Gloves might not steal the spotlight like other winter gear, but they’re essential for keeping your hands warm and protected in freezing temperatures. Our top picks range from high-performance gloves for extreme conditions to versatile daily use and work options, many even cross these boundaries seamlessly. Most of these gloves for winter camping are unisex and available in various sizes. Check out our guide below for more details. If maximum warmth is your priority, don’t miss the National Park Shops team guide to the best gloves for winter camping.
Contents
- 1 Best Overall: Outdoor Research Stormtracker ($59.21 on Amazon)
- 2 Best Value: Dakine Titan GORE-TEX ($49.56 – $78.47 on Amazon)
- 3 Best Waterproof: Showa Atlas 282 TemRes ($26.57 on Amazon)
- 4 Best Budget: Carhartt W.P. Waterproof Insulated ($25.25 – $29.32 on Amazon)
- 5 Best for High-Output Activities: Arc’teryx Venta Glove ($52.50 on Amazon)
- 6 Black Diamond Midweight ScreenTap ($39.95 on Amazon)
- 7 Best for Extreme Cold: Black Diamond Mercury Mitt ($119.95 on Amazon)
- 8 Mechanix Wear Coldwork Original ($19.01 on Amazon)
- 9 Best Liner Glove: Smartwool Liner ($28 on Amazon)
- 10 How we test Gloves For Winter Camping
- 11 What material will work best for your needs?
- 12 Conclusion
Best Overall: Outdoor Research Stormtracker ($59.21 on Amazon)
- Category: Performance/casual
- Shell: Nylon/leather
- Waterproof: No (water-resistant)
Outdoor Research is renowned for its gloves and earns its spot at the top. For over four winters, it’s been our go-to for winter walks, snow shoveling, belay duty, bike commutes, and mild days on the skin track. These gloves for winter camping offer the ideal balance of warmth and weight, a zippered gauntlet for easy on/off, excellent dexterity (the touchscreen tips work), and reliable weather protection with Gore-Tex Labs’ Windstopper fabric. Plus, it’s built to last. While not fully waterproof, the Stormtracker is versatile enough for most winter tasks.
Best Value: Dakine Titan GORE-TEX ($49.56 – $78.47 on Amazon)
- Category: Performance
- Shell: Polyester
- Waterproof: Yes (Gore-Tex)
Dakine’s Titan is a favorite among skiers and snowboarders, but its versatility earns it a spot on this list. Featuring a Gore-Tex insert, these gloves for winter camping deliver dependable protection against wet conditions, while the grippy palm handles tasks like shoveling snow or pulling sleds with ease. Unlike many gloves designed for snow sports, the Titan’s design works just as well for casual use around town. It also includes removable fleece liners that are touchscreen-compatible and ideal for standalone wear during cold-weather runs.
That said, the Titan’s thick insulation and bulk make it feel more like a traditional ski glove, impacting dexterity for tasks like zipping jackets or fiddling with car keys. The removable liner adds to this limitation, but the trade-off is excellent warmth at an affordable price. Notable features include a zippered pocket for hand warmers and a roomy gauntlet, making it especially handy for resort skiing.
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Best Waterproof: Showa Atlas 282 TemRes ($26.57 on Amazon)
- Weight: 3 oz.
- Material: Acrylic, nylon
- Touch Screen Compatible: No
The Showa Atlas 282 TemRes gloves are an excellent choice for wet, and cold conditions, offering full waterproof protection at an affordable price. With a durable polyurethane shell and soft acrylic lining, they provide reliable weather resistance, warmth, and impressive dexterity for their robust build.
Designed for function over form, these gloves for winter camping excel in hands-on tasks like winter work, fishing, and chores in damp or freezing conditions. Their textured rubberized palm and slightly shorter fingers improve grip, making tool handling or buckle tightening a breeze. The acrylic lining delivers moderate insulation, keeping hands warm above 20°F but losing effectiveness in colder temperatures, especially without active movement. The snug fit enhances dexterity but limits the ability to layer with liners.
While these gloves for winter camping effectively block external moisture, the polyurethane shell traps sweat during high-exertion activities, making them best suited for low-output or wet-weather tasks. They are highly durable, though the acrylic lining may show wear and lose some loft over time. For a balance of durability, weather resistance, and functionality, the Showa Atlas 282 TemRes gloves offer outstanding value.
Best Budget: Carhartt W.P. Waterproof Insulated ($25.25 – $29.32 on Amazon)
- Category: Performance/work
- Shell: Polyester
- Waterproof: Yes
Carhartt offers a wide range of gloves, and their W.P. glove strikes a balance between affordability and functionality. With a waterproof membrane, nose wipe, and reinforced palm, it’s a versatile choice for outdoor chores and light activities on mild winter days. The soft material provides decent flexibility, and at just $30 (often available at a discount), these gloves for winter camping deliver solid value.
However, the W.P. glove does have its limitations. Its thin synthetic insulation struggles to provide warmth in freezing temperatures, making it less ideal for harsh conditions. For those seeking a simple, budget-friendly glove for casual use, the W.P. is a strong contender.
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Best for High-Output Activities: Arc’teryx Venta Glove ($52.50 on Amazon)
- Category: Performance/work
- Shell: Softshell
- Waterproof: No
For winter camping activities, the Arc’teryx Venta glove is a standout choice. It offers just enough insulation to fend off chilly mornings, with light fleece at the front of the hand and warmer Octa Loft insulation at the back. Its breathable softshell face efficiently releases heat during high-output activities, while the Gore-Tex Infinium shell is windproof and provides reliable protection against light rain and snow.
