Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (2024)

Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (1)

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A good pair of running gloves goes a long way when you’re out there trying to run in the colder months of the year. Freezing hands can break a run streak as fast as anything, so your winter running outfit should include a light, breathable pair of gloves.

Finding a pair that feels comfortable during a run isn’t always easy— Some don’t fit comfortably. Others aren’t warm enough or lack the weatherproofing to keep your hands dry through the snow and rain. Even more lack the tactile fingertips you need to use your keys and operate your phone without taking them off. Few gloves check all these boxes, but the best running gloves we’ve tried come close enough to help you keep your streak all winter long.

The Best Running Gloves

The Expert: I’m a journalist and fitness writer, testing and writing about the best workout gear for publications like Runner’s World, Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, and more. I live in the Pacific Northwest, where gloves are an essential part of my running outfit during the cooler parts of the year. I’ve had ample time to test and figure out exactly what to look for in a pair of running gloves.

What to Consider in a Pair of Running Gloves

Materials

Winter runners should look for a pair of lightweight gloves that are warm enough to keep your hands cozy, but breathable enough to let air circulate. Look for technical fabrics— Polyester and other synthetic materials are often your best bet for finding that balance.

Some blends are better than others though. In case of bad weather, it also makes sense to keep an eye out for a weather-resistant material that can protect against rain and snow, as well as cold, cutting winds. Moisture-wicking materials, such as Merino wool, can also help deal with sweat and mitigate the impact of cold rain.

I also like when a glove fabric contains a small amount of a stretchy material, such as Spandex or elastane, to ensure the gloves fit comfortably and snug. That said, skip the stretch if you like a glove that feels roomy inside.

On the other hand, I recommend avoiding heavy gloves made from nylon or polyurethane. These materials are often thicker, warmer and weatherproof, so they’re more likely to make you overheat. (Depending on the design, they may also make it hard to use your phone or check your smartwatch.)

Warmth

Everyone has their own Goldilocks spot for how much warmth they need from their gloves. The important thing to keep in mind is that your body feels warmer while you’re running–speaking broadly, we recommend dressing for a run as if it's 10- to 20 degrees warmer than the temperature outside (including the wind chill.) That’s a good rubric for determining both when to start wearing gloves in the winter, and the level of protection you want against the cold.

Thinking about gloves specifically, your running gloves probably shouldn’t be as warm as your everyday winter gloves. A warmer glove will keep you going in colder temperatures but will cause you to sweat more, so it may not feel comfortable for long.

Visibility

Winter nights come early, so visibility is an essential concern for all cold-weather running gear. If you frequently run near a road, or in areas with little street lighting, every item of clothing you wear, head to toe, should feature a reflective or high-visibility element.

In fact, gloves are among the most important pieces of reflective running gear you can wear. They catch drivers’ eyes especially well because your hands move as you run, creating a more noticeable effect.

How We Selected The Best Running Gloves

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I picked the best running gloves based on my experiences testing gloves season after season. I’ve run in gloves from the top brands in conditions ranging from cool to downright cold. I considered several factors when I set the final lineup, including material, fit, warmth, visibility, durability and price. Picking a pair of gloves can be a high personal decision, but I hope that one of my favorite running gloves will become yours too.

1

Best Overall

The North Face Etip Trail Gloves

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Pros
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (4)Comfortably snug, stretchy fit
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (5)Touch-screen-compatible fingertips
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (6)Windproof flip-on mitts
Cons
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (7)Only one color

I tried on a lot of gloves for this list, but I knew the North Face Etip Trail was going to be my favorite from the moment I put it on. They’re soft but durable, fitting snugly with just enough stretch to avoid restricting your fingers. There are warmer running gloves out there, but I found that these kept me perfectly warm in cool to moderately cold temperatures.

The North Face has several Etip variations, all of which would be fine on a run, but I’m particularly fond of the Trail design. They have windproof mitts that flip over your fingers for extra protection against frigid breezes. It’s a convenient extra layer that’s built into the glove, but stays hidden when they aren’t in use.

They also feature five-finger touch-screen capability, which makes it easier to use your phone. (Easier being the operative word. You may still not have perfect control, but it’s fine for the occasional Spotify scroll or checking your texts.)

Beyond that, it would be nice if the trail gloves were available in more colors like the other Etip variants, but these are an incredibly well-rounded pair of gloves and perfect for runners.

Key Specs

Material93% polyester, 7% elastane
WarmthMedium
Visibility ElementReflective logo

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Pros
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (9)Moisture wicking
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (10)Comfortable wrist gaiters
Cons
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (11)May not be as durable as others

For less than $20, the New Balance Lightweight Touchscreen Running Gloves are comfortable and have some well-considered features for runners, making them an easy pick if you’re shopping on a budget. They’re made from a pleasantly snug, stretchy material, with effective moisture-wicking to keep moisture away from freezing on your hands and prevent odor build-up.

