Mittens are warmer than gloves — but there’s a trade-off. In mittens, your fingers get to huddle together for warmth, but you sacrifice dexterity. This is fine if you’re shoveling snow or unloading a truck, but things get tricky when you need to use power tools or perform other tasks requiring greater dexterity. With the proper insulation and fit, the best winter work gloves for the job will keep your hands toasty without the limitations of mittens
How to pick the right glove insulation
Based on your age, gender, and job type, there are a few variables to consider. People in their 20s generate more heat than people in their 30s and up. In general, men generate more heat than women. The activity level of work also determines when you’ll start to sweat.
Considering those factors, you can find the best winter glove insulation by comparing the options below.
Warm: Foam Fleece: Fleece is a cozy, fuzzy cloth that dries rapidly and is excellent at retaining heat. Many people like foam fleece as a comfortable substitute for pure wool. Wool and synthetic fibers are combined to create a fleece with microscopic air pockets to trap heat.
Warmer: 3M Thinsulate™ (50-70 Grams): If you want dexterity and warmth, the ideal is 3M™ Thinsulate™. 3M’s creation can hold in more heat while taking up less space by using a 15-micrometer (really, really thin) fiber with a higher density than polyester, cotton, or fleece. 50-70 strikes a good balance between offering warmth and not adding bulk.
Warmest: 3M Thinsulate™ (80-400 Grams): Built into the lining of the best winter work gloves, synthetic or leather, is a full, water-resistant, dense lining of 3M Thinsulate™. When temperatures reach below-freezing, there’s no better way to keep the heat focused on the task at hand.
Gloves for extreme cold
What heavy-duty winter work gloves can hold up to temperatures below 15℉? More importantly, what gloves can hold up without limiting mobility and agility? Our top picks feature 150g Thinsulate™ lining, waterproof properties, and extended cuffs to layer into jackets for added coverage. The main difference is personal preference: synthetic or cowhide.
BEST LEATHER WINTER GLOVES
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GLOVES FOR SNOWY CONDITIONS
When the weather pulls out all the stops, choosing the right work glove is more crucial than ever. In snowy, below-freezing temperatures, you need water-resistant materials, a good seal around your wrist, and heavy-duty insulation to protect your hands.
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Gloves for fall and early winter (also early spring)
When you wake up, you see a bit of frost in the morning, and the forecast is a couple dozen degrees from beach weather. No gloves at all is not an option. So the best work gloves for those last (or first!) bits of yard work are on the lighter end and will help avoid cold or blistered hands while chopping wood.
The best work gloves for fall or early winter can be hard to pick. You can use this guide to find the right pair based on average temperatures in three states with brisk, cold, and harsh climates.
Brisk Temperatures
When you need protection more than you need warmth (but still need to hold in some heat), there’s the Model: 526N. With fingers and palms coated in premium textured latex, you get supreme grip, making them great gloves for chopping wood. A brushed winter knit shell keeps you comfortable until the job’s done.
Colder Temperatures
In the just-above-freezing range, we recommend Model: 7878/7809. These gloves combine the flexibility of water-resistant spandex with the hardiness of synthetic leather, all while offering a warm lining. The adjustable wrist can be tightened to ensure the best protection from snow and cold air.
Even Colder Temperatures
If the climate is getting even colder, check out Model: 7794. It’s a beefier version of the 7878 with a 70-gram 3M Thinsulate® lining instead of fleece insulation. When things get a bit icy, you get the same abrasion resistance and strength of synthetic leather with water-resistant spandex and PVC palm patching for extra grip, making them great gloves for shoveling snow.
What do your best winter work gloves look like?
There isn’t one perfect glove for every job, just like there’s not one glove that fits every hand size. For any job, in any environment, people continue to trust Wells LamontⓇ decade after decade because of the quality, consistency, and integrity we offer our customers. No matter what project you’re tackling, we’re sure you’ll find the right fit. Explore your new favorite pair of men’s or women’s winter work gloves today.
