Clothing > Accessories
10 Best Men’s Winter Gloves for the Coldest Days
Calling North American winters cold is an understatement of epic proportions.
In certain parts of the northern United States and Canada—inhabited parts, with big cities and all—temperatures can drop to -40 degrees (C and F), which is cold enough to cause serious harm with frequent exposure.
It’s safe to say that winter gloves are an absolute necessity come winter, given that frostbite (a very common problem) starts in your fingers and toes.
Living in Canada for so many years, I’ve made it a personal mission to never be cold if at all possible. That means dressing up with the right outfits—everything from winter hats to scarves to winter work jackets to snow boots to winter gloves.
- Insulation + waterproofing is a must. Insulation is necessary to keep out the cold, but the gloves also need to be waterproofed (or made with a waterproof fabric) to keep out the damp. Trust me, nothing gets dangerously cold faster than a soaking wet glove.
- Two layers are better than one. Many of my favorite winter gloves are dual-layered—a waterproof exterior glove with a soft, removable inner lining. As you quickly learn in Canada or the northern United States, multiple layers, starting with a quality base layer, do a far better job of trapping in body heat than a single layer, no matter how thick.
- Consider the features and purposes. Winter gloves are typically built for those specific purposes—either outdoor work, sport, running, or driving—and include certain features (like reinforcement at the palms and fingers for gripping ski poles or touchscreen-compatible patches on the fingers) that make them great for certain activities and less than ideal for others.
In my research, I’ve personally tested out at least 20 pairs of gloves, combed through hundreds of reviews, and talked with countless tradesmen, contractors, snowboarders, skiers, and landscapers (people who spend a lot of time outdoors in the winter).
My list below contains only the very best winter gloves for a variety of purposes.
Carhartt nailed it with these gloves, delivering the ideal combination of price, quality, warmth, durability, insulation, waterproofing, and comfort. Thick, well-padded, and tough as nails, these are the winter gloves you’ll be glad to pair with your favorite work jacket and work boots.
Carhartt W.P. Insulated Glove
Contractors, tradesmen, or any guy at all, these Carhartt gloves are the pair for you.
Features like an incredibly tough Polytex shell, a waterproof insert (which adds extra insulation), reinforcement at the palm, and a FastDry moisture-wicking inner lining all combine to make these a pair the best gloves to use for a hard day’s work out in the cold.
They’re tough, warm, and, best of all, wonderfully affordable.
GIVE’R 4-Season Wax-Coated Leather Glove
I’ve yet to find a better leather glove for outdoor work: shoveling snow, chopping firewood, or hanging Christmas lights.
The Hipora membrane makes it waterproof without compromising breathability, the 40g Thinsulate insulation does an amazing job of keeping my hands warm, and the reflective heat shield on the front radiates body heat back toward my fingers and palms. Plus, the waxed leather is just gorgeous.
Mainers Extreme Cold Insulated Mitt
When my son decided three winters ago that he preferred mittens over gloves, he fell in love with these American-made snowboarder-friendly mitts.
The goatskin leather exterior offers excellent grip for cross-country ski poles, the thick 3M Thinsulate insulation is resilient against “extreme cold” (he’s used them in temperatures as low as -30C with no complaints), and the integrated microfleece lining keeps his hands dry and fresh all day long.
Vermont Glove The Jefflo Mitt
There’s a lot to appreciate about these gloves: a supple yet durable goatskin leather exterior, double-walled palm, nylon-reinforced fingertips, a recycled polyester liner to add extra insulation, and a waterproof waxed canvas cuff that’ll keep out the snow, slush, and sleet.
They’re one of the hardiest winter gloves I’ve tested to date—expect to get 5+ years of hard wear.
Outdoor Research Vigor Midweight Sensor Gloves
These gloves feature “ActiveTemp” smart fleece, with impressive thermoregulating properties and four-way stretch that makes them suitable for every sport from winter running to snowshoeing to snowboarding.
Though lightweight and slim, they’re warm enough to use in all but the worst winter cold. The warm grid interior maximizes body heat retention but keeps the glove breathable so your hands will stay dry and comfortable all day long.
OZERO Thermal Gloves
Say goodbye to bulky gloves, and hello to greater dexterity and convenience. These Thermal Gloves may be lightweight but offer impressive warmth, not to mention wind- and water-proofing.
The silica gel particles integrated onto the palms and fingers are great for gripping a snow shovel, axe, or ski poles, and the conductive fabric on the fingertips makes for easy cellphone use with no need to take off the gloves.
GIVE’R Frontier Mittens
My brother-in-law loves these gloves for ice fishing. They’re incredibly warm thanks to the 380-gram Thinsulate lining, made from a sturdy hand-waxed leather that can withstand years of hard use.
They feature a ribbed cuff that keeps them gripping your wrist tightly and blocks wind and cold from seeping in.
They’re also entire waterproof, breathable, and tough enough for chores or outdoor work.
Carhartt Flip It Glove
My mechanic son loves these Carhartt gloves—which double as mittens, thanks to their flip-up mitten shell.
That shell adds extra insulation for those days he’s mounting tires or changing brakes in the cold, but can be removed for work that require more manual dexterity.
Thanks to the Lycra elastic band at the wrist, they’re easy to slip on and off in a hurry, but will stay securely in place for a hard day’s work.
VGOGFLY Knit Gloves
If you care more about form than function, these knitted winter gloves are the choice for you.
Though not waterproof, but they’re incredibly soft and warm while still being breathable enough that your hands will never overheat.
The conductive yarn on the fingertips offers best-in-class smartphone control. Best of all, the gloves are one-size-fits-all and unisex, so they make a great bargain-friendly gift for your friend, spouse, or kids, too.
Black Diamond Guide Finger Mitten
If you’re hitting the slopes, you’ll want these purpose-built ski/snowboarding gloves. The woven nylon shell is tough but stretchy enough that they won’t constrict when gripping ski poles, and the goat leather palm patch adds durability for even the most advanced skiers.
Thanks to the removable liner, PrimaLoft insulation, and Polartec fleece, they’ll keep you warm as you race down black diamond runs or zip through snow-covered forest trails.
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