In a recent poll, I asked what gear you wanted reviews on the most. I may have influenced you by saying best running gloves because it was something I REALLY wanted, none the less it was in the top three.
It’s such a common need because our fingers get so cold while running!
I’m amazed how many of you have therefore asked…
Should You Wear Gloves When Running?
Why the heck not. Personally, if I’m cold then my entire run is less enjoyable and I’m more likely to find a reason to cut it short.
Additionally, we know that in the winter our body will first send all heat to our core to protect our organs.
That’s why our fingers and toes can so quickly feel cold when otherwise our overall body feels ok. Keeping your hands warm is a great way to feel comfortable from early mornings to snow winter runs.
✳️BONUS TIP: Buy throw away running gloves to wear at the start of your race and while standing at the start line. When you warm up a few miles in, you can toss them without feeling bad about it!
Best Running Gloves
Running gloves for women and men are more than just a standard glove. The best ones are those that not only keep you warm enough, but not too warm and of course wicking!
- Nike Running Gloves
- Columbia Omni Heat
- Craft Hybrid Mittens
- Trailhead Mittens
- Nathan Reflective Gloves
- Outdoor Research Vigor
I’ve tried an incredible amount of pairs of gloves over the years, especially since moving to Colorado and getting in plenty of cold weather runs.
Some didn’t fit great, some were light weight, some didn’t actually work on the phone as promised and I quickly realized that water-resistant to play in the snow is NOT a feature of most running gloves.
Which is why I went in search of (and tested) what’s actually worth your money when it comes to gloves for running.
How to Choose Running Gloves?
Many of you like me probably overdress at the beginning of the season, so opt for the lightest weight on those days, but know what the way you LAYER the rest of your clothes can impact how cold your fingers feel.
- When you have a warm core, then your body has more energy to put towards warming your fingers.
- But if your core is cold, then it will pull energy and blood flow from the extremities.
Let’s breakdown what I’ve been testing!
For each running glove I’ll rate the warmth on 1-10 with 10 being the warmest gloves.
Running gloves are all designed to be wicking, which means that it pulls the moisture away from your hands and that’s super important so you don’t start to feel colder. This is why we don’t generally recommend cotton gloves, shirts or socks for runners!
Best Touchscreen Running Gloves
Touchscreen compatibility is one of the hardest to find. I’ll say that many claim it, but few that I test truly allow me to use my smartphone with my thumb or index finger (where the fabric is designed for use).
Nathan Reflective Gloves
See current pricing and colors >> ($21)
Warmth Level: 4
Oh these are such a fun glove for visibility. They have a great pattern for when not reflective, but then offer that extra bit of protection for these early morning runs.
Gloves fit well and the touchscreen actually worked for me. DID YOU SEE THAT?!
I didn’t find that feature to work on a lot of gloves I tested, so for me this is big. Because when it’s cold, but I want to snap a photo of the incredible deer running along my path, well I don’t want to pull off my gloves.
These are on the lighter side with a lot of breathability making them a good lighter option.
Smartwool Merino 150 Touchscreen
See current pricing >>
Warmth Level: 6
Running from XS to XL these are a good option to find what truly fits your hand. It’s considered one of their mid-weight gloves, so again not the top level warmth for crazy cold days, but good for most winter runs.
No more freezing fingertips to use your phone. And plenty of durability from this well known brand that knows how to use wool to keep your body warm and prevents odor.
Cold Weather Running Gloves
These aren’t the warmest, but are also probably exactly the mid-level many are looking for.
Columbia Omni Heat Gloves
See current pricing and sizes >>
Warmth Level: 6
I have a windbreaker with the Omni heat, so I was excited beyond words to test these out. Unfortunately, I ended up with gloves that were way too big and for that reason at first I wasn’t impressed (size down!).
But I took them out again on a 20 degree day and found my palms were a bit sweaty by mile 3. Not cold because of the way they’re designed, but definitely generating some heat.
The omni is like a little reflective panel inside the glove which should be reflecting the body heat you are generating back to you. Totally works with the jacket, but maybe my fingers just don’t generate heat, ha!!
Outdoor Research Vigor Heavyweight
See current pricing and sizes >>
Warmth Level: 8
This is another single layer option that is fleece lined, with great grip and for some will be more enjoyable than the way the Omni heats up via reflectivity. This will be warm from the start and the fleece wicks sweat away.
Best Women’s Running Gloves
There are a lot of options for Unisex gloves, but I often found they were just too big or way too small for my hands. I really liked these for my lightweight running options.
Nike Women’s Dri-Fit Tempo
See current pricing and fit >> ($30)
Warmth Level: 3
These have been my stage one, ok it’s starting to get chilly, gloves for a super long time. I have a couple pairs because they’ve lasted forever and well one would go missing…I’d get another pair and find them both.
I love this lightweight spandex glove because it’s just what I need for the first 2-3 miles of a lot of fall/winter runs when I’m adjusting to the temperature changes.
I know they wick away the sweat well and fold up super tight, so I can shove them in my pack or a pocket if I decide I don’t want to wear them any longer.
Lululemon Run For All
Warmth Level: 3
If you want one step up the Lululemon Run For All Gloves are lightweight, but with the additional mitten hood. These are another great spring, fall option!
Best Running Gloves for Raynaud’s
Trailheads Touchscreen Quilted Mittens
See full details here >> ($36)
Warmth Level: 9
Full on mittens are going to be the warmest option and the extended cuff prevents air from coming down through the wrists.
I can’t vouch for the touchscreen because I feel like that rarely works, but so many of you with super cold fingers told me that mittens like these were your winter running go to.
I’m a fan of this particular brand because they do shoe a lot of testing and are a budget friendly mitt. The downside for me with mittens is the lack of dexterity.
✳️BONUS: Stuff hot hands in your gloves on super cold days.
It’s a trick many friends with Raynaud’s Syndrome use and one that got me through a VERY LONG morning of filming running scenes.
Best Windy Running Gloves
✅Craft Hybrid Weather Gloves
Check price on Amazon >> ($45)
See additional colors on Craft >>
Warmth Level: 8
Not too many gloves address wind, but that’s probably my biggest issue with cold weather running. If it’s not windy, I am pretty darn happy…but it picks up and suddenly every inch of me feels a little tighter and wants to curl in to a ball.
got these at the end of last season and I was like WHY haven’t I been using a hybrid glove all along?!
Because of the mitten style, they should be warmer as keeping your fingers together is like putting your whole body in a sleeping bag, trapped heat. Additionally they have great silicone grip so I can actually hold on to that touchscreen device we’re all so connected to.
What are the Warmest Running Gloves?
The warmest running gloves will be either a full on mitten or a convertible glove with a mitten cover. It’s the same reason you can be toasty warm inside a sleeping bag while it’s cold outside, body heat.
- Merino Wool and fleece gloves are going to provide warmth while pulling away sweat
- I often double up on gloves like I would a base layer shirt
Do Running Gloves Keep You Warm?
Keeping your core covered is often the first step to helping your hands feel warm. So gloves alone, no.
They will not keep you warm on a winter run, but you might find you feel ok in shorts and still want gloves simply due to the fact that blood is shuttled to your core first.
How often do you wear gloves?
Any other gear you need recommendations on?
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Wendy
After my half on Saturday when I thought my hands were going to fall off from the cold, I am once again on the hunt for running gloves/mittens! I want it all, touchscreen functionality with a warm glove. Can it happen? Please?
Karla
For all the expensive running gloves I have purchased, my go to gloves are Costco Head gloves and love them best!
Joan Hunter Mayer
Thanks for the tip, Karla! Just found your recommendation through Costco and am going to give them a try!