7 Of The Best Heated Gloves To Fend Off Frostbite This Winter (2024)

Drew Zieff

Contributor

Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

Hestra Power Heater Gauntlet Gloves

Materials: Flextron softshell 4-way stretch (synthetic), impregnated goat leather, Czone laminate| Insulation: G-Loft synthetic | Weight: 0.51 pounds | Heat Settings: 3 (low, medium, high)

Skiers and snowboarders are already familiar with Hestra—the Scandinavian glove guru has been crafting gloves for nearly a century, and Hestra’s products have proved their worth in brutal temperatures from the Arctic to Everest and back again. That track record is one of many reasons we selected the Power Gauntlet as our top pick for skiing and snowboarding. “If I run out of battery, or the heater malfunctions, the glove itself is well-made and packed with insulation—I trust it,” commented a Tahoe snowboarder, appreciative of the Gauntlet’s waterproof membrane, synthetic polyester insulation and durable goat leather palm.

The Gauntlet heating system includes a rechargeable battery that tucks into a wrist pocket, heating components in the backhand and each digit, and a logo button just above the wrist. “The batteries are slim enough, about the size of a floss container,” said our tester, loving the “button that’s easy to operate” even in the midst of a snowstorm. The Gauntlet sports three power settings, which help maintain battery life on extended ski trips.

Pros:

• One of the most trusted name in ski gloves
• Premium build
• Easy-to-use heating system
• Slim-ish battery

Cons:

• Price
• You may want more heat or more battery life on extremely cold days

Outdoor Research Prevail Heated Gore-Tex Mittens

Materials: polyester, nylon, goat leather, Gore-Tex, EnduraLoft polyester, polyester fleece | Insulation: EnduraLoft synthetic | Weight: 0.66 pounds | Heat Settings: 3 (low, medium, high)

If your hands run cold, mitts are usually a better call—you lose the dexterity of gloves, but your fingers can generate heat and warm each other up. If mitts up your alley, check out Outdoor Research’s Prevail Heated Gore-Tex Mitts.

Waterproofing is top-notch, as the Prevail sports an industry-leading Gore-Tex waterproof membrane that’s also breathable. Goat leather on the palm, fingers and thumb adds durability and grip. Additional features, like a retention loop, cinch-able wrist gaiter and separate pocket for the battery will earn extra kudos from skiers and snowboarders.

Even without the heating system, the Prevail is warm, with a cozy, fleecy polyester lining and EnduraLoft insulation. The ALTIHeat system, however, uses lithium-ion batteries and heating componentry integrated into the lining itself to provide evenly distributed heat without limiting range of motion (unlike some of the more cumbersome wire options).

While customers report that the mitts are extremely warm even when the heating system isn’t firing, several noted that the batteries don’t last a full day of skiing. If you’re going to be riding bell to bell, you’ll either want to bring an extra pair of batteries, or be strategic with when and how you burn through heat.

Pros:

• Warm
• Waterproof Gore-Tex membrane can handle wet snow storms in the Pacific Northwest
• Top-notch features
• Trustworthy outdoor brand

Cons:

• Some complaints regarding battery life
• Pricey

Sealskinz Upwell Gloves

Materials: Polyurethane, leather, polyester, elastane, aluminum | Insulation: Primaloft Gold synthetic | Heat Settings: 3 (low, medium, high)

If rain, sleet and snow won’t stop you from hopping into the saddle, Sealskinz’s Upwell gloves are for you. Perfect for gray and stormy gravel rides, rainy road adventures and below-freezing fat-biking, these slim yet warm gloves sport the waterproof exterior we expect from Sealskinz. If you’re unfamiliar with the brand, these UK waterproof specialists are outfitters of the British Army, and they’ve gained a cult following for their startlingly waterproof socks, gloves and accessories.

The Upwell also includes a goatskin palm to help you grip the handlebars, and reflective detailing for after-dark rides—a helpful addition as the days get chillier and shorter. It isn’t as toasty as some of the other heavier, ski-specific options in this guide, but it does sport a thin layer of Primaloft Gold insulation to boost warmth in case you outride the six hours of battery life. Lastly, the heated glove sports three heat settings and a high-vis, easy-to-use on-off button on the back of the palm.

Pros:

• Purpose-built for cycling, but can come in handy during other activities
• Waterproof exterior

Cons:

• Not as warm as other options
• Battery life isn’t anything special

Outdoor Research Sureshot Heated Softshell Gloves

Materials: Nylon, spandex, synthetic leather, polyester fleece | Insulation: EnduraLoft 100% polyester 100G | Heat Settings: 3 (low, medium, high)

If you’re looking for a dexterous glove, maybe for hiking, nordic skiing or just walking the dog, Outdoor Research’s SureShot Heated Softshell Gloves are worth considering. While the SureShot is not waterproof like its hardshell cousins, this slim, stretchy glove sandwiches a light layer of EnduraLoft insulation between a soft, nylon-heavy spandex blend exterior and a comfy polyester-based lining. The result is wind-resistant and water-resistant, breathable and wearable, making it ideal for high-output activities and leisurely use alike.

