Best Women's Winter Gloves

Buying guide for Best women’s winter gloves

When your hands are cold, spending any amount of time outdoors in winter is unpleasant. That’s why winter gloves are essential to every woman’s cold-weather wardrobe. Whether you’re playing sports, working outdoors, or commuting, there are winter gloves to suit every lifestyle.

Some winter gloves are designed to keep your hands warm and dry during hands-on outdoor activities like shoveling snow or ice skating, while others are fashioned to complete a winter ensemble with an element of style. Regardless of the type of winter gloves you prefer and what you plan to do while wearing them, there is a pair that you’re sure to love. In fact, you might even want to invest in several pairs so you’re prepared for any occasion when the outdoor temperatures dip.

Matching gloves to your winter coat creates a well-thought-out fashion statement. Consider purchasing a pair of winter gloves for each coat in your wardrobe.

Key considerations

Wearing a pair of winter gloves will definitely make dealing with the cold and snow more comfortable, but there are numerous options available. Here are some points to think about so you can find gloves that match your needs.

Lifestyle

Some women prefer to hunker down in the winter, spending limited time outdoors, while others can’t wait to get out and play in the snow. Before you shop for new winter gloves, think about how you plan to wear them. If you participate in a lot of outdoor activities, for example, you’ll want well-insulated gloves that resist wind and moisture.

Style

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you have to compromise on looks. Many winter gloves are both warm and fashionable – they look great while keeping your hands from freezing. These gloves are often made of suede, leather, or faux versions of these materials. While you probably wouldn’t wear them to build a snowman or ski, they’re perfect to wear for driving, heading out to work or shopping, or dressing up for special occasions.

Climate

What is the climate where you live? Are the winters short and mild, or can you expect snow and temperatures below freezing for several months out of the year? Ultimately, the winter gloves you choose should be practical for the weather conditions you’ll be facing when you put them on and step outdoors.

Flexibility

Keep in mind that the thickness of the materials of winter gloves is also an indication of flexibility. Thinner gloves aren’t likely to be as warm as those with thick shells and linings, but they will be more practical for activities that require heightened dexterity, such as driving or picking up and carrying items. In contrast, warmth will be a priority over flexibility if you plan to wear your gloves in a snowball fight.

Fit

There’s no doubt that the fit of a pair of winter gloves is important to overall comfort. Some gloves, such as those with a thick lining or slim design, have the tendency to fit somewhat tight and may require that you order a larger size than you usually wear.

Women’s winter glove features

After considering the types of situations and weather that your gloved hands will encounter during the winter months, it’s time to think about the different features that will make sure that the gloves look good, keep your hands warm, and provide a comfortable fit.

Styles

Women’s winter gloves are available in several different styles. Here’s a look at some of the most popular options.

• Dress: Women’s winter gloves that fall into this category typically have a trim fit and pair nicely with fashionable winter coats. They are best worn for special occasions or when style is more of a concern than keeping warm for an extended time. These gloves aren’t meant to be worn during vigorous outdoor activities, such as playing sports, and likely won’t keep your hands warm if you spend a lot of time outside in subfreezing temperatures.

• Waterproof: If you like to spend time in the snow or have to work outdoors in the cold months, you’ll need gloves that keep your hands dry as well as warm. Waterproof gloves are perfect for activities when your hands will be exposed to moisture. They usually have a lining that provides superior warmth, but the downside is that these gloves may make your hands sweat in milder winter conditions.

• Skiing: These winter gloves are similar to waterproof gloves in that they’re also made of materials that keep out moisture. Gloves for skiing are lined and often have fasteners at the wrists to keep them in place. These gloves are typically bulkier due to the extra insulation needed to keep your hands warm, so they can be awkward to wear while doing anything that requires manual dexterity.

• Casual: Women’s winter gloves that fall into this category come in a wide range of looks and materials. They’re perfect for keeping your hands warm for brief periods of time but not ideal if you expect your hands to come into contact with snow. Casual winter gloves have a flexible, comfortable fit and are suitable for mild to moderate temperatures.

