Staying motivated to run in cold weather is hard enough. So, there’s nothing worse than frozen fingers when you’re out there. Running gloves and mittens are a game-changer in the cold. They keep your hands warm and comfortable while also preventing blisters and chafing.
Whether you’re gearing up for a marathon or out for a jog, a good pair of running gloves keeps up with your pace. From lightweight gloves for mild winters to insulated mittens for extreme cold, there’s a variety of handwear to suit every need. Choosing the right pair can make all the difference in staying comfortable and focused on your runs.
- Gloves vs. mittens: What’s better for winter running?
- Why specialized gloves and mittens matter
- Top 9 winter running gloves and mittens
- Key features to look for in winter running gloves and mittens
- FAQs: Winter running gloves and mittens
Gloves vs. Mittens: What’s Better for Winter Running?
Gloves are great for maintaining dexterity. You’ll be able to adjust your gear, use your phone or reach for a water bottle without removing them. The downside? While they offer warmth, they may not be as insulating as mittens.
Mittens trap heat more efficiently because they keep your fingers together, making them the better option for extremely cold weather. Some flexibility is lost, so you might find yourself taking them off during a run.
Hybrid options give you the best of both worlds. These allow you to easily switch between gloves and mittens, offering more flexibility as the weather changes.
Why Specialized Gloves and Mittens Matter
Not only do winter-specific gloves and mittens keep your hands warm in freezing, wet, and windy conditions, but they also prevent cold injuries like frostbite and improve overall comfort.
Specialized gloves and mittens are lined with insulating materials to trap heat while allowing breathability. This is crucial for keeping your hands warm without overheating. Cold-weather gloves often have water-resistant or waterproof coatings to keep your hands dry during snowy or rainy runs. Some also feature windproof membranes to block the chill.
The best winter running gloves balance warmth with breathability. This prevents sweaty, clammy hands, which can make you uncomfortable and even cause your gloves to lose insulating properties.
Top 9 Winter Running Gloves & Mittens
The Salomon Cross Warm Glove is designed for cold-weather activities, offering a snug fit, lightweight insulation, and reflective details for safety during low-light jogs.
Best touchscreen-compatible winter running gloves: The touchscreen-friendly forefinger design means you can stay in touch without freezing your fingers.
Why we love it: Salomon’s AdvancedSkin Warm technology regulates your temperature by retaining heat while allowing breathability.
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The Salomon Cross Warm Glove is designed for cold-weather activities, offering a snug fit, lightweight insulation, and reflective details for safety during low-light jogs.
Best touchscreen-compatible winter running gloves: The touchscreen-friendly forefinger design means you can stay in touch without freezing your fingers.
Why we love it: Salomon’s AdvancedSkin Warm technology regulates your temperature by retaining heat while allowing breathability.
Price: 0.00$
The Craft Pro Insulate Race Glove is a high-performance glove for racing and intense workouts in frosty conditions.
Warmest gloves for cold-weather running: Its advanced design and insulation provides a balance of warmth and breathability, keeping hands comfortable without overheating.
Why we love them: A tight fit is complemented by CLARINO, a lightweight and durable synthetic suede that offers controlled grip and durability.
Price: 0.00$
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The Craft Pro Insulate Race Glove is a high-performance glove for racing and intense workouts in frosty conditions.
Warmest gloves for cold-weather running: Its advanced design and insulation provides a balance of warmth and breathability, keeping hands comfortable without overheating.
Why we love them: A tight fit is complemented by CLARINO, a lightweight and durable synthetic suede that offers controlled grip and durability.
Price: 0.00$
The Salomon Bonatti Waterproof Mittens are lightweight, fully waterproof shell mitts designed to keep hands dry during races and outdoor activities in wet weather.
Best breathable and waterproof running gloves for winter: These mitts offer reliable protection against rain and snow without adding bulk, making them easy to pack for unpredictable conditions.
Why we love them: The Pertex Shield flap allows you to open the mitten to let your fingers breathe.
Price: 0.00$
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The Salomon Bonatti Waterproof Mittens are lightweight, fully waterproof shell mitts designed to keep hands dry during races and outdoor activities in wet weather.
Best breathable and waterproof running gloves for winter: These mitts offer reliable protection against rain and snow without adding bulk, making them easy to pack for unpredictable conditions.
Why we love them: The Pertex Shield flap allows you to open the mitten to let your fingers breathe.
Price: 0.00$
The Craft ADV Hybrid Weather Gloves are a versatile 2-in-1 option perfect for adapting to changing conditions.
Best convertible mittens for winter running: A weather-resistant protective cover quickly adjusts the gloves into mittens when needed, providing extra protection against wind and rain.
Why we love them: With their dual functionality, they offer both dexterity and warmth, ensuring you’re ready for any shift in the elements.
Price: 0.00$
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The Craft ADV Hybrid Weather Gloves are a versatile 2-in-1 option perfect for adapting to changing conditions.
Best convertible mittens for winter running: A weather-resistant protective cover quickly adjusts the gloves into mittens when needed, providing extra protection against wind and rain.
Why we love them: With their dual functionality, they offer both dexterity and warmth, ensuring you’re ready for any shift in the elements.
Price: 0.00$
Icebreaker’s Quantum Gloves are an ultra-light glove that keep hands happy on chilly runs with breathability and moisture-wicking comfort.
Best lightweight gloves for mild winter running: Made with a merino-blend fabric, these gloves are a soft and stretchy choice that naturally regulate temperature and resist odours.
Why we love them: They’re slim-fitting, so you can move freely, and feature touchscreen-compatible fingertips, so you won’t have to take them off to use your devices.
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Icebreaker’s Quantum Gloves are an ultra-light glove that keep hands happy on chilly runs with breathability and moisture-wicking comfort.
