Best Winter Work Gloves

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • Winter can be brutal on hands, especially for those working outdoors, where cold and wet conditions can lead to dry, cracked skin and even frostbite. Winter work gloves are specially designed to keep hands warm and dry while still allowing dexterity and grip. These gloves come in various styles and materials—some with synthetic insulation like Thinsulate, others with natural wool or fleece, and often featuring leather or durable synthetic shells for added durability. Many include waterproof membranes for wet conditions. When choosing winter work gloves, consider the specific tasks; too much bulk can hinder movement, while too little warmth can leave hands vulnerable. We tested dozens of gloves to find the best options for a range of jobs and weather conditions.

  • Carhartt Waterproof Work Gloves

    10

    We think these Carhartt gloves are a solid choice for anyone needing tough, warm hand protection in cold and wet conditions.

    10

    We think these Carhartt gloves are a solid choice for anyone needing tough, warm hand protection in cold and wet conditions.

    Pros

    • Waterproof and insulated
    • Durable polytex shell
    • Adjustable wrist strap

    Cons

    • Limited dexterity
    • May run large
    • Takes time to dry if soaked

    We put these gloves through their paces in some harsh winter conditions. The waterproof insert did its job, keeping our hands dry even when working in wet snow. The insulation was warm enough for sub-freezing temperatures, and we liked the fleece cuff for extra comfort.

    The digital-grip palm and stick-grip fingers gave us a good hold on tools and equipment. This feature really shines when handling slippery or icy objects. The adjustable wrist strap let us get a snug fit, which helped keep out cold air and snow.

    On the downside, these gloves are pretty thick. This limits finger movement, making it hard to do tasks that need fine motor skills. They also seem to run a bit large, so you might want to size down. When they get really wet, they take a while to dry out completely. But for most winter work, we found these gloves to be reliable and comfortable.

  • Toolant Waterproof Winter Work Gloves

    9.7

    We think these gloves are a solid choice for those needing waterproof, warm hand protection in cold work environments.

    9.7

    We think these gloves are a solid choice for those needing waterproof, warm hand protection in cold work environments.

    Pros

    • Fully waterproof
    • Touchscreen compatible
    • Warm fleece lining

    Cons

    • Short wrist coverage
    • Touchscreen function less effective when wet
    • May get sweaty inside during heavy work

    We tested these Toolant gloves in various cold and wet conditions. The double-dipped latex coating kept our hands dry, even when dunked in water. This feature is great for outdoor winter work or handling cold, wet materials.

    The fleece lining felt cozy and kept our hands toasty in freezing temps. We liked the added warmth from the acrylic nylon shell and extended cuffs. The sandy rubber palm gave us a good grip on tools and materials.

    We found the touchscreen feature handy for quick phone checks without removing the gloves. It worked best with dry fingers, though. The velcro wrist strap helped get a snug fit, but we wished for longer wrist coverage to keep out snow and wind.

  • Mechanix ColdWork FastFit Gloves

    9.5

    These gloves are a solid choice for those needing warmth and dexterity in cold weather work settings.

    9.5

    These gloves are a solid choice for those needing warmth and dexterity in cold weather work settings.

    Pros

    • Fleece lining for comfort and warmth
    • Water and wind resistant
    • Touchscreen compatible

    Cons

    • May not be suitable for extreme cold
    • Sizing can run large
    • Not fully waterproof

    We found the Mechanix ColdWork FastFit gloves to be a great option for chilly work days. The fleece lining kept our hands cozy without being bulky. We liked how we could still use our phones without taking off the gloves, thanks to the touchscreen-friendly material.

    During light rain and windy conditions, these gloves held up well. The water-resistant shell kept our hands dry, and the wind didn’t cut through. But in heavy rain or very wet conditions, they didn’t stay fully dry.

    The fit was a bit roomy, so we suggest sizing down if you’re between sizes. We appreciated the elastic cuff, which kept snow and debris out while making the gloves easy to put on and take off. For general cold weather work, these gloves hit the sweet spot of warmth and usability.

  • Vgo Winter Work Gloves

    9.4

    We think these gloves are a solid choice for winter work, offering good protection and warmth for most cold-weather tasks.

    9.4

    We think these gloves are a solid choice for winter work, offering good protection and warmth for most cold-weather tasks.

