13 Best Mountaineering Gloves

We’re always down for a challenge. That’s why we always say yes to climbing the mountains. However, we often can’t really handle the chilly wind and rough rocks against our skin. Our hands are the most important tools in this adventure, but they need protection from the cold and the rough terrain. That’s where mountaineering gloves come in. They’re like our trusty sidekicks, keeping our hands safe and warm so we can focus on reaching the summit.

Choosing the right pair of gloves can be tricky with so many options out there. But don’t worry! We’ve done a lot of research. We tested plenty of gloves in all kinds of conditions to find the best ones for our climbing adventures. Here, we’ll explain what makes a good pair of adventure gloves and introduce some top picks. We pick the best gloves to cater to a beginner or an experienced climber. There’s an option for everyone. Also, check out the best travel winter gloves for women to see more options if you’re a travel girl.

Tough Outdoors Waterproof Mittens

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The Tough Outdoors Waterproof Mittens are made for adventurous explorers like us. They’re engineered to excel in heat retention. The SummitLoft insulation ensures our hands remain snug even in extreme cold. Formulated to repel moisture, the weatherproof outer shell constructed from durable nylon acts as a barrier against snow and icy winds. Meanwhile, the breathable SummitLoftTPU membrane offers breathability to prevent discomfort.

We can see Tough Outdoors’ commitment to durability. The mittens are layered with a robust synthetic leather palm and reinforced nylon shell for added resilience when we have demanding activities. What’s more, the adjustable wrist leashes provide a secure fit.

Mountain Hardwear Exposure Light Glove

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Are you looking for high-performance adventure gloves? The Mountain Hardwear Exposure Light Glove is the perfect answer. It’s specifically crafted to overcome the elements while maximizing flexibility. These gloves, engineered with state-of-the-art GORE-TEX technology, guarantee enduring weather resilience and unyielding waterproof capabilities, empowering us to defy the forecast and push boundaries.

We like the advanced pre-curve design. These gloves prioritize comfort by allowing our hands to maintain their natural posture, facilitating prolonged wear without fatigue. Moreover, the incorporation of Primaloft Gold insulation with Cross Core, fused with revolutionary aerogel technology, ensures maximum warmth in even the most extreme environments. Fashioned with Pittgards goat leather and 4-way stretch fabric, they offer exceptional durability against abrasions.

OutdoorMaster Ski Mittens

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The OutdoorMaster Ski Mittens are crafted with top-tier thermal fleece lining for optimal warmth and comfort. Each is layered with a thickened thermal material. They’re some of the best mountaineering mittens constructed with a triple-layer design. These offer unmatched waterproof and windproof capabilities. The outer layer and TPU waterproof inserts form an impenetrable barrier against inclement weather, shielding our hands and maintaining dryness throughout our outdoor adventure.

The best thing is we never need to take off our gloves to operate touchscreen devices. Moreover, they’re enhanced with supple and pliable leather. The inclusion of a zippered pocket on the back of the hand is ideal for stashing cards, small heat packs, or keys. Additionally, discreet straps keep the mittens firmly fastened to our wrists.

Mountain Hardwear Infinium Stretch Glove

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We’d love to introduce the Mountain Hardwear Infinium Stretch Glove. It’s made with precision and ingenuity. These gloves are designed to offer unmatched shielding, comfort, and utility throughout our various adventures. With advanced Gore-Tex Infinium 3-layer fabric, they provide outstanding windproof capabilities while maintaining breathability. Moreover, the cutting-edge Stimulus technology on the thumb and index finger allows seamless touchscreen compatibility, so we can use our devices without removing gloves.

Elevated with a palm overlay, we think they deliver an excellent grip and protective features for a secure grasp on our gear and safeguarding our hands against rough surfaces. The streamlined single-seam design and a blend of stretch fabrics guarantee a snug fit with enhanced flexibility, resulting in unrestricted movement.

OGLOVE Waterproof Thermal Gloves

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The OGLOVE Waterproof Thermal Gloves are our top ally through the intense adventures. Waterproof and windproof, these gloves keep our hands warm, dry, and nimble all day. The touchscreen-sensitive fingertips allow seamless interaction with our smartphone, tablet, or GPS devices, while anti-slip honeycomb gel pads ensure a reliable grip. If you’re into photography, getting the best winter photography gloves as an additional might also help.

Constructed with DRI-THERM FABRIC featuring an IPX5 waterproof rating, these gloves shield our hands from harsh elements like biting winds, freezing rain, and damp sports equipment. It’s designed to remain snug against our skin and retain warmth. What we love the most about these gloves is the lightweight design, unlike any other adventure gloves that are mostly too bulky. For more options, check out the best winter mittens for travel.

