There’s nothing worse than being a few miles out in the woods with frozen fingers. You normally realize way to late that you didn’t choose the right pair of waterproof gloves. Lightweight waterproof gloves should be a staple of any good hiking wardrobe. You never know when the weather is going to turn chilly and leave you exposed to the elements.
What are The Best Hiking Gloves?
1. Seirus Innovation Xtreme All Weather Waterproof Lightweight Glove
Notable Features:
- Waterproof and Breathable Design
- Soft Exterior Shell
- Sturdy and Lightweight Construction
- ToughTek Palm
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Seirus Innovations Men’s Extreme all weather glove is one of the best all around glove on the market. With it’s waterproof construction and breathable design you’ll be able to take these gloves with you anywhere. From the woods to the slopes Seirus Innovations gloves are sure to impress even the toughest outdoorsman.
2. Black Diamond Soloist Cold Weather Gloves
Notable Features:
- Extreme Weather Outdoorsman Gloves
- 100% Waterproof Dry Inserts
- Gold Insulated Removable Liner
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You would have to spend a lot of time in the cold to justify the hefty price tag of these Black Diamond Soloist Gloves. Black Diamond designed these gloves for technical alpine climbing in cold weather. Even though the gloves are seriously insulated you still have a lot of dexterity. With the removable inserts you can use these gloves from mild fall weather through the harshest of winters.
3. Tough Outdoors Winter Ski & Snowboard Gloves
Notable Features:
- Heavy Duty Skiing Gloves
- 100% Waterproof and Windproof Construction
- Sturdy Reinforced Palm and Fingers
- Fingers Move Freely
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It’s worth taking a look at a few different types of skiing gloves before your next hike. Skiing gloves are designed to keep you warm while still giving you reasonable dexterity. The weatherproof design of these gloves with 100% waterproof lining will be sure to keep your hands warm.
4. Elite Cycling Project Malmo Waterproof Winter Cycling Gloves
Notable Features:
- Waterproof and Windproof Construction
- Thinsulate Lined Thermal Insulation
- Secure Velcro Wrist Closure
- Thumb Fingertips and Palms Have Reinforced Grip
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Who says cycling gloves can only be used on a bike. Cycling gloves offer the perfect protection for almost all weather conditions. Whether it’s pouring rain or blowing wind these cycling gloves will keep your fingers warm on the next hike.
5. Carhartt Men’s W.P. Waterproof Insulated Work Glove
Notable Features:
- 100% Waterproof Material
- FastDry Technology
- Durable PolyTex Shell
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Carhartt designed its Waterproof insulated glove to last a long day on the job. With a 100% waterproof shell and insulated lining your hands will stay warm and dry on your next hiking trip. The gloves use a FastDry lining to wick away sweat and keep your hands comfortable on long hikes.
6. Mountain Made Cold Weather Genesis Gloves
Notable Features:
- Lightweight Glove For Easy Dexterity
- Quick Drying Comfort Lining
- Water Resistant
- Touch Screen Compatible
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Mountain Made gloves were designed to give you the dexterity to do any task that comes your way. Perfect for hiking, biking, shooting and everything in between. While the gloves aren’t 100% waterproof they are water resistant and use a QuickDry Comfort lining. The palms are lined with a heavy duty easy grip lining.
7. FREETOO Tactical Outdoor Gloves
Notable Features:
- Heavy Duty Gloves
- Protects against Abrasions
- Vented Design For Breathable Comfort
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Freetoo’s Tactical gloves are the perfect gloves for a cold fall day. Designed to handle everything life throws at them. The Freetoo tactical gloves will protect your hands from cuts and abrasions through tough terrain. Breathable comfort is achieved by the odor-free materials and vented design. Comfortable in both the hot summer and mild winter seasons.
8. Terra Hiker Waterproof Microfiber Winter Ski Gloves
Notable Features:
- 100% Waterproof & Windproof Construction
- Versatile Anti-Slip Design
- Warm Yet Breathable Insulation
- Dexterous Fingers
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Terra Hiker’s Waterproof winter ski gloves were designed to handle all of lifes great adventures. With it’s heavy duty waterproof design and anti-slip grip these gloves are perfect for trekking through the wilderness. The ergonomic design fits your hands snugly without cutting off flexibility and movement.
9. OZERO Water Resistant Winter Hiking Gloves
Notable Features:
- Wind and Water Resistant
- Soft Deerkskin Suede Palm
- Heatlock Thermal Layer
- Soft yet Durable
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Ozero’s Waterproof Winter Hiking gloves are surprisingly tough for the price. Designed to last through a busy work day Ozero gloves are sure to hold up on your next winter hike. Ozero chose the perfect combination of softness and durability to improve their overall comfort.
Choosing The Best Lightweight Waterproof Gloves
It really is tough to find a great pair of lightweight waterproof gloves. Most waterproof gloves are either bulky and designed for harsh winter weather or fail to meet quality waterproof standards. Luckily a few of the major manufacturers have been shifting to less extreme gloves for the average adventurer. You’ll notice that most of the truly waterproof gloves are made out of some kind of polyester blend. Unfortunately polyester isn’t the most comfortable fabric in the world so companies tend to mix it with cotton, spandex and nylon. The farther it gets away from a true polyester blend the more likely it is to retain moisture.
Choosing Your Gloves
Hiking gloves have never been seen as a huge fashion statement so unfortunately manufacturers are a bit old fashioned in their glove designs. The days of old hand sewn mittens are mostly behind us and manufacturers are finally starting to put out decent looking gloves. Choosing hiking gloves will largely come down to what exactly you are planning to do with them. What I need walking my property in the Ohio winters is going to be much different than a person down south. Your choice will mostly come down to Style, Features, Warmth and Durability.
- Style: Traditional hiking gloves should fall into a functional and lightweight category. Whether you choose an all finger design or mitten/lobster claw will largely depend on personal preference. Most people prefer the traditional fingered gloves, but some skiers and cyclists lean more towards mittens and 3 fingered lobster claws.
- Features: If there is one feature that all hiking gloves should have is some level of water resistance. Whether they are fully waterproof and simply water resistant will depend on your application. Other important features you should consider are wrist wraps and touch screen technology. While touch screen compatible gloves are convenient it isn’t entirely necessary.
- Warmth: Most hiking gloves are designed to handle the temperatures found in mid fall weather. Unless you’re a hunter or mountain climber you aren’t likely trudging through a foot of snow in the winter. If you are than you’ll want to stick to gloves that are primarily designed towards climbers and skiers.
- Durability: Hiking gloves need to be durable enough to handle occasional contact with rough bark and other forest hazards. You never know if you’ll have to climb over a downed tree or small hillside.
If you layer properly and buy a decent pair of hiking gloves you should be warm this winter hiking season.