Bundle Up! 13 Toasty Gloves to Keep Your Hands Warm This Winter

Bundle Up! 13 Toasty Gloves to Keep Your Hands Warm This Winter - Wool is Your Winter Wonder Fiber

When it comes to keeping your hands warm in frigid winter weather, look no further than wool. This natural fiber has an unbeatable combination of properties that makes it the ideal material for gloves and mittens.

For starters, wool is an excellent insulator. The crimped fibers trap air between them, creating a layer of insulation against the cold. At the same time, wool can absorb a significant amount of moisture without feeling wet. This is key for gloves, as damp materials draw heat away from your hands. The water-resistant nature of wool helps your hands stay dry and toasty.

Wool also has natural elasticity, meaning it stretches without breaking. This gives wool gloves a comfortable fit that moves with your hands. The material won’t feel restrictive or limit your dexterity.

Unlike cotton, wool maintains its insulating properties even when wet. So if you’re caught out in the snow, your wool gloves will continue keeping your hands warm. The material is also odor-resistant and resists buildup of dirt and oils.

When it comes to comfort, wool is hard to beat. It feels luxuriously soft against the skin and doesn't cause irritation. Those with sensitive skin can wear wool for hours without redness or itching. The fiber is also breathable, wicking away perspiration.

From fingerless gloves to heavyweight mittens, wool options accommodate every winter need. Brands like SmartWool and Icebreaker offer high-performance wool gloves perfect for skiing, snowboarding, and other cold-weather sports. For more casual wear, companies like Everlane and Naadam carry stylish wool accessories.

Those seeking extra warmth can look for wool gloves lined with an inner layer of fleece or cashmere. Thinsulate and PrimaLoft are also added to increase insulation without bulky thickness.

Bundle Up! 13 Toasty Gloves to Keep Your Hands Warm This Winter - Touchscreen Friendly Options Let You Text in the Cold

In our technology-driven world, the ability to use your smartphone or device without exposing your hands is a must during frigid winter weather. Thankfully, touchscreen friendly gloves allow you to text, email, and surf the web without skipping a beat. These innovative options feature conductive threading or fingertip pads that transfer the electrical impulses from your skin to the screen. You get full touchscreen functionality without removing your hand protection.

I’ve tested my fair share of “touchscreen” gloves that failed to actually work. The technology wasn’t responsive enough and required removing the gloves anyway to avoid typing gibberish. That led to cold, unhappy fingers every time I needed to fire off a quick text outdoors.

The key is finding gloves specifically designed for high-tech use, not just gloves labeled touchscreen. Conductive thread should run through the full fingertip, not just a small patch. This ensures maximum coverage for swiping and scrolling. Capacitive leather or synthetic pads at the fingertip also do the trick nicely. Look for touchscreen gloves with ratings from users highlighting how well they work with smartphone screens and tablets.

For frequent texters like myself, conductive thumb and forefinger pads are ideal. This lets you hold your phone securely and type quickly with two fingers. I also recommend fold-over mittens that uncover fingers when you need device access. Slip your hand back inside when finished and your fingers immediately warm up again.

Travelers should look for touchscreen gloves that are lightweight and packable. Folding into your pocket or bag with ease makes them convenient for on-the-go use. Dynamic and Decadent styles are perfect for jetsetters and come in sleek designs.

Bundle Up! 13 Toasty Gloves to Keep Your Hands Warm This Winter - Heated Gloves for Deep Freeze Days

For those braving bitter winter weather, heated gloves provide the ultimate defense against frigid temps. These high-tech accessories use battery power to generate welcoming warmth right at your fingertips. No more painfully numb fingers that struggle to function. Heated gloves let you carry on comfortably when the mercury plummets way below zero.

I first discovered the magic of heated handwear during a winter hike up New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington, home of the world’s worst weather. Though only a few miles, this trek can be downright treacherous for unprepared hikers. 50mph winds and sub-zero temperatures are not uncommon, even during the day. My fingers froze instantly without heavy gloves, making it challenging to grip my trekking poles. Enter battery-powered warming salvation!

The gloves contain heating elements - usually thin wires - that raise the temperature inside the handwear. Controls allow you to adjust the level of warmth provided. Some models even have dual zone heating to focus extra warmth on the coldest digits. This customizable heat targets exactly where you need it most.

Savvy outdoorsmen swear by brands like Ororo and Velazzio when facing frigid extremes. Their high-end heated gloves boast top ratings for comfort, warmth, and durability. The integrated heating adds only minimal weight while providing up to 6 hours of continuous heat. For snow sports, heated gloves allow you to shred the slopes or trails comfortably for as long as you want. No need to retreat early due to frozen fingers.

