Feature image credit: CSG Gloves
We spend a lot of time outdoors testing gear, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s that being cold can quickly ruin any adventure.
And this is where cold protective gear comes into play.
Now, if you’re heading into especially frigid terrain or sub-zero temperatures, and your main concern is keeping your hands warm, a pair of regular gloves wouldn’t suffice.
Instead, you need a pair of the warmest mittens.
Mittens, unlike gloves, are specially constructed for more thermal efficiency and hence, an ideal option when temperatures drop below 10 degrees F.
Contrary to the traditional glove, they don’t have individual finger opening, save for the thumb.
This makes the mittens have better heat insulation because your fingers generate more heat when they’re placed together without any separation of fabric.
On the flip side, however, mittens aren’t as dexterous as the traditional gloves, but unless you’re performing tasks requiring fine motor skills, they still serve the purpose.
For instance, I usually don’t have any issue holding my ski pole, my snowboard, or even any other gear required for the winter sports activity.
Unfortunately, not all mittens are created equal.
The good news is we’ve prepared a comprehensive review of the best warmest mittens
From cold-weather adventuring to everyday use and work, we break down the top 5 warmest mittens.
Quick Comparison Table & Our Pick!
This as you would expect from us is an EPIC post so grab a coffee before you start and see how we cut through every product and review it with precision. IF YOU ARE SHORT ON TIME and just need to know the results of our reviews , CHECK THE RESULTS TABLE BELOW!
|
Product |
Shell |
Insulation |
Liner |
Gauntlet Style |
BUY NOW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hestra Army Leather Heli Classic 3-Finger |
Goat leather/ HESTRA Triton fabric |
Fiberfill |
Bemberg |
Yes |
|
| Black Diamond Mercury Mitts |
Pertex Shield |
340 g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation |
Hot Fleece |
Yes |
|
| Burton Men’s Baker 2-in-1 Under Mitten |
PU Synthetic Leather |
Thermacore |
Thermex Fleece |
Yes |
|
|
Other Great Recommendations |
|||||
| N’Ice Caps Kids Easy Winter Snow Mitten |
Synthetic |
3M Thinsulate |
No |
Yes |
|
| Outdoor Research Adrenaline |
Nylon |
266 g EnduraLoft insulation |
Fleece Liner |
Yes |
|
Top 5 Warmest Mittens in The Market for The Money
Hestra Army Leather Heli Classic 3-Finger – Editor’s Choice
Despite the generous warmth offered by mitts, I’ve to admit that they’re ungainly and often results in the awkward handling of things, especially if you’re not used to them.
The good news is, it’s still possible to achieve the warmth of the mitts without their clumsy feel with the three-fingered Hestra Army Leather.
This pair isn’t exactly a true mitt, but more like a hybrid of a traditional glove and a mitt, so you enjoy the benefits of both worlds.
Plus, they’re ultra-comfortable and durable, too.
Features and Design
Three-Fingered Design
I choose the three-finger design because I was yearning for the warmth of a mitt, but also wanted a practical solution for ice climbing.
In practice, this design works well, and when in use, the index finger does most of the tasks, so you’ll hardly feel or even notice you’re wearing a part mitt.
Better yet, the part mitt takes to shape your hand quickly, and it’s really exciting to see how these gloves begin to take the shape of your hand after a couple of uses.
Sure, while they might not be as dexterous as the traditional glove, but they’ve flexible enough to allow you to handle your gear with ease.
Expectedly, however, with the 3-finger design, expect some loss of warmth, but still, this mitt offers sufficient heat by bringing the three fingers together.
Material Construction
When it’s really cold, you’ll want your gloves to stand up to the elements, and this is exactly what Hestra Army Leather does.
On the upper hand section of this mitt, you’ll find Hestra Triton Polymide, which is designed from 100% polyamide.
The polyamide construction is durable, waterproof, and wind-resistant, meaning your hands will always stay protected from the elements.
Better yet, it’s highly breathable, and so, your hands are less likely to get wet.
On the backhand, where most of the action takes place, Hestra Glove features a goat leather construction.
Now, if you plan on using trekking poles, an ice ax or even do lots of climbing, the leather of this mitt will aid on the grip, while at the same time improving the durability in the common wear-and-tear hot spots.
Insulation
I’ve been using the Hestra Gloves for several sessions of ice climbing and have endured temperatures as low as minus 28 Celsius, and these gloves have kept me warm.
- Fiberfill Insulation plays a huge role in preserving the warmth of my hands.
Though not as effective as Down insulation, the fiberfill will still maintain adequate warmth for you to build snow caves, carving with your hands.
