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The rain has started falling quietly and gently here in Portland, Oregon, which means I’m stowing away my warm-weather running gear and dragging out my rain shells, waterproof running shoes, running hats, and of course, gloves. Running gloves are the easiest piece of gear to forget when I’m heading out the door, so I always keep a pair stashed in my running vest this time of year.
I don’t run fast or too far, but I run almost every day and I have for many years. I run mostly in the mornings and always through the rainy Pacific Northwest winters. And I always recommend wearing running gloves to keep your hands warm and dry in cold temps—one less excuse to skip runs during the dark and frigid months, and one more reason to stay out there longer because I’m comfortable in all conditions.
Like the best cold weather gear, running gloves is essential to protecting otherwise exposed skin on frigid and wet days. Keep in mind, you want to match your glove’s functionality with your running conditions. If you plan to run in the rain, pick a glove that’s waterproof, or at least water-resistant. If temps are dropping, go insulated (and probably a beanie or headband). If you’re running in drier conditions, choose a lightweight glove with the best breathability.
Out of the 10 styles we’ve selected below, I’ve been testing a few for years (the Gordini and Smartwool pairs, especially). All of my picks have been selected from brands I know and trust, brands with a good track record of making high quality gear for runners and using the best materials for the outdoor scenario.
Field Mag's Top Picks
- Best Overall Running Gloves: Gordini Front Line LT Glove
- Best Lightweight Running Gloves: Tracksmith Inverno Gloves
- Best Insulated Running Gloves: Lululemon Lined Running Gloves
- Best Wool Running Gloves: Smartwool Merino Glove
- Best Waterproof Running Gloves: Arc’teryx Venta Glove
- Best Budget Running Gloves: Black Diamond Mont Blanc Gloves
- Best Visibility Running Gloves: Craft ADV Lumen Fleece Glove
- Best Running Mitten: Brooks Running Shield Lobster Glove
- Best Convertible Running Glove: On Weather Glove
- Best Super Cold Weather Glove: Seirus Heattouch Atlas Glove
Below, you’ll find gloves with touchscreen-friendly fingertips, grippy silicone palms, reflective detailing, and weatherproof materials for keeping your digits toasty. Plus, all of the pairs below make a great nose wipe for those extra drippy frigid runs. See ya at the trailhead!
10 Best Running Gloves for Men & Women
Best Overall Winter Gloves: Gordini Front Line LT Glove
Known best for making ski and snowboard gloves and mitts, Vermont-based Gordini knows how to keep your hands warm in the most extreme conditions. Out of their entire lineup, the Front Line LT is the most lightweight and compact model for running. The softshell exterior isn’t fully waterproof but sheds light rain, while the Kevlar palm offers grip and durability. The soft lining wicks your sweat and the snug Primaloft fleece cuff seals out the weather. Minimal seams mean there’s less likelihood that the stitching comes apart since you’ll be wearing them all winter.
Sizing: S - XL in men’s and S - L in women's
Material: Polyester and elastane
Key features: Grippy palm and minimal seams
Best Lightweight Glove: Tracksmith Inverno Gloves
Preserve your dexterity with this thin, lightweight style from Boston’s preppy running label Tracksmith. The whole glove is made from the brand’s Italian-made Inverno Blend of knit micro-nylon and elastane, which is super fast drying, whether you have clammy hands or drizzle finds you mid-run. The brushed side of the Inverno fabric appears as panels on the forefinger and thumb to purposefully create the softest nose wipe ever. Once the temperature heats up, bunch these knit gloves up into the size of a clementine to stow away in your smallest pocket.
Sizing: Unisex S/M and L/XL
Material: Polyester and elastane
Key features: Nose wipe and screen compatible
Best Insulated Glove: Lululemon Lined Running Gloves
When it’s nippy but not below freezing, grab a midweight pair of winter running gloves like Lululemon’s lined design. Water-repellent and windproof fabric stuffed with polyester insulation on the back of the hand keeps you dry and warm on dreary days, while the face fabric is stretchy and soft for hand mobility. Silicone on the fingers and palm boost grip for holding your phone or water bottle, and little clips on either pair link them together so you don’t end up with just one glove.
Sizing: S/M, L/XL in men’s and XS/S, M/L in women's
Material: Nylon, elastane, and polyester
Key features: Insulated with silicone grips
Best Wool Glove: Smartwool Merino Glove
We don’t want to sound like a broken record by saying that wool is a magic material, but, well, it is. Colorado-based Smartwool’s Merino Gloves are further proof. This stretchy pair is super warm for being so thin, and the thumb and index finger are screen compatible. As far as other features, there’s not much else to say. Simplicity wins here. You probably only need to wash these every so often since merino is naturally antimicrobial and odor resistant. Plus, it's basically a Smartwool liner glove, so you can wear under heavier gloves for extra warmth on truly frigid runs (or ski days).
