More often than not, this iconic Coco Chanel quote rings true: "Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off." When it comes to elevated style, less often is, in fact, more. Unless it's winter. When it's below freezing, you've brought out your serious winter coat, and the strands of your hair are turning to icicles, warmth is nonnegotiable—no matter how many layers or accessories you have to pile on. Go for it, and don't think twice about it. A cozy scarf, hat, and a good pair of gloves will go a long way.
You may feel the chill on your head or neck first, but don't take that as a cue to neglect your hands. Frostbitten fingertips are a thing, and gloves exist to combat this very real issue. Imagine not being able to send a text because you skipped the gloves. Do your fingers a favor and get a new pair before the cold really settles in. Gloves come in a wide mix of materials like wool, cashmere, leather, and cotton to ensure, most importantly, that your fingers stay warm. So before you leave the house this winter, look in the mirror and then add one thing: a pair of winter gloves. Trust us, we've got you (and your fingertips) covered with our top picks below.
Pros
- Extremely warm
- Touch-screen compatible
Cons
- Tight wrists
Columbia's patented heat-retaining gloves will provide superior warmth and comfort come frigid days and nights. The interior lining has a metallic-dot pattern that seals in body heat without making your hands sweaty, and the fingertips are touch-screen compatible.
Materials | 80% polyester, 20% polyurethane |
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Waterproof | No |
Best Outdoor Gloves
Carhartt Flip It Gloves
Pros
- Versatile fingers
- Magnetic edge keeps the mitt in place
Cons
- Bulky
If your go-to winter fit tends to be all-black everything, try these earth-toned fleece camo gloves from Carhartt to add an instant dose of (highly functional) personality. Flip the magnetic mitten top over when you need to use your fingers and then back down when the chill hits.
Materials | 100% polyester |
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Waterproof | No |
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Pros
- Have touch-screen-compatible fingertips
Cons
- Buyers report fingers are long
Don't worry about overly sweaty palms and bulky gloves interfering with your run. These lightweight ones from New Balance will keep you warm without weighing you down. They come in four sizes and are made from a moisture-wicking polyester-and-spandex blend to prevent sweat build-up while you run. The index finger and thumb are also touch-screen friendly.
Materials | 86% polyester, 14% spandex |
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Waterproof | No |
best running gloves
Under Armour Storm Liner Gloves
Pros
- Can layer with thicker gloves
Cons
- Only touch-screen compatible on thumb and index finger
Here's another pair for the winter runners out there. These fitted Under Armour gloves are made of soft knit fabric with a smooth exterior that retains heat while also allowing your hands to breathe as you jet outdoors in the cold. They're thin enough to layer under another pair of gloves if you really need to block out the cold but will keep your hands warm on their own, in non-frigid temps.
Materials | 87% polyester, 13% elastane |
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Waterproof | Yes |
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Pros
- Tons of color options
Cons
- Run tight
The North Face brings its winter expertise to these stretchy, comfy, tech-compatible gloves made from recycled materials. There's no need to compromise on using your phone either, since all fingers have touch-screen capabilities.
Materials | 93% recycled polyester |
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Waterproof | No |
Pros
- Plenty of colors to choose from
Cons
- Hand-wash only
These look basic, but they have everything you need. Warmth? A given. Touch-screen compatibility? Duh. An elasticized cuff to keep that warm in and the chill out? You know it. Plus, these come in six colors if matching to your winter coat is a priority.
Materials | 100% acrylic |
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Waterproof | No |
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Pros
- Cozy AF
Cons
- Wide fingers
Wool-blend gloves are as handsome as any of the very best sweaters in your rotation. Even though the outside is made from knit material, the insulated interior will keep your hands warm and dry during your next epic snowball fight. They're also thin enough to layer under another pair of gloves.
Materials | Wool |
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Waterproof | Yes |
Pros
- Wearable everyday
Cons
- Not insulated
As delightfully fuzzy as the brand's coziest fleece. These are made with recycled polyester and recycled nylon that's quick to dry if they get wet. The wrists have an elasticized toggle to tighten for a better fit and to keep the cold out. These also feature touch-screen capabilities on the index and thumb.
Materials | 100% recycled polyester |
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Waterproof | No |
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Pros
- Affordable
- Fire-resistant
Cons
- Bulky
- Not touch-screen compatible
The toughness of cowhide will last you throughout the cold season, guaranteed. If you're one to get the backyard firepit going on a mild winter night or be put in charge of the post-dinner s'mores, these fire-resistant gloves will keep your hands warm and unscorched.