Better yet, they’ll still provide insulation, on off the chance they get wet.
Another bright side with the fiberfill insulation is that it gets to dry quickly and will always keep you on the go.
Liner
The inside lining on the Hestra Glove is constructed from Bemberg lining.
While the lining isn’t the most warmth-promoting option, I love the fact that it’s removable, and so, it’s easy for me to replace or even customize the lining to increase or decrease the amount of warmth you need.
Pros
- Durable leather construction
- Weather resistance
- Gauntlet-style cuffs
- Flexible
Cons
- Not as warm as full mitts
Check Hestra Army Leather Heli Price on Amazon
Black Diamond Mercury Mitts – Best Overall
Over the years, I’ve tried several gloves, but I’ve found none that keeps me warm.
But that was until, I came across the Black Diamond Mercury Mitts.
Black Diamond Mercury Mitts are a heavy-duty glove option that will keep your hands toasty, even in the most frigid temperatures.
In particular, I find them a suitable option for those with poor hand circulation and low blood pressure since they’re filled with a warm and lightweight down filler.
Moreover, they’re durable, too, and unlike most of the mitts that blow up in the area between the thumb and the index finger, these gloves hold up well.
Features and Benefits
Material Construction
Rugged and made to last, these Mercury mitts feature a four-way stretch outer shell of Pretext Shield.
The Pretext Shield softshell is abrasion-resistant, making the mitts suitable for almost any type of activity or sports outdoors in the winter.
Moving on, the palm area of the Mercury Mitts is constructed from leather, which is further reinforced with Kevlar stitching.
Generally, the overall construction of these gloves is incredible, and when paired with the excellent technology, you get a durable pair of mitts that you can depend on for many winter seasons.
Insulation-Warmth and Comfort
If you’re working or even taking your adventure into the snow, you’ve to contend with numb fingers or find something that will keep your hands from freezing in the sub-zero temperatures.
The Mercury Mitts will do the latter.
Featuring plenty of Primaloft insulation, these gloves will keep your hands warm, even in the freezing conditions.
Black Diamond rates them to minus 29 degrees Celsius, and I don’t doubt the figure for a moment.
After an hour in temperatures that felt like minus 34 degrees Celsius, my hands remained completely warm and protected from the cold.
In fact, if you’ve normal blood circulation, the Mercury Diamond Gloves might prove to be too warm for you, but for me, they were sufficiently warm enough to keep my hands warm and prevent my fingers from hurting.
Liners
If the warmth wasn’t enough, the Mercury Gloves are outrageously comfortable.
The removable liner is insulated with high-loft fleece that cradles your hands in luxurious softness.
A good thing with the liners is they feature a proprietary BDry insert that is both fairly resistant to water and repellant to snow.
This liner offers enhanced protection from weather moisture, even if you use the liner without the outer mitten section.
Dexterity
All the warmth and comfort of the Mercury Mitts come at a price.
The mitts are somewhat bulky, and though it offers a split-fingered liner design, dexterity is at a minimum.
While it’s possible to complete the basic tasks such as unzipping your coat, or holding your ski pole, anything requiring fine motor skills such as adjusting the cuff closures can prove to be a challenge.
With reduced dexterity, you’ll find yourself taking the mitts off to adjust the straps, zipper, and laces, and this is why I believe the presence of wrist leashes would be a welcome feature.
Pros
- Durable Kevlar Stitching
- Extreme warm
- Outrageous fleece lining comfort
Cons
- Less dexterous
Check Black Diamond Mercury Price on Amazon
Burton Men’s Baker 2-in-1 Under Mitten – Best Value
On the surface, the men’s Baker 2-in-1 Under Mitten might seem like just any other mitten.
However, when you look further, you’ll see that it’s a really marvelous glove that happens to love riding in the absolute crappiest conditions.
Features and Benefits
2-in-1 Design
Often, when skiing, there’s an on and off chance that temperatures get high, uncomfortable for the glove, but still not ideal for the bare hands.
When this happens, you need protective wear that will cover your hands, while at the same time providing optimal aeration and this is what you get with the Baker Under Mitten.
With this glove, you can either wear only the liner, just the outer shell, or combine both to give you the perfect solution for your cold hands.
The mittens themselves have kept my hands warm and dry even at 10 degrees F temperature without even having to use liners. Wearing both the liner and the shell will most likely offer plenty of warmth and comfort.
Another good thing with the 2-in-1 design is that it features a zippered pocket, and so, it makes it easy for me to place my hand warmer inside the glove without having to worry about it falling.
Material Construction
A durable and hard-wearing glove, this pair is designed from Burton-exclusive PU Synthetic leather.