Additionally, these gloves for winter camping excel in dexterity and grip, making them ideal for tasks like holding ski poles or using a smartwatch. The touchscreen-compatible patches also work effectively. Many gloves struggle to balance warmth and moisture management, leaving hands either too cold or clammy. The Venta solves this problem beautifully, making it one of the best options for active winter use. However, it’s a “tweener” design—lightweight enough to switch to liner gloves when temperatures rise above 40°F but not warm enough for low-output activities like hiking in frigid weather.
Black Diamond Midweight ScreenTap ($39.95 on Amazon)
For lightweight gloves for winter camping that make checking your touchscreen devices hassle-free, the Black Diamond Midweight ScreenTap gloves are a solid pick. Designed with a snug yet flexible fit, they provide excellent touchscreen functionality thanks to conductive materials on all ten fingers and both palms. This makes navigating your devices smooth and effortless. A soft fleece lining adds warmth without sacrificing dexterity, while a leather palm enhances grip and boosts durability.
These gloves for winter camping are ideal for active pursuits. However, they’re not much warmer than typical liner gloves, lack waterproofing, and take about a day to dry if wet. On the upside, they shed dry snow effectively and work well in mild winter conditions when paired with good pockets. They’re especially useful for urban exploring or trail adventures where frequent use of digital maps is needed.
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Best for Extreme Cold: Black Diamond Mercury Mitt ($119.95 on Amazon)
- Category: Winter mittens
- Shell: 100% recycled polyester
- Waterproof: BD.dry™ waterproof insert
The Black Diamond Mercury Mitt is our top pick for warmth, excelling in both men’s and women’s models. Packed with insulation, a fleece liner, and a spacious interior for insulation loft, these gloves for winter camping are built to keep your hands toasty. They also feature durable, water-resistant materials and a snug seal to keep moisture out. Added touches like a nose wipe and drying loops enhance their practicality.
As with most mittens, the Mercury sacrifices dexterity for warmth, making tasks requiring fine motor skills—like zipping a jacket or adjusting boots – challenging without taking them off. Unfortunately, they lack a wrist leash, which would make frequent removal less inconvenient. However, if staying warm is your top priority, these mittens are an excellent choice.
Mechanix Wear Coldwork Original ($19.01 on Amazon)
- Material: Rubber, fleece, softshell
- Touchscreen Compatible: Yes
- Category: Winter insulated work gloves
The Mechanix Wear Coldwork Original gloves excel at balancing protection and functionality. These gloves for winter camping offer excellent dexterity, breathe well, and keep hands dry, critical for warmth. One tester found them warm enough for small engine repairs in temperatures as low as the teens and twenties while pairing them with Smartwool Liners provided added warmth for colder conditions. They’re also machine washable, durable, and surprisingly effective even when dirty, with touchscreen-compatible index fingers and thumbs that work well despite grime.
However, with minimal insulation, these gloves for winter camping aren’t the warmest option and perform best during active use where dexterity and movement are key. While they can handle light rain or snow, the gloves wet through quickly and require a day or more to dry. Sizing may be slightly off for some, particularly for smaller hands, but they still function well even if not a perfect fit.
Best Liner Glove: Smartwool Liner ($28 on Amazon)
- Material: Wool, polyester
- Touch Screen Compatible: Yes
- Niche: Lightweight
The Smartwool Liners are a lightweight yet warm option, providing excellent dexterity for active winter activities. Made from soft merino wool and polyester, these gloves for winter camping offer moderate insulation while remaining breathable, keeping your hands dry and comfortable during high-output tasks. Their slim fit ensures a snug feel, making them ideal for fine motor tasks like texting or tying laces. The touchscreen-compatible thumb and index finger add convenience without exposing your hands to the cold.
However, the Smartwool Liners lack weather resistance and do not protect against rain or snow. They’re best used as a standalone layer on cool, dry days or as liners under heavier gloves in colder conditions. While they’re great for comfort and flexibility, they don’t offer much grip, which can make handling items like ski poles or car keys tricky.
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How we test Gloves For Winter Camping
Our search for the best winter gloves begins online, where we meticulously document and compare dozens of options in a spreadsheet. After narrowing down the most promising gloves for winter camping, we buy them and test their durability through real-world use.
We wore the gloves for various tasks like running errands, walking the dog, jogging, hiking, doing chores in rural Maine’s freezing winters, and especially camping. During testing, we performed tasks such as tying shoelaces, unbuckling avalanche beacons, taking notes, and attaching dog leashes to assess their dexterity. For warmth, we wore them in frigid conditions, sometimes comparing them side by side, and even dunked them in water for two minutes to test waterproofing. We also timed how long it took them to dry after getting wet.
Our testing criteria for winter gloves include five key metrics:
- Warmth (25% of total score)
- Comfort and Dexterity (25% weighting)
- Weather Resistance (20% weighting)
- Features (15% weighting)
- Construction Quality (15% weighting)
What material will work best for your needs?
The performance of your winter gloves largely depends on the materials they’re made from. Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon are durable and, when treated, can resist water, making them a great choice for outdoor activities. However, untreated synthetics don’t fare well against water. Gloves with a high percentage of Merino wool offer faster drying times if they get wet. Leather gloves, while durable and stylish, often require a waterproofing treatment to perform well in wet conditions. For maximum warmth, look for gloves with fleece or wool linings and added insulation. For active pursuits, choose gloves with moisture-wicking properties to keep your hands dry and comfortable.
Conclusion
Finding the best gloves for winter camping is crucial to ensuring you stay warm and comfortable during your outdoor adventures. The right pair of gloves will not only protect your hands from the cold but also provide the flexibility and durability needed to handle winter tasks. Whether you’re setting up camp, cooking, or exploring snowy trails, investing in high-quality gloves will make a significant difference in your experience. With the options we’ve explored, you’re now ready to choose the perfect gloves to keep your hands cozy and functional throughout your winter camping trips!
