Thursday, January 31, 2019

Best Hiking Gloves of 2018

There’s nothing worse than hiking with cold fingers. Whether you like to hike in the middle of the winter or an early autumn morning, hiking gloves are a worthwhile addition to your hiking wardrobe. You never know when the weather can turn chilly and you don’t want to end up exposed to the elements. The best hiking gloves will keep your hands warm on even the coldest day on the trail.

There is a wide variety of glove styles and warmth levels available on the market. Just like with layering hiking clothing, it’s important to layer your gloves. Most people will opt to carry a lightweight or fleece liner glove and waterproof rain gloves to layer over the liners as needed. For winter hiking it’s best to choose a glove designed for the winter elements.

For more of our top hiking gear recommendations, check out these popular articles: 

TentsHammocks | Bivy Sacks | Tarps

Sleeping Bags |  Sleeping Pads | Stoves

Backpacks | GPS | Headlamps | PolesWatches

Boots | Shoes | Sandals | Pants | Shorts

Base Layers | Fleeces | Down Jackets | Rain Jackets

QUICK ANSWER – THE BEST HIKING GLOVES

1. OUTDOOR RESEARCH ALTI 

2. BLACK DIAMOND SOLOIST 

3. SEALSKINZ ALL SEASON  

4. THE NORTH FACE TKA 100

5. REI MERINO WOOL LINER GLOVES 

6. BLACK DIAMOND WINDWEIGHT 

7. THE NORTH FACE ETIP

COMPARISON TABLE – THE BEST HIKING GLOVES

PICTURE
GLOVES
BEST FOR
MATERIAL
PRICE
RATING
PICTURE
GLOVES
BEST FOR
MATERIAL
PRICE
RATING
Outdoor Research Alti Gloves
Winter
Nylon, Gore-Tex Inserts / PrimaLoft liner
$$$
4.5
Black Diamond Soloist
Winter
Waterproof Shell / PrimaLoft liner
$$
4.5
SealSkinz All Season
Wet Conditions
Polyester / Spandex
$
4.0
The North Face TKA
Liners
Polyester Microfleece
$
4.7
REI Merino wool liner gloves
REI Merino Wool Gloves
Liners
Merino Wool
$
3.3
Black Diamond Windweight Mittens
Mittens
Polartec Fleece / Pittards Suede
$
4.5
The North Face Etip Gloves
Women
Polyester
$
4.6

HIKING GLOVES REVIEWS

OUTDOOR RESEARCH ALTI GLOVES

Check out the latest price on:Amazon | REI

MATERIALS: 100% Nylon with Gore-Tex inserts and PrimaLoft liner

FEATURES: Waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex inserts, removable liner, non-bulky PrimaLoft One insulation, removable wrist cords

PROS: Warm and durable

CONS: Expensive

BLACK DIAMOND SOLOIST GLOVES

Check out the latest price on:Amazon | Backcountry

MATERIAL: 100% Nylon two-layer waterproof breathable laminate with removable polyester liner

FEATURES: Kevlar-reinforced goat leather palms, Pertex shell, removable line with PrimaLoft insulation

PROS: Great warmth and dexterity

CONS: Only available in unisex sizes

SEALSKINZ ALL SEASON GLOVES

Check out the latest price on:Amazon | Backcountry

MATERIAL: 87% polyester and 13% spandex shell with leather palm

FEATURES: Three-layer waterproof, breathable and windproof membrane, thumb and index finger is touch-screen compatible, hook-and-loop closure

PROS: Good quality

CONS: Run small

THE NORTH FACE TKA 100 GLOVES

Check out the latest price on:Amazon | Backcountry

MATERIAL: Polyester microfleece

FEATURES: Five Dimensional Fit, Radiometric Articulation, fully flat-lock palm

PROS: Lightweight for cool mornings or a perfect glove liner

CONS: Not for wet conditions

REI MERINO WOOL LINER GLOVES

REI Merino wool liner gloves

Check out the latest price on:REI

MATERIAL: Merino Wool

FEATURES: Naturally odor-resistant, minimal seaming, cord pull loop

PROS: Lightweight and breathable

CONS: Fabric dye may run after washing

BLACK DIAMOND WINDWEIGHT MITTENS

Check out the latest price on:Amazon | REI

MATERIAL: Polartec fleece with Pittards suede

FEATURES: Pittards suede palm patches, fold-back flap with magnetic closure to convert mitten to ¾ fingerless gloves

PROS: Converts from mitten to gloves

CONS: Not made for wet conditions

THE NORTH FACE ETIP GLOVES

Check out the latest price on:Amazon | REI

MATERIAL: Polyester

FEATURES: Women-specific 5 Dimensional Fit, touch-screen compatible, silicon grip pattern on palm, Radiametric Articulation

PROS: Excellent 3-season women specific glove

CONS: Not great for extreme cold weather

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST HIKING GLOVES

STYLE

Gloves come in different styles. It’s up to you to determine what works best for you. Some people love mittens while others like lobster gloves. Lobster gloves are three finger gloves that are typically used by cyclists, but some people find them comfortable for skiing and hiking. Most hikers will opt for the traditional five-finger design.

It is also important to note that most gloves are unisex. Depending on the brand, you might need to size up or down depending on your hand size. Women might find that unisex gloves often fit like a men’s glove. There are very few women-specific gloves available on the market.

WARMTH

Gloves come in many different materials and warmth. Fleece gloves are a great baselayer glove or a lightweight glove for cool summer or autumn mornings. Rain or winter hiking gloves are constructed of water resistant or waterproof materials that keep your fingers dry.

Winter hiking gloves are typically designed with an internal three-layer insulation system that entraps body-warmed air to keep your hands warm. Winter hiking gloves have a waterproof but breathable shell that provides weather protection and durability. The lining helps wick away moisture from the skin to reduce conductive heat loss. Some glove liners are removable while others are not.

If you are looking for even more warmth, consider getting some hand warmers before hitting the trail.

FEATURES

Most gloves are pretty basic, but some do have fancy features like removable layers, single-pull adjustable system, carabiner loops, and even a designated nose wipe area. Most people prefer touch screen compatible gloves, which make using smartphones easier. Most glove liners are designed with this technology. If touch screen compatibility is important to you, it’s best to try the glove out to ensure it works with your screen.

DURABILITY

It’s essential to choose a durable glove that will last for years. You don’t want to purchase a cheap pair of gloves that will just rip on the first branch you grab or leave your fingertips freezing after the first dip in temperature. Choose a quality pair constructed made from durable materials with seam-lock stitching.

If you tend to hike in wet or snowy conditions, you will probably want a glove with a durable palm for grip. Many rain gloves or outer glove shells will have palms constructed of leather or silicone to improve gripping strength and power.

LAYERING

Just like cold weather hiking clothes, you should layer your gloves for the conditions. Most winter hiking gloves are designed with a removable liner that can be worn as a system or alone in the warmer weather. However, you can always design your own system with a simple fleece liner and a waterproof glove.

Top 10 Best Hiking Gloves – Hiking Clothes for Summer, Winter, Fall and Spring – Hiking Outfits for Women, Men and Kids – Backpacking Gear For Beginners

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