There’s no point in trekking the snow-covered mountains, navigating steep paths, or holding your hiking pole if your hands go numb. I can understand that winter adventures can lose their charm due to extreme weather, making it difficult for avid hikers to enjoy their intrepid odysseys. So, to avoid the discomfort, hiking gloves come to the rescue. To help you folks, I am here with a guide to the best hiking gloves. Are you ready to take your next adventure to unprecedented heights? If yes, complete your gear with the ultimate glove guide.
1. Outdoor Research Alti Gloves
You can conquer the cold with these ultimate Alti gloves, featuring the ability to provide warmth even in harsh weather.
Best for: Extreme Cold Weather
The Outdoor Research Alti Gloves are designed to handle harsh cold conditions. These best winter hiking gloves feature Gore-Tex inserts that offer waterproof protection, windproofing, and breathability, making them perfect for high-altitude hikes and mountaineering. They also come with PrimaLoft insulation for exceptional warmth. The goatskin leather palm ensures a good grip, while the removable liner gloves add versatility. Hand warmers can be added for extra warmth in extreme cold.
- Material: Gore-Tex, PrimaLoft
- Key Features: Waterproof, windproof, removable liner, leather palm
- Pros: Excellent insulation, durable, highly protective
- Cons: Bulky for mild conditions
2. Black Diamond Guide Gloves
Not only stylish, these gloves offer warmth for your hands in the cold climate.
Best for All-Around Performance
The Black Diamond Guide Gloves offer a great balance between warmth, protection, and flexibility. These gloves are insulated with PrimaLoft Gold and feature a Gore-Tex insert for waterproof protection. The soft fleece lining and four-way stretch fabric provide comfort and dexterity, while the leather palm ensures durability during intense hikes. Thumb and index sections are reinforced for improved grip.
- Material: Gore-Tex, PrimaLoft Gold
- Key Features: Waterproof, windproof, leather palm
- Pros: Durable, versatile, great dexterity
- Cons: Expensive
3. Arc’teryx Venta AR Gloves
Folks, it’s time to defy the wind and embrace the outdoors with open arms wearing these gloves.
Best for: Windy Conditions
Arc’teryx Venta AR Gloves are built with Gore-Tex Infinium to provide a windproof barrier while maintaining breathability. These lightweight gloves are ideal for windy, cool hikes where heavy insulation isn’t necessary. Sensor gloves provide good touchscreen compatibility, making them perfect for technical hikes, while their softshell fabric is durable and resists water. Leather gloves offer additional protection and grip.
- Material: Gore-Tex Infinium, softshell
- Key Features: Windproof, water-resistant, lightweight
- Pros: Great dexterity, windproof, versatile
- Cons: Not suited for extreme cold
4. Marmot Randonnee Gloves
I must say, it is your ultimate go-to gear when it comes to packing for the next hike.
Best for: High-Altitude Hikes
The Marmot Randonnee Gloves are well-suited for high-altitude and cold weather conditions. Made with a Gore-Tex insert for waterproof protection, these gloves also feature DriClime moisture-wicking technology to keep your hands dry. The leather-reinforced palm adds durability, while the pinchable cuff ensures a snug fit to keep out snow. Hand warmers can be used for added warmth.
- Material: Gore-Tex, leather
- Key Features: Waterproof, moisture-wicking, reinforced palm
- Pros: Warm, comfortable, great grip
- Cons: Slightly bulky
5. REI Co-op Merino Wool Liner Gloves
The blend of warmth and versatility deems it as one of the best pair of hiking gloves.
Best for: Layering
The REI Co-op Merino Wool Liner Gloves are perfect for hikers who need a lightweight option for layering under heavier gloves in cold conditions. These gloves are made from soft, naturally moisture-wicking merino wool, which regulates temperature well and stays warm even when wet. They’re ideal for adding an extra layer of warmth without sacrificing dexterity. Although not waterproof, they complement the best gloves for hiking in cold weather when combined with outer gloves.
