You are very welcome, Robert.

1,000 thanks!

Hi Robert,

Good question. I went to school in upstate New York, so I know what their winters are like. Below-zero is going to challenge most gloves, I would recommend a very warm mitten (see my review of “The Best Mittens for Winter,”) and yes, a relatively warm liner glove; be sure to size the mittens and liner glove to fit together. I also suggest chemical hand warmers to slide into your mitts on the coldest days.

Good luck.

Thank you for these excellent articles. So helpful. I’ve just moved to upstate New York from northern California. Loving the winter, but having issues keeping my hands warm enough while walking the dog. (-11 F this morning). As you suggest, warm gloves with my hands in my pockets are comfortable. But they’re too thick to have enough dexterity to handle the poop bag. What do you think of a merino wool glove liner with a mitten? Any recommendations on affordable versions of those?

Thank you,

Robert

Hi Orian,

You are correct that I meant the Black Diamond Legend Gloves are the warmest among under-the-cuff models in this review. And I think you’d find them warm enough for low-intensity activity in the temperatures you asked about, with a bit better dexterity than the Khroma gloves. If what you’re doing doesn’t require much dexterity, though, I’d recommend looking at some of the warmer mittens in my review “The Best Mittens for Winter.”

Thanks and get in touch anytime.

I am surprised that you mention the Legends being the warmest from the line-up, or perhaps you meant only among under-the-cuff models? I thought the Khroma freeride will be noticeably warmer.

Which one of the two would you recommend for low intensity activities in -8 to -12 C, plus having hands that get cold easily? and how do they compare on comfort and dexterity?

Thank you!

You’re welcome, Dalynn. Good luck.

Thank you! I have experimented with mittens-they are cumbersome but definitely warmer. I am going to order an over-the-cuff simply because it’s easier for me to manipulate the glove; will read those reviews again and move forward. Thank you (Oh and yes, I have a bulk box of hand warmers now!). Thanks!

Excellent, Sean, I’m glad to hear that. Thanks for reporting back on how the gloves performed for you. Enjoy!

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the recommendation about getting the Outdoor Research Vigor Heavyweight Sensor Gloves. They ended up being the only gloves I needed the whole trip. They were warm enough that I didn’t need to use anything else, and still had enough dexterity to operate just about anything I held in my hands, i.e. phone, camera, remote shutter release, etc.

Sean

Hi Dalynn,

First of all, you should consider getting some chemical hand warmers when you’re standing around in the cold for long periods because your body just isn’t producing as much heat as when you’re moving and active.

For snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, those sports can be very different from one another and you are likely to do them in temps warmer than near 0 F, too. I would want gloves at least as warm as the Outdoor Research Extravert, understanding that you might also want hand warmers on the coldest days. Consider gloves that are even warmer, like the Black Diamond Legend. The over-the-cuff gloves are probably more than you need, although the OR Arete II Gore-Tex have the removable insert to enable you to adjust to different temperatures.

If you don’t really need a lot of dexterity for your winter sports, consider getting mittens, which are much warmer than gloves.

I hope that helps.

Hi Sean,

Thanks for that good question because it illustrates the needs of a lot of people who like to get outdoors but are doing something, like you, in deep cold without exerting in a way that creates body heat. I think I have some good suggestions for you.

For starters, make sure your body core is warm enough with the right layers and a warm down or synthetic puffy jacket. (See my picks for “The 12 Best Down Jackets.”) Without that core warmth, your hands and feet will get cold first and stay cold. Sometimes people wear enough warm layers on top but not on their legs, so make sure you wear bottom layers that provide insulation and block wind, like the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Pant with thick long underwear underneath them. (That’s an affiliate link.)

Plus, your feet will be on frozen ground for a long time; wear very warm, insulated boots and thick socks. See my “12 Pro Tips for Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter.”

For your hands, you need the dexterity of lighter gloves, which when photographing at night in Norway in December cannot possibly keep your hands warm enough. I think the glove with the best dexterity that’s still reasonably warm for working a camera (which will get very cold, too) is the Outdoor Research Vigor Heavyweight Sensor Gloves; other gloves that light aren’t nearly as warm and heavier gloves won’t give you the dexterity you want.