Compared to many of the warmer, heavier and bulkier gloves in this guide, the cut of the SureShot is exceptionally slim—this glove feels a bit like a hybrid between a liner and a heated ski glove. Outdoor enthusiasts who value dexterity, like hunters and backcountry skiers, will love the range of motion at hand. The same can be said for professional photographers—and amateur ones, too: The touchscreen-friendly fingertips make yanking out your phone to snap a pic a painless affair.But while the glove is undoubtedly slender and nimble, OR doesn’t skimp on heat. The SureShot shares the same ALTIHeat system as the heavier-duty Prevail Mitt, and OR added a heating element that cradles the fingertips, directing maximum heat to a common source of chill.

Pros:

• Dexterous
• Slim profile
• Breathable

Cons:

• Not fully waterproof
• Not the warmest option

Ororo Heated Gloves

Materials: Water-resistant shell, silica gel palm | Insulation: Thinsulate | Heat Settings: 3 (low, medium, high)

We love a three-in-one glove—meaning a glove that includes both a liner and outer shell—like these Ororo Heated Gloves. Having separate components allows you to better adapt to conditions:

• If it’s excruciatingly cold, use both the heated liner and waterproof shell for maximum warmth.
• If it’s getting warm or you’re moving fast, ditch the waterproof shell and stick to the liners.
• If your liners get soaked from playing in the snow, you can even ditch the liners and just use the shell.

Both the Ororo’s liners and waterproof shell are touchscreen-friendly. However, some customers report that when both the 3M Thinsulate-insulated shell and liner are used, the combined glove restricts range of motion.

The heat system runs on a pair of rechargeable 7.4V batteries that tuck into a liner pocket, and the heating element wraps around the outline of the glove, directing heat to oft-frostbitten fingertips. Ororo claims the battery runs up to eight hours, although some customers have reported battery life is less than advertised.

Pros:

• Versatile three-in-one style
• Liner can be used with other gloves and mittens
• Affordable

Cons:

• Runs on the small side
• Some customers report battery life is lacking
• Bulky when using both liner and insulated shell

Material: Lycra, elastane | Insulation: None | Heat Settings: 3 (low, medium, high)

Heated liners, like this affordable option from Day Wolf, are practical and versatile (assuming they don’t malfunction). You can use them solo for dog walks and strolls around town, or even running, hiking and cross-country skiing. Plus, if you already have ski or snowboard shell gloves that you like, you can swap out existing liners for this heated option for extra warmth on the hill.

The gloves themselves are stretchy and comfortable—to be expected from a polyester-and-lycra fabric blend.Like most of the gloves in this guide, the Day Wolf has three heat settings, and the battery lasts around six hours at the lowest output. The heating element zig-zags along the back of the hand, then wraps around the outline of the glove, distributing heat to the fingertips and along both sides of each digit. While many customers swear by these gloves, a few have reported that the palms can get relatively cold, as this zone is bypassed by the heating element. We’ve also read reviews from customers complaining about weak, insufficient heat, and, in rare instances, burns from the battery. Lastly, it sounds like Day Wolf has unreliable customer service, so take that into consideration before purchase.

If you’re looking for a more premium liner from a more trusted brand and don’t care how much it costs, check out this heated option from Hestra.

Pros:

• Liner design is versatile—use it solo or with your favorite shell gloves
• If you use it with shell gloves you already own, this is a cheaper option than our favorite ski gloves, which cost over 3x as much
• Flexible, stretchy and comfortable

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with a shell glove, so it’s not waterproof
• Customer reports of a weak heating system, cold palms and burns

Materials: Leather, cotton, polyester | Heat Settings: 3 (low, medium, high)

Finding a pair of heated gloves for under $150 that are trustworthy and warm enough for mid-winter is almost impossible. But if you’re bargain hunting, this popular, well-reviewed pick from Savior Heat might just be your best bet. Savior has been developing heated gloves since 2010, and this model sports leather palms, a water-resistant exterior, warm, velvety lining and a heating grid that wraps around the back of the hand and fingers.

The Savior Heat Heated Gloves come with two 2,200mAh batteries, and battery life is purportedly eight hours at minimum output. Much like its pricier competition, these gloves sport three output settings. And while the gloves are on the cheaper side for heated gloves, Savior backs this budget pick with a one-year quality assurance clause.

Pros:

• Price
• Savior Heat has a semi-decent reputation

Cons:

• Cheap, flimsy materials
• Not very warm if the battery dies