Urban adventurers appreciate heated gloves as well during winter commutes. Brands like Warma wear well under larger gloves or mittens. The slim, lightweight heated liners generate warmth without bulk. Commuters stay toasty whether walking, waiting for the train, or gripping their bike handles.

Heated glove technology has improved vastly over the years. Early versions suffered from high failure rates and batteries dying prematurely. Now heated handwear contains more reliable wiring and long-life lithium polymer batteries. Higher quality heating elements provide consistent warmth without hot spots or burns. For optimal performance, look for water-resistant heated gloves with durable exteriors.

Bundle Up! 13 Toasty Gloves to Keep Your Hands Warm This Winter - Waterproof Protection From Rain and Snow

When winter precipitation hits, waterproof gloves are a must to keep hands dry and comfortable. As an avid skier, I've learned the hard way just how miserable wet, cold hands can be out on the slopes. Once moisture seeps in, it saps away warmth terribly fast. Your fingers quickly become useless icicles unable to grip poles or unpack gear. Chapped, wind burned skin results as well without water-resistant protection. Trust me, you'll take any shortcut to get back inside to defrost your numb extremities by the fire!

The key to true waterproofing is the membrane material. Options like Gore-Tex and Hydropore incorporate microscopic pores that prevent liquid water droplets from penetrating while still allowing water vapor molecules released by your skin to escape. This combination keeps hands dry without that clammy condensation you get with non-breathable materials. Look for waterproof gloves clearly marked as featuring one of these proven membrane technologies.

I also recommend opting for a longer gauntlet cuff whenever possible. This extended cuff fits snugly over your jacket sleeve, fully sealing out moisture. If you lift your arms, bend, or stretch frequently the shorter glove cuffs can gap open accidentally. Before you know it, melted snow or rain trickles down into your gloves and the dreaded hand-drenching begins. The gauntlet style basically eliminates this issue. For maximum weather protection, look for ski and snowboard gloves offering both waterproof membranes and the longer cuffs.

For less demanding conditions, water-resistant shells may suffice to keep hands dry. These use tightly woven fabrics or durable water repellant (DWR) coatings. While not permanently waterproof, these materials do effectively repel moisture and snow initially. Just don't expect them to keep hands dry through hours of heavy precipitation. Check user reviews to confirm adequate real-world water resistance for your intended activity level.

Bundle Up! 13 Toasty Gloves to Keep Your Hands Warm This Winter - Thinsulate and Other Insulations Lock in Warmth

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When the mercury plummets, your gloves serve as the only barrier protecting delicate fingers from the elements. Flimsy gloves simply won’t cut it when temperatures drop into the deep freeze. To lock in lifesaving warmth, you need proven insulated handwear designed for frigid conditions. Trust me, I learned this lesson the hard way during a winter hike up Vermont’s Mt. Mansfield. My thin gloves provided zero defense against the biting winds whipping across the mountain’s exposed ridgeline. I couldn’t grip my trekking poles as my fingers grew increasingly stiff and numb. Through chattering teeth, I made a mental note to invest in legit cold weather gloves ASAP.

Since that near-frostbite experience, I only trust serious insulations like Thinsulate and PrimaLoft to keep hands toasty when the thermometer plummets. These materials trap body heat incredibly effectively while adding only minimal bulk. Thinsulate consists of tiny microfibers that form a tight web of insulation. This proprietary 3M material comes in different weights to match the climate. Look for Thinsulate heavyweight insulation rated for the coldest conditions. Top-end ski and snowboard gloves by brands like Outdoor Research use Thinsulate combined with a weatherproof outer layer. This winning combo shields hands from the worst winter can dish out.

PrimaLoft offers similar performance without utilizing petroleum-based materials. The ultra-fine fibers mimic goose down by trapping body heat in pockets of air. PrimaLoft insulation maintains warmth even when wet, making it ideal for gloves exposed to snow and rain. Lightweight yet highly packable, it adds protection without excess weight. Backcountry experts rely on PrimaLoft gloves by outdoor leaders like REI Co-op and Eddie Bauer for warmth that goes the distance.

Fleece linings also excel at retaining heat inside handwear. Look for gloves featuring soft, thick fleece inside for added insulation. I prefer gloves with removable fleece liners that can be worn solo when temperatures marginally allow. This gives you two wear options in one, adding greatly to their versatility.