But have a pair of warm mittens to pull on over those gloves for when you’re just standing around, like the Black Diamond Recon Mitts or Gordini Polar Mitt. (See my picks for “The Best Mittens for Winter.”) You might need to size up on the mittens to pull them over the gloves; otherwise, you could switch between mittens and gloves and keep the pair you’re not wearing tucked inside a jacket pocket close to your body’s core heat, to keep them warm. In fact, you might only need the glove on your dominant hand for manipulating camera controls and keep a mitten on your other hand.

Lastly, of course, if you’re standing around most of the time not using your hands and just relied on the Outdoor Research Vigor Heavyweight Sensor Gloves, you can stuff your hands inside warm pockets on your down jacket when you need to warm them. But I think for all the time you’ll spend outside in the cold, with your hands holding a cold camera, combining the gloves and mittens in whichever manner I suggest above works best for you is the way to go.

Good luck and have a great adventure!

Hi Margo,

I’ve spent much time in N.H. and all over New England. I don’t think the Marmot is warm enough for those really cold days. The OR Extravert is warmer and the minimum I’d suggest for you. If you want very warm with adequate dexterity for picking up somewhat small items, go for the Black Diamond Legend Gloves.

Good luck and thanks for the question.

Thanks, Danny. And I’m sorry but I’m not familiar with Baist.

I came across this review while looking into Baist and their trigger glove. Do you know anything about their gloves and this one in particular?

Btw, I appreciate how thorough you are with your reviews!

Best wishes,
Danny

Hi Nancy,

Sounds like you need warm gloves for cold temps and a relatively low exertion level, walking. Look at some of the warmest gloves in this review that aren’t too bulky, such as the Black Diamond Legend Gloves or The North Face Steep Patrol Futurelight Gloves (or a similar TNF model).

Good luck.

You’re welcome, Janice, and thanks for the comment. You should take a good look at the Black Diamond Legend Gloves. Good luck.

Glad I found your page and thanks for doing all the testing legwork for us!

Looking for some new gloves to buy for my dad on his new adventures. He recently went to Mount Kilamanjaro and said his current gloves weren’t great for the temperature hitting -19 Celsius.

Really appreciate your recommendations for some gloves that are super warm but also won’t have a problem gripping his walking poles.

Thanks in advance!

Thanks, Stephen.

Very informative blog post, thanks for sharing.

Agreed, Stephen.

Thanks, Sonia, I’m glad this was helpful for you.

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the nice compliment on my gloves review. I don’t think I can definitively identify the warmest gloves in the world, but in this review, the warmest, most waterproof gloves are the Black Diamond Recon and the Rab Khroma Freeride GTX. But keep in mind they’re made for below-freezing temps, so while they’re not truly “waterproof” because they’re not fully taped at all seams, in sub-freezing temps, you won’t encounter liquid water, anyway.

Good luck.

You’re welcome, Alexandra, and enjoy your bike tour.

Thanks for your quick response, Michael. I will order them from backcountry tomorrow

Thanks, Alexandra, good question. I do plenty of cycling so I believe you want gloves that will be adequately warm and block wind and wet precipitation like snow as well as feel comfortable on your hands for hours of gripping the handlebars. OR’s Extravert do all that and their long gauntlet provides added coverage to protect from precip and trap warmth. I don’t know what temperatures you will likely encounter, whether just below or well below freezing or above freezing at times, or how easily your hands get cold. But as long as you’re not riding in severe cold, I think the Extravert would serve you well. Good luck.

Thanks, Stephen.

Thanks so much for sharing! I have no complaint about your article. I love it!

Thanks, Eric.

The Hestra Falt Guide is their best glove IMO. Love them.

Thanks for that recommendation, Stephen.

Thanks, Michael, and I am looking at Hestra models for possible coverage in this review. Stay tuned.

Thanks Di, I’m glad this helps you and you have my complete empathy.

Hi Danna,

Thanks for that question. It’s hard to recommend specific gloves without knowing more about what they all need gloves for and I’m not sure whether temps around -17 (F or C?) are common where they live. The gloves or mittens I’d recommend for -17 F are not in this review because most people don’t need handwear for such extreme temps—and they’d be very expensive.

Of the gloves reviewed above, the Black Diamond Legend and Recon are the warmest. Mittens are, ounce for ounce, generally warmer than gloves, so you should also look at my review of “The Best Mittens for Winter.”

Good luck.

Thank you

You’re welcome, Mike, and thanks for sharing my blog with others. Good luck.

Mike,
WOW, thank you for the swift response! I am going to take your suggestion and try the Black Diamond Legend gloves. My fingers always get cold. I really appreciate your quick and informative response. I will let some of my friends who ride know about your website.

