When the cold weather hits it can be a challenge to keep your hands warm. A good pair of winter gloves can allow you to shovel snow, clean car windscreens and perform other tasks in the cold without being shivering or suffering from frostbite.
Wool is an excellent material for making gloves that will keep your hands comfortable during cold weather activities, but not so warm that you sweat easily. Wool traps heat, wicks away moisture and can be molded to your hand shape for a secure fit.
Generally, if you want to use your gloves for long periods of time then you should choose a more comfortable material such as silk. It feels soft and stretches well.
Leather is also a good choice for keeping your hands warm and preventing them from getting itchy. It’s also waterproof, and it dries fast.
Lining materials are another important feature of gloves for cold weather. There are a number of options to choose from, including cotton, synthetic fibers, and wool.
Natural wool linings can be expensive and not as warm as synthetics, but they provide superior comfort and dexterity.
Boiled wool liners are an excellent choice for very cold climates. They’re a lot lighter than fleece or synthetic insulated liners, and they hold their insulation better over long periods of wear.
Often boiled wool gloves liners are made with more than one layer of insulation, which allows them to be used as the primary outer glove in a winter glove and mitten system, such as Dachstein’s 4-ply Extreme Warm Mittens or Ojbro Vantfabrik 4-layer Merino Mitts.
These gloves have an internal cuff that stretches and fits completely over the sleeve of your jacket for maximum warmth, and they’re also easy to take off.
They’re also great for cold climates, as they’re highly water-resistant and offer windproof protection.
If you need extra warmth in extreme conditions, the SRW Raggwool Gloves may be a good option for you as they have 40 grams of 3M Thinsulate Insulation on each hand and a soft fleece lining.
Some models are designed to be worn with a shell mitten, so they can be used in very cold conditions. The best example are the Ojbro Vantfabrik 4-layer merino mitts that have a sleeve that can be tucked inside a jacket sleeve to improve the insulating effect of the wool.
The Icewear Norwegian Wool Gloves are also a great choice for cold weather, as they’re light and have 80 g (2.8 oz) of 3M Thinsulate on each hand.
Aside from providing extra warmth and comfort, these gloves also have a textured surface that helps you grip your gear with ease, making them ideal for alpine climbing or mountaineering.
These gloves are also windproof and have a DWR coating to repel water. They’re a good choice for alpine climbing, mountaineering and skiing.
These are the key factors to consider when choosing a pair of winter gloves. They should also be breathable so that your hands don’t become too hot while wearing them.