Poor winter work gloves bring many potential risks to your hands, such as hypothermia, frostbite, and cold stress. Nobody wants that!
So it’s important to choose the best work gloves for winter that not only keep your hands toasty warm during the extreme weather but also keep you in tip-top shape while you are hard at work.
Here are the best work gloves for winter you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall (Synthetic Work Gloves): Carhartt Men's Flip It
- Best For Landscaping (Synthetic Work Gloves): Ironclad Heavy Utility Work Gloves
- Best For Below-Freezing Temperatures (Synthetic Work Gloves): Superior Winter Work Gloves
- Best Overall (Leather Work Gloves): OZERO Winter Gloves
- Best For Shoveling Snow (Leather Work Gloves): SKYDEER Men's Winter Gloves
- Most Durable (Leather Work Gloves): RefrigiWear Leather Mitten Gloves
6 Best Work Gloves for Winter | ||
---|---|---|
Best Overall | Carhartt Men's Flip It
| |
Best For Landscaping | Ironclad Heavy Utility Work Gloves
| |
Best For Below-Freezing Temperatures | Superior Winter Work Gloves
| |
Best Overall | OZERO Winter Gloves
| |
Best For Shoveling Snow | SKYDEER Men's Winter Gloves
| |
Most Durable | RefrigiWear Leather Mitten Gloves
|
Best Overall (Synthetic Work Gloves): Carhartt Men's Flip It
- Multifunctional and versatile - combines the best of fingerless gloves' dexterity with the best of mittens' warmth
- Comfortable – the fabric gives some stretch
- Great maneuverability and flexibility – lightweight fabric
- Not for harsh winter weather or for long-term use
We highly recommend the Carhartt Men's Flip It for anyone looking for something that combines the best of fingerless gloves' dexterity with the best of mittens' warmth.
The part folding over the exposed fingertips for more heat retention does its great job. And as being magnetized, they stay put when off. You’re able to open a slot at the end of their thumb for better management with tools if you want, which is also our most favorite thing.
The lightweight fabric makes it flexible enough to handle lots of tasks, such as digging and driving with ease to access fingers for camera/smartphone/smartwatch.
Take note that these gloves fit a bit snug but they stretch well for good comfort.
Carhartt Men's Flip It Specifications | |
---|---|
Material | Lining: 100% Polyester Palm: 100% Polyurethane Shell: 100% Polyester |
Comfort Rating | 0-20 degrees F |
Highlight Features | Flip-it mitten/glove construction PU-reinforced palm, fingers, and thumb Elastic wrist Magnetic mitt |
Thanks to its impressive design, Carhartt Men's Flip It is the best overall winter work gloves in our review.
Best For Landscaping (Synthetic Work Gloves): Ironclad Heavy Utility Work Gloves
- Provide extra protection to your palm and knuckles - reinforced palm areas and knuckle protection
- Superior dexterity – feature Ironclad’s industry-leading fit system highlighting 16 application-driven measurements
- Offer custom fit - adjustable hook and loop closure
- Good moisture management - Terry cloth sweat wipe on the back of the thumb
- Not touchscreen compatible
- Sizes run quite large
- The stitching could be stronger
Designed to be extra tough, rugged, and durable with an emphasis on reinforced palm areas and knuckle protection, the Ironclad Heavy Utility Work Gloves are ideal for landscaping.
This option is also one of those rare synthetic work gloves out there that offer a great balance of hand protection (while doing light-duty hand tasks) and dexterity. It is designed with Ironclad’s industry-leading fit system highlighting 16 application-driven measurements.
For an extra custom fit, it is added with adjustable hook and loop closure.
Another notable feature is on the back of the thumb, there is Terry cloth sweat wipe for sweat management so that you’ll focus better on your jobs. About maintenance, this glove is machine-washable.
Ironclad Heavy Utility Work Gloves Specifications | |
---|---|
Material | Duraclad reinforcement fabric thermoplastic rubber |
Comfort Rating | 30-40 degrees |
Highlight Features | reinforced palm areas and knuckle protection Ironclad’s industry-leading fit system highlighting 16 application-driven measurements adjustable hook and loop closure Terry cloth sweat wipe on the back of the thumb |
We strongly recommend the Ironclad Heavy Utility Work Gloves if you want something super-flexible yet warm for landscaping tasks.
