When out snowshoeing in an amazing winter wonderland covered in snow, the last thing you want is for your fingers to go numb. Nothing ruins a great day in the snow like cold hands.
That’s why gloves or mittens are such an important piece of gear for any snowshoer looking to break some fresh powder trail up the mountain or during a short jaunt around the park.
When it’s cold out, having a solid pair of gloves on, and even a backup pair in your pack, is a must to stay safe and stave off frostbite. The good news is there are tons of options out there for snowshoers to choose from these days.
From leather to merino wool and mittens to puffy gloves, we have selected six stellar options for you to consider this season to stay warm and safe when out in the snow having some fun.
Try out these gloves for your next snowshoeing adventure!
Some of the links in this article may contain affiliate links. When you purchase using these links, part of the proceeds go to Snowshoe Mag. Additionally, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Please see our disclosure for more details.
Outdoor Research – Radiant X Gloves
The Radiant X has a new technology included that creates better warmth without increasing insulation volume or the weight of the glove. Photo: OR
Outdoor Research (OR) is a standard in the winter gear world. They have been producing some of the best outdoor clothing and gear since 1981. Based out of Seattle, OR recently released its new Radiant X Gloves just in time for this winter season.
The Radiant X comes in a glove or mitt, depending on your preference, and has a new technology included that creates better warmth without increasing insulation volume or the weight of the glove. A lighter warmer glove is always the goal, and OR is using its Xreflex technology to do just that. It works using ultra-thin surface coatings to reflect radiant body heat. The result is that the Radiant X gloves will improve thermal retention, but will not lose breathability. It’s a win-win.
The gloves are more dexterous and include waterproof outer shell fabric that is compatible with touchscreens such as a smartphone. The glove includes an adjustable elastic leash to ensure you don’t drop the glove and a new innovative two-strap cinch system to make sure snow does not get in while wearing the gloves.
Read More: Outdoor Research Floodlight Jacket Review
Beyond – Guide Gloves
The Guide Gloves offer maximum warmth and are rated to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Photo: Beyond Clothing
If it’s going to be a cold snowshoeing day, like sub-zero cold, then the Guide Gloves by Beyond Clothing is the way to go. These all-leather gloves offer maximum warmth and are rated to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Guide Gloves are lined with a wool blend of lightweight insulated PrimaLoft Gold insulation. The PrimaLoft retains its insulation properties even if it gets wet. The glove does not include leashes but does have carabiner loops and an adjustable velcro wrist cuff that locks the gloves in place. The fingers on the Guide Gloves are also compatible with touchscreen devices so you don’t have to remove your gloves to use your phone or camera. It also has a knuckle guard, which helps with durability.
A fantastic feature is a suede nose wipe on the thumb, so when your nose is running in the cold you can wipe it off easily. Being all leather, you do need to treat these gloves before taking them out. Fortunately, Beyond makes that easy with their line of Bee Balm. The Bee Balm, which smells great, is to help waterproof the leather on the glove.
The Guide Glove comes in either black or timber and costs $135.
Read More: Winter Clothing Tips From a Snowshoe Guide
Give’r – Frontier Mittens
The Frontier Mittens are not only warm, but they are also tough. Photo: Give’r
Sometimes mittens are the way to go. While they may not offer the same dexterity, what you lose in grip you can gain in warmth. The Give’r Frontier Mittens are about as warm as you can get on a cold day snowshoeing.
The Give’r Mitts were created through a crowdfunding effort, and have grown in popularity over the years. These mitts are designed with 100 percent cowhide leather, including a water membrane. The mittens include a reflective heat shield on the front of the hand for warmth retention and a 380 gram Thinsulate insulation system. Not only are the gloves warm, but they are also tough.
The Give’r Frontier Mittens are $128.
Read More: Covering the Extremities: Prepare for the Snowshoeing Season
Shop Frontier Mittens at Give'r
Smartwool – Merino 250 Glove
The Merino 250 gloves are extremely soft, comfortable, and great for spring days. Photo: REI
Smartwool, perhaps best known for their socks, released these new Merino 250 gloves that are great for snowshoeing on warmer days this spring.
Being composed of 100 percent merino wool, these gloves are extremely soft and comfortable. They are breathable, warm, and odor-resistant. They are also amazingly light, clocking in at a mere 1.41 ounces. The Merino 250 gloves also incorporate knit-in touchscreen compatibility on the thumb and index finger.
While these gloves may not be as warm or durable as some, they are a great lightweight option for warm spring days. You also can toss them in your pack to ensure you always have a warm dry pair of gloves waiting for you no matter what. These gloves can also double as a liner on a really cold day if needed.
The Smartwool Merino 250 gloves cost $38.
Read More: Analysis: Will Merino Wool Keep Us Warm While Snowshoeing?
Wells Lamont – Hydrahyde Working Crew Lobster Mitts
Photo: Wells Lamont
A hybrid mitten-glove, the Lobster Mitts by Wells Lamont offer a trigger finger that can assist with dexterity. Known for creating high-quality working gloves since 1907, Wells Lamont also offers a line of premier snow-gloves that are great for snowshoe excursions.
The Hydrahyde leather exterior offers a water-resistant fabric with a reinforced leather palm. With 100-grams of 3M Thinsulate insulation and a fleece-lined glove, the cold won’t be a problem here. They also include a removable ski strap, which we love.
The Hydrahyde Working Crew Lobster Mitts are $59.99.
Shop Lobster Mitts at Merino 250 Gloves at REI
Dakine – Baron Gore-Tex Mitt
Photo: Dakine
This year at the Outdoor Retailer Snow Show in Denver, Dakine showcased a wall of gloves with some new offerings for the 2022 season. One of the standouts is the Dakine Baron Gore-Tex Mitt.
The stout leather mitten includes a full Gore-Tex insert with Gore Grip technology. The insulation is Primaloft and a soft wool liner. While being a mitt, it still offers some dexterity with a four-way stretch exterior. So even though you may lose some of the movement of a glove, the Baron enables you to adjust snowshoe buckles and boots.
The mitt is composed of 52 percent goat leather, 25 percent polyester, 19 percent polyamide, and 4 percent elastane. It has an elastic cuff and does include a detachable wrist leash, which can be nice to have.
The Baron Gore-Tex Mitt costs $120.
Shop Baron Gore-Tex Mitt at Dakine
Have you worn any of these gloves for snowshoeing? Which is your favorite? What other glove recommendations do you have? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Read Next: Snowshoeing Dress Code: Tips for What Clothing To Wear
I like the Eastern Mountain Sports Ascent Summit gloves and the EMS Mercury gloves. The Mercury gloves are lightly insulated with 133g PrimaLoft Silver and are better for milder temps, though I regularly wear them down to maybe 5F without my hands becoming more than slightly chilled (usually the thumbs.) They’re just over wrist length, long enough to pull your jacket cuffs over them, and are very breathable with a light DWR. Rain or wet snow will soak through pretty quickly.
The Ascent Summit gloves are fully waterproof winter sports gloves, with 170g PrimaLoft Silver insulation, elastic gathering at the wrists, gauntlet cuffs with elastic drawcords, leashes, and hang loops on the middle fingers. When active my hands are comfortable in below-zero F temps.
Thank you so much for sharing these glove recommendations, Phil! I am unfamiliar with EMS’s Ascent Summit and Mercury gloves, but both models are also available in women’s. I’ve added them to my list to try, and I am excited to check them out. Thanks again, and here’s to a tremendous snowshoeing season! – Susan, Snowshoe Mag Editor