All the best to you,
Mike Rosati

Hi Mike,

Thanks for that question. For the best warmth, I think there are two good choices above: the Black Diamond Legend Gloves and the Black Diamond Recon Gloves. They’re comparably very warm, though the Legend may have a slight edge for fingers and hands. The Recon has the extended gauntlet, making them a bit bulkier but also providing warmth beyond your wrists, which keeps the blood flowing to your hands warmer, which is important to keeping fingers warm.

I hope that helps. Good luck.

Thank you,
Mike Rosati

Hi Jean,

I have Raynaud’s Syndrome and it’s very unpleasant, so I empathize with you. The best answer is to choose gloves warmer than most other people would wear in the same temperatures—which means it depends on what temps you’ll wear the gloves in.

I also offer tips on keeping fingers and toes—which are most susceptible to Raynaud’s—warm in my “12 Pro Tips for Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter;” see tips 7 and 9.

I hope that helps you.

Thanks so much for sharing! I really like your post because it showed the information about all the best products. This is useful and helps me easier to choose a suitable one for me.

Thanks for that suggestion, Stephen.

Hi Petar,

Good question. I’ve struggled with keeping fingers warm when cycling in cold temps, too. Because my fingers get cold so easily, I tend to wear gloves that are warm, definitely windproof for cycling, at least water-resistant if not waterproof, and have adequate dexterity. Among the gloves in this review that I’d recommend are the Outdoor Research Extravert Gloves, The North Face Steep Patrol Futurelight Gloves, and the Black Diamond Legend Gloves.

You might also consider mittens for deep cold. See my review of “The Best Mittens for Winter.”

I hope that’s helpful. Thanks for the question and keep in touch.

Super, thanks Jeffrey.

Michael,

Thanks for the great article. My need is similar to Bill’s – dog walks in the teens and single digits. I’ll likely use your link to buy the BD Legends. Much appreciated.

Hi Bill,

For temps that cold, you don’t technically need a waterproof glove because you won’t encounter water in liquid form; water-resistant is adequate. But the top model I’d recommend for warmth is the Black Diamond Legend Gloves. The more affordable and best value, though not quite as warm, is the Gordini GTX Storm Trooper II.

I hope that helps.

Thanks, Abel.

I think that’s a good glove for trekking in the Himalaya. I’ve been on the Annapurna Circuit, and I’ve been using those gloves a lot hiking and trail running on my local trails in cool temps, they’re pretty warm for their low weight and bulk. Good luck.

Thanks for the question. Your comment doesn’t mention which Black Diamond gloves you wanted to purchase, but I have three BD gloves reviewed in this article: the Mont Blanc and HeavyWeight Wooltech Gloves are available in unisex sizes and the BD Legend Glove comes in men’s and women’s sizes. All of the affiliate links, including the Moosejaw links, open to the correct gloves for sale at those retail websites. Sometimes the photos may look slightly different, but my reviews all link to the same gloves for sale at those sites. I appreciate you asking and wanting to purchase through my affiliate links.

You bet, thanks Gata.

Hi John, thanks, and good suggestion. As someone who gets cold fingers easily, I find it challenging to shoot in cold temps, for sure, obviously in part because the camera itself gets very cold. But I would answer by saying that I still think a high priority when choosing gloves for winter photography is the temps you expect to encounter, the length of time you’ll be fully outside (i.e., not warming up in the car periodically), and the activity you will engage in to get your photos (skiing, hiking, etc.). Choose gloves for the circumstances, and then with an eye to the best dexterity you can find for the level of warmth you need.

Of the models reviewed above, for photography, I would recommend the Outdoor Research Luminary Sensor Gloves, Black Diamond Legend Gloves, Seirus Soundtouch Xtreme All Weather Gloves, and Outdoor Research PL 400 Sensor Gloves—again, dependent on how much warmth you need, along with dexterity.

Good luck. Nice to hear from you. Keep in touch.

Thanks, Phyllis, I appreciate that. I hope you share in this comments section any recommendations you have for favorite gloves or outerwear that work for you in your winters. Stay warm.

Doing any kind of work outdoors in the winter require good warm gloves. Many times you need good flexablity also. Your review on gloves will help anyone make a good choice. Great info, thanks.

Good choice, Sue. Let me know what you think of the OR Phosphors.

