13 Best Winter Gloves for Cold Weather Travel

Although these gloves are designed for cyclists, they make a lovely choice for travel, too. They feature gortex materials, which offer windproofness while staying thin, so your mobility isn’t as limited while wearing them. Plus, they’re touch screen compatible, so you can still use your phone.

We’d consider these gloves to be three seasons warmth-wise; however, for those who get cold hands early in the fall or late into the spring, these might not be for you. They don’t offer great warmth, but their wind-blocking technology is top-notch. They don’t handle water terribly well, but for a fall hike, they’re lovely. Plus, if they get dirty, you can toss them in the washer.

Although they’re crafted from GORE-TEX, they still boast fairly good breathability. If you’ve got hot-running hands but hate the wind, these might be the best winter gloves for you! After all, they’re reasonably warm, thin gloves with GORE-TEX; what’s not to like about that?

• Excellent wind resistance
• They pack down small

• Not the warmest gloves on this list
• Won’t handle more than light rain very well

If you’re an ultralight traveler looking for an incredibly lightweight glove that you can wear in three seasons and utilize as a base layer in the wintertime, look no further than the Smartwool Liner Glove! They’re crafted from a Merino blend, ensuring they’re moderately warm, breathable, and odor-free.

These aren’t the warmest gloves on this list, but they aren’t meant to be. They’re a solid choice for chilly Autumn or Spring mornings and layer well in the winter, but in extreme cold, you’ll need something to put on top of them. The Merino wool ensures they breathe well, so you won’t get as sweaty as some other liner gloves.

Out of all of the ones we’ve tested, we think these thin gloves have a great warmth-to-weight ratio and are an essential set of lightweight winter gloves for those who live in warmer climates or like to layer once the snow flies.

• Work well in moderate cold temperatures
• They are great layered under larger gloves in extreme cold

• Without a second layer, they’re subpar in winter cold and wind
• Not the best grip for certain activities

For many readers, Arc’teryx may be synonymous with staying warm. In the case of their Venta Gloves, this remains true. Thanks to the DWR finish, this model will keep your hands warm, block out the wind moderately well, and handle light rain and snow. For travel, these might be a home run. You can even have a snowball fight with them!

All that warmth and comfort comes with a small asterisk: size. They aren’t humongous; however, they might be more significant than some ultralight travelers want to compromise. However, given how warm they are and how many activities they can be used for, this will be worth it for most cold-weather trips.

You might need something more capable if you’re headed to the Arctic. However, for most trips, these might be the best winter gloves for you!

• The DWR finish ensures your hands stay dry
• The design is sleek and stylish

• They’re larger than some items on this list
• High price for what you get

All right, we know what you all might be thinking. Aren’t these a bit big for travel? Well, what if you’re going somewhere super cold? Or what if your hands get a little cold at the drop of a hat? Then you need a pair of Outdoor Research Stormtracker Gloves!

If you’re looking for something small and packable, these aren’t the best winter gloves for you. However, they’re a good shout if you want to stay warm and dry. The GORE-TEX keeps water at bay and the wind from making you frigid, and they still have fairly good dexterity for how large they are, so you can keep doing what you were doing like you didn’t have gloves on at all.

Some users reported that the fingers are slightly long, but this will depend on your hand size. With four sizes to choose from, you should be able to find a fitting that might make these the best winter gloves for you!

• Superb warmth, even in colder temperatures
• GORE-TEX keeps your hands dry

• They’re quite large
• The fingers are longer than anticipated

If you’re looking for a pair of lightweight winter gloves that offer maximum sun protection but don’t need that much warmth, the Buff Aqua+ Glove is calling your name. Not literally—that would be weird—but you know what we mean. They aren’t the most stylish option and don’t offer much warmth, but they’re great for brisk days or folks who don’t want to put sunscreen on their hands.

The gloves are a 92/8 Polyester to Spandex mix, which is comfortable and durable. They’re an excellent fit for hikers, cyclists, and people who like to fish, but can be worn in any situation. Because they’re so lightweight, they pack down relatively small, fitting inside your pocket, in your sling, or into an organizer inside your daypack.

For cold winter days, these aren’t the warmest thin gloves; however, for sun protection and a layer to protect against the wind and chilly mornings, these gloves do well!

• Extremely lightweight and packable
• Superb protection from the sun

• Not meant for winter weather
• The look isn’t for everyone

If you don’t often travel to cooler destinations or aren’t looking to spend much money, the OZERO Winter Thermals are worth a shout. They aren’t the best winter gloves, but they’re a set of warm, thin gloves that’ll work for most situations. Plus, they’re still touchscreen-friendly, so you can use your phone while you’ve got them on.

These aren’t the most durable or warmest gloves on the market, but at the time of writing, they cost just $17 with free Prime shipping, so there’s that. They have pads on the palms and fingers, which help you hold onto things while wearing them. There are five sizes so that you can find the perfect fit. They won’t hold you through a brutal winter, but for a trip into reasonably cold temps, you should fare okay.

• The price is budget-friendly
• Warmth-to-weight ratio is excellent

• The materials aren’t very durable
• They look a bit like work gloves

We’ve all been there—it’s cold out, so you wore gloves, but you want to be still able to do something with your hands. With thinner gloves, your hands might get cold, but you won’t have as good dexterity with a larger model. Enter convertible gloves!

The ViGrace Winter Knitted Convertible Fingerless Gloves might be a mouthful, but they work fairly simply. They look like mittens, and the part over your four non-thumb fingers pops open when you want to be able to use them. There’s a pad on the palm and thumb for durability and grip, which we dig. The wool might cause some folks to itch, but we haven’t had an issue with that in testing.

These aren’t lightweight winter gloves; however, their design feels homemade and works with most outfits, from casual to dressed up. If you haven’t found the perfect match for you and you’ve never tried a convertible-style model, these might be the best winter gloves for your next trip!

