Greatest Winter Mittens of 2023

We spend a lot of time outdoors testing gear. And if we’ve learned one thing over the years, it’s that being cold can quickly ruin any adventure. This is where having the best winter mittens comes into play.

When wearing mittens, you’ll sacrifice a bit of dexterity for cozy digits, but that’s the price of warmth in the rock-bottom cold months of the year. And if it means having a good time outside all winter long, then it’s a price we’re willing to pay.

While this list doesn’t cover every mitten ever made, suffice it to say we’ve been thorough in narrowing it down to our favorites. These are the mittens we can’t stop raving about — the ones we recommend and rely on all winter long.

At the end of our list, be sure to check out our buyer’s guide. And if you still have questions, take a look at our list of frequently asked questions.

Jump to our top picks or explore our full recommendations below. To compare over a dozen mitts in one place, check out our comparison chart.

The Best Winter Mittens of 2023

Best of the Rest

Winter Mittens Comparison Table

Why You Should Trust Us

The GearJunkie team is made up of skiers, snowboarders, and lots of folks who simply live in cold, wintery regions. We’ve tested mittens through frigid Minnesota winters, during cold Colorado outings, and while traveling across North America in search of snow-laden adventures. We regularly hike, bike, ski, board, and camp in these mittens. We’ve even had a few snowball fights and an epic snow angel competition for good measure.

While assessing the quality of a pair of gloves or mittens, we consider warmth, waterproofing, durability, comfort, fit, versatility, style, and overall value. We make an effort to test every pair of gloves in a variety of conditions over many days of field testing. Once a year, the whole team gets together to ski for a week and compare notes on our favorite products. This roundup is a living document — whenever a new pair of mittens earns a spot, we’ll update the list.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Winter Mittens

Cold Temperature

Winter can mean a lot of things — specifically, a range of temperatures. Especially in higher alpine environments with more extreme winds or places with humidity, temperatures can fluctuate and drop wildly. Thankfully, mittens are a time-tested, perfect solution to extreme colds.

If you know your body runs warmer or colder, consider that when buying winter mittens. If you struggle with keeping warmth in your extremities, you may also want mitts with a higher weight or down-fill insulation, or a thicker shell. You might also consider a multi-layer system like the Dakine Diablo Gore-Tex Mitten, which has a shell, down insulation, and a liner. If your fingers are usually pretty warm, other options are more simplified, like the Stio Hardscrabble.

Down or Synthetic?

Down mittens are a popular option for skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. However, down loses its insulating powers when wet. Synthetic insulation, however, insulates better when wet and dries a lot faster. For damp climates especially, consider synthetic. The Dakine Diablo Gore-Tex Mitten is a unique mitt that combines both synthetic and down insulation.

If you are going to be using mittens for higher-intensity sports like skiing and snowboarding, also consider durability and waterproofing. For sports like these and mountaineering pursuits, you’ll want mitts with longer cuffs like the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt.

Waterproofing

Many of the mittens on this list claim to be waterproof. Typically, a “waterproof” mitten is constructed with a layer of breathable membrane such as GORE-TEX. This layer is designed to keep moisture from reaching the inside of the glove and also allow moisture from the hands to evaporate out.

While some of these membranes work quite well, they aren’t completely impervious to water. If your mittens become completely saturated in a heavy rainstorm, your hands will probably get wet underneath.

If you’re seeking the highest level of waterproofing mittens can offer, be sure to select a style with a GORE-TEX (or similar brand) membrane, like the Outdoor Research Alti II Mitten. All leather options, like the Give’r Frontier Mittens or the Flylow Oven Mitts, won’t provide full waterproofing, but with an additional wax coating, you’ll get pretty close.

Size & Dexterity

Most brands will now list the exact measurements of their mittens, specifically the length of the palm. We recommend starting with your usual glove or mitt size, but always double-check any mitt’s specific sizing chart.

Mitts have lots of pros — namely, providing warmth better than gloves — but they do go down a notch in the functionality department.

When shopping for mittens, we always like to look for and invest in ones with touch compatibility (so you don’t have to remove them to check your phone), as well as textured palms for grip and durability. The GORE Wear Thermo Split Gloves are well designed to be able to access your phone while on a ride.

Finally, it’s a good idea to invest in a pair of liner gloves. These can pair with mittens or even function on their own on warmer but still wintry days. Keep in mind that some pairs already come with removable liners, like the Black Diamond Mercury Mitt and the Dakine Diablo. 

Mitten Care 101: How to Wash Mittens

First off, it’s important to note that mittens rarely need washing, so don’t go throwing them in your weekly laundry pile. That said, there are times when a filthy glove needs cleaning, or a worn-out mitt needs a bit of love. Here are three mitten care tips:

1. 1. Spot clean. Skip the full wash whenever possible and opt for a spot clean. Wipe down with mild soap and water. Allow to air dry.
   2. Remove liner. If your mittens have separate liners, remove them and wash them as needed. If the entire mitten absolutely needs a thorough washing, use a tech-specific wash like Granger’s Performance Wash on the delicate cycle. Lay flat to dry.
   3. Condition leather (if applicable). Leather can be a great waterproof material, but it needs proper care and attention. First, rub down the mitten with a damp cloth to remove any grit. Next, massage a leather wax like Sno-Seal into the leather. Allow to air dry at room temperature overnight. Use a soft cloth to remove any extra wax, and get ready to enjoy your supple, waterproof mittens.

FAQ