Intra-FIT Adventure Gloves

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Best for light travel. We wore the Intra-FIT Adventure Gloves on many adventures because they’re so comfy and lightweight. We love the snug fit with the firm-fitting design, ensuring safety during climbs. Constructed with synthetic leather palms and reinforced thumb areas, these gloves promise unmatched resilience to endure climbing demands. Also, with the spandex backs, we can feel the airflow so our hands won’t be drowned in sweat. At the same time, they ensure a comfortable and secure fit.

Moreover, the padded interiors offer added protection for our knuckles, while terry cloth thumb backs facilitate easy sweat-wiping. Featuring convenient attributes such as built-in carabiner holes and pull tabs, these gloves offer versatility and ease of use. This is our trusted companion for reaching new summits. Pair them with the best hiking socks with liners, and the experience will be even better.

Wells Lamont FX3

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Best for rugged adventure. The Wells Lamont FX3 gloves boast a revolutionary blend of resilience and adaptability. These gloves are made with precision to withstand the demands of rigorous environments. We can feel how durable they are with the inclusion of leather palm patches. The synthetic leather palm and reinforced fingertips further bolster endurance.

Besides, they offer flexibility and breathability with the lightweight, stretch spandex construction on the glove’s rear, offering a snug and adaptable fit. Moreover, we can easily maintain seamless connectivity on the move with the touchscreen-compatible fingertips, allowing easy device usage without the need to remove our gloves. We like their superior performance and convenience. But some people prefer fingerless gloves. In that case, get the best fingerless gloves.

Mountain Made Genesis

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We can’t recommend the Mountain-Made Genesis gloves enough. They offer great coziness and performance with an adjustable fit. Putting our comfort at the forefront, these are fashioned with premium materials to keep our hands toasty even amidst the fiercest cold climates. Tailored for extended wear, they become our top choice for enduring the chill.

Whether we’re dashing through trails, pedaling on adventurous cycling routes, trekking challenging paths, or simply navigating daily tasks in the cold, these gloves stand as our perfect companion. With their superior grip, warmth, and defense, they confidently equip us for any outdoor venture. Now, we can embrace the winter breeze knowing that these gloves keep us snug during all our outdoor escapades. Take a closer look by watching this review on YouTube.

FOXLVDA Hiking Gloves

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Best value for money. The FOXLVDA Hiking Gloves are our ultimate tools for outdoor excursions. The innovative features keep our hands warm, dry and secure in any weather condition. Crafted from cutting-edge waterproof and windproof materials, these gloves keep moisture out. Then, the anti-slip palm design with silicone particles enhances grip and durability to help us easily navigate challenging terrains.

These gloves also feature touch-sensitive fingertips, and they’re made from conductive premium materials. What’s more, they’re equipped with an anti-loss buckle. That’s why it’s one of our favorite gloves to keep us comfortable and protected on every adventure. We tested them and think they’re perfect for mountaineering yet also suitable for other activities like mountain biking, cycling, and fishing.

TRENDOUX 3M Thinsulate Gloves

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When it comes to the most advanced adventure gloves, we always recommend the TRENDOUX 3M Thinsulate Gloves. Combining 3M Thinsulate, cotton, lamination sponge, polyester, leather, and polyurethane, these are made to deliver exceptional heat retention while maintaining a slim, lightweight profile.

Designed with advanced moisture-wicking technology, these gloves swiftly draw sweat away from our skin so our hands remain dry and cozy even in extreme temperatures. The insulating layer effectively traps body heat while permitting moisture to escape. Wearing these, we feel comfortable in any setting. Moreover, the robust, water-resistant, and windproof materials, including a durable coating on the back and reinforced polyurethane leather palms, provide superior protection in rough terrains.

Jeniulet Outdoor Gloves

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The Jeniulet Outdoor Gloves are some of our best companions for conquering the mountains. The premium high-grade dacron material, plush thick fluff, and triple-layered insulation design offer superior quality. Moreover, with a dual-layered water-resistant construction, these gloves provide optimal defense against rain and extreme weather conditions. They feature an external water-repellent layer with an internal waterproof lining.

“We can use all our devices easily as it offers seamless touchscreen compatibility with the advanced touchscreen feature.”

WOW Travel

Each finger is coated with touch-sensitive material for efficient touchscreen use. Designed for maximum comfort, the double-shirred elastic wrist closure ensures a snug yet comfortable fit without feeling tight. The wrist is lined with soft velvet, while the interior boasts 340g of plush fluff lining to trap warmth effectively. These are some of the best gloves based on the review from Gear Taker.

