wash as well as maintaining heat. Fleece is a bad conductor of heat and therefore does not conduct heat away from the body. For this reason, your hands are kept warm all through.
The storm defender waterproof breathable protection helps ensure that the gloves keep the moisture away from your precious feeble hands while aerating them to keep the skin fresh and tact.
The small pores on the polyester allow air in but block out water molecules from going through to the interior. The gloves also feature straps around the wrist for fastening the gloves and making sure they don’t dance their way of the hands when walking or performing various activities.
With a brand like Carhartt, known for quality, what better winter gloves than these? Carhartt also makes winter gloves for men and kids, and specializes in work gloves.
Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Pros
Cons
Carhartt Women's Quilts Insulated Glove with Waterproof Wicking
Ironclad Ranchworx Premier Leather Work Glove Review
Weather can be unforgiving, especially during winter when temperatures plummet below freezing. But work has to go on, and what better way to fight these adverse conditions than using Ironclad Ranchworx winter work gloves. These gloves come in genuine leather to protect our everyday heroes.
Available in six sizes, ranging from small to XXXL, you are sure to find a pair to fit.
The leather is contoured to the form of the hand and features core pattern stitched palm design for enhanced durability and dexterity. Ranchworx's Bullwhip® leather is machine washable and won't shrink or dry out like cheap or synthetic leathers (just don't put them in the dryer; hang to dry).
The gloves also feature Kevlar reinforcements in various critical areas of the glove — increasing its longevity and protection. For double layer protection and dexterity, these gloves feature a patented rolltop fingertip. These gloves also feature 16-point measurement spec for ultimate performance. Ironclad Ranchworx Work Gloves have a terry cloth at the back of the thumb which can be used to wipe the sweat away during work.
Their unmatched craftsmanship makes them exceptional for light to medium outdoor work tasks. You can also expect thermoplastic knuckle protection and exo-guard protection protecting the knuckles from impact and abrasion. Construction of the fingers also features TPR for flexible finger and impact protection.
Finally, the gloves also feature thermoplastic cuff puller which allows the worker to fit the glove in the proper position quickly while the slip fit cuff tolerates for more secure closure
While this particular pair is designed more for men, Ironclad makes a wide variety of work gloves for both men and women that are sure to keep you warm and safe!
Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Pros
Cons
Ironclad Ranchworx Work Gloves RWG2 - Premier Leather Work Glove
Columbia Women's Fast Trek™ Fleece Winter Glove Review
Columbia Women’s Fast Trek Glove is the ideal pair of winter gloves for casual activities in cold weather. These gloves are crafted using 100% polyester and come in three colors: black, chalk, and also truffle. Sizes range from small, medium, large and extra large.
They don't have a closure but feature an elasticized wrist which is very useful when fastening the gloves for a snug fit. The elastic wrist also aids in preventing the cold air from reaching inside of the glove.
The polyester material which comes in fleecy design keeps the hands very warm while preventing cold moisture from seeping through. The gloves feature abrasion-resistant palm patch, as wells as Colombia embroidered logo on the front.
The abrasion-resistant palm patch is key in preventing your pals from injuries when performing various activities. This palm patch also makes the gloves a little heavy duty.
These gloves are not only great for indoor winter activities but also soft outdoor activities such as driving and walking in the park.
Because they are not water resistant, these gloves are not be recommended for playing in the snow, but they do keep the hands pretty warm given the thick fleecy layer. These gloves are machine washable and as an added bonus there's a security clip to keep them from getting lost.
Columbia also makes winter gloves for men and kids, and specializes in outdoor apparel.
Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Pros
Cons
Columbia Women's Fast Trek™ Fleece Glove
OZERO Unisex -30℉ Thermal Windproof Water-Resistant Winter Gloves Review
If you are looking for best leather winter gloves to keep you going ahead of the coming cold weather, you'll be glad to know that OZERO thermal gloves not only fit the purpose but also go above and beyond.
Because of the flexibility and cold protection they can be used as work gloves, ski gloves, snowboarding gloves, as well as for everyday use and driving. They will keep you warm in extreme temperatures, up to-30℉!
OZERO thermal gloves are made from deer suede leather palm reinforced with a leather patch for a superior grip, sweat resistance, breathability and also abrasion resistance.
The polar fleece back is for thickness, comfort and warmth. They also feature waterproof and breathable TPU which is inserted between the Heatlok Insulated Cotton and the fluffy fleece. This particular pair of gloves from OZERO comes in your choice of denim black, black and grey or black and tan.