Materials | Cowhide leather |
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Waterproof | Yes |
Pros
- Breathable and durable
Cons
- Lack of colors
Wool gloves, minus all the fuss and frills but with the warmth and softness. The soft polyester lining has moisture-wicking tech that's still breathable, so you're getting uncompromised insulation from the cold.
Materials | 85% wool, 15% polyamide |
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Waterproof | Yes |
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Pros
- Touch-screen compatible
Cons
- Tight wrists
A streamlined leather pair from a brand that's all about the heavy-duty. (They could double as some sweet driving gloves in a pinch, too.) Unlike some other leather gloves, these have ribbed knit cuffs to block out breezes, and the fingertips are phone friendly.
Materials | Reinforced leather |
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Waterproof | No |
Best Shearling Gloves
Ugg Genuine Shearling Tech Gloves
Pros
- Ultra-warm and cozy
Cons
- Very thick
Ugg certainly knows how to do winter accessories right, and these smartphone-friendly, shearling-lined gloves are no exception. No need to risk dropping your phone while fumbling to get your gloves off. They also come in black.
Materials | 100% genuine leather with genuine shearling lining |
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Waterproof | No |
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Pros
- Elegant AF
Cons
- Pricey
Gloves primed for blessing yourself in the name of the "father, son, and House of Gucci." These cashmere-lined gloves are classy enough to double as driving gloves, dressy gloves, or gloves for any other activity where you just want to look damn cool.
Materials | 100% leather |
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Waterproof | No |
Pros
- Fully lined
- Extendable cuffs
Cons
- Pricey
- Dry-clean only
Here's another pair that is more on the quiet-luxury front while still feeling luxurious AF on your hands. These insulated, cashmere-blend gloves have an extendable ribbed knit cuff that'll keep your wrists warm, too.
Materials | 87% cashmere, 12% polyamide, 1% elastane |
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Waterproof | No |
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Best Leather Gloves
Polo Ralph Lauren Paneled Leather and Wool-Blend Felt Touch-Screen Gloves
Pros
- Extra-warm interior
Cons
- Only available in black
PRL combined the best parts of luxurious leather gloves and the practicality of an everyday wool pair into one. Outside is a buttery-soft leather, and inside is a wool-blend fleece to keep your fingers happy.
Materials | Shell: 100% leather; lining: 80% wool, 20% nylon |
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Waterproof | No |
Pros
- Available in two sizes
Cons
- Dry-clean only
Made with mostly cashmere and a touch of wool for extra warmth, these touch-screen-sensitive gloves are proof you don't have to go broke for a pair of cashmere gloves.
Materials | 97% cashmere, 3% wool |
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Waterproof | No |
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Best Affordable Gloves
Lands' End Men's Cashmere Lined EZ Touch Leather Glove
Now 50% Off
Pros
- Come in three colors
- Affordable
Cons
- Professional clean only
For a leather-and-cashmere combo, Land's End hits the luxury mark spot-on—and the price is right, too. These touch-screen-compatible gloves are made with a soft leather exterior and lined in an even softer, toasty cashmere—all for under 100 bucks.
Materials | 100% leather; 100% cashmere lining |
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Waterproof | No |
What to Look for in Winter Gloves
Beyond being a finishing accent to your outfit, accessories like winter gloves often serve very specific purposes. Before choosing your next pair, think about where you'll be wearing them (outdoors, of course) but also what you want to do in them. Keep these considerations in mind.
Warmth: Above all else, winter gloves should keep your hands warm. Depending on the level of cold where you live, you may want to get a pair with or without a lining. If you're going the lined route, fleece, wool, and cashmere will be the warmest options.
Features: Most people want the option to send a text or make a call without risking frostbitten fingers, so look for gloves with touch-screen capabilities. Other features like ribbed or adjustable cuffs are nice, too, to keep the cold out.
Durability: Gloves that start to fray midway through the season are a waste, so look for more-durable fabrics like leather and heavier wools that, no matter what you're handling in the cold, will stay in one piece. If you anticipate a lot of wear on your gloves, washable options may be best.
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Why Trust Esquire?
We say it often because we mean it, but we won't recommend a product we don't stand behind. That goes for every glove we've included on this list. We're based in New York, so we've seen some cold days and know exactly how important a solid pair of gloves is on the most blistery of them. Having worn some of these ourselves, tapped our editor experts for their recommendation, and then combed the Internet to see which gloves people in varying degrees of cold are wearing, we feel confident in this list of options and hope you do, too.