Shell materials

The material that makes up the exterior of winter gloves is the first line of protection when it comes to keeping your hands dry and warm. Many women’s gloves are made of a combination of materials for optimal performance. For example, some nylon or fleece gloves also have leather palms and/or fingers for a combination of warmth, style, and water resistance.

• Leather and suede are popular materials for winter gloves that are designed to keep hands warm and look fashionable at the same time. Some gloves in this category are lined, but not all. Most all-leather gloves provide minimal warmth and aren’t ideal for engaging in winter activities that involve contact with snow.

• Fleece is soft, extremely flexible, and perfect for spending time outdoors when a comfortable fit is a must. This material isn’t waterproof, and it’s best suited for mild to moderate temperatures. However, fleece gloves made with polyester blends can provide a bit more warmth.

• Knit gloves are made of natural, synthetic, or blended fibers and are also soft and comfortable on the hand. Like fleece gloves, these are stylish and soft, but they aren’t a good choice if you plan to put your hands in the snow. In addition, they typically don’t do a great job of keeping hands warm in windy conditions.

• Nylon is one of the warmest materials because it keeps moisture from seeping through the gloves. That’s why many winter gloves designed for sports like skiing and snowboarding and activities like snowmobiling have nylon shells. These gloves are usually too warm and bulky for everyday wear.

• Wool winter gloves are made of natural animal fibers and very warm – they can be too warm in milder winter temperatures. Wool gloves can be pricey, too.

Lining

Not all winter gloves are lined, but this is an important feature because the insulation helps to keep your hands warm. Fleece is known for its warmth and softness and is arguably the most popular lining material. Cotton or synthetic pile is usually used for superior warmth that is necessary for winter gloves meant to be worn in extremely cold temperatures. Some dressy winter gloves are lined with faux fur.

Touchscreen gloves

Many gloves have small panels on one or more fingers with special conductive threads that make it easy to use a smartphone touchscreen while wearing the gloves. They’re referred to by various names, including texting, touchscreen, conductive, or tech gloves.

Women’s winter glove prices

Very cheap women’s winter gloves aren’t likely to last long, but it’s easy to find quality gloves in a variety of styles that fit your price range.

Inexpensive

The least expensive women’s winter gloves range in price from about $15 to $20.

Mid-range

For gloves of a bit higher quality, expect to pay from $20 to $40.

Expensive

Women’s winter gloves that cost from $40 to $100 and more are made by name brands of premium materials.

Tips

• Choose gloves that match your coat and/or boots for a stylish look.

• Don’t discount knit gloves. If you need a pair for mild to moderate winter wear, knit gloves come in numerous attractive designs that look as good as they feel on the hands.

• Put wet gloves in a warm, dry place and allow them to dry thoroughly. Putting your winter gloves away wet could ruin them.

• Consider purchasing several pairs of winter gloves in different styles. Whether you’re dressing up or down, taking a walk, or playing in the snow, you’ll have the right pair for all your winter activities.

• Use a leather conditioner on leather gloves. This will keep the leather feeling soft and supple.

The rise of smartphones and other devices with touchscreens has led to the demand for gloves with conductive fingertips that make it easy to text and keep your hands warm.

FAQ

Q. What does it mean if winter gloves are water repellent?

A. Gloves that have a water-repellent shell are made of materials like nylon that resist moisture by allowing it to bead off the surface. While these types of gloves provide protection from rain or snow, they aren’t totally waterproof.

Q. Are leather gloves warm?

A. An element of fashion is the biggest selling point of leather gloves because they usually don’t offer the same degree of warmth as those made of other materials. If you need leather gloves that will do a reasonably good job of keeping your hands warm during long periods of time outdoors, look for a lined pair.

Q. Why do some winter gloves have fasteners?

A. Buttons, buckles, Velcro, and wristbands are some of the most commonly found closures positioned at the wrists of winter gloves. While some are simply decorative, others help keep the gloves in place during outdoor activities.

Fleece is one of the most popular lining materials for winter gloves for good reason. Not only is it soft and comfortable but it also provides excellent warmth.