These winter gloves feature a unisex design, so they are good for men or women. In terms of sizing, there are four options: men’s small/women’s medium, men’s medium/women’s large, men’s large/women’s X-large, and men’s X-large/women’s XX-large. These gloves are most likely too big for young children, but the smaller sizes would fit most teens.
The heatlok thermal layer makes these gloves the perfect choice of winter gloves for extreme cold. This patented high-tech system consists of hollow fibers and microfiber which go a long way in providing warmth without excessive bulk nor loss of dexterity. Other features include double-locking thermal which consists of elastic wrist as well as a knitted cuff for a snug fit.
OZERO winter gloves qualify as one of the best waterproof winter gloves due to their water and wind resistance feature which makes them ideal for outdoor sports.
OZERO specializes in men's, women's and unisex gloves that can stand up to extreme weather conditions for work, play and snow sports (but doesn't make kids gloves).
Our Rating: 4 out of 5
Pros
Cons
OZERO Winter Gloves Cold Proof Thermal Ski Glove
N'Ice Caps Kids Waterproof Thinsulate Gloves for Boys and Girls Review
Protect your little ones with these N’Ice Caps Kids cold weather gloves. N’Ice Caps is a family owned and operated company in Minnesota (where it certainly gets cold), with it's own in house design team. These gloves come with insulated interior thanks to the 3M Thinsulate which keeps the hands warm and dry during the cold weather.
The 2.5” knitted cuff can be tucked inside jacket sleeves, which prevents the cold snow and wind from entering inside the gloves. They are fully waterproofed to keep your kid's hands dry while playing in the snow.
This particular pair of kid’s winter gloves from N’Ice Caps come printed in stylish designs and are warm and cozy. They feature a grippy palm area as well as on the thumbs and fingers. The gloves are designed with seamless curved fingers tips making them more comfortable and for better ergonomics.
These waterproof gloves feature an elastic waist which is wide enough as to fit your little one's hands and allow them space to locate the right finger holes. To keep the gloves on and also allow for adjustability, these gloves feature a hook and loop closure on the wrist, making them ideal for younger kids.
N’Ice Caps gloves come in a range of colors and styles such as traditional camouflage, digital and mosaic, and multiple sizes — demarcated in years to make it easy for you to select the right gloves for your little ones (for this item, the range is from 3 years all the way up to 15, depending upon the style).
There’s also a clip on each glove to keep them from getting lost when not in use. You can also connect them together when you throw them in the washer, so one glove doesn’t run of with the “magical disappearing socks.” Where do they go anyway?
Your child not into camo? N’Ice Caps offers a variety of prints to suit your little one's interest.
N’Ice Caps doesn't just make winter gloves for children, they also have winter gloves for babies, toddlers, teens, men and women. They also make fantastic hats, scarves and earmuffs and offer accessory sets.
Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Pros
Cons
N'Ice Caps Kids Cold Weather Waterproof Camo Thinsulate Ski Gloves
N'Ice Caps Girls Waterproof Thinsulate Fashion Design Winter Gloves Review
Family owned, Minnesota-based N'Ice Caps brings you another of their best warm winter gloves for girls. These gloves come insulated with 3M Thinsulate making them both very warm and also comfortable to wear during the cold season.
They are designed in such a way as not to allow moisture inside them keeping your little princesses hands dry and warm during the wet, snowy and icy conditions. The gloves feature curved fingers with the fingertips being seamless — key for ergonomics and also improved comfort.
These girl’s snow and ski gloves also feature 2.5 inches of the knitted cuff on the wrist area which can be tucked underneath the jacket or coat sleeves hindering the snow from getting inside the gloves. With so many different fashion designs available, your daughter may have trouble picking her favorite.
This warm, soft, and comfortable glove will get your girls falling deeper and deeper in love with them, especially their fine prints. Much like is the trend by N’Ice caps, these gloves feature a grippy palm area with the fingers and the thumb also having grippers. This makes them heavy-duty, good for outdoor winter activities while preventing abrasion.
These gloves are easy to put on and adjust, thanks to their elasticity around the wrist area. This elasticity allows for sufficient room for your girls to put the gloves on as well as look for the right fingerhole with ease. This also allows them to adjust the gloves for the most comfortable position.
Don't forget the boys and men in the family! N'Ice Caps makes warm winter gloves everyone will love. They also make knit other cold weather essentials.
Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Pros
Cons
N'Ice Caps Girls Cold Weather Waterproof Thinsulate Fashion Design Winter Snow Ski Gloves
SKYDEER Premium Deerskin Suede Leather and Polar Fleece Insulated Glove Review
SKYDEER Premium insulated gloves are made from deerskin suede leather combined with polar fleece. Deerskin leather suede is naturally flexible and very soft and features moderate abrasion resistance.
The overall design of these gloves is unisex, but they come in both unisex colors, as well as “men’s and women’s” colors — in sizes ranging from small to XXL for this item. As an added bonus, you can also choose to go for a pair with optional touch screen fingertips!
The suede leather is stitched on the palm area of the gloves while the back of the glove consists of the polar fleece. The polar fleece is windproof, meaning cold air does not enter inside the glove pores insulating the interior. The fleece is also warm and comfortable.
The gloves feature moisture wicking interior to keep your hands dry from sweat all day. 3M Thinsulate insulation layer helps keep your tender hands safe from abrasion while you are out working in the cold. Thinsulate helps trap your body heat while at the same time allowing moisture to escape. This allows for the gloves to keep the hand's temperature to the maximum for as long as possible.
The wrist features a double shire elastic which helps keep the glove tightly fixed to the hand while at the same time preventing snow and wind from getting inside the gloves. This also helps keep dirt and other debris from getting inside the gloves if you are using them for outdoor yardwork.
SKYDEER’s insulated leather gloves can be used as for casual every day wear, driving and shoveling snow, as well as for cold weather and winter activities such as hiking, bicycling, running, skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling. Not to mention good ol’ snowball fights and making snow angels!
What’s even better is that they come with a 100% 90-day money back guarantee.
The SKYDEER Winter line of gloves includes a wide range of styles for both men and women. You may also want to check out the SKYDEER Sports or SKYDEER Work lines if you are looking for gloves to suit a particular need.
Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Pros
Cons
SKYDEER Premium Genuine Soft Deerskin Suede Leather and Polar Fleece Insulated Winter Glove
SnowStoppers® Original Extended Cuff Waterproof Stay On Kids Mittens Review
Looking for the best winter mittens for your kids? Look no further. These SnowStoppers waterproof mittens for babies, toddlers and kids come in a variety of colors and designs.
Sizes ranges include extra-small (toddlers 6-18 months), small (1-3 years), medium (2-5 years), Large (4-8 years) and kids extra-large (7-12 years). The toddler winter mitten has no thumb, which makes it easier for them to wear.
These warm winter mittens feature a patented SnowStoppers sleeve which helps prevent snow and other particles from entering into your little one's gloves. The gloves are fully waterproofed thanks to the drypel liner and Thinsulate insulation.
The waterproof feature helps keep the moisture from entering the gloves. Much like adult gloves, these kids gloves come with an elastic wrist which for a snug fit. The inner lining of the gloves is made with !00% Polyester which helps keep the hands warm. The insulation consists of 65% Olefin and also 35% polyester for trapping body heat.
While we featured the solid front color design, these mittens are also available in a sporty striped design. For the non-toddlers, the flexibility of the thumbs and the tough grip palm makes these perfect to use for sledding, skiing, ice skating and snowboarding.
The outer part of the gloves consists of 100% nylon while the cuff consists of 100% acrylic. The tough grip on the palm comes in handy while kids are playing.
Not looking for mittens? No woories! SnowStoppers also makes kids winter ski & snowboard gloves with the same patented extended cuff!
Our Rating: 5 out of 5
Pros
Cons
SnowStoppers Kids Waterproof Stay On Winter Mittens & Gloves
HOT SHOT® Igloos™ Sentry Wool Fingerless Gloves with Pop-Top Mitten Review
HOT SHOT® brings you winter gloves for people who love outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, and so forth. With their mission to “engineer authentic hunting gear”, Hot Shot has a wide variety of hand and head wear, for both men and women.
We chose to feature these ultra-warm, woolen combination gloves and mittens from their Igloos™ line — mostly because they are a bit different from most of their other camouflage designs.
Available in your choice of oatmeal (pictured), charcoal, or green “camo” , these gloves are designed to blend into the environment, so your prey doesn’t notice you from a distance — but they are also great for everyday wear.
They aren’t too thick, and they aren’t too thin; they’re just right! You can even use your mobile phone with the pop-top fingers.