The leather construction is further integrated with a technology that ensures the glove doesn’t undergo any wear, tear, or fraying.
On top of that, the leather shell is further bolstered with a lightweight, extra-thin, and super waterproof Dryhide Membrane 2.0.
The outer membrane is quite handy for protecting your hands from the wind and water, while at the same time removing the heat-robbing sweat.
Insulation
For the perfect use in the freezing conditions, this pair comes with a generous amount of Thermacore insulation.
The insulation here offers plenty of warmth and will keep your hands and fingers toasty even when tackling the freezing temperatures.
The good thing with the insulation is that it’s designed to offer a superior warmth-to-weight ratio, and this means it’ll provide the much-needed warm, without compromising on the overall dexterity.
Lining
As if the insulation wasn’t enough, this pair is fitted with a Thermaflex Fleece liner or rather brushed microfiber.
The liner is highly breathable, but most importantly, it has a moisture-wicking ability.
It’s soft and plush, and once you’ve them on your hands, you’ll not want to get them off.
Touchscreen-Enabled
Baker 2-in-1 Under Mitten saves you from the inconvenience of having to remove your gloves when operating a touchscreen device, thanks to the Screen Grab Toughgrip palm.
Pros
- Touchscreen-enabled
- 2-1 design
- Easy to customize heat levels
- Breathable
Cons
- Tad expensive
Check Burton Men’s Baker 2-in-1 Price on Amazon
N’Ice Caps Kids Easy Winter Snow Mitten – Best for Toddlers
Before I was gifted a bunch of joy, I knew a thing or two about cold-weather gear, but unfortunately, I found out that I knew nothing about cold-weather gear for toddlers.
While the idea of having my little one with a mitten stuffed in their little hands is exciting, I’ve to admit that finding the right little mitten for my kid felt like an epic quest.
Generally, there is an array of options to choose from, but so far, N’Ice Caps Kids has proved to be best.
Features and Benefits
Fit
As it turns out, it is usually the first thing to consider when getting a toddler glove.
Getting their cute little hands into a glove is no small feat, and keeping them on as well.
The good thing with the N’Ice Caps Kids is that it has everything for an easy and perfect fit.
Or starters, it comes with an extra-large flap that opens up extra wide, providing sufficient space for you to slip the small hands and fit them inside.
On the wrist section, you’ll also find an elastic opening, which, alongside the hook and loop closure will allow for a tight and secure fit to keep the mittens from falling off.
I found the fit-features particularly awesome for the first-time mitten wearers as well as the active kids who love playing around.
Insulation
The perfect option for the cold conditions, N’Ice Caps Kids, is fitted with several components that help to promote warmth.
Notably, however, is the presence of a 3M Thinsulate, which is often considered as the gold standard for insulation.
The 3M Thinsulate is highly effective at promoting warmth even in the cold winter temperatures, and so, it’ll be easy for your kids to have an easy and comfortable out while out in the snow.
The good thing with the insulation is that it extends from the fingers, right through the palms to the wrist section.
Another critical component of the insulation is the presence of a double-waterproof softshell that prevents the entry of water and keeps your toddler’s hands dry even in the wet, snowy, and icy conditions.
Cuff
Kids are naturally playful, and in their play, it’s easy for them to tumble on the ground, and have their mittens soak in water or ice.
With the N’Ice Caps Kids, you don’t have to worry about snow getting into their little hands, thanks to the 2.5” knitted cuff that can be tucked underneath your kid’s coat.
Grippy
The the grippy palm area and the grippers on the thumbs promote greater grip on the gloves.
This makes this pair suited for the outdoor winter activities such as building a snowman, sledding, and even learning how to ski.
Pros
- Tailored for kids
- Easy fit
- Greater comfort
- Waterproof
Cons
- No liner
Check N’Ice Caps Kids Easy Price on Amazon
Outdoor Research Adrenaline – Best Ski Mitts
The OR Adrenaline is great-value waterproof mittens with fantastic warmth, comfort, and durability.
However, they’re a budget option, and so, they sacrifice on some of the frills we had seen on other mittens on our list.
Nonetheless, they’re sufficiently warm to keep you comfy while camping even in the zero-degree weather.
Features and Benefits
Design
The outer material construction is primarily made from nylon.
While not as durable as leather, it’s hard-wearing and can stand up to plenty of abuse without wearing down.
Even better, it has better water-resistant capability than leather, and though I don’t recommend soaking it in water, it can effectively stand up to light showers, ice, and moisture.
Insulation
To keep your hands from the freezing condition, this pair of gloves offers 40 g of EnduraLoft Insulation.