- Material: Merino wool
- Key Features: Lightweight, moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating
- Pros: Great for layering, soft, breathable
- Cons: Not windproof or waterproof
6. Sealskinz Waterproof All Weather Glove
The waterproof build of Sealskinz gloves provides you with the ultimate protection you need.
Best for: Wet Conditions
For hikes in the rain, snow, or any wet environment, the Sealskinz Waterproof All Weather Gloves are a fantastic choice. These gloves are completely waterproof thanks to a three-layer construction that includes a waterproof membrane and fleece liner for warmth. The grippy palm and adjustable cuff make them practical for various terrains and weather conditions. Work gloves with reinforced sections make them durable for rigorous use.
- Material: Waterproof membrane, fleece
- Key Features: Waterproof, windproof, grippy palm
- Pros: Great in wet weather, durable, warm
- Cons: Reduced dexterity
7. Rab Xenon Mitt
Folks, what else do you need when you have high performance and packability in terms of Rab Xenon gloves?
Best for: Ultralight Warmth
The Rab Xenon Mitt is an ultralight, insulated mitt that offers excellent warmth without added bulk. Designed for backpackers and hikers seeking warmth and packability, the Xenon Mitt also uses PrimaLoft Gold for insulation, making it incredibly warm for its weight. It’s best for use in cold, dry conditions, and when not needed, the mittens compress easily into your pocket or pack. Mitts are a great alternative for extreme cold when extra insulation is needed.
- Material: PrimaLoft Gold, Pertex Quantum
- Key Features: Ultralight, packable, insulated
- Pros: Lightweight, warm, compact
- Cons: Not waterproof
8. North Face Etip Recycled Glove
The eco-friendly design of North Face gloves makes them shine out among other options.
Best for: Touchscreen Compatibility
The North Face Etip Recycled Glove is a great option for hikers who need to use their phones or GPS on the trail. These gloves offer touchscreen compatibility without sacrificing warmth. They’re made from recycled polyester and feature a silicone palm grip for added traction, making them perfect for cool-weather hikes where dexterity is key. Moreover, glove reviews often highlight their eco-friendliness and good performance in mild conditions.
- Material: Recycled polyester
- Key Features: Touchscreen-compatible, silicone grip, lightweight
- Pros: Touchscreen use, lightweight, eco-friendly materials
- Cons: Not ideal for extreme cold
9. Outdoor Research Lucent Heated Gloves
Choose nothing other than advanced heating technology in the form of outdoor research gloves.
Best for: Extreme Cold with Extra Heat
The Outdoor Research Lucent Heated Gloves are a top choice for those hiking in freezing temperatures. These gloves come with ALTIHeat technology, providing adjustable warmth through a built-in heating element. They’re also waterproof and windproof, with Gore-Tex protection and EnduraLoft insulation, making them ideal for those who need extra warmth on icy hikes. Moreover, hand warmers can be used for extended warmth on very cold days.
- Material: Gore-Tex, EnduraLoft
- Key Features: Heated, waterproof, adjustable warmth
- Pros: Heated technology, great for extreme cold
- Cons: Battery life might be limited
10. Smartwool Ridgeway Glove
Last but not least, you can always go for a Smartwool design when looking for hiking gloves.
Best for: Natural Warmth and Durability
The Smartwool Ridgeway Glove combines the natural warmth of wool with the durability of leather. Owing to the leather palm, these gloves are built for cold-weather hikes and provide excellent dexterity and grip. The wool lining helps regulate temperature and wicks away moisture, making them ideal for a variety of hiking conditions. Leather gloves offer long-lasting durability, while the wool lining ensures warm and dry hands.
- Material: Wool, leather
- Key Features: Wool-lined, leather palm, durable
- Pros: Warm, comfortable, great grip
- Cons: Not waterproof
You can also check out details on hiking gear in this article.
Last Words
Summing up what has been discussed so far, the article covered details on ideal hiking gloves. I mean, it’s impossible to navigate through the rough terrains safely, and this is where the gloves kick in, making it easy to achieve success on your journey. So, grab your boots, wear your jacket, and get ready to conquer the trail.