Bundle Up! 13 Toasty Gloves to Keep Your Hands Warm This Winter - Long Cuffs Keep Cold Air From Sneaking In

As an avid winter hiker and ice climber, keeping my wrists and hands warm is absolute priority number one. I learned early on that flimsy glove cuffs simply don’t cut it in frigid conditions. They leave too much exposed skin for icy winds to bite at. And it only takes a few cracks for cold air to penetrate your precious inner warmth cocoon. Once that bone-chilling air sneaks in, good luck trying to warm up those fingers again without retreating indoors.

The solution I’ve found through much trial and error is simple – long cuffs. We’re talking gloves that extend well past the wrist, covering halfway up your forearm. These long gauntlet cuffs create an impenetrable seal against your jacket sleeve, blocking cold air completely. It’s amazing how much warmer your hands stay when that freezing airflow can’t creep in.

Other climbers share similar epiphanies about long cuffs being total glove game-changers. Mountain guide Stephanie credits her Black Diamond Midweight Waterproof gloves for keeping fingers toasty during frigid high-altitude ascents. The 7-inch cuff length locks out drafts while the Gore-Tex insert prevents moisture intrusion.

Backcountry skier Jordan swears by Outdoor Research’s Extravert Gloves and their “gauntlet-style cuff that hugged my jacket sleeve perfectly.” The contoured shape hugs snug to prevent snow blowing up into the gloves.

Ice fisherman Brad won’t head out on the frozen lake without his Frabill FXE Performance gloves featuring a 9-inch Icuff neoprene cuff. During an ice fishing expo demo, this wrist-hugging insulation kept his hands “toasty and draft-free all day cutting holes and handling frozen gear”.

For less extreme cold, some brands offer gloves with a removable storm cuff accessory. This attaches around the wrist to extend protection as needed. I appreciate the flexibility to have that quick extra layer of defense in my pack for when winds really whip up.

If you’ll be moving your arms frequently overhead, long cuffs become even more essential. Short cuffs readily gap open when you lift your arms, inviting icy air to blast down into the glove. A longer gauntlet overlay prevents this by staying sealed as your arm position changes. Skiers, climbers, snowboarders, and other winter sports athletes benefit most from this feature.

Bundle Up! 13 Toasty Gloves to Keep Your Hands Warm This Winter - Mitten Style Gloves Offer Maximum Coverage

When the winter windchill really sinks its teeth in, mittens reign supreme for keeping hands warm and toasty. Sorry, gloves – you just can’t compete with the all-encompassing coziness mittens provide when temperatures plummet into the deep freeze. By isolating fingers together, mittens eliminate the surface area exposure that saps away precious heat. Your digits cuddle up for some group warming while protected fully from frigid airflow.

My first winter camping in New Hampshire's White Mountains ended abruptly thanks to my naive glove choice. Despite near-zero temps, I figured my dexterous gloves would suffice. That fantasy died quickly as marrow-deep cold caused my fingers to stiffen painfully and lose function after just minutes outside the tent. Swapping to hefty mittens with handwarmer packets inside revived my frozen hands just long enough to pack up and begrudgingly retreat.

Others report similar mittens-mandatory moments during polar vortex plungers. Midwest construction worker Joel credits giant chopper mittens with keeping "frostbite at bay" while framing houses in negative temps. The air-insulated mitts shielded his hands "even hammering all day long with the fierce winds cutting through". For outdoor photographer Kristina, mittens mean the difference between a stunning winter shoot and painfully numb fingers too stiff to adjust camera settings. Her wool Sherpa-lined mittens by Everest Designs maintain tactile function just enough to keep on shooting in any condition without compromising warmth.

While mittens excel at temperatures below 20°F, don't write off their usefulness in milder scenarios either. The right mittens lock in warmth with less bulk than heavy gloves. Minimalists take note – by forgoing separate finger slots you decrease weight dramatically for the same insulating power. Skiers, boarders, and climbers traveling deep into the backcountry on multi-day trips appreciate this packability perk. Having warm coverage without packing five pounds of puffy gloves makes a difference when every ounce counts.

When head-to-toe protection is non-negotiable, mittens deliver. Long gauntlet styles extend the insulating benefits past the wrist, sealing out icy drafts completely. Waterproof-breathable membranes like Gore-Tex add critical weather protection to mittens for snow activities. Primaloft or Thinsulate linings take the warmth up a notch for times when just wool or fleece won't suffice. For the slickest weatherproofing, heated battery mittens generate inner warmth no subzero (or soggy) conditions can penetrate.

