What Gloves Should You Wear For Winter Activities?

Across Europe, as the temperature drops in the winter and snow, wind and rain become ever more frequent forecasts, it’s important to dress appropriately for the weather to ensure you are comfortable and warm.

Your extremities are usually the first part of your body to get cold, so you’ll be safer in adverse weather conditions wearing a pair of gloves. Not to mention that you’ll have much more fun when you’re not thinking about how cold your fingers are. But, what are the best gloves for winter? Let’s take a look at the options.

Why do you wear gloves in the winter?

When it’s cold, our bodies redirect blood to our vital organs and away from our fingers and toes. A good pair of gloves helps to counteract this loss of warming blood flow. It’s easy to focus on what you’re wearing on your fingers, but for any outdoor activity, you should remember that it’s important to try to stay warm rather than get warm, and that is easier when you layer your clothes - dress according to the level and type of activity.

What are thermal gloves?

Thermal gloves have an insulating layer to keep your hands warm, keeping a layer of air between your skin and the gloves, retaining warmth. They’re usually waterproof or water-resistant to ensure you stay dry in the wetter weather and they come in a variety of styles, including both gloves and mittens. 

The extra layer of insulation tends to mean thermal gloves are bulkier than standard gloves. While you might not need thermal gloves for a quick run, they can be a great investment for skiing and mountaineering.

What are the best thermal gloves?

If you’re looking for serious warmth, you can’t go wrong with the Men’s APEX+ ETIP™ gloves. Made from recycled materials, they are windproof, water-resistant and insulation reduces heat loss and increases warmth, even in the coldest temperatures.

What are the best gloves for winter?

The best gloves for winter are ones that will keep your hands and fingers warm during your chosen activity. Whether running, walking, skiing, hiking or climbing, look for a pair of gloves bespoke to that activity.

It’s important to note that wet hands will get cold very quickly, so it’s best to look for a pair of waterproof gloves that will keep your hands nice and dry, whatever the weather. You’ll need to balance this with the right thickness of the glove, so your hands don’t get too sweaty. You could even layer outer waterproof gloves with lightweight liner gloves to give you more options. If you’re getting too hot, take the top pair of gloves off and stash them in your pocket or bag until you need them again. 

Best gloves for urban exploration

If you’re heading for a stroll out and about in the city or exploring local parks, then a lighter pair of gloves should be fine unless you really feel the cold. The Osito Etip™ Gloves have insulating high-loft fleece and feature touchscreen connectivity and a silicone palm for a superior grip.

Best gloves for running

Keep your fingers cosy without overheating on the run with a pair of softshell gloves like the Windwall™ Closefit Softshell Gloves. They have windproof fabric that blocks wind from penetrating the garment, greatly reducing the effects of wind chill.

Best gloves for mountaineering

For mountaineering, you need gloves like our Summit Lunag RI FUTURELIGHT™ gloves which are inspired by our athletes with a thirst for lighter gear to help them move faster. Lightweight, waterproof and breathable, they’ll help to regulate your temperature while keeping you warm no matter what summit you’re tackling.

Best gloves for skiing and snowboarding

The last thing you want when hitting fresh, powdery snow is being distracted by cold fingers. Our Men’s Powdercloud FUTURELIGHT™ Gloves are waterproof, made from recycled materials and have Heatseeker™ Eco insulation making them perfect for skiing and snowboarding.

Why do people wear mittens?

Mittens keep your fingers together, so they generate heat from one another. That means they’re usually warmer than gloves, where the fingers are separated, but they have the obvious disadvantage of allowing less dexterity. 

Mittens are perfect for activities where you don’t need to use your hands so much, like hiking or snowboarding. 

The Women’s Montana FUTURELIGHT™ Etip™ Mittens are perfect for hitting the slopes, with breathable waterproof outerwear that is sustainably made using recycled materials and Etip™ functionality, so you don’t need to take them off to snap a selfie.

Now you’ve got your gloves sorted, find the perfect jacket for your outdoor adventures this winter. Whether you’re skiing, mountaineering, trail running, or exploring the city, we’ve got you covered.