The fingerless design make them ideal for when you need more dexterity, and when you are done, simply flip over the mitten top for warmth. The 2 x 1 ribbed cuff is key in keeping these gloves tightly fixed into the right position while aiding for a snug fit. The cuffs are just long enough to be tucked into your jacket sleeves.
Made from Rag wool, with an 85% wool / 15% acrylic blend, which is naturally water resistant, makes these gloves perfect for “normal” cold temperatures. And to make things even better, they feature 40g of 3M™ Thinsulate™ Insulation and are tricot lined. Plus, for added durability, there is split leather palm patch which aids in protecting your hands and a better grip.
These gloves are “one size fits most” and while they are called men’s gloves, the stretch means that they may also fit women, depending upon hand size.
Because these gloves are made from wool, they can not be put in the dryer and must be laid flat to dry. However, they are machine washable in cold water only (we recommend a gentler setting, much like you would a wool sweater). The fingerless pop-top mittens go a long way in keeping your hands warm and comfortable for any outdoor activities.
If you are not looking for knit gloves, HOT SHOT® offers a variety of more traditional camouflage style gloves for hunting and outdoor activities — for men and women.
Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Pros
Cons
HOT SHOT® Igloos™ Men's Sentry Wool Fingerless Gloves with Pop-Top Mitten - 3 Styles
Knolee Women's Touch Screen Lined Thick Warm Winter Gloves Review
One of the things we like about these stylish women’s touch screen gloves from Knolee is the added “touch” of three decorative buttons along the cuffs — making them a great choice for both everyday wear and when you need to dress things up a bit.
With five colors to choose from — wine red, coffee, khaki, grey, and black — you are sure to find something to match every outfit. Priced at under $10 (when we last looked), they are affordable enough for you to grab several pairs.
Made from 100% polyester with a plush lining texture, these “one size fits most” gloves are designed to fit perfectly well without being too tight nor too large. To give you an idea of the sizing: total length is 8.85 inches, middle finger length is 3.35 and hand girth (at melacarpale) is 6.67 inches.
And they work well under moderately low temperatures.
The polyester material is key in resisting wind and moisture hence keeping your hands warm and dry. The warm, thick lining features soft fleece which does well to retain body heat — keeping your hands dry for a longer period even in very extreme temperatures.
As for the fingertips, the thumb and index finger of these gloves has a "touch screen compatible" satin inset.
The satin fingertips allow you to use your smartphone, tablet or touch screen PC without removing your gloves, keeping your hands warm while you live a “smart life.” The flexibility of these gloves make them comfortable for both driving and cycling.
Don’t like the buttons? There are other stylish designs such as bows, pom poms or plain cuffs! These gloves make a great gift for your loved ones, friends and co-workers this winter.
By the way, Knolee also makes men’s touchscreen gloves as well as insulated ski gloves.
Our Rating: 4 out of 5
Pros
Cons
Knolee Women's Screen Gloves Warm Lined Thick Touch Winter Gloves
Have a bigger budget? Need more cold protection?
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Best Winter Gloves 2021Buying Guide
Don't miss a spontaneous snowball fight! Have a pair of warm gloves on hand (pun intended).
Winter is around the corner, and we know you want to keep those tender hands warm.
When your fingers are numb, you can hardly get anything done. Winter comes with various activities ranging from sporting like snowboarding, ice skating, skiing and so forth, to daily chores like shoveling snow from the driveway and clearing snow from the rooftops and gutter. Aside from this, gloves come in varieties for the winter season including casual wear, dress wear, and active wear.
Let’s look the things you need to keep in mind when shopping for the best winter gloves for adults and kids.
Types of Winter Gloves
Before we get to the different kinds of gloves, let's address a common question:
Gloves vs Mittens — Which is Better?
Many people, especially parents, prefer mittens because believe it or not, they are actually warmer. With mittens your fingers actually generate more heat of their own when there is no fabric separating them. Another reason many parents choose mittens over gloves is because they can get a better fit for those little fingers.
Another reason for choosing mittens, is some people simply don't like the feeling of having their fingers constricted.
While mittens will technically keep you warmer, advanced designs and technology have made it possible for manufacturers to create gloves that will keep you warm, even in the coldest temperatures. The downside of mittens is that without free motion of your fingers, your dexterity is somewhat limited, which means there are some things you simply can't do without taking them off. Every try texting with mittens on? Your pretty much stuck with just your thumb, and if it doesn't have a touch screen tip, even that will be extremely difficult.