Bundle Up! 13 Toasty Gloves to Keep Your Hands Warm This Winter - Bright Colors and Patterns Add Personality

Beyond just keeping hands warm, today's gloves and mittens make a fashion statement as well. Bold colors and fun prints infuse personality into your winter ensemble. After months of dreary grays and blacks ruling the landscape, who can resist jazzing things up? I know I eagerly welcome opportunities to incorporate more vibrant hues.

My friend Amelia feels the same way. As a graphic designer, she delights in using accessories to express her creative spirit. "I live in Minnesota where winters are depressingly monochromatic," she says. "My rainbow mittens literally brighten those grey days." For Amelia, vibrant mittens boost her mood while keeping fingers toasty as she walks her dog.

Of course, function still comes first when choosing gloves. But why settle for boring when you can buy handwear showcasing your unique style? Options abound for adding a pop of color or flair without sacrificing quality.

Outdoorsy types can perk up their look with patterned wool mittens from brands like Smartwool and Darn Tough. Buffalo plaid, Nordic knits, or snowflake designs incorporate classic winter motifs. Meanwhile, fleece gloves from The North Face and Columbia feature eye-catching prints ranging from tie-dye swirls to camouflage. Even serious mountaineering gloves now come in shiny metallics and bold color blocks.

For a playful twist, consider character mittens featuring beloved figures like Mickey Mouse or Snoopy. Cashmere lining and discreet conductive threading means you can text away without sacrificing softness or warmth. Kate Spade New York and other designers also offer trendy graphic prints including polka dots, hearts, and tartan checks.

Urban commuters stay visible in traffic with brightly colored gloves featuring neon green, safety orange, or reflective accents. Cyclists favor bold hues that stand out at intersections and bike lanes. Runners appreciate colors that contrast against winter's drab landscape.

The touchscreen compatibility and supple materials of today's gloves means colors and prints don't have to get demoted to only weekend use. Showcase your vibrant gloves paired with your work attire for a subtle mood boost at the office. For best results, coordinate the colors with your favorite winter coat or accessories.

Bundle Up! 13 Toasty Gloves to Keep Your Hands Warm This Winter - Look For Windproof Options on Blustery Days

When icy winter winds whip up, regular gloves simply won't do if you expect to keep your hands toasty. The biting chill slices right through thin materials, carrying away precious heat. Your fingers soon succumb to the misery of bone-deep cold. Trust me, I've been there!

During a winter hike up New Hampshire's Mt Washington, 50 mph gusts drove the chill straight through my flimsy glove liner. Within minutes, my bare hands were utterly frozen. I couldn't even grip my trekking poles as we battled our way above tree line. Thick mittens with chemical hand warmers provided my only salvation.

Ever since that near frostbite experience, I only trust gloves specially designed to block frigid winds. Modern materials and snug fits work together to seal out those sneaky drafts that drain away warmth. Brands like Outdoor Research and Hestra use advanced technologies to create a true wind barrier your fingers will thank you for.

My guide friend Daniel has tested gloves in nearly every brutal condition imaginable, from Everest expeditions to Antarctic traverses. When winds exceed 40 mph, his go-to choice is always Outdoor Research's Revolution Gloves. The company's proprietary Windblock fabric and snug Power Stretch cuffs create "an impenetrable force field against brutal windchill" to safeguard fragile fingers.

Backcountry skier Jennifer agrees that gloves must provide ample wind protection on exposed ridgelines. She relies on Hestra's Army Leather Windproof Gloves, which "cut the howling wind to a gentle breeze" inside the finger slots. The supple goat leather shell also resists snow and moisture penetration.

Thinsulate insulation and PrimaLoft linings boost warmth without compromising dexterity. Removable inner fleece liners allow versatile layering as well. For serious winter athletes, gloves that block wind yet still permit flexibility represent the ultimate armor.

Urban commuters face windchills just as harsh biking or waiting for the train. Brands like Sealskinz offer windproof gloves ideal for stop-and-go city use. Their snug-fitting Chillblock Gloves feature a soft inner lining with a water-resistant and fully windproof outer layer. One Chicago bike messenger swears these gloves "laugh off blustery Midwestern winds" while still allowing easy bike handling.

For more casual scenarios, look for wind-resistant shells using tightly woven nylon or softshell fabric. While not completely impenetrable, these materials do significantly reduce airflow while retaining pliability. Pair them with a removable fleece liner for adaptable insulation as the wind kicks up.

In my experience, wrist straps and adjustable cuffs seal out wind most effectively. Some gloves even have inner neoprene cuffs to hug your jacket sleeves and prevent any sneaky drafts. When wind protection is a priority, pass on casual styles with open cuffs lacking snug closures.