The 15 Warmest Winter Gloves for Women, According to Enthusiastic (& Cozy) Reviewers

Warmth is such a subjective feeling, it can be hard to definitively list one material, or even two, as the absolute warmest. In fact, according to Lewenhaupt, the warmest options are going to be made from a mix of multiple fabric types. “A really warm glove is usually made from a mix of different materials in layers. Leather is a good outer material since it is windproof, water-resistant and still breathable. To make it even warmer, leather gloves can have a lining of warm materials like wool, fleece or other synthetic blends.”

Burg also suggests shoppers stick with gloves that have built-in insulation. “Gloves and mittens made of different materials can be equally warm,” he explains, “but in general the warmest gloves are insulated with polyester fill insulations (like Primaloft or Outdoor Research’s VerticalX).” He also notes that more insulation adds up to more warmth, so be sure to check how many grams of insulation are in your gloves before adding to cart.

As for other materials, fleece, down and wool are all great options. “Fleece can also be used as insulation if it’s placed under a windproof shell material like leather or fabric,” says Burg. “Wool is a great option as it has insulation abilities that will keep your hands warm in cold temperatures,” suggests Lewenhaupt. “It is also naturally antibacterial and odor-resistant and can be washed very infrequently. Down is another good option as it will keep your hands warm while offering more breathability than synthetic materials, which tend to attract and trap bad odors.”

Lastly, Burg suggests you look for wind-resistant or windproof gloves as added protection against winter weather.

According to Lewenhaupt, waterproofing alone does no guarantee warmth. “A waterproof glove is not always warmer than a non-waterproof glove. If you want a warm waterproof glove, you should look for one with a good insulating material like wool, down, lamb’s fur or other synthetic blends to keep you dry and warm.” Burg also notes that weather conditions play a big role in determining whether or not waterproofing will provide a major payoff. If you tend to be out in rain, sleet or heavy snow in the winter, investing in a waterproof pair of winter gloves is likely going to serve you better than simple wool or other non-water-resistant materials. As Burg explains, every type of insulation, even those that can still perform when wet, lose some of their effectiveness if they get wet. “Gloves with water-resistant leather and/or shell fabrics, or with waterproof membranes that keep water away from the insulation and lining are best for snowy and wet conditions, like one would encounter skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing,” he adds.

Gloves may offer much of the same dexterity as bare fingers, while mittens turn your hands into giant paws, but that ease of motion comes with a price. “Mittens are warmer than gloves because when your fingers are all in contact, they stay warmer,” says Burg. Yup, if you’re dealing with truly frigid temperatures, mittens are almost definitely a better bet than gloves for keeping your hands warm. However, Burg does offer a caveat to consider before you abandon your gloves all together. “If you need to take your hands out of your mittens in order to do things, this can make your hands cold,” so if you're constantly taking your mittens off in order to tie your boots, text on your phone, grab your credit card from your wallet, etc., you won’t have time to reap all the warming benefits of mitten. In that case, Burg suggests looking for “warm gloves that have enough dexterity to leave them on for whatever you are doing. They’ll be more comfortable and convenient for many activities.”

You should start, as always, by double checking any labels and/or the product page on the brand’s website to find the best care instructions. However, Lewenhaupt has additional advice that can help prolong the life of your favorite winter accessory. “If you have gloves made of wool, you can maintain the appearance of them by using a fabric shaver to trim off lint and pilling which makes them look like new again. Wool gloves will naturally pill, so shaving off the excess textile fibers is a great way to keep them looking the best despite wear over time.” He also advises washing the inner liner and outer shell separately if possible, as the inner liner may be machine washable while the outer likely is not. “If you wash the inside of your gloves, make sure to wash them on a gentle cycle and with a delicate laundry detergent that is specially developed for delicate materials like wool, down or even synthetic materials like fleece.”