Best For Below-Freezing Temperatures (Synthetic Work Gloves): Superior Winter Work Gloves
- Good heat retention – soft fleece lining
- Windproof, puncture-resistant, and abrasion-resistant - ANSI 2 and ANSI 3 rated 15-gauge nylon shell
- Extra grips - a specially-formulated crinkle-grip layer in the palm area
- A bit hard to clean
- The webbing tends to absorb water
If you think that synthetic work gloves can’t be as warm as the leather, this option is here to prove you wrong.
While using a soft fleece lining, the glove is constructed with a high-grade 15-gauge nylon shell. What’s worth talking about this shell material is not just its decent wind blockage but also the unmatched protection.
It is both ANSI 2 and ANSI 3 rated – known for superior resistance to abrasion and puncture. Besides, on the palm areas, they’re coated with a specially-formulated crinkle-grip layer to ensure you still feel flexible even when working in frost-bite weather.
Superior Winter Work Gloves Specifications | |
---|---|
Material | 15-gauge nylon soft fleece |
Comfort Rating | 15 degrees |
Highlight Features | soft fleece lining ANSI 2 and ANSI 3 rated 15-gauge nylon shell a specially-formulated crinkle-grip layer in the palm area |
Highlighting double-layer construction made of only the warmest and most protective materials, this option is our top choice to use in below-freezing temperatures.
Best Overall (Leather Work Gloves): OZERO Winter Gloves
- Ensure both warmth and dexterity - HeatLok thermal layer & Polar fleece lining
- Good protection against light snowmelt and heavy snow - water-resistant and breathable TPU
- Provide extra breathability, grips, and resistance to sweat and abrasion - a big reinforced leather patch in palm areas
- Not 100% waterproof
The OZERO are our Best Overall Leather Work Gloves for 2020.
They’re one of those rare options built with HeatLok thermal layer – a high-tech patented system of microfiber and hollow fibers, the benefit of which is to offer a perfect balance of warmth and dexterity.
Combined with a Polar fleece lining, it ensures your hands always feel warm, even in extreme weather.
Sandwiched between these two layers is a water-resistant and breathable TPU, which helps enhance the gloves’ protection against light snowmelt and heavy snow in work. Meanwhile, the palm area is added with a huge reinforced leather patch for extra breathability, grips, as well as resistance to sweat and abrasion.
OZERO Winter Gloves Specifications | |
---|---|
Material | Genuine Deerskin Suede Leather, Soft Polar Fleece, Waterproof TPU, Heatlok Insulated Cotton |
Comfort Rating | -30°F Cold |
Highlight Features | HeatLok thermal layer & Polar fleece lining water-resistant and breathable TPU a big reinforced leather patch in palm areas |
At the price range of under $20, we hardly find anything else better than these OZERO Winter Gloves.
Best For Shoveling Snow (Leather Work Gloves): SKYDEER Men's Winter Gloves
- Offer superb flexibility, soft hand-feel, and moderate abrasion resistance - premium genuine deerskin suede leather
- Windproof, skin-friendly, and breathable - fleece liner
- Keep a slim-profile while offering great warmth - 3M Thinsulate insulation
- Not waterproof
- Not for heavy-duty tasks
- The fingertips might be a bit too long for some people
SKYDEER Men's Winter Gloves are our suggestion for those who are looking for something good to shovel snow in extreme weather.
Like the previous option, this one is crafted of premium genuine deerskin suede leather lined with Polar fleece plus 3M Thinsulate Insulation. Might you know it or not, deerskin suede leather is renowned for its superb flexibility, soft hand-feel, and moderate abrasion resistance.
Meanwhile, the fleece liner is skin-friendly and good at wicking moisture, saving your hands from sweat smell odors once taking off.
The 3M Thinsulate insulation gives you the best of both worlds as it balances perfectly of giving you warmth without bulking up the size. Hence, your hands still get a good sense of work.