My favorite parts of these gloves, though, are the wrist gaiters. They keep warmth in without feeling overly structured and restrictive. The touch-screen capacity on the pointer finger and thumb are also fairly reliable, while a raised pattern across the palm provides plenty of grip. They do come in a few different colors, including two fluorescent options, adding more visibility.

The tradeoff for their lower price, unfortunately, seems to be lower durability. I didn’t have any issues with this when I used them for about a month (compared to some user reviewers remarking on stitching coming undone), but I’d still expect them to last for a shorter time than the rest of our picks.

Key Specs

Material86% polyester, 14% spandex
WarmthMedium
Visibility ElementReflective logo and fluorescent color options

3

Best Touchscreen-Compatible

TrailHeads Touch Screen Running Gloves

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Pros
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (13)Superior touch-screen-capacitive finger tips
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (14)Comfortably soft, stretchy fit
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (15)Reflective, High-vis accent pattern increases visibility
Cons
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (16)Touch-screen-capacitive material is only on pointer finger and thumb
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (17)Not adequate for freezing temps

If you find yourself constantly changing songs or checking your health data mid-run, then you need a pair of gloves that allow you to control capacitive touch screens quickly and precisely. The most screen-friendly fingertips I found were these TrailHeads gloves, which feature a “conductive” fabric on the thumb and pointer finger.

Poke with your fingertip, swipe with the finger pad, type with your thumbs—these gloves transmit commands with superior accuracy. And while it’s annoying that you don’t have that material on all of your fingers, the thumb and pointer finger are really all you need to quickly open an app or skip a song. I also like the silicone grips on the palm, which you keep a solid grip on your phone.

Smartphone compatibility aside, the TrailHeads’ soft, stretchy material feels great on the hands, and the backhand reflective patterns provide a strong dose of visibility. They are very lightweight, even compared to some of my other picks. They’re great for a light to moderate chill, but you probably need a warmer pair for running at night, or in the coldest months of the year.

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Key Specs

Material87% polyester, 13% spandex
WarmthLight
Visibility ElementReflective back-hand pattern

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4

Warmest

Black Diamond Heavyweight Screentap Gloves

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Pros
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (19)Lightweight, but still very warm
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (20)Decently touch-screen-compatible
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (21)Soft interior
Cons
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (22)No visibility features

The Black Diamond Heavyweight Screentap is a heavy glove made for winter hiking and other cold weather sports. They’re thick, but not overly heavy or cumbersome, and still manage to give you a reliable level of touch-screen control. I’ve worn them in snowy weather and found they provide ample warmth, and their soft fleece interior feels great on the skin. They’re also DWR-treated for water resistance, and are durable enough to last for years.

The Heavyweight Screentaps aren’t made for running, though, so they come with some tradeoffs. They’re not very breathable and get excessively warm on longer runs. It also lacks any dedicated reflective or high-visibility elements. If you’re planning to run in very cold weather, though, this glove gives you the warmth you need without wearing a full-blown ski glove.

Key Specs

MaterialPolyester, fleece, nylon, leather
WarmthHeavy
Visibility ElementNone

5

Best Lightweight

Smartwool Active Fleece Glove

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Pros
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (24)Merino wool is warm but breathable
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (25)Nicely soft, stretchy feel
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (26)Backhand windproofing
Cons
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (27)Not for colder weather
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (28)Questionable touch-screen capability

Smartwool’s Active Fleece Gloves are perfect for weather that is cool, but not quite cold—think chilly autumn evenings, long before there’s snow on the ground. Smartwool’s signature Merino wool blend is breathable and wicks moisture well, so they’re a good choice for the shoulder seasons, when you aren’t sure whether it’s cold enough to wear gloves. They’re also pleasantly soft on the skin, the slight stretch provides a good fit and plenty of mobility.

They also have their fair share of running-friendly features: There’s a patch of windproofing on the back of the hand, a reflective band around the wrist adds some visibility, and they come in a few different colors. They also technically have touch-screen-friendly fingertips, but I still had trouble using my phone while wearing them.

The thing to keep in mind here is that they’re not intended for especially cold weather. They’ll cut a fall chill, but won’t keep you from freezing all winter long.

Key Specs

Material47% polyester, 38% Merino wool, 15% elastane
WarmthLight
Visibility ElementReflective logo and trim

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6

Best Windproof

Brooks Shield Lobster Glove 2.0

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Pros
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (30)Unique design provides protection plus mobility
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (31)Great windproofing
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (32)Warm yet breathable
Cons
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (33)No touch-screen fingertips

If cold winds are your primary concern, try a lobster glove–a hybrid mitten that keeps the pointer finger separate from the main finger pouch. The thicker mitten-style padding provides plenty of wind blockage and warmth, and the independent pointer finger makes it easier to turn keys, open doors, or open a water bottle.