Best lightweight gloves for mild winter running: Made with a merino-blend fabric, these gloves are a soft and stretchy choice that naturally regulate temperature and resist odours.
Why we love them: They’re slim-fitting, so you can move freely, and feature touchscreen-compatible fingertips, so you won’t have to take them off to use your devices.
Price: 0.00$
Made with a soft, stretchy fabric, adidas Essentials 3-Stripes Gloves have a snug fit while being flexible.
Best budget running gloves for cold weather: These are a stylish and functional option at an affordable price.
Why we love them: The iconic 3-Stripes design adds a sporty edge to these warm, stretchy gloves, perfect for cool days.
Price: 0.00$
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Made with a soft, stretchy fabric, adidas Essentials 3-Stripes Gloves have a snug fit while being flexible.
Best budget running gloves for cold weather: These are a stylish and functional option at an affordable price.
Why we love them: The iconic 3-Stripes design adds a sporty edge to these warm, stretchy gloves, perfect for cool days.
Price: 0.00$
The women’s Auclair Honeycomb Running Glove is a toasty-warm versatile option with extra protection when temperatures plunge.
Best windproof mittens for extreme cold runs: These gloves strike a balance between warmth and functionality—they’re thick enough for the coldest days without feeling heavy or bulky.
Why we love them: The hidden pocket is perfect for stashing the included overmitt or shielding your hands from piercing wind. A silicone pattern adds grip to the palm.
Price: 0.00$
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The women’s Auclair Honeycomb Running Glove is a toasty-warm versatile option with extra protection when temperatures plunge.
Best windproof mittens for extreme cold runs: These gloves strike a balance between warmth and functionality—they’re thick enough for the coldest days without feeling heavy or bulky.
Why we love them: The hidden pocket is perfect for stashing the included overmitt or shielding your hands from piercing wind. A silicone pattern adds grip to the palm.
Price: 0.00$
Craft’s ADV Lumen Fleece Gloves are a must-have for cold-weather runs. They combine the warmth of mittens with the dexterity of gloves, making it super versatile for chilly outdoor workouts.
Best reflective running gloves for winter night runs: The bold reflective print boosts visibility, keeping you safer during low-light and after-dark runs.
Why we love them: These running gloves are made from soft, functional jersey fabric and have a few thoughtful extras, like a handy key storage pocket right in the palm.
Price: 0.00$
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Craft’s ADV Lumen Fleece Gloves are a must-have for cold-weather runs. They combine the warmth of mittens with the dexterity of gloves, making it super versatile for chilly outdoor workouts.
Best reflective running gloves for winter night runs: The bold reflective print boosts visibility, keeping you safer during low-light and after-dark runs.
Why we love them: These running gloves are made from soft, functional jersey fabric and have a few thoughtful extras, like a handy key storage pocket right in the palm.
Price: 0.00$
The Thermal Merino Gloves by Smartwool are a versatile, super-soft, 100% Merino wool choice for chilly runs.
Best moisture-wicking winter gloves for running: The merino wool interlock knit delivers soft comfort with its breathability, temperature regulation, and natural odour resistance.
Why we love them: They’re warm enough to keep your hands cozy without the bulk, giving you all the dexterity you need when outside.
Price: 0.00$
Brand Name | Product Type
Brand Name | Product Type
The Thermal Merino Gloves by Smartwool are a versatile, super-soft, 100% Merino wool choice for chilly runs.
Best moisture-wicking winter gloves for running: The merino wool interlock knit delivers soft comfort with its breathability, temperature regulation, and natural odour resistance.
Why we love them: They’re warm enough to keep your hands cozy without the bulk, giving you all the dexterity you need when outside.
Price: 0.00$
Key Features to Look for in Winter Running Gloves & Mittens
When shopping for winter running handwear, keep these features in mind to ensure you’re getting the best fit for your needs:
Material: Insulation and Weather Resistance
Look for gloves made with insulating materials like merino wool, fleece or Thinsulate. Water-resistant fabrics are essential if you’re running in wet conditions.
Moisture-Wicking
Hands sweat, even in winter. Moisture-wicking materials will help keep your digits dry during intense runs, warding off chill and discomfort.
Grip and Dexterity
Whether you need to adjust your jacket, check your phone or reach for water bottles, grip and dexterity are key. Some gloves feature touchscreen-compatible fingertips or silicone grips for better handling.
Breathability
While you want warmth, you don’t want to overheat. Breathable fabrics help regulate your temperature, keeping you comfortable on long hauls.
Visibility
If you’re running in low-light conditions, reflective elements help you stay safe. Look for gloves or mittens with reflective strips or logos to stay visible to others.
FAQ
Q: Should I choose gloves or mittens for winter running?
A: If you need flexibility, gloves are the way to go. For maximum warmth, mittens are better. Hybrid options offer flexibility for shifting conditions.
Q: How do I maintain and clean winter running gloves?
A: Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions, but generally, machine-wash cold and air-dry. Avoid fabric softeners to preserve moisture-wicking properties.
Q: What are the best materials for winter running gloves and mittens?
A: Look for materials like merino wool or synthetic fibres like Thinsulate or PrimaLoft. Waterproofing or windproofing materials are also important for harsh conditions.
Conclusion
Cold weather shouldn’t get in the way of a good run. Choosing the right gloves or mittens is key to staying comfortable, safe, and focused during winter runs. Whether you prefer gloves for flexibility or mittens for warmth, specialized handwear can prevent freezing hands, add breathability, and tactile practicality. Lightweight, waterproof, and breathable, the best winter gloves also offer great dexterity without the bulk. Consider your typical winter running conditions and select the gear that fits your needs.
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