    Pros

    • Warm and waterproof
    • Touchscreen compatible
    • Durable leather construction

    Cons

    • Bulky feel
    • Sizing runs large
    • Long thumb may feel awkward

    We tested these Vgo winter work gloves in various cold-weather jobs. The goat leather feels tough and stood up well to rough use. We liked the extra padding on the palms, which helped when using power tools.

    The 3M Thinsulate insulation kept our hands warm even on frosty mornings. We stayed dry thanks to the waterproof membrane. The touchscreen fingertips came in handy for checking our phones without taking off the gloves.

    We found the gloves a bit bulky for fine tasks. The fingers felt a little short, but the thumbs seemed too long. Order a size down, as they run big. Despite these quirks, we think they’re a good pick for most winter work needs.

  • LOCCEF Winter Work Gloves

    9.3

    We recommend these gloves for anyone needing reliable hand protection in cold work environments.

    9.3

    We recommend these gloves for anyone needing reliable hand protection in cold work environments.

    Pros

    • Excellent insulation for freezing temperatures
    • Durable construction with puncture resistance
    • Good grip in wet and dry conditions

    Cons

    • Slightly bulky for fine motor tasks
    • Palm coating may feel too tacky for some users
    • Limited color options

    We tested these LOCCEF winter work gloves in various cold environments and were impressed by their performance. The double-layer design with nylon exterior and fleece lining kept our hands toasty even when working in sub-zero temperatures. We appreciated the snug fit, which allowed for good dexterity despite the thick insulation.

    The grip on these gloves is top-notch. We had no trouble handling tools or materials in both dry and wet conditions. The palm coating provides excellent traction without feeling too sticky. We also noticed the gloves held up well to rough use, thanks to their ANSI level 2 puncture resistance rating.

    While using these gloves, we found they excelled in cold storage facilities and outdoor construction sites. The water-resistant coating came in handy when working with snow or ice. Though they’re a bit thick for extremely precise tasks, we were still able to operate most equipment and tools with ease. For workers braving harsh winter conditions, these LOCCEF gloves offer a great balance of warmth, protection, and functionality.

  • DULFINE Waterproof Winter Work Gloves

    9.1

    We think these gloves are a solid choice for cold-weather work, offering good protection and functionality at a reasonable price.

    9.1

    We think these gloves are a solid choice for cold-weather work, offering good protection and functionality at a reasonable price.

    Pros

    • Fully waterproof design
    • Touchscreen compatible fingertips
    • High visibility safety color

    Cons

    • Sizing may run small
    • Durability concerns for heavy use
    • Plastic-like membrane sound

    These gloves impressed us with their warmth and waterproofing. The 3M Thinsulate insulation kept our hands toasty even in frigid conditions. We liked that we could use our phones without taking them off, thanks to the touchscreen-friendly thumb and index finger.

    The synthetic leather palm gave us a good grip on tools and equipment. The yellow color made our hands easy to spot, which is great for job site safety. We found the foam padding in the palm area helpful for absorbing shocks when using power tools.

    One thing to note is that these gloves might run small, so you may want to size up. While they held up okay during our testing, we’re not sure how they’d fare with daily heavy-duty use. The waterproof membrane makes a crinkling sound when you move your hands, which some of us found a bit distracting. Still, for the price, we think these gloves offer good value for winter work.

  • Toolant Winter Work Gloves

    9

    We recommend these gloves for their warmth and durability, making them a solid choice for winter work.

    9

    We recommend these gloves for their warmth and durability, making them a solid choice for winter work.

    Pros

    • Cowhide leather for good insulation
    • Thinsulate lining keeps hands dry
    • Reinforced palm for extra grip

    Cons

    • May run small for some users
    • Not ideal for extremely cold weather
    • Pinky finger can be too long

    We put these Toolant winter work gloves to the test in chilly conditions. The cowhide leather felt sturdy and provided nice warmth. We liked how the Thinsulate lining wicked away sweat, keeping our hands dry even during tough jobs.

    The reinforced palm gave us a better grip on tools. This came in handy when we were splitting wood. The hook and loop wrist closure kept out dust and cold air, which we appreciated on windy days.

    We found the gloves comfortable for most tasks, but the fit wasn’t perfect for everyone. Some of us felt they ran a bit small, so you might want to size up. While they worked well for fall and early winter, they might not be warm enough for the coldest days. Overall, these gloves offer good value for moderate winter work.

  • Balhvit Winter Warmers

    8.7

    We think these gloves are a great choice for anyone looking for warm, versatile hand protection in cold weather.

