Whether you’re climbing a frozen waterfall or just the steps up to the Metropolitan Museum, winter outings are easier when you aren’t relegating your cold hands to your pockets. Find the perfect pair of winter gloves to bring along and free yourself from frozen fingers.
The Appalachian Mountain Club has a few tips for finding your perfect fit. First, your fingers should almost touch the tips of the glove, but not push against them. A small air pocket will help to trap warmth. Longer cuffs will also help keep you warmer — you want the glove to be able to go under your coat sleeve so there isn’t any exposed skin around your wrists.
Related: The Best Ear Warmers for Winter Travel
The thicker your glove, the warmer you’ll be — and the clumsier, too, in some cases. AMC recommends trying out a task like tying your shoes or taking something out of your wallet with the gloves on to see if you’ve got enough dexterity for everyday use. If you’re truly prioritizing warmth over movement, a pair of mittens is likely a better bet. Make sure you can easily put your gloves on and take them off indoors. If they start out feeling clumsy, they’ll only get harder to manipulate as you (and they) get wetter and colder.
Most manufacturers tend to have a similar hand fit across their designs, so it may take a few different brands before you find the one for you. Women’s gloves are distinguished by a smaller palm size and longer fingers than men’s gloves, but feel free to cross categories if one isn’t working right for you. The right pair should fit like... well, you know.
Best Thin-but-Warm Gloves: The North Face Etip Gloves
These popular fleece gloves offer a silicone palm for better grip and still allow use of your devices.
To buy: (women’s) nordstrom.com, $45; (men’s) nordstrom.com, $50
Best Windproof Gloves: The North Face Etip Apex Gloves
If you’re looking for something a little bit hardier, upgrade to the Apex model to add a layer of windproofing.
To buy: (men’s) nordstrom.com, $45; (women’s) dickssportinggoods.com, $55
Best Budget-friendly Gloves: OZero Winter Gloves
Another reviewer favorite is the OZero, with five layers of insulation and a windproof cuff to keep heat locked in with claims of insulation all the way down to -30 degrees F.
To buy: amazon.com, from $17
Best Winter Ski Gloves: Arc’teryx Fission Gloves
Outdoor Gear Lab’s extensive ski glove testing led them to crown the Arc’teryx Fission their champion two years in a row for both men and women, praising its versatility and performance across warmth, weather resistance, durability, and dexterity.
To buy: amazon.com, $189
Best Convertible Mittens: TrailHeads PowerStretch Convertible Mittens
If you’re trying to get the best of both worlds, go for a convertible mitten that flips into a fingerless glove. This Polartec pair includes a storage pocket to tuck the mitten flap into when you’re not using it and a separate thumb flap for when you just need to send a quick text message.
To buy: (women’s) amazon.com, $30; (men’s) amazon.com, $30
Best Running Gloves: Nike AeroShield
Nike’s AeroShield running gloves are both waterproof and flexible and offer reflective detailing for your morning run — or suspiciously dark commute.
To buy: (women’s) zappos.com, $40; (men’s) zappos.com, $40
Best Touchscreen Gloves: Black Diamond Men’s HeavyWeight Screen Tap Glove
These came in the top spot in Wirecutter’s touchscreen glove tests for their stretchy fit and touchscreen accuracy. They are designed to be liner gloves, however, so while the fleece is treated to be water-resistant, it won’t keep you dry during any intense outdoor activities — but it will fit under a bigger shell.
To buy: ems.com, $45
Best Leather Gloves: Kent Wang Deerskin Gloves
If you want touchscreen access and a more polished exterior, these leather gloves also won praise from Wirecutter for accuracy, though lost some points for warmth.
To buy: kentwang.com, $95
Best Winter Gloves for Extreme Cold: Marmot Expedition Mittens
REI’s best-seller is the frequently praised Marmot Expedition Mittens. Waterproof, windproof, and stuffed with PrimaLoft insulation and a microfiber lining, the Expedition should stand up to adventures even in the most extreme cold.
To buy: rei.com, $115
Best Waterproof Winter Gloves: Give’r 4 Seasons
For a durable performance leather glove, try out Switchback Travel’s top pick. The Give’r has a cheerful yellow waterproof leather exterior, elastic cuffs, and breathable insulated interior.
To buy: rei.com, $99