Hi Mike! I got my new OR Phosphors today. Can’t wait to test drive them this weekend! Thanks for the help.
Sue

Hi Sue, I’m envious of your plans, especially given how bad this winter has been for skiing.

I regularly wear the OR Luminary Sensor Gloves for backcountry skiing, taking off the shells and wearing only the inner gloves for the uphill. They keep my cold fingers pretty warm.

But I’ll also tip you off that I’ve been using OR’s Phosphor Mitts this winter–they’re super warm (very little dexterity), actually too warm for me when skiing downhill in the 20s F. And I can layer a light liner under them for when it’s really cold; the OR PL 400 Sensor Gloves feel a little snug but work inside those mittens, so most lighter liners would layer inside them just fine. I plan to add the Phosphor Mittens to this review once I’ve tested them a little more. But I see that backcountry.com has a really good sale price on them right now (see http://bit.ly/2nU8Dhv).

I also stick my damp liners or any spare gloves in zippered pockets in my middle/insulation jacket layer, to keep them warm and help them dry out for when I put them back on.

Hope that helps. Have a great trip.

Hi Mike,
Joe and I are heading to Banff in March for some backcountry skiing. I find I wear a light glove while climbing. At the top I throw the sweaty gloves in my pack and switch to the warmest system I own for the descent. I’ve got old, cold fingers, too.

I’m ready to buy the warmest system I can find. Is there general consensus that an insulated glove under a waterproof mitten-style shell works best for warmth? Should I give that OR Baker a try? I’m willing to sacrifice dexterity for warmth for the downhill.

Sue

Hi Deborah, I’ve struggled with the same problem, because I’m frequently shooting in very cold temps. The simple truth is that thicker gloves are warmer and offer less dexterity. That said, and without knowing how warm a glove you need, I suggest you look at a few options.

First, two of the under-the-cuff models come to mind. The OR PL 400 Sensor Glove gives the most warmth relative to its excellent dexterity; the question for you is whether they’re warm enough. Much warmer, though less dexterous, but possibly allowing you to manipulate camera controls, is the Black Diamond Legend Glove.

Alternatively, you might try the OR Luminary Sensor Glove, because it would allow you to remove the shell and wear just the liner for maximum dexterity, and pull the shell on again when you need warmth while shooting. Ideally, you would try on each model with your camera to assess dexterity. And lastly, I would also consider getting the OR PL 400 Sensor Glove and some warm mittens to layer over them when needed, employing the same strategy as I suggested with the Luminary gloves.

I think those are your best options, and only you can figure out which is best for your specific needs.

You’ve probably tried using chemical hand warmers, inserting them into your gloves and/or jacket pockets to warm your hands when needed. My other trick is to bring two pairs of gloves: I keep one pair in the pockets of the jacket closest to my torso (ideally inside pockets), where my body heat keeps them warm. When my hands get cold in the gloves I’m wearing, I swap pairs. It’s one of my tips in my “12 Pro Tips For Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter” (https://thebigoutsideblog.com/12-pro-tips-for-staying-warm-outdoors-in-winter/).

Good luck. Let us know if you find some gloves that work really well for you. Thanks for the good question.

Thank you very much for your review. I am wondering if you have any suggestions as to the best women’s glove for outdoor photography in extremely cold weather. I am looking for the warmest glove that will allow me the dexterity to operate a camera. My hands are FREEZING. and hurt even after I go back inside. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
Deborah

Thanks for the suggestion, Jan, you’re not the first to ask me to review mittens. Stayed tuned for the next update of this review, I’m testing some mittens now.

Thanks, Miste. Of course, these gloves are not just for people with Raynaud’s. You’ll also find tips and strategies for dealing with cold fingers and staying warm in general in my “12 Pro Tips For Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter” at https://thebigoutsideblog.com/12-pro-tips-for-staying-warm-outdoors-in-winter/.

Have fun and keep in touch.

Thanks for those nice words, Michele. I share your love for winter and hope to be out backcountry skiing soon myself. Good health and life to you as well.

Thanks, Kim. I’m going to check them out. I like getting good suggestions from readers. Much appreciated.

Fox River, Woolrich, and Millet. I have all three (you can probably tell, I have very cold hands). Fox River used to make a sherpa-lined ragg wool glove. I still have an old pair, and they are excellent even to below zero. But they discontinued that model. All three mentioned brands have a ragg wool w/fleece lining glove and mitten models.

Thanks, Kim. Do you have any favorites?