Winter sports and activities are a thing. That’s why waterproof winter gloves are also a thing. Design to keep your hands dry and comfortable as you’re skiing, a good pair of waterproof winter gloves can become an indispensable accessory, provided that you find the best one for you.

But before any of that, do you know the criteria you must take into consideration before choosing a pair of waterproof winter gloves? What makes one pair better than another?

Choosing your winter gloves

Just as with any piece of clothing, finding the right size is crucial. Contrary to some what people may think, a good pair of waterproof winter gloves doesn’t have to… fit like a glove. The fingertips should reach the end of the glove, but not touch it. This way, you’ll create a tiny air pocket around your fingertips and that’s where your fingers will trap warmth. The insulation at the end of the glove will provide you with colder fingers. Overall fit is also important. You should feel comfortable with freely squeezing your fists without feeling that the glove restricts you or makes your hands feel uncomfortable at any point. Compressed gloves are also a sign of warmth compromise. Last, but not least, it’s important to determine how easy you can use your hands. Is it easy to grab and hold small objects? How about bigger objects. Can you lace your boots while wearing the gloves? It’s important to test your basic motor skills before you purchase a pair of waterproof winter gloves.

Different manufacturers will produce different winter gloves for different hand shapes. You will notice that there are several gloves styles because our hands have different shapes: some of us have shorter fingers, others have longer ones; some of us have big palms, others have smaller palms, etc.

A very very VERY important feature of a good pair of winter gloves is the ability to block icy wind. Don’t ever think that you don’t need this feature just because you’re enjoying winter in a place with no wind: activities such as skiing will take care of that. Good winter gloves come with a nylon shell, a windproof layer built into the glove itself…or both.

Few things freeze your hands faster in cold conditions than icy wind or damp gloves. This is a particular challenge during breezy, aerobic activities, such as downhill skiing and cold-weather biking. A waterproof layer in your gloves (Gore-Tex or the equivalent) provides additional protection. You should avoid too much know if you are wearing gloves made of fluffy fibers, wool or fleece. These materials attract powder like Velcro and are a fast track to wet hands.

Generally, gloves which are thicker, are also warmer. However, this rule is only applied if you can keep wind and water out of the glove. The most important point i’m trying to make is that waterproof winter gloves are warmer compared to regular winter gloves. In fact, the best gloves come with a 2 layer system: a waterproof and windproof outer glove or mitt (which should be as thick as possible as not to compromise your hand’s dexterity) and a lightweight liner glove (which is going to make sure your hands are extra-warm). Mittens are more comfortable than gloves. However, it’s very difficult to do stuff with your mittens on (like tying your shoes).

While the features mentioned above are what you need to consider before a purchase, some people may be interested in some extra features of winter gloves. For example, some manufacturers have created gloves with tips that are compatible with touchscreens and allow you to easily use your smartphone even without taking off your gloves. If you’re truly passionate about ice climbing, you should look for gloves that have a longer cuff. This will extend over your sleeves and make sure cold/snow doesn’t reach your wrists. Some people may also be interested in finding gloves with removable liners. These will dry faster and you can adjust your glove’s warmth, as needed.

Now that we got that out of a way, let’s see what a good pair of waterproof winter gloves looks like.

MCTi Waterproof Winter Gloves For Men

For all those of you on the market looking for an affordable waterproof and windproof pair of winter gloves, I’ve got good news: the MCTi ones are amazing. The surface shell of the gloves is capable of keeping snow and water away from your hands, while the interior layers will absorb the moist and sweat from your palms. This basically translated into double protection: both inside and out. This makes this pair of waterproof gloves ideal for almost any winter outdoor activity: from skiing to snowboarding.

This particular pair of gloves come with a zippered pocket design, which makes it easy for you to transport some small items that are generally with the entire time, like car keys or money. The wrist strap is going to make sure that the gloves are secured around your wrists, as not to let any water or wind/cold reach your hands.

