When temperatures plummet in the winter, running outside can feel like a challenge. But with the right gear, you can continue your outdoor runs comfortably and safely, regardless of the cold and windy weather. Among the essential gear for cold weather running, a good pair of running gloves or mittens can make all the difference in keeping your hands warm, dry, and functional.
Here’s a roundup of the best running gloves and mittens that will keep your hands protected from the chill, allowing you to focus on your run.
Best Overall: The North Face Etip Gloves
If you’re running in extremely cold conditions, The North Face’s Etip Gloves are a fantastic choice. These gloves are designed with a special fabric that retains heat while maintaining flexibility. They also have a grippy surface, making them ideal for holding onto your phone, water bottle, or other gear.
Features:
- Etip technology for touchscreen compatibility
- Windproof and water-resistant fabric
- Grip palm for secure handling
- Fleece lining for added warmth
Why We Love Them: With their excellent windproof and water-resistant properties, these gloves provide the warmth and durability needed for harsh winter conditions. The Etip technology allows you to use your smartphone without removing your gloves, which is a huge bonus during cold weather runs. Buy on Amazon
Best for Use with Smartphones: Zensah Smart Running Gloves With Touch Screen Feature
Zensah’s Smart Running Gloves keep your fingers warm while still allowing you to use your touch screen smart phone or iPod. Their proprietary Zensah fabric provides ultra-breathability and comfort for you during your cold runs.
Features:
- Breathable and moisture-wicking fabric to keep hands dry
- Soft fleece lining for extra warmth
- Reflective elements for increased visibility in low light conditions
Why We Love Them: These gloves strike the perfect balance between warmth and comfort. Their lightweight design won’t make your hands sweat, and their moisture-wicking material ensures that your hands stay dry even during more intense runs. Buy on Amazon
Best Budget: Outdoor Essentials Touchscreen Running Gloves
For reasonably-priced, high-quality running gloves, you can’t go wrong with Outdoor Essentials’ Touchscreen Running Gloves. The stretchy, comfortable Nylon/Spandex blend fabric adds a layer of warmth without the bulk.
Features:
- Water- and wind-proof
- Touchscreen compatible
- Made with soft, brushed fleece
Why We Love Them: These gloves also feature touchscreen capability, as well as silicone dots on the fingers and palm to allow for a secure grip on your phone or water bottle. Available in sizes for both men and women, they also work well for casual wear when you’re not running. Buy on Amazon
Best Grip: New Balance Lightweight Touchscreen Running Gloves
New Balance’s Lightweight Touchscreen Running Gloves are also reasonably-priced and we love how grippy the palms and fingers are. They’re ideal for holding onto a water bottle, phone, or anything else you may need to carry on the run.
Features:
- Grippy silicone palms
- Touchscreen-compatible fingertips for easy phone use
- Reflective graphic for visibility
Why We Love Them: The gloves are also touchscreen-compatible on the thumb and index finger, so you can use your devices without removing them. Although they’re not warm enough for temperatures below 25 degrees F, they provide great protection on moderately cold days. Buy on Amazon
Best Women’s Convertible Mittens: TrailHeads Women’s Power Stretch Convertible Mittens
TrailHeads’ Women’s Power Stretch Convertible Mittens easily convert from warm mittens to fingerless gloves. You can tuck the mitten top into a storage pockets, allowing your fingers to text, change your music, take photos, or monitor your run data. The Polartec Power Stretch fabric provides protection in colder weather.
Features:
- Convertible mitten design
- Reflective accents
- Extended wrist cuff
Why We Love Them: These gloves perfect for those who want to run long distances during cold weather without sacrificing performance. We love the extended wrist coverage that fits easily into jacket sleeves, so no part of your hand is unprotected. The reflective accents are also ideal for those who run in low-light conditions. Buy on Amazon
Best Lightweight Running Gloves: Trailheads Lightweight Running Gloves
Trailheads’ Lightweight Running Gloves are ideal for early Spring or late Fall runs, when it’s not cold enough for thick gloves or mittens. In addition, they can be used as a base layer for really cold winter temperatures. They feature a secure, snug fit to keep your hands protected from the wind and cold.
Features:
- Lightweight, moisture-wicking material
- Touchscreen-friendly thumb and forefinger
- 4-way stretch fabric
- Grippy palm
Why We Love Them: Made with moisture-wicking technology, these running gloves dry quickly if your hands do start getting warm and sweating. An additional bonus is the conductive fabric on the thumb and forefinger that allows you to use touchscreen devices without removing your gloves. Buy on Amazon
Best for Extreme Conditions: ihuan Waterproof Gloves
Built for extreme weather conditions, ihuan’s Waterproof Running Gloves are designed to withstand harsh winter elements. Made with a windproof and water-resistant shell, they provide excellent protection against wind, rain, and snow. They also feature touchscreen-compatible fingertips, allowing you to use your smartphone without taking them off.