• You can transition from mitten to fingerless
• The wool is warm and cozy

• Materials might bother some user’s skin
• They aren’t very lightweight or small

The Outdoor Research Men's Flurry Sensor Gloves have a classic style with modern features, which is worth commending. They look like a pair of gloves your grandparents might have had, but you can use them with your touchscreen devices, which is key in the technological era.

The wool construction will keep you warm, but some users might find it a tad itchy. The palm has silicone, so you can hold things easier, making these gloves better for doing things while traveling.

Despite not being made of the most water-resistant materials, these gloves do a reasonably good job keeping water and snow at bay. After prolonged exposure, your hands might get a bit wet, though. We’d rate these a three-season glove or four-season if you live somewhere that doesn’t get too chilly!

• They feature heritage styling with modern features
• Touchscreen fingers help navigate with a phone

• Some users might find the materials itchy
• Not super water resistant

If you’re looking for the best winter gloves to do it all on your next trip, look no further than The North Face Denali Etip Gloves. Although they aren’t going to suffice in the Arctic, in most travel situations, these gloves have you covered. From the comfortable fleece construction to the zipper on the back to make getting them on and off easier when you’re wearing a bulky coat, a lot of thought went into designing these as one of the best everyday models on the market.

As mentioned, these won’t do the trick in extreme cold. However, for the average traveler, they are warm enough to use while walking through the city, on a light hike, or during a morning run. Plus, they’re crafted from recycled materials, which are better for the environment. What’s not to love?

You can use the Denali Gloves with your touch screen devices to navigate on your phone, answer a call when your mom calls, or make a reservation at that brunch spot you’ve always wanted to try. In most situations, these might be the best winter gloves for your next trip!

• These gloves can do it all, within reason
• They’re crafted from recycled materials

• Not the best in extreme cold
• The zipper may be a superfluous feature for some

We know what you might be thinking—my grandparents used to wear silk gloves! What are they doing on this list? Well, when used correctly, these have a helpful spot in your packing list.

On a chilly morning, silk gloves are a solid option for your early run, riding public transit to get to a scenic hill for the sunrise, or holding the cold steering wheel in your rental car. If things get cooler, you can layer these under a warmer or more waterproof pair of gloves. Plus, these offer UPF 50+ protection from the sun, so you don’t have to worry about sunscreen on your hands.

Although these gloves are moisture-wicking and quick-drying, they don’t handle the elements well. Once they’re wet, your hands are going to get cold. However, when worn correctly, they make a great travel companion.

• More durable than other silk gloves on the market
• They offer excellent UPF protection

• When the temperature drops, these won’t be enough for many users
• They aren’t water resistant

If you’re looking for a pair of warm, water-resistant gloves that won’t break the bank, the Carhartt Waterproof Insulated Gloves are a solid shout. These aren’t the most lightweight winter gloves, and they aren’t the warmest, either; however, the value for your money is up there with the best of them. At the time of writing, these gloves cost just $30, which we think is a steal.

The exterior has a polytex shell, which keeps water and wind at bay, within reason. Don’t go shoving your hand underwater to grab a steelhead during the fall run, but most general-purpose uses will work just fine. The palm has a grippy material to help you hang onto whatever it is you’re carrying, from a duffle to a fishing reel.

These aren’t the smallest gloves on the market; however, they compress down reasonably well, so you can stuff them in between larger items inside your pack. Five sizes are available at the time of writing, so you can find one that fits your hand.

If you aren’t looking to break the bank but want to stay warm this winter, these might be the best winter gloves for you!

• Excellent price-to-warmth ratio
• Will keep your hands dry, too

• They’re not very small
• The style isn’t something everyone can appreciate

Okay, if you’ve made it this far, you’re probably looking for the end all be all of warm gloves. You’ve finally made it! The Nørrona Trollveggen GTX gloves are one of the warmest gloves on the market.

Nørrona admits that these aren’t the most lightweight winter gloves; however, regarding wind and water resistance, the GORE-TEX on these gloves doesn’t play games. The seams are taped, too, to ensure no wind or water sneak inside to make your fingers cold. The cuffs are long enough to ensure no gap or skin is exposed between the glove and coat, which is essential for cold-weather trips.

All those features come at a cost, and it’ll hit your wallet. At the time of writing, these gloves cost around $230. For the water and windproofness offered, these gloves are a no-brainer for those who constantly have cold hands. Believe it or not, Norrøna makes gloves warmer than this, so they’re an excellent brand for you or your cold-handed friends or family members.

• Extraordinarily warm, well-designed gloves
• Extra protection from water and wind

• The price is pretty high
• They aren’t packable

If you’ve scoured the depths of Amazon for affordable, warm, and waterproof gloves, you might have stumbled upon the Jeniulet Winter Gloves. Although they don’t live up to their -30℉ (-34.4 Celsius) and utterly waterproof billing, they have some excellent features and work well for their modest price tag.

At the time of writing, these lightweight winter gloves will cost you anywhere between $15 and $22, depending on the size that you go with. Their excellent heat retention and highly water-resistant materials are a steal for that price. Plus, the zipper on the back makes it easy to get the gloves on and off, which can sometimes be challenging for skin-tight gloves.

Although these aren’t going to be as warm as some of the larger models on this list, the dexterity offered by a set of gloves like this is appealing for those who like to get out and be active with their hands. Plus, you can still use your touchscreen devices. The palms and fingers have a non-slip texture, so you can hang onto whatever you need to.

Due to their price and performance, these might be the best winter gloves for you!

• They’re budget-friendly
• For their size, they do well in wind and cold

• The look leaves something to be desired
• They don’t stack up to the temperature claims on the marketing materials