VGO Heavy-Duty Gloves

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Best quality. We think the VGO Heavy-Duty Gloves are the perfect solution for tackling extreme adventure. They feature innovative 3D-structured PVC/TPR patches on the back for excellent impact resilience and high-dexterity EVA padding to combat vibrations. We feel these gloves give optimal safety and comfort. Made from supple synthetic leather with PVC reinforcement, they offer durability that meets EN388 Level 3 standards.

With an advanced 7-layer design providing cold resistance down to -32°F and a TPU waterproof lining paired with 3M Thinsulate insulation C40 lining, these gloves guarantee dryness and warmth in any weather condition. The secure hook, loop closures, and wide elastic wrists fend off cold air intrusion and maintain glove stability. What’s more, there’s a touchscreen-compatible thumb and index fingertips for smartphone control, complemented by a plush terry cloth for superior sweat absorption.

Carhartt Waterproof Insulated Gloves

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Best overall. For yearly adventures, our top choice must be the Carhartt Waterproof Insulated Gloves. Crafted from a resilient polytex shell, these gloves can withstand the toughest challenges. They ensure durability in the face of wear and tear. Also enhanced with cutting-edge FastDry technology lining, these gloves effectively manage moisture.

Featuring an integrated waterproof insert, the Carhartt Waterproof Insulated Gloves offer excellent defense against rain, snow, and moisture infiltration. Moreover, they’re reinforced with a polyurethane (PU) palm to deliver superior grip and durability. We tested them, and holding onto tools and equipment feels firm. The grip is excellent. In fact, these aren’t only good for mountaineering. They can also be worn for rugged physical work. Check out Carhartt’s official website to see the complete specifications.

Our Verdict!

Selecting the best gloves entails careful consideration of various factors. Durability, insulation, waterproofing, and dexterity are paramount for optimal performance in challenging alpine environments. The Carhartt Waterproof Insulated Gloves stand out as an exceptional choice as we all know its brand credibility. However, we also pick some other options based on other parameters.

• Best value for money: FOXLVDA Hiking Gloves
• Best quality: VGO Heavy-Duty Gloves
• Best for light travel: Intra-FIT Adventure Gloves
• Best for rugged adventure: Wells Lamont FX3

How To Choose The Best Mountaineering Gloves?

Selecting the right mountain climbing gloves is a critical decision for any climber preparing to tackle the challenges of the mountain. These gloves are not merely accessories but essential gear that can make or break our experience in the unforgiving alpine environment. We’ll explore three key factors to consider when choosing the best gloves. By understanding these factors, we’ll be equipped to make an informed decision for a successful ascent.

Insulation

We always look for gloves with adequate insulation to keep our hands warm in cold mountain environments. Insulation material like PrimaLoft is effective at trapping heat while still providing breathability to prevent overheating during strenuous activity. The amount of insulation needed will depend on the temperature and conditions of the climb, so consider the climate and elevation we’ll be encountering.

Waterproofing and Breathability

Opt for mountaineering gloves that offer a balance of waterproofing and breathability. Waterproof gloves will keep our hands dry in wet conditions, such as snow or rain, while breathable materials like Gore-Tex allow moisture vapor to escape, preventing sweat buildup and maintaining comfort. This combination ensures our hands stay both dry and comfortable, reducing the risk of frostbite and discomfort on long climbs.

Grip

Choose gloves that provide sufficient dexterity and grip for handling equipment and performing tasks like rope handling and using ice tools. Look for gloves with pre-curved fingers and articulated designs that allow for natural hand movement. Additionally, silicone or leather palm reinforcements can enhance grip, ensuring we maintain control even in challenging terrain.

What are the warmest types of gloves?

The warmest gloves for mountain climbing typically feature high-quality insulation with a thick outer layer for wind and water resistance. Brands like Outdoor Research, Black Diamond, and Arc’teryx offer top-rated options, focusing on technical design and materials to provide maximum warmth without sacrificing dexterity.

How do mountaineers keep their feet warm?

Mountaineers keep their feet warm by wearing insulated and moisture-wicking socks made of materials like merino wool or synthetic blends, which retain heat while wicking away sweat to prevent moisture buildup. They also use insulated and waterproof boots designed specifically for cold and wet conditions, often with built-in insulation and features like gaiters to further protect against snow and moisture.

Do mountain bikers wear the same gloves as hikers?

Mountain bikers often wear gloves designed specifically for biking, which may differ from those worn by hikers. While some features might overlap, such as durability and grip, biking gloves typically prioritize factors like breathability, padding to absorb shock and vibrations, and reinforced areas to protect against abrasions from handlebars and falls. On the other hand, Hiking gloves may focus more on insulation, dexterity for tasks like trekking poles, and protection against rough terrain.