Sizing: Unisex SX - XL
Material: Merino wool and recycled nylon
Key features: Naturally breathable and antimicrobial
Best Waterproof Gloves: Arc’teryx Venta Glove
Precip may be falling, but you’re still eager to get out for a run. Suit up in the 2.2-ounce Arc’teryx Venta Gloves (and your other winter running gear, of course), which feature Gore-Tex Infinium softshell fabric for blocking rain, snow, mud, wind, and frigid temps. Lined with velvety fleece for additional warmth, this pair traps heat, but also allows vapor to escape for the perfect temperature regulating system. Use the tab on the cuff to easily pull them on and off, and sensors at the fingertips mean no fiddling to fire off a quick text or change your playlist.
Sizing: Unisex XS - XXL
Material: Polyester and elastane
Key features: Waterproof but breathable, touchscreen compatible
Most Budget-Friendly: Black Diamond Mont Blanc Gloves
If you blew your budget on new waterproof running shoes this year, these gloves are for you. Mountain equipment maker Black Diamond released this affordable pair for runners a few years ago in their lightweight series, and they weigh in at just under two ounces per pair. Silicone lines cover the palm and fingers for a firm grip on trekking poles, water bottles, and other gear. The stretch fabric sheds light precipitation, but be warned, they’ll definitely get wet in a downpour.
Sizing: Unisex S - XL
Material: Polyester
Key features: Silicone grips, touchscreen compatible
Best Visibility Glove: Craft ADV Lumen Fleece Glove
In winter’s lowlight conditions, crossing the street or running along the road can be even more precarious when cars can’t see you. But if you’re wearing a pair of Craft ADV Lumen Fleece Gloves, all you have to do is flash them a hand. The reflective elements on the fingers and knuckles lights up for boosted visibility. The soft stretchy jersey conforms to your hand, and a storage pocket in the palm stows a key. It comes in sizes Small to XL to fit all hand sizes. (For a little extra warmth, check out the Craft hybrid weather glove.)
Sizing: Unisex S - XL
Material: 87% polyester, 13% elastane
Key features: High vis details and key storage
Best Running Mitten: Brooks Running Shield Lobster Glove
Deciding between a glove and mitts? Don’t. Get the best of both with this lobster claw from running brand Brooks. Having a free thumb and forefinger preserves your mobility for tying shoes or touching your smartwatch, while the three remaining fingers get to stay cozy in their quilted and insulated pocket. The ripstop shell fabric beads rain drops and blocks wind chill, but only down to about 30 degrees. For a warmer glove, look to some of the other brands.
Sizing: Unisex S - L
Material: Nylon and polyester
Key features: Mitten-like with free forefinger, touchscreen compatible
Best Convertible Glove: On Weather Glove
Swiss running brand On designed a clever pair of gloves that convert into mittens, weighing 2.19 ounces. If you’re a few miles out and it starts raining, or if the wind picks up on that alpine stretch, the Weather Glove will come in handy. Just deploy the recycled polyester shell, which folds out of an inner pocket to cover the soft and stretchy polyamide glove for added weather protection. These touchscreen gloves are tech compatible, soft patches on the thumbs support nose wiping of sniffles, and reflective accents help in low vis environments.
Sizing: Unisex S - L
Material: Polyester, elastane, and recycled polyamide
Key features: Converts from glove to mitten
Best Super Cold Weather Gloves: Seirus Heattouch Atlas Glove
Circulation issues can be especially painful in the winter. Use a little bit of battery power to prevent your hands from turning cold as stone. The Heattouch Atlas Glove, made by heat and sun tech accessories brand Seirus, is like having a personal space heater for your hands. Three settings—low, medium, and high—help you regulate the temperature for up to six hours of constant output. The softshell protects 240 grams of insulation and a heat panel around the back of the hand that locks in the warmth. Comfort comes at a cost—don’t expect a ton of dexterity in these beefy babies.
Sizing: S - XL in men’s and women's
Material: Polyester and polyurethane
Key features: Battery-powered heater
Why do runners wear gloves?
Runners wear gloves to keep their hands warm and dry from cold weather, so the rest of their body can focus on moving to stay warm. Gloves mostly prevent discomfort during cold-weather runs but can also prevent frostbite in extreme conditions and also simply improve comfort during mild shoulder seasons, too.
Are merino gloves good for running?
Merino wool is a fabric that can be worn year round. In gloves as in other kinds of clothing, merino regulates temperature, wicks moisture, insulates for warmth, and resists odor, making it ideal for strenuous activities like running, hiking, and biking.
What are convertible running gloves?
Convertible running gloves have an attached mitten shell that can be worn over the fingertips for extra protection against precipitation, wind, and cold. The shell usually stows away in a small pocket on the wrist. Of our top 10 best winter running gloves, three are convertible.
Published 11-09-2023
