The Best Gloves for Men, Tested and Reviewed
It’s only December, and my hands are freezing, and wet, and chapped, and dry. It’s time to put those woolen woven bacteria mitts to bed and buy a proper pair of gloves for the winter. The most important element in choosing one, though, is to be crystal clear about how I’ll use them.
Before we get into it: a word on sizing. You know the phrase “fits like a glove?” Gloves fit tight. That’s how they’re supposed to work, so if you’re between sizes, or have weird short pinkies like I do, think about sizing down. Leather gloves will stretch a bit, but not much. So if you’re swimming in your gloves out of the box, they’re too big. The best way to determine your size is to take a tape measure, wrap it from the base of your thumb, across your palm, and around the widest part of your hand back to where you started. My hand measures 8.5 inches, which makes me a medium, more or less.
How Did We Test Best Gloves for Men?
The most important thing to do when testing gloves is to determine ahead of time what they’re actually designed for. Don’t ask thinner touchscreen gloves to clear brush. By the same token, don’t expect your mittens to cut a particularly distinguished figure at the opera.
As I chose these five pairs, I was assessing how well they do what they do, as well as how they’d fare as an all-purpose type of glove. Which is to say, is the glove a specialist in warmth or elegance? And if so, how far can it flex into another arena?
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Snow Peak Fire Resistant 2-Layer Down Mittens
What is this glove made for?
When it comes to mittens, you’re really looking at warmth. Dexterity is out the window, unless you’re holding something crude like a ski pole, a dog leash, or a steering wheel.
How do they fare?
They’re so warm that on first wearing I had to pull them off for fear of overheating. But now that the temperature has really dropped here in Maine, I’m not concerned about that at all. These mittens only come in alpha sizing, so prepare for the fact that these gloves might not fit exactly like a glove, so to speak, though mittens always offer a little extra room by definition.
I will note that though Snow Peak does boast that these gloves are fire-resistant, I did not put them to the test. I’m not a fireman and I don’t stick my hands in fire, no matter what steezy Japanese outdoor brands may have to say about it.
Are they actually warm, though?
They are! I was initially concerned because these mittens have a flap you can open mid-palm to expose your fingers, and I was worried that cold air would get in regardless of the velcro closure. I needn’t have worried at all as these are the warmest gloves in the test set. My warmest gloves previous to this test are a pair of Hestra CZone Pointers, but I think the Snow Peaks have moved into the top spot.
Shinola + Geier Deerskin Lined Gloves
What’s this glove made for?
This glove actually works in all kinds of situations. It tips a little rugged with its faux shearling lining and sturdy deerskin leather construction, but also looks great out on the town.
How does it fare?
I think we’ve found our just-right porridge. This collab between Shinola and the Geier Glove Company — a Centralia, Washington, brand that’s been making gloves since 1927 — hits all the notes. They’re warm, sturdy, and, though not quite as refined as the Hestras, they won’t be out of place in a formal fit. They’re the gloves I keep reaching for now that I’ve spent time with all five pairs. I don’t baby them when doing household chores, taking a hike, or roughhousing with the puppy, and they still look great.
Are they warm?
Yes! From getting the car running when it’s below freezing to dog walks first thing in the morning to working in the yard, the Shinolas keep me toasty. Pair that with the fact that they look great with either a rugged Barbour or a more refined topcoat and you’ve got a glove for all seasons.
Hestra Hairsheep Pique Cashmere
What’s this glove made for?
This is a dress glove. It’s meant to be trim, elegant, and warm, but don’t expect to go jogging or win a snowball fight with these guys.
How does it fare?
Pretty damn well, actually. The classic rule of menswear is the sleeker a thing is, the more formal it is. That’s why patch pockets on your tweed blazer read as rustic or informal and jetted pockets on your tux jacket don’t. With these Hestras, sleek, clean lines carry the day. No points on the backhand (the ridged seams that extend from the fingers down toward the wrist), pique stitching at the fingers, and a very smooth grain hairsheep leather. This has become my favorite on days when it’s not truly frigid and I’m just looking for basic protection and a dash of style. The Swedish brand has been making gloves since 1936, originally making hardy gloves for lumberjacks, but anyone looking to cut a more distinguished figure will find something to like here.
Are they warm?
Somewhat. They’re not as warm as the mittens, Filsons, or Shinolas. But the cashmere lining holds heat well. The real difference is that these gloves aren’t nearly as bulky as any of those mentioned above, and that’s a big part of what makes them elegant dress gloves in the first place. So if your formal occasions require withstanding long stretches of subzero temperatures, look elsewhere. If you need something natty that can also slip into your blazer pocket without creating a sartorial tumor at your hip pocket, look here.
Filson Original Lined Goat Skin Gloves
What are these gloves made for?
In a word, work. These grade-A goatskin gloves with Merino lining are made in the USA and made to get dirty.
How did they fare?
They stood up very nicely to the hours of digging, snipping, dragging, and shearing I needed to put my garden to bed for the winter. They got wet, dirty, and roughed up pretty badly. The lining kept my hands warm, though they did eventually soak through. Not the gloves’ fault, as they’re not designed to be waterproof, but it’s a wet business mucking around in the garden. The Filsons dried out quickly, though. (Pro tip, put the cardboard tube at the center of a roll of toilet paper in gloves to dry them out thoroughly.) Once they, and I, were dry, they protected my hands as I hauled several tarp-fulls of yard waste to the dump.
Are they warm?
Yeah, they’re not bad. I don’t know that I’d take them out in the snow for extended periods, but they’re certainly nice and warm for working in the autumn. The lining is made of Merino and it’s rather plush for a rugged glove. I’ve gone out for several morning walks with temps in the 30s and these gloves do just fine.
Arc’teryx Gothic Glove
What are these gloves made for?
Reaching out. Touching hands. Touching you. Touching screen. They also work as a liner inside another pair of gloves.
How do they fare?
They fare well. Sensor pads (which just kind of feel like some synthetic leather) on the tip of the forefinger and thumb make pin-dropping, selfie-snapping, and rage-following your ex easy. Touchscreens have been known to react more slowly in the cold, so the additional friction from the finger pads go a long way here. And if you’ve been wearing the gloves as liners before pulling them out to text, they’re already warmed up. Style-wise, they’re just thin black gloves, which makes them about as neutral a pair as you can get. Truly nothing fancy from Arc’teryx here, but utilitarian.
Are they warm?
Well, not on their own. They’re quite thin, but nested inside another pair, like the Snow Peak mittens, which have a little more space in the fingers, boy do they do the trick. On their own, I wouldn’t trust them with anything more than a gentle breeze, the only heat they’re made for is furiously refreshing Slack.
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