Features:
- Windproof, water-resistant shell
- Warm, windproof cuff
- Non-slip palm design
Why We Love Them: With their snug fit and superior insulation, these gloves are perfect for those cold, blustery days. We love the water-resistant outer material, soft and dense fleece lining, and adjustable windproof cuff that keeps the cold out. Buy on Amazon
Best for Smartphone Use Runner-up: TrailHeads Women’s Running Touchscreen Gloves
Versatile and comfortable, TrailHeads Women’s Running Touchscreen Gloves feature a smooth, durable outer layer that is wind and abrasion resistant, as well as a super soft, brushed inner layer that wicks moisture away from your skin for maximum thermal efficiency.
Features:
- Super soft, brushed inner layer
- Silicone palm grips
- Conductive fabric on tips of thumb and forefinger
Why We Love Them: You can easily use your smartphone or other touchscreen device while wearing them, thanks to the conductive fabric on tips of the thumb and forefinger. The silicone palm grips in a snowflake-shaped pattern will enhance your grip and dexterity. These gloves also feature an attractive metallic swirl print on back of hand. Buy on Amazon
Trailheads Men’s Power Stretch Convertible Mittens
Another glove/mitten combination, the Trailheads’s Men’s Power Stretch Convertible Mittens are a versatile way to keep your hands warm and protected. They feature a wind- and waterproof outer mitt for weather protection, plus thermal interior glove to keep hands dry.
Features:
- Reflective strips for increased visibility
- Hidden magnets to hold thumb flaps in place
- Grippy palm
Why We Love Them: The hybrid design offers excellent warmth retention, which is great for very cold runs. The reflective stripes help runners be seen in low light conditions. We also love the hidden magnets that the thumb flaps in place when not in use. Buy on Amazon
Best Budget Runner-up: Unigear Lightweight Running Gloves
Another budget-friendly option, Unigear’s Lightweight Running Gloves are made with four-way stretch material and compression technology, so they offer a snug and comfortable fit. They also come with touch screen pads on the thumbs and forefingers, so you can use your devices without having to remove them.
Features:
- Four-way stretch material
- Grippy, silicone beads on palm and fingers
- Touchscreen-compatible thumb and finger
Why We Love Them: These budget-friendly gloves are both practical and stylish, with high-performance fabric that keeps your hands warm while still allowing you to interact with your phone. We also appreciate the silicone beads on the palm and fingers that allow for a secure grip when holding your water bottle or other gear. Buy on Amazon
Related: Best Winter Running Hats
What to Look for in Running Gloves and Mittens
Materials: When shopping, look for mittens and gloves that are made with lightweight yet insulating fabrics that trap heat and wick away sweat. By maintaining a moisture-free environment within the gloves, your hands stay warm and dry throughout your run.
Fit and Comfort: Look for gloves that feature flexible, stretchable fabrics that allow for natural hand movements and a snug fit. These materials not only provide excellent dexterity but also ensure that the gloves stay securely in place. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s sizing chart to determine which size is right for you.
Grip: If you plan to carry anything while running, you might want gloves with strategically-placed grip pads. Some running gloves feature materials with textured surfaces or silicone grip patterns, improving your ability to hold onto objects.
Touchscreen features: Many running gloves have touchscreen features on the thumb and fingers, so you can use your phone or other devices without taking off your gloves.
How Can I Keep My Hands Warm When Running?
Wearing a pair of gloves and mittens is the most obvious way to keep your hands warm when running. If your running shirt or jacket has thumbholes, you can use them to provide more protection underneath your gloves or mittens.
Using hand warmers, either disposable or rechargeable ones, in your gloves is another easy way to get some extra warmth to that area.
How Should I Wash My Running Gloves?
It’s generally recommended to hand wash your winter running gloves rather than tossing them in the washing machine. Fill a sink or basin with lukewarm water and a mild detergent specifically formulated for delicate fabrics.
Gently agitate the gloves in the water, paying extra attention to any particularly soiled areas. Rinse thoroughly and gently squeeze out excess water before allowing them to air dry.
How Can I Stay Warm When Running in the Cold?
Staying warm when running in cold weather is possible if you properly plan your clothes and pre-run routine. Here are some tips for protecting yourself when running in the winter.
Layer Up. It’s important to dress in layers when running in cold weather. Start with a base layer made of sweat-wicking fabric, then add an insulation layer like a lightweight fleece, followed by a wind- and water-resistant outer layer.
Wear a Hat and Gloves. Protect your extremities by wearing a winter running hat and gloves. This will help to retain heat. Look for items made of wicking fabrics or wool.
Choose the Right Socks. The right pair of socks is essential for running in cold weather. Look for running socks made of wool or a synthetic sweat-wicking fabric that will keep your feet warm and dry.
Warm Up Properly. Preparing your body for the cold weather conditions is essential. A dynamic warm-up with stretching and movement will help to get the blood flowing and generate heat.
More Cold Weather Running Tips:
- 8 Tips for Making Cold Weather Running More Comfortable
- Outdoor Winter Cross-Training Activities for Runners
- 9 Good Reasons to Love Cold Weather Running
Why You Should Trust Us
An avid runner, certified running coach, and fitness writer, Christine Luff, ACE-CPT, enjoys researching and testing running gear and gadgets. Her decades of running experience and writing have helped her learn the value of using the best gear to improve comfort, safety, and performance.
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