Buying guide for Best heated gloves
In the winter months, gloves are a crucial part of your outdoor attire to keep yourself warm. You can take it up a notch with a pair of heated gloves. Using safe heating elements such as rechargeable batteries or air-activated chemicals, this type of glove works quickly in cold temperatures.
Like regular gloves, the first thing you should consider is fit and size. The best gloves, heated or otherwise, offer a tight fit to seal in as much heat as possible. The heating element is also important. Electrically heated gloves use batteries, but some non-electric versions also exist in the form of chemically heated gloves.
Buying guide for How do heated gloves work?
There are two types of heated gloves: those that use a chemical heating element and those with an electric or battery-operated heating element.
Chemically heated gloves
Gloves with a chemical heating element feature one or more pockets in the palm area and/or the back of the hand where you can slip an air-activated hand-warming packet. These packets contain cellulose, water, iron, activated carbon, and salt, which produce heat when exposed to the air because the iron begins to oxidize. The heat can last for up to eight hours, and the packets are replaceable.
Electrically heated/battery-operated gloves
Gloves with an electric heating element have a series of small wires woven into the material. The wires are connected to an individual battery for each glove. When the battery is turned on, an electric current passes through the wires, heating the gloves.
The heat lasts as long as the battery has a charge. With some heated gloves, you’ll need to replace the batteries periodically. Others have rechargeable batteries that you charge when they run out.
"Whether using batteries or chemical packs for your heater gloves, be sure to keep a note when to replace them so you don’t run out of juice when out in the cold and risk frozen limbs."
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Which heating element is better?
Heated gloves that use chemical heating are easier to operate; you simply place the hand-warming packets inside the glove pockets, and they are ready to use. However, hand-warming packets only provide effective heat for a few hours at a time, so they’re not the best option if you’re going to be outdoors all day.
Gloves with an electric heating element can usually provide continuous heat for up to six hours. If you need to keep your hands warm all day, this is probably the better choice. But electrically heated gloves must be properly charged or fitted with functional batteries to work effectively, so they require more maintenance.
For your safety
If you notice any redness or numbness when using heated gloves, stop using them immediately and consult with your doctor.
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Benefits of heated gloves
Heated gloves keep your hands much warmer than regular gloves can, particularly when the temperature drops to the single digits or lower.
Most heated gloves direct heat to where your hands really need it, such as the fingers and backs of your hands.
With heated gloves, you can adjust the temperature, so your hands are never too cold or too hot.
Heated gloves usually aren’t as bulky as insulated gloves.
Who needs heated gloves?
Anyone whose hands get cold in the winter can benefit from heated gloves. However, some people can benefit from them even more than others.
Motorcycle riders often rely on heated gloves to keep their hands warm on winter rides. Outdoor workers, such as those in the construction or landscaping fields, are also good candidates for heated gloves because they spend their days outside in extremely cold temperatures.
If you’re an athlete who enjoys outdoor sports such as skiing, skating, snowboarding, or snowmobiling, you may want to invest in a pair of heated gloves to protect your hands. They’re also ideal for hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking.
Heated glove material
Like regular gloves, heated gloves are available in a variety of materials, including leather, fleece, and polyester.
For an exterior material, it’s best to choose a polyester style to ensure that the gloves are waterproof.
On the interior, you may want to look for gloves with a fleece lining. The fleece provides a soft feel and helps keep your hands nice and toasty.
Did you know?
Most heated gloves direct heat to where you hands really need it, such as the fingers and backs of your hands.
STAFF
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Heated glove sizing
With heated gloves, it’s very important to get the right size.
The gloves should fit snugly without being too tight, so the heat doesn’t escape but your circulation isn’t cut off when you wear them.
Most heated gloves are available in small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes. Consult the manufacturer’s sizing chart to determine the best option for your hands.
Caution
To avoid damaging your gloves or causing a fire, never attempt to dry heated gloves in a clothes dryer or on a heater. You shouldn’t iron them, either.
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Heated glove battery types
Electrically heated gloves feature a battery that powers the heating element.
Some gloves require regular AA or AAA batteries, so you don’t have to charge the gloves to use them. However, you’ll need to replace the batteries fairly regularly, and the cost could add up.
Other heated gloves use rechargeable lithium ion batteries. You won’t have to worry about the expense of replacing these batteries, but you will have to make sure the batteries are consistently charged.
Heated gloves designed for motorcyclists usually feature 12-volt batteries. As such, you must connect the gloves to your bike’s wiring to use them. This can be very convenient, but having your gloves connected to your bike can take some getting used to.
Did you know?
It can take rechargeable heated gloves anywhere from four to six hours to charge fully.
STAFF
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Heated gloves prices
Heated gloves vary in price based on the type of heating element used, material, battery type, and size. You can expect to spend anywhere from $20 to $220 on a pair of heated gloves.
For this lower price, you can get a basic pair of heated gloves with a chemical heating element.
In this price range, you can get a pair of heated gloves with an electric heating element that uses replaceable batteries.
At this higher price, you can buy a pair of heated gloves with an electric heating element that uses rechargeable or 12-volt batteries.
For your safety
Avoid wearing heated gloves if the skin on your hands is sensitive, has open wounds, or is otherwise injured.
STAFF
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Tips
If possible, try heated gloves on before buying them. Perform a few basic tasks with them on, like pushing buttons on your phone, turning a doorknob, or zipping your coat.
Using 12-volt heated gloves that connect to your motorcycle’s battery can take some getting used to. It’s best to practice wearing them for short distances until you get more comfortable.
Most heated gloves are not machine washable. Instead, spot clean any stains with a damp cloth or brush.
If you notice any redness or numbness when using heated gloves, stop using them immediately and consult a doctor.
FAQ
Q. Are heated gloves safe?
A. If used properly, heated gloves are usually extremely safe and effective.
There’s little risk of electric shock because no bare wires are exposed inside the gloves. Heated gloves also have a safety shut-off feature that turns them off in the event of a short circuit. The batteries inside the gloves don’t get hot enough to cause the fabric to ignite, either.
If you’re still concerned about safety, you may prefer to use gloves that use a chemical heating element.
Q. Which parts of the hands are heated by the gloves?
A. That’s a good question to ask before you make a purchase because all heated gloves don’t heat the same areas of the hands.
Most heated gloves focus on the fingers and backs of the hands, as those are the areas most vulnerable to cold. However, some gloves provide heat to the palms as well.
Consider where your hands tend to get coldest and choose a pair of gloves that heats your problem areas.
Q. How do I know what size heated gloves to choose?
A. Manufacturers provide a sizing chart that helps you choose the right size. In most cases, you’ll need to measure the length of your hand, as well as the circumference.
For the length, open your hand and run a tape measure from the top of your middle finger to the top of your wrist on the palm side of your hand. For the circumference, spread your fingers apart comfortably, and wrap the measuring tape around your hand just below the base of your knuckles.
Q. How much continuous heat can I expect from a pair of heated gloves?
A. The amount of heating time you’ll get from a pair of gloves depends on the type of heating element they have, the battery type, and the manufacturer. Electric heated gloves offer the most heating time, with some models providing up to six hours of continuous heat per battery charge.
Gloves that use a chemical heating element usually offer continuous heat for only two or three hours.