Gloves with fingers provide you more range of motion, but truth be told, some of the super thick insulated gloves also limit that some.
As a compromise, there are some brands of gloves that have fingerless tips plus the added benefit of an attached mitten style cover that can be flipped over when you don't need to use your fingers. This has always been common with children's winter gloves, but is also being seen more often in adult gloves as a result of our mobile world.
Ultimately, the choice between mittens and gloves is a combination of personal preference, and what you will be using them for.
Gloves for Outdoor Winter Sports
If you are indulging in lots of outdoor winter activities, then you will need very reliable gloves that will hold up against adverse temperatures.
For you to get reliable gloves, then you will need to go for those gloves that have more than two layers. Three layers are ideal.
Why?
The top layer should be water-resistant/waterproof and layers made of leather work best. Middle layer made of an insulator while the inner layer should be made of a liner. The liner should consist of a wicking material like polystyrene.
When it comes to participating in winter activities, there are gloves designed with different sports in mind such as skiing, snowboarding, cycling and motorcycle riding. Each of these take into consideration the type of movement and flexibility required for the specific activity.
Winter Work Gloves
When it comes to gloves that will be used for working outdoors it's just not about providing warmth. Winter work gloves (sometimes called utility gloves) need to stand up to the wear and tear, and abuse that goes with the job that needs to be done. They also need to allow mobility and flexibility of movement, so it's quite likely you won't be going for mittens.
Most work gloves used in the winter, like ones used the rest of the year, are typically made from durable, strong leather or latex (depending upon the task/design). The difference is that they are also likely to be lined or insulated. You can also find winter work gloves that feature Kevlar protection, for jobs that have a higher risk of cuts and abrasions.
There are also work gloves that come with touchscreen fingertips.
The most important thing to consider when picking a pair of work gloves for cold whether is whether you will be able to actually use them appropriately. Don't just ask the question: What is the best winter glove for warmth?
Instead, ask: What is the best work glove that will keep me warm? If gloves are too thick or constricting, they may keep you warm, but at what expense? Never sacrifice your safety!
Remember, you can always use a thinner glove liner for added warmth.
Casual Gloves for Winter
If you are looking for everyday use gloves, then the warmth is an important factor. Gloves which will keep you warm throughout the day are ideal for this category.
The ideal materials include spandex, polyester, fleece, all of which provide maximum heat all day long. These gloves should come with at least two layers. The inner layer should consist of a lining that will keep your hands warm while the outer layer should be made of a material capable of water resistance.
Before you reach for your pockets, ensure that the gloves have long cuffs which stretch beyond the jacket cuffs. There should not be any gap left between the jacket and gloves.
Another thing to consider when choosing gloves for everyday use is how often you will need to access your mobile device. Heavy duty user? Go for ones with touchscreen fingertips. If you live in a climate where it doesn't get that cold you could go for fingerless. Or you could choose ones with the mitten cover (which are also convenient for driving).
Dress Gloves for Winter
Mix matching your dress or suit with a nice pair of warm gloves? There are many options such as wool, genuine leather, as well as quality fabric blends. Women's winter dress gloves often have stylish touches such as buttons, bows, real or faux fur, or decorative stitching along the cuffs.
If you are going for leather, make sure you look for gloves that have a water-resistant coating. Why? Without this protection, your dress gloves will start to look shabby when exposed to the elements. They should be able to resist liquids. And it's not just rain. Those gently falling snowflakes will melt and leave spots on untreated leather gloves.
Go for gloves that give a snug fit. And remember not to go for gloves that leave a gap between the jacket cuffs and the glove cuffs.
You also need to keep in mind that dress gloves are usually designed more for looks and most are not going to be able to stand up to extreme weather temperatures.
How to Choose Winter Gloves
Remember the sheer joy of your first snow angel?
We know you want your gloves to look great, but there is much more to think about when shopping for winter gloves. What good is a stylish glove if your fingers are numb within minutes of stepping outside.
Let's look at some of the most important things to consider when buying the perfect pair of gloves for you and your family.
Features to Look For in Winter Gloves
What Materials are Your Winter Gloves Made From?
Is it Leather or Synthetic? Polyester or wool? Something else?
Gloves come in different materials with some of them using more than one material, especially those that come in a series of layers. Having an idea of the qualities various materials and their specifications will go a long way in helping you pick the best glove for the job.