The outing of the gloves is mostly made of polyester, but they are also 6% spandex, for better flexibility. The lining is made entirely out of knitted polyester. These men gloves are available in M, L and XL measurements, specifically:
M: hand circumference of 28.0cm/11.0″, middle finger of 8.0cm/3.1″, total length of 31.0cm/12.2″;
L: hand circumference of 29.0cm/11.4″, middle finger of 8.5cm/3.3″, total length of 32.0cm/12.6″;
XL: hand circumference of 30.0cm/11.8″, middle finger of 9.0cm/3.5″, total length of 33.0cm/13.0″;

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Carhartt Women’s Quilts Insulated Glove with Waterproof Wicking Insert

In terms of waterproof winter gloves for women, this pair was one of our favorites. Made entirely out of polyester, the Carhartt’s Women insulated gloves are guaranteed to keep your hands warm even when you’re mountain climbing in the coldest of seasons. Each of the gloves in the pair features channel quilting and Dry-Max waterproof inserts. The stretchy fleece cuff is here to make sure that even if you’re winter jacket has shorter sleeves, no wind will ever touch your skin.

The interior lining is sweat absorbent, so even if your hands get a bit warmer than usual, you don’t have to worry about dampness and lack of comfort as you ski. The wicking liners are not removable and it is highly recommended that you wash these gloves by hand. If you want to fit a glove liner insert, please take note that you can’t do so. The gloves have been fleece-lined already. You don’t really need a glove liner with this pair. However, they are kind of heavy and there is not a lot of dexterity with them, but they are nice and warm.

Unfortunately, the seller has yet to give a sizing chart, so we’re not sure about the available sizes and particular measurements for these gloves.

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Tenn Waterproof Winter Gloves

If you’ve ever wanted to buy waterproof winter gloves and researched the market a little bit before doing so, then you already know that Tenn makes some of the best winter gloves. This particular pair comes with a ton of key features that are going to satisfy even the most pretentious customers.

They come with a breathable waterproof membrane, which makes sure that your hands are both comfortable and super-protected as your are wearing this pair. Since they are both windproof and waterproof, they are ideal for anyone who wants to practice winter sports and are in need of reliable equipment to do so. The 3M Thinsulation feature is something you should always look for in a pair of waterproof winter gloves. Gel Grips palms and fingers are going to make sure that cup of hot cocoa you’re enjoying outside won’t slip right out of your hands.

The extended cuffs featured on this pair of gloves is going to make sure that wind doesn’t reach under your sleeves. PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) membranes are added to the inner layer of a fabric to make it waterproof. The windproofing feature of these gloves is not to be taken lightly, because if you are skiing and snowboarding for hours, a bad pair of winter gloves will make sure the wind is harsh on your hands. The fabrics used in the production of these gloves are as follows: 80% Nylon, 10% Polyester, 10% Neoprene.

While you can choose the size you want before you order them, the manufacturer hasn’t provided a sizing and measurements chart, so it’s a bit tricky guessing which gloves are the best ones for your hands. The best way to clean the Cold Weather Plus Gloves is to wipe them clean with a damp cloth or hand-wash them in cool/cold water, while avoiding getting water inside the glove.

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Ergodyne ProFlex 817WP Thermal Waterproof Utility Gloves

If you’re willing to spend some extra money, the Ergodyne ProFlex 817WP are prices at $35 and promise to deliver the warm and waterproof experience of every good pair of winter gloves. They come with 3M Thinsulate insulation which, as we have already established, is a great feature for a pair of winter gloves. With a breathable insert liner, these gloves will provide protection against wind and water, giving you a comfortable experience while you’re outside in the ruthless cold.

The synthetic leather palm is double reinforces, meaning that whatever activities you perform, they will be gentle on your palms. As far as sizing and measurements are concerned, here is what you need to know:
XS – size 6 – for hands up to 7 inches (18 cm);
S – size 7 – for hands up to 7 – 8 inches (18 – 20 cm);
M – size 8 – for hands up to 8 – 9 inches (20 – 23 cm);
L – size 9 – for hands up to 9 – 10 inches (23 – 25 cm);
XL – size 10 – for hands up to 10 – 11 inches (25 – 28 cm);
XXL – size 11 – for hands up to 11 – 12 inches (28 – 30 cm);
XXXL – size 12 – for hands up to 12 – 13 inches (30 – 32 cm);

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Verdict

If you’re looking to get the best bang for your back, the Tenn waterproof winter gloves are the best choice for you. For their price, you can even buy them if you’re not into outside winter activities, but need a good and warm pair of gloves when you’re out in the rain. However, the Ergodyne ProFlex 817WP waterproof winter gloves are ideal for those who are willing to spend the extra money. They come with all the best features of a waterproof pair of gloves, while still keeping your hands warm and comfortable for many hours spent outside in the cold.

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