The best winter running gloves for 2023
Can't stand cold fingers? Find exactly what you need to keep your hands warm in any temperature
While winter runners are trying to assemble the ideal cold-weather running outfit, they occasionally forget about one detail: how to keep their hands warm. This often results in hands that are either too cold due to inadequate gloves or too warm because they resort to ski mitts or other inappropriate gear. And runners suffering from Reynaud’s Syndrome (a condition where hands become extremely sensitive to cold) face even more significant challenges when it comes to keeping their hands comfortable during cold runs.
We’ve compiled a list of the best winter running gloves of 2023.
Hestra Sport Runners All Weather 5-Finger Gloves – $65
(Best for runners seeking a durable and weather-resistant, lightweight winter running glove)
Constructed with a stretch jersey material, these form-fitting gloves are windproof, water-repellent and offer excellent breathability. Hestra Sport uses a surprisingly abrasion-resistant panel on the back of the glove, ensuring good durability, while the thumb and forefinger are touchscreen compatible. The glove’s palm features a grip-enhancing finish (making you less likely to drop your phone), and the reflective accents improve visibility.
Fabric content: Reflective Polyamide fabric, Hestra 3-layer interlock Polyester fabric
Icebreaker Quantum Gloves – $55
(Best for runners seeking a lightweight merino wool glove for milder winter conditions)
Consisting of Icebreaker’s 260 Merino fabric, these gloves deliver warmth and excellent breathability for winter running. Merino wool has a broad temperature comfort range, ensuring these gloves will not be too warm during milder weather. Wool’s natural anti-microbial properties also mean they avoid retaining unwanted odours over the years. Other notable features include a touchscreen-compatible index finger and thumb and silicone-textured palms for a secure grip.
Fabric content: Merino wool blend, 2% Lycra
Black Diamond Heavyweight Softshell Gloves – $65
(Best for runners seeking extra warmth and durability for colder conditions)
Runners training in colder conditions will appreciate the Heavyweight Softshell Gloves. Black Diamond starts with a stretchy, wind-resistant and water-resistant softshell fabric on the back and uses durable goat leather for the palm and fingers. Inside this shell, Black Diamond stuffs 133 g of PrimaLoft Gold insulation. The result is a warm, yet surprisingly nimble glove that’s ideal when the temperature drops. As with most running gloves, these have touchscreen-compatible index fingers and thumbs. Finally, fleece-lined neoprene cuffs provide additional warmth at the wrists and easily fit under outer layers.
Fabric content: Four-way stretch softshell fabric with DWR treatment, goat leather palm and fingers, 133 g of PrimaLoft Gold insulation
Smartwool Liner Glove – $21
(Best for warmer conditions or worn as a liner during colder temps)
These thin liners are perfect for milder winter conditions, or worn as a liner under heavier gloves or mitts during cold weather. The gloves are a blend of merino wool and recycled polyester, resulting in an optimal combination of temperature regulation, moisture management and durability. They also feature touchscreen-compatible index fingers and thumbs, allowing runners to answer important messages without exposing their hands to cold temperatures.
Fabric content: 48% polyester, 48% merino wool, 1% elastodiene, 1% elastane, 2% other fibre
Nathan HyperNight Reflective Glove – $28
(Best for runners seeking a feature-packed lightweight running glove for milder weather)
This lightweight glove is ideal for milder winter weather and is packed with features runners will appreciate. Constructed with a stretchy fleece-lined fabric, the gloves fit snugly without compromising dexterity. As with most lightweight running gloves, they are touchscreen compatible and have a reflective pattern for additional visibility when running in low-light conditions. Other worthy details include a back-of-hand pocket for a key or emergency cash and a chamois-covered thumb for the inevitable cold-weather nose wipe.
Fabric Content: Stretch spandex fabric with a brushed fleece lining
MEC Goto Fleece Mitts – $25
(Best for runners seeking the additional warmth of a mitt without excessive bulk)
This simple mitt is ideal for runners that want more warmth (mitts are warmer than gloves) without resorting to bulky gloves. While perhaps not the best choice for use with a phone, the Goto mitts still have touchscreen-compatible panels on the thumbs and ends of the mitts. MEC also builds in low-profile cuffs, allowing for easy layering.
Fabric content: 90% polyester, 10% spandex
MEC T1 Warm Varioshell Gloves – $30
(Best for runners seeking the additional warmth of a mitt without excessive bulk)
With its waterproof/breathable membrane and synthetic insulation, the T1 Warm Varioshell Gloves are a solid choice for runners training in colder conditions or those who prefer to have warmer hands during runs. A synthetic leather palm adds durability, which is beneficial for runners who may use them for other activities. Subtle reflective highlights increase safety when training in low-light conditions, and the addition of a soft fabric swatch on the thumb offers a gentle nose-wiping experience.
Fabric content: 77% nylon, 23% spandex, 100% polyester lining
Showers Pass Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Gloves – $60
(Best for runners training in cool, wet conditions)
On the surface, these look like many of the simple and inexpensive knit running gloves on the market today. But if you look a little closer, you’ll notice that these gloves include a waterproof/breathable membrane. The addition of this membrane makes them the perfect choice when running in wet winter conditions. And keeping with this optimized-for-wet-conditions theme, the gloves feature a silicone print on the palms and fingers for exceptional grip, regardless of how hard it’s raining.
Fabric content: (main fabric) 95% nylon, 5% rubber, (liner) 88% polyester, 10% nylon, 2% Lycra
Grabber Hand Warmers – $2
(Perfect for runners seeking additional warmth in frigid conditions or those suffering from chronically cold hands)
Yes, we realize that these are not gloves, but these simple air-activated hand warmers are the perfect insurance for maintaining warm hands in cold weather. Throw them in your gloves before or during your run, and enjoy the gentle, cosy warmth. The hand warmers are small and light enough that you can even keep a couple in your running jacket for emergencies. Finally, because of their natural ingredients, you can easily dispose of them in regular garbage.
Here are some common FAQs (and answers) about winter running gloves:
Should I get mitts or gloves?
If you compare identically built and insulated mitts and gloves, the mitts will always be warmer. This results from the mitts’ ability to trap the heat from your entire hand. Gloves, on the other hand, because they separate your fingers into individual slots, are simply less efficient in this regard. Gloves offer increased dexterity, which is useful when zipping up jackets or checking messages on your phone.
How heavy/thick should my gloves be?
If you want warmer hands, get thicker gloves or mitts. The only drawback with excessively thick handwear is that you may become too warm during your run, which may require you to remove your handwear–not ideal in cold conditions. A better approach may be to use slightly thinner gloves that may initially seem inadequate, but will provide sufficient warmth as you warm up during your run. This is also the recommended approach when dressing for cold-weather running. If you’re concerned about not being warm enough, consider carrying some air-activated hand warmers (see above) as a backup.
Are there any other tips I should consider when buying gloves or mitts?
While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to choosing winter running handwear, consider buying two pairs of gloves: a liner pair and a light or midweight pair. This combination will allow you to cover a broader range of temperatures, as you can use each pair separately in milder weather and then layer the liners under your heavier handwear when the temperatures drop. Just make sure your outer gloves (or mitts) are roomy enough to accommodate the liners. If the fit is too tight, it will restrict blood flow, resulting in cold hands.
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