One of the best materials that you should never turn a blind eye on is leather. Leather is both durable and warm. Gloves made from leather last for years while providing your utmost warmth.
You will not fail to come across gloves made from nylon as well as other synthetic materials. Such gloves best-fit spots with the wicking ability of some of the synthetic materials. Knitted gloves are also an option, but beware as they will not provide you with as much warmth as you may require.
Weather Resistance is a Great Determiner!
It is important to put into consideration the weather of the area you reside in before you purchase any gloves. Why is this? If you are going to be participating in lots of outdoor activities, then the type of weather you are experiencing in your area will determine what kind of gloves will work best.
If your area experiences light or heavy downpour, waterproof gloves will be a necessity. Make sure that the pair of gloves you buy meets the requirements bearing in mind the type of weather you experience in your area; then you can go ahead and check out your items.
Get Insulated Gloves for Maximum Warmth!
Insulation is key when buying gloves because they prevent cold air from entering through the gloves to the skin. However, buying highly insulated gloves will leave you regretting. Highly insulated gloves will make your hands perspire, leaving a putrid smell.
This does not mean you don’t buy any insulated gloves. You should buy those that are moderately insulated because they have reasonable breathability to allow some fresh air. Your skin needs fresh air, don’t deny it!
In warmer winters, you can opt for uninsulated gloves.
Flexibility is Key!
Are you able to move your fingers here and there?
Flexibility in gloves means that the gloves are not too tight as to hinder your fingers from moving here and there with comfort. If you are able to move the fingers without a struggle, then they have passed the test.
Otherwise, if not, then they are not flexible, and you should opt for others. You don’t want to go for gloves which will be a menace when you out doing something important.
For outdoor activities; we recommend flexible gloves because they are both durable and allow your fingers freedom of movement.
Watch the Length of the Cuffs
Why is cuff length important? Picture yourself skiing, snowboarding or even just having a snowball fight, If the cuff of your gloves is not long enough, this means that snow is going to enter into your sleeves through the opening.
However, if your cuffs are long enough, then this means that no snow will find its way up your sleeves protecting you from the cold. The cuffs also protect you from the harsh cold wind.
For sports activities, we recommend gloves with long cuffs while for casual wear; you can go for the much shorter cuffs.
Do the Gloves Feature Extra Patches?
Some of the areas that more likely to get torn include the knuckles and the palm.
This is also the areas that are likely to get hurt in case of extreme activities. For this reason, look for gloves that come with extra patches on these key areas.
Extra patches help in reinforcing the gloves to protect them from abrasions. The patches, however, should not be too thick as this will render the gloves inflexible.
Touchscreen Enabled Gloves
Touchscreen gloves come with an added touch feature on the fingertips, especially the index and thumb fingers of both hands.
This feature works with most smartphone devices and tablets. These gloves come in handy when using mobile and other touch-enabled electronic devices. This added feature does not take away any of its functionality or warmth.
Another option? Go for fingerless gloves if you don't live where it gets super cold.
A Few Final Words...
Fight winter's chill with a warm pair of gloves. A cup of hot cocoa afterwards is nice too!
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”
- Edith Sitwell, British Poet -
We certainly hope the information provided in both the buying guide and our reviews has helped you get closer to your next pair of warm gloves.
As always, we like to close with a few tips.
It's happened to all of us at least once. We either head out, forgetting out gloves or the pair we are wearing ends up not being warm enough.
As a result, we end up rubbing our hands together, crossing our arms and sticking our hands under our armpits, or sitting on them — all in attempt to get our fingers warm. But did you know that there is a more effective way? It's called the "windmill".
Check out how it's done, and why it's the better way to warm your hands in the cold.
Video: Dr. Donner demonstrates technique for warming hands and feet in the wilderness.
Frostbite Prevention: How to Warm Your Hands | Courtesy of MedWild
While we are at it, let's quickly cover some more tips for preventing frostbite when you are outdoors in the winter (besides staying inside course).
You probably already knew many of those, but here's one more tip that most people don't know — stay hydrated and eat well balanced meals for energy (both before and while outside).
Video: Dr. Donner of MedWild explains how to prevent frostbite and frostnip
Frostbite Prevention: The Right Shoes & Hydration! | Courtesy of MedWild
Don't let the cold weather prevent you from engaging in your favorite outdoor activities. Just be prepared for it.
Enjoy, and stay warm this winter — but don't stay inside!