Brooks makes a lobster glove for runners, the Shield Lobster Glove 2.0, which feels plenty warm and soft, but is also breathable enough to prevent overheating. The wrist cuffs are warm and snug but not too tight. And, while they’re somewhat large, they’re lightweight and never lapse into feeling like paddles.

Their only real downside is the lack of touch-screen capability. Brooks says they’re “tech-compatible,” but the padding on the exposed pointer finger doesn’t play nice with touch screens. On a cold, windy day, though, they’re exactly what you need.

Key Specs

Material79% polyester, 21% spandex
WarmthMedium-heavy
Visibility ElementReflective logo

7

Best Waterproof

TrailHeads Convertible Running Gloves

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Pros
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (35)Reliable waterproofing
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (36)Convertible mitts
Cons
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (37)Limited breathability

Waterproof clothing, by definition, isn’t very breathable, so running in a fully waterproof outfit may leave you drenched in sweat. That said, if you frequently run in the rain (like me and my fellow Pacific Northwesterners), a waterproof running jacket and gloves can go a long way toward making it comfortable.

To that end, I’m a big fan of the Convertible Running Gloves from TrailHeads, which feature a breathable inner glove and a warmer waterproof mitten shell. This lets you adjust between letting your hands breathe in cool, dry weather and shielding them from the cold and rain. Their insulation is warm, making them a good option for low temperatures. At the wrist, their extra-long cuffs help keep rain from running up your sleeves, too.

These gloves also offer above average visibility, are secured together via magnet, and their touch-screen compatibility is among the best on the list. Will there be times when your gloves feel a little steamy inside? Maybe. Is that better than running with gloves soaked in frozen rain? I think so.

Shop Men’s Shop Women’s

Key Specs

Material87% polyester, 13% spandex
WarmthMedium-heavy
Visibility featuresReflective pattern and fluorescent color option

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8

Best For Visibility

ReflecToes Fluorescent Reflective Gloves

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Pros
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (40)The most high-vis gloves out there
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (41)Very warm
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (42)Fleece nose wipe
Cons
  • Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (43)Inconsistent sizing

If you’re a consistent night runner, the ReflecToes Fluorescent Reflective Glove is the undeniable grand champ of high-vis running gloves. Most of the backs of the hands are covered with large reflective elements for high visibility at night. Though they come in a few colors, we recommend going with a fluorescent color to add additional visibility in the early evening, before cars turn on their lights.

Though they’re on the list for their visibility features, the ReflecToes are also decent gloves. They feel soft and comfortable, and are surprisingly warm for their weight. I also really like that they have a soft spot on the back of the thumb that allows you to wipe sweat from your brow or a runny nose without causing painful chafing. They allow for above-average precision with touch screens, as well.

Fair warning: The sizing on these gloves runs a little small. I normally wear large-sized gloves, but these were very snug, verging on too tight. I’d recommend sizing up unless most gloves feel very roomy in your standard size.

Key Specs

MaterialPolyester
WarmthMedium-heavy
Visibility ElementReflective pattern, fully fluorescent color option

FAQs With Our Expert

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When should I start wearing running gloves in the winter?

Every person feels differently about gloves, but as I said earlier in the piece, experts recommend dressing for a run as if it’s 10 degrees warmer than the effective temperature with the wind chill. If you normally wear gloves on a 50-degree day, start putting on gloves when it’s 40 degrees.

How should running gloves fit?

A good running glove should fit snug around your hand. If there’s room for your hand to move inside the glove, your skin may rub against the fabric and start to chafe. At the same time, it’s important to make sure they aren’t too tight, which might reduce circulation.

One way to check if you have the right fit is by doing a pinch test. Put on one glove, then pinch the fabric at the tip of a finger with your other hand. Ideally, you should have about a quarter-inch of extra room.

How do I measure my hand size?

Most glove brands use one of two measurements to determine sizing: The circumference of your fingers at the knuckles (without the thumb), and full hand length from the base of the hand to the tip of the middle finger. Check the product listing on the glove to see how the brand measures.

To measure the knuckle circumference, hold your fingers together, then wrap a measuring tape around your knuckles. Don’t squeeze your fingers too tight, though.

When measuring your full hand, make sure your middle finger is fully extended to ensure a proper measurement.

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Nick Hilden

Nick Hilden is a writer, globetrotter, and jack-of-many-talents who has written gear reviews for the likes of Runner’s World, Popular Science, Men’s Health, Thrillist, the Daily Beast, the Los Angeles Times, Greatist, and the Manual, and his lifestyle, culture, and tech writing has also appeared in Scientific American, Afar, Salon, Vice, Healthline, and many others. Before entering journalism some 15 years ago, he worked as a bartender, brewery manager, sound engineer, recording and touring musician, cook, teacher, and in a variety of other trades. These days, he lives all over the world, performs music sporadically, and spends a lot of time thinking how to best improve his Honda Element conversion.

Embrace The Cold and Wear The Best Running Gloves (2024)
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