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Your fingers — because they're so tiny and far from your heart — are one of the first parts of your body to experience the chill on cold-weather runs. That’s because your body wants to preserve heat around your most vital organs; to do that, it has to move blood away from your extremities, leaving your fingers extra susceptible to the cold.
Most runners realize pretty quickly that while they may still be able to get away with shorts and short sleeves during fall and spring runs, running gloves aren’t just meant for the coldest winter miles. After all, the colder your hands are, the colder you’ll feel all over. Keep your digits — and the rest of you — feeling nice and toasty by slipping on a pair of these running gloves before your next winter jog.
The Best Running Gloves
What to Consider
What kind of gloves you wear depends on what’s going on outside: If temperatures dip below 45 degrees, a thin, lightweight pair of gloves may be all you need; if it’s colder than 35 degrees, you’ll want to protect your hands with an insulated or thermal pair. When you're dealing with elements like snow and rain, look for a waterproof or water-resistant outer layer that will keep the damp from getting under your skin.
And pay attention to the wind chill—in the same way that humidity makes a hot day feel hotter, wind chill can make a cold day downright dangerous. Some gloves do cut the wind a bit, but if your weather app says 35 degrees Fahrenheit, for example, but the wind is blowing at 15 miles per hour, that air will feel like 19 degrees on any exposed skin. And on those days? You just might want to double up.
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1
Best Everyday Gloves
Nike Accelerate Running Gloves
Nike’s lightweight gloves were made for blue-sky winter days. Dri-FIT technology in the fabric blocks cold and wetness from the outside, plus it wicks sweat from your hands on the inside. A fitted cuff keeps your wrists from being exposed to the elements, and silicone-grip details keep you from fumbling your phone.
More: Running Hats Every Runner Needs
2
Best Fit
Lululemon Cold Terrain Run Gloves
There's not much that Lululemon does that we don't love! Reflective strips on the outside of these gloves stand out to cars if you're running on the streets in low light. The company-patented Rulu fabric is super soft, breathable, and stretchy for a comfortable fit. Plus, thanks to some well-placed snaps, you'll have no trouble keeping them together.
3
Most Eco-Friendly
The North Face Etip Recycled Gloves
Nothing fancy here — just a stretchy glove for outdoor activities. But they’re made from flexible recycled fleece, so you can feel good about wearing them, plus they're designed to keep your hands in their natural relaxed position (instead of bunching them up against the cold) so you aren’t wasting any energy.
4
Best Liner
Arc'teryx Gothic Glove
Perfect for those transitional days when your body warms up quickly but your digits are still freezing after a mile or two, these breathable running gloves provide lightweight protection. They’re made from breathable merino wool (and like most gloves these days, have conductive fabric on the thumb and forefinger for touchscreen use), and are thin enough to slip on under another layer on extra cold runs.
5
Best for Warmth
Mizuno Breath Thermo Fleece Gloves
Mizuno’s insulating gloves were designed to circulate heat throughout your hands — the midweight fleece uses the brand’s signature thermal fabric technology that generates heat via escaping body vapor.
6
Best for Rainy Runs
Under Armour UA Storm Run Liner Gloves
Under Armour’s UA Storm technology repels rain, sleet, and snow with a water-resistant finish.
Wear these gloves on their own in chilly conditions, then layer them under heavier gloves when the weather gets more extreme. They come with an extra-soft fleece strip on the back of the index finger and thumb so you can wipe your cold-induced runny nose without roughing up your face.
7
Best Knit
Smartwool Unisex Liner Glove
You wear wool to stay warm when you hit the slopes, so why not when you’re pounding the pavement? These thin gloves keep your fingers insulated without limiting mobility, and the wool itself is naturally moisture-wicking, antibacterial, and antimicrobial, so they won’t stink when you take them off. Wear them on their own on warmer days, or layer them under a thicker pair when the temperature drops.
8
Best for Really Cold Runs
Outdoor Research PL400 Sensor Gloves
Slightly bulkier than your average run gloves, these use a heavyweight fleece outer layer and thinner fleece inner layer to insulate your hands from the cold on even the most frigid days. Despite their size, touchscreen-capable fingertips still let you control your phone on the go.
9
Best Budget
TrailHeads Elements Touchscreen Running Gloves
With an average of 4.5 stars from more than 240 Amazon reviews, you can't go wrong with these gloves. These aren't intended for winter's coldest days, but users generally rave about the value these gloves provide — they're stretchy, breathable, moisture-wicking, and touchscreen-compatible – just like so many other brands, but at a much more wallet-friendly price.
10
Best for Windy Runs
Janji Vortex Wind Block Gloves
Nothing cuts through you on a run like blustery winter winds, but Janji’s stowable, weather-resistant mitten shell adds an extra layer that can stand up to the fiercest gales, as well as against rain and snow.
Underneath, lightweight stretch fleece offers breathable, moisture-wicking warmth, and extra-long cuffs ensure your wrists stay covered, too. And even with all that protection, these clock in at just 1.6 ounces — so you won’t be carrying any extra weight.
11
Best Lightweight
Tracksmith Inverno Gloves
Let’s be real: No one carries tissues on a run, so you need a glove that’s not going to rub your face raw when you’re wiping snot from your face (yeah, winter running isn’t glamorous). Tracksmith’s micro-nylon-and-elastane blend is durable yet super soft and breathable. There’s even full wrist coverage in case you need more surface area. And, yes, they’re washable.
12
Best Sweat-Wicking
New Balance Lightweight Running Gloves
Even if you don’t need serious protection, a thin, warm glove goes a long way in making a cold-weather run that much more enjoyable. Made from a polyester-and-spandex blend, these fleece gloves fit like second skin. They’re sweat-wicking and antimicrobial, too, so you don’t have to stress about sweaty palms if the temperature does warm up while you’re on the run.
13
Best Convertible
Ultimate Direction Ultra Flip Glove
These gloves are especially useful if you’re starting your run while it’s still dark outside: The stowable mitten top adds 20 degrees of warmth that you can easily shed once the sun comes out and warms you up. Even when pulling double duty, they’re ultra lightweight and breathable, allowing for full mobility of your fingers.
14
Best Reflective
Oiselle Firecracker Reflective Gloves
Another minimalist option, Oiselle’s lightweight gloves are made from a warming polyester-and-spandex blend. Not only is the firecracker color eye-catching, but the allover reflective print fires up under any light source (like car headlights) to keep you safe in the dark. There’s also a small strap across the wrist that’s designed to hold a clip-on light if you feel like you need extra visibility.
15
Best Midweight
Patagonia Capilene Midweight Liner Gloves
When you need more than just a thin layer of fabric between you and the elements, reach for these Patagonias. The flexible fabric uses a diamond pattern to trap heat while allowing moisture to escape, and it’s treated with odor-control technology, which prevents stink from ever forming.
Andrew Bettlach
Andrew has been contributing to the outdoors and fitness content on BestProducts.com since 2017; he's a nature lover, peak-bagger, skier, and general good-time haver who lives in Colorado, knows where all the fresh snow is, and what gear you should be wearing for staying warm or looking fresh.
Ashley Mateo
Ashley Mateo is a writer, editor, and UESCA- and RRCA-certified running coach who has contributed to Runner’s World, Bicycling, Women's Health, Health, Shape, Self, and more.
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