    8.7

    We think these gloves are a great choice for anyone looking for warm, versatile hand protection in cold weather.

    Pros

    • Five-layer insulation keeps hands toasty
    • Touchscreen compatible fingertips
    • Waterproof and windproof design

    Cons

    • Bulkier than some alternatives
    • Only index fingers work on screens
    • May run narrow for wider hands

    We tested these Balhvit gloves in freezing conditions and were impressed by their warmth. The five-layer design with 3M insulation did a great job keeping our hands cozy, even when the temperature dropped below zero. We liked that we could still use our phones without taking them off, thanks to the touchscreen-friendly fingertips.

    The waterproof and windproof features came in handy during snowy activities. We stayed dry while shoveling snow and didn’t feel any cold air seeping through. The silicone grips on the palms gave us a secure hold on shovels and ski poles.

    One thing to note is that these gloves are on the thicker side. This makes them super warm but also a bit bulky for tasks that need more dexterity. We also found that only the index fingers worked well on touchscreens, not the thumbs. If you have wider hands, you might want to size up as they tend to run a bit narrow. Despite these minor issues, we think these gloves offer great value for winter work and play.

  • G&F Double-Coated Winter Gloves

    8.7

    We recommend these gloves for their waterproof design and warmth, making them suitable for various cold-weather activities.

    8.7

    We recommend these gloves for their waterproof design and warmth, making them suitable for various cold-weather activities.

    Pros

    • Waterproof and windproof
    • Warm acrylic terry lining
    • Flexible and durable

    Cons

    • May not be as warm as advertised
    • Sizing can be tricky
    • Wrist area not fully waterproof

    We tested these G&F winter gloves in various cold and wet conditions. The double-coated palm and fingers stayed flexible while keeping our hands dry. This feature proved useful when shoveling snow or working outdoors.

    The acrylic terry lining added warmth, though we found the -58°F claim to be a bit optimistic. In real-world use, they kept our hands comfortable in moderately cold temperatures. For extreme cold, you might need extra insulation.

    We liked the gloves’ versatility. They worked well for tasks ranging from driving to outdoor work. The grip was good, allowing us to handle tools and equipment with ease. Keep in mind that sizing can be tricky, so check the size chart carefully before buying.

  • Wells Lamont Winter Work Gloves

    8.6

    We think these gloves are a solid choice for anyone needing warm, durable hand protection during cold-weather work.

    8.6

    We think these gloves are a solid choice for anyone needing warm, durable hand protection during cold-weather work.

    Pros

    • Tough cowhide leather construction
    • Warm Thinsulate insulation
    • Flexible fit for good dexterity

    Cons

    • May run small for some users
    • Not waterproof
    • Break-in period needed

    We put these Wells Lamont winter work gloves to the test in some chilly conditions. The cowhide leather felt sturdy and stood up well to rough use. We liked how the 100-gram Thinsulate insulation kept our hands toasty without being too bulky.

    The Gunn cut design gave us good flexibility for tasks like operating equipment or shoveling snow. We found we could still grip tools easily, which isn’t always the case with thicker winter gloves. The fleece lining added extra comfort and warmth.

    One thing to note – these gloves might feel snug at first. We suggest sizing up if you’re between sizes. They also need some breaking in to reach peak comfort. While not waterproof, they handled light moisture well. For the price, we think these gloves offer great value for winter work needs.

Buying Guide

When shopping for winter work gloves, we recommend considering a few key factors:

Insulation

Look for gloves with quality insulation like Thinsulate or PrimaLoft. The amount needed depends on how cold your work environment gets.

Waterproofing

For wet conditions, waterproof materials like Gore-Tex are a must. This keeps hands dry and warm.

Durability

Tough materials like leather or reinforced synthetics hold up better to wear and tear on the job.

Dexterity

Some insulated gloves can be bulky. Try them on to make sure you can still use tools and equipment easily.

Grip

Textured palms and fingers help maintain a firm grasp on slippery objects.

Cuff Style

Longer cuffs keep out snow, while shorter ones allow more wrist mobility.

Sizing

Proper fit is crucial. Gloves should be snug but not tight, with room to wiggle fingers.

FeatureWhy It Matters
InsulationKeeps hands warm
WaterproofingPrevents moisture
DurabilityExtends glove life
DexterityAllows finger movement
GripImproves safety

We suggest trying on several pairs to find the best balance of warmth, dexterity, and comfort for your needs.