Though I prefer gloves with Primaloft Insulation, I’ve to admit that this material is equally performance-oriented, and it offers adequate warmth.
Lining
To top it off, OR Adrenaline is fitted with a fleece liner that adds to the overall comfort of the mitten.
The lining is plush and soft, and even better, it has moisture-wicking abilities, so it’ll keep your hands dry.
Unfortunately, the liner is not removable, and so, you might experience some difficulties when maintaining it.
Fit
OR Adrenaline differentiates itself from other mittens with its unique finger box design.
The box design is fairly large, meaning your fingers aren’t restricted; instead, it offers enough room to wiggle your fingers as well as fit the thumb into the main finger box.
In sub-zero temperatures, however, I noticed that the palm grip material gets a bit stiff, but not uncomfortable.
Pros
- Superior fit
- Comfortable
- Warm
- Velcro straps
Cons
- Doesn’t feel premium
Check Outdoor Research Adrenaline Price on Amazon
Best Warmest Mittens Buying Guide
Mittens aren’t created equal.
What may suit you mightn’t necessarily appeal to me.
To ensure you choose the right gear, we’ve compiled an exhaustive mitten buying guide.
Hopefully, if you follow our buying guide, you choose the warmest mitten that will suit your needs.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Warmest Mittens
Insulation
The sole purpose of mittens is to keep you warm.
And so, insulation is of the essence.
Insulation is measured in grams and the higher the amount of insulation, the warmer your mitten.
Generally, we recommend choosing a mitten with at least 300 grams of insulation.
The two types of insulation are down and synthetic.
Down
Down insulation is the most popular form of insulation.
It’ a popular option because it lightweight, warm and breathable.
On the flipside, it’s a more expensive option.
The real concern with these gloves is they’re only suited for dry conditions, because they tend to become useless when they come into contact with water.
But the good thing with the down insulation gloves is they feature a protective waterproof shell that protects the insulation.
Synthetic
The synthetic insulation is relatively inexpensive than down insulation, though a bit heavier, and less warm.
The good thing with the synthetic insulation is that it dries faster than down insulation, and will still provide insulation on the off chance it gets wet.
Permeability
The next factor to consider is the permeability, and this is particularly true because you’ll be using your mittens in moist conditions.
Generally, there’re two critical components to permeability; waterproof and water resistance.
Waterproof mittens are impenetrable to water while water-resistance mittens repel water.
The perfect warmest mitten should be waterproof, and ideally made from Polar Tech or Gore-Tex
Water-resistance mittens repel water, while waterproof mittens are impenetrable to water.
Ideally, the perfect warmest mitten should be waterproof and should be made with Gore-Tex, Polar Tec, or any other DWR fabrics.
Gore-Tex
Gore-tex is the most common waterproofing material.
Gore-Tex, or its alternatively is quite handy is keeping snow, rain and sleet from penetrating through your glove.
Durable Water Repellent
DWR is a solution applied to a mitten to enhance the overall waterproofing.
Often, it’s applied on the shell gloves.
However, it wears off with time and requires re-application.
Material
The material construction often determines the strength, performance, and longevity of a glove.
Generally, the common materials for mittens are leather and synthetic (polyester, spandex, and nylon)
Leather
Leather has plenty of desirable properties including water-resistance and windproof-resistance.
Synthetics
Synthetics are inexpensive than leather, but they’re a popular option because of their dexterity and breathability.
Conclusion
When it comes to the provision of warmth, the best warm mittens are by far a more superior option than the traditional glove.
By allowing your fingers to be in close contact, a mitten will allow an efficient generation of heat.
And depending on the type of mitten, you can also pick one with a liner that you think will promote better comfort for you.
FAQs
Are mittens warmer than gloves?
In most cases, fingers that touch each other will generate a lot of heat, so mittens feel warm since the fingers are close to each other. If you choose an option for temperatures that drop less than 10 degrees, you can go for the mittens.
Are mittens easy to clean?
Mittens, just like gloves, will need cleaning, and the amount of time depends on the mode of cleaning. Luckily, you can hand wash or use a machine for cleaning the mittens.
How long will the mittens last?
Depending on the materials used while manufacturing, the mittens work for you longer. If you are a frequent user, they will serve you for several months before getting new ones.
Do mittens come with a warranty?
Yes, mittens made by reliable manufacturers will come with a warranty so that you can claim in case of defects. Additionally, the mittens will guarantee you an extended usage period.
Can I stretch my fingers with mittens?
The mittens are spacious and extended to allow easy stretching of the fingers. When you have the right size, you won’t have problems with the fingers when grabbing something.
Current Best Selling Warm Mittens!
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