Published November 7, 2026 03:03AM
If you’re anything like me, winter is a catch-22. On the one hand, it’s the season for skiing, so I love it dearly. On the other hand, I live in a perpetual state of cold hands.
I have pretty poor circulation, and as a result, my fingers and toes turn icy rather quickly. That’s why the gloves and mittens I wear need to be extra warm. I’ve found that while gloves are easier to grip ski poles with, I’ll trade a bit of dexterity for the extra warmth that mittens provide.
If you also suffer from cold hands, then look no further. We partnered with SKI testers and editors to round up seven of the gloves and mittens they have found to be warmest. From heated options to gloves under $100, this is the ultimate list for keeping your fingers toasty even on the coldest of days.
The Warmest Gloves and Mittens: At a Glance
Mainers Mitts
Sizes: XS–XL (unisex)
Shell: Leather and nylon
Insulation: Recycled featherless 3M Thinsulate, Polartec Power Grid fleece
Pros and Cons
+ Handy cuff pull loop
+ Durable goat leather and nylon shell
+ Fleecy lining
– Some break-in required
Testers found Mainers Mitts to be some of the warmest non-heated mittens. The waterproof Gore-Tex liner keeps hands dry and wicks away moisture, while the recycled “featherless” 3M Thinsulate insulation adds plenty of warmth—without the bulk.
While the mittens did require several wears to break in, SKI testers noted that the lack of bulk helped the mittens’ dexterity. Even testers who prefer gloves were impressed by the mitt’s flexibility.
The parent company of Mainers, Tempshield, makes PPE for laboratories involved with cryogenics and has scientists working in temperatures below −200°F, so you can rest assured knowing Mainers knows how to keep your hands warm.
LEKI Griffin Pro Zero
Sizes: 7–11 (unisex)
Shell: Leather
Insulation: PrimaLoft Gold
Pros and Cons
+ Soft and durable full leather shell
+ Padded fingers and back of hand
+ Velcro cuff easily tucks under jacket
– Water-resistant, not waterproof
This LEKI glove is crafted with one of the warmest synthetic materials, PrimaLoft Gold (100 percent polyester). Testers loved how grippy the glove is and gave high marks for nimbleness. Testers also noted the gloves work with smartphone screens.
A neoprene backing and leather shell will protect hands from high wind chill, but it’s important to note the gloves are not 100 percent waterproof. Instead, they’re water resistant, so it’s best to leave them at home on wet spring days.
Gordini Alp Pro Mitt
Sizes: S–XL (men’s); S–L (women’s)
Shell: Waxed leather
Insulation: Aquablock Down, high-pile fleece
Pros and Cons
+ Breathable, not clammy
+ Supple leather
+ Neoprene undercuff with hook-and-loop closure
– Leather is hard to wash
What sets Gordini’s Alp Pro Mitt apart from the competition is its waxed leather, which keeps heat in and moisture out.
SKI testers loved the mitten’s breathability and found that even when temperatures started to rise, hands didn’t go clammy. The waxed leather exterior keeps the elements out and also preserves the mitten’s lifespan so you can use it year after year. The interior is a mixture of down and fleece, so hands remain warm without overheating.
One tester even went so far as to call the mittens one of the nicest they’ve ever worn.
The mitten’s strongest asset is also a weakness: the waxed leather makes them harder to clean, so perhaps use a tissue instead of a mitten for wiping up messes.
Columbia PowBound Gloves
Sizes: S–XL (men’s); XS–XL (women’s)
Shell: Polyester with goatskin leather palm
Insulation: 200g recycled and virgin polyester
Pros and Cons
+ Great value
+ Men’s and women’s sizes
+ Articulated fit
– Run small
The PowBound gloves may lack some of the bells and whistles of the more expensive options on our list, but they do have two of the most important factors: weather protection and polyester insulation.
Testers noted that the gloves are likely not going to last as long as some of the others on this list, but they’ll be sturdy for at least a few seasons. Other pros are the wrist straps, so you can guarantee no gloves will be dropped from the chairlift, and a handy clip to keep them from running off solo.
Testers also noted the gloves run a little snug, so when in doubt, size up.
Hestra Fall Line Glove
Sizes: 6–11 (unisex)
Shell: Cowhide, neoprene cuff
Insulation: Foam
Pros and Cons
+ Removable liners
+ Ultra burly
+ Comes with leashes and wrist grommets with carabiner for easy clipping
– Requires break-in period
If you look closely, you’ll find Hestra gloves being sported at almost any resort—they’re the popular kid for a reason.
SKI testers voted the Fall Line glove from Hestra “most rugged” because of the materials that go into keeping hands warm and dry all day long. The exterior is composed of cowhide and treated with leather balm to create a barrier against the elements. Hestra gloves also come with a mini tube of said leather balm so you can treat your gloves as needed.
The interior of the glove is composed of brushed polyester and foam, which helps insulate chilly fingers without overheating. Small details, like a seam over the fingertips, help to reduce pressure points, and when you’re holding a pole tightly, that’s a noticeable difference.
The one downfall SKI testers noted was that the glove can feel a bit stiff when fresh out of the packaging, and the Fall Line requires some love before it comes nice and soft.
Swany Nexus Heated Glove
Sizes: XS–XL (unisex)
Battery Life: 8 hours on low, 4 hours on normal, 3 hours on high, 2 hours on boost; dual battery capacity
Pros and Cons
+ Also available in a mitt
+ High-quality leather
+ No battery removal for charging
– Charger can get disconnected easily
– Not touchscreen compatible
As one of two heated options on this list, we figured we had to mention SKI testers’ best heated glove overall. The Swany Nexus Heated Glove isn’t cheap, but for those who suffer from cold hands, it’s well worth the hefty price tag.
Testers raved about the glove’s ewool, a new technology that delivers heat to each finger, all the way to the fingertips. The PrimaLoft insulation and the leather shell don’t add much bulk. The glove’s lightweight density and soft feel had testers noting that the glove was both the warmest and most comfortable of the bunch.
Best of all, you don’t need to remove the batteries to charge the gloves; there’s a built-in port on the cuff of the glove. Plus, they’re TSA-compliant, so you can keep them in your carry-on bag.
Outdoor Research Sureshot Heated Soft-Shell Gloves
Sizes: S–XL (men’s); S–L (women’s)
Battery Life: 8 hours on low, 5 hours on medium, 2.25 hours on high
Pros and Cons
+ Zippered gauntlet cuff
+ Very low profile
+ Exceptionally breathable
– Not for the coldest temperatures
While most of the gloves and mittens on this list are made for cold outdoor pursuits, the Sureshot from Outdoor Research is for everyday use. Frigid dog walks, games in outdoor stadiums, and nights by the campfire are all perfect occasions for a heated glove that isn’t meant for extreme temperatures or hardcore activities. Unlike many other heated gloves on the market, these are even touchscreen compatible.
The two-layer woven stretch exterior means the gloves are water- and wind-resistant. And even though the gloves aren’t 100 percent waterproof, the synthetic insulation kept hands warm even when the gloves were wet.
Testers noted that the smaller wrist batteries were barely noticeable, and on the lowest setting, the gloves will produce heat for eight full hours.