SKYDEER Men's Winter Gloves Specifications | |
---|---|
Material | Premium Genuine Deerskin Suede Leather / Warm Polar Fleece / 3M Thinsulate™ Insulation |
Comfort Rating | 20 degrees and up |
Highlight Features | premium genuine deerskin suede leather fleece liner 3M Thinsulate insulation |
Delivering the warmest feeling while staying thin, the SKYDEER Men's Winter Gloves are our pick for shoveling snow.
Most Durable (Leather Work Gloves): RefrigiWear Leather Mitten Gloves
- Extremely durable – made of split cowhide leather with extra reinforced leather on the thumb and palm + Kevlar threading at the seams
- Good cold toleration – temperature rating of -20 degrees F
- Extremely warm - extra foam insulation with comfy tricot lining and 160g fiberfill
- A bit pricey
Differing from the two above, this option is made of split cowhide leather.
It is also arguably the most durable out of a bunch due to the extra reinforced leather on the thumb and palm, which helps minimize wear and tear. Plus, it utilizes Kevlar threading at the seams.
On the inside, it is layered with extra foam insulation with comfy tricot lining and 160g fiberfill that is rated to -20 degrees F. Moreover, the cuffs are elasticized to keep out cold air, winds, and other elements efficiently.
RefrigiWear Leather Mitten Gloves Specifications | |
---|---|
Material | split cowhide leather |
Comfort Rating | -20°F. |
Highlight Features | extra foam insulation with comfy tricot lining and 160g fiberfill made of split cowhide leather extra reinforced leather on the thumb and palm + Kevlar threading at the seams |
If durability is your top priority when finding the best work gloves for winter, don’t hesitate to pick this one.
How To Choose The Best Work Gloves for Winter?
Fitting
This important issue is often underestimated by many workers.
However, in fact, it decides how much warm your hands are in cold work conditions, your comfort, blood circulation, and the gloves’ dexterity.
A too loose work glove will lack natural heat retention as well as the prevention of wintery absorption whereas a too tight one might make you feel numbed and uncomfortable. Aside from cold air, pay attention to strong winds.
Choose work gloves with elastic or adjustable cuffs for better protection and warmth.
Level Of Dexterity
If your work requires lots of hand movement, the flexibility of your gloves is worth considering. A basic rule of thumb is the thicker the gloves, the lower level of dexterity (flexibility).
Waterproof Rating
No matter of the materials of your work gloves or how warm they are, once getting wet, these items will immediately lose their warmth.
Before choosing a pair of work gloves, always consider if your work conditions are wet or near water, then choose ones with a dependably water-resistant/waterproof palm coating. Besides, remember to pick those palm-coated winter pairs for enhancement in your grips when working on slippery environments.
If your work requires soaking directly to cold water, a fully-coated glove is perfect.
Which Brands Make The Best Work Gloves for Winter?
Carhartt
This is one of the most reliable US-based brands with a rich history, from 1889. They used to offer Carhartt facilities to the government during the U.S. military in World War I and II.
Ironclad
Ironclad is a brand more specializing in making work gloves, since 1997. They are also the pioneer in the design and engineering of task-specific gloves headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
Superior Gloves
Founded in 1910, Superior Gloves have now been one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of work gloves in North America. They’re also the licensed manufacturer of Kevlar® and Dyneema® products.
FAQs
Are leather gloves warmest?
No, they aren’t. Wool gloves are the warmest as they’re better in insulation. If your leather gloves are designed with higher-level insulation, they can be warmer than thin wool gloves.
Can you wear leather gloves in the snow?
Yes, you can. Deerskin leather gloves are our suggestion for snow or fierce cold weather.
What is the warmest lining for leather gloves?
Cashmere lining! The reason is cashmere lining is made with lambskin leather to offer top-notch wind and cold resistance without bulging the glove shape.
At what temperature do you need gloves?
Below -10C
Should winter gloves be tight or loose?
They should properly fit your hands with about ¼ inch of material at the end of your outstretched fingers.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this has been a useful analysis in your quest for the best work gloves for winter, regardless if you’re looking for a bargain or top-tier model, an extremely durable option, or something warm enough for specific jobs.
Thanks for reading!