The Best Running Gloves Will Keep Your Hands Warm for Miles
January 22, 2025
You might not think much about your hands when running. But if you forget to cover them up when temps dip below 40 degrees, they can quickly become a problem. “In cold weather, your body’s trying to maintain that core warmth, so a lot of the blood flow is going to your core—a little bit less to your hands,” Mohammad Saad, DPT, a physical therapist at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, tells SELF.
A good pair of running gloves will give you an added layer of warmth to make up for that lack of circulation, keeping you a whole lot more comfortable and ensuring you’ll still have enough feeling in your fingers to rip open gels or stop your running watch. But there’s a wide range of options out there, from thin, knit pairs you might get at races to super-insulated mittens that can see you through arctic temps.
To find the best running gloves, SELF interviewed running coaches and physical therapists to get their recommendations and insights on what to look for in a good pair. We also wore several gloves in cold weather ourselves to see how they actually hold up. Here’s what to know if you’re on the hunt for your new favorite pair.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: The North Face Etip Recycled Gloves
- Best Lightweight: Lululemon Fast and Free Rulu Running Gloves
- Softest Material: Tracksmith Inverno Gloves
- Best Merino Wool: Smartwool Active Fleece Gloves
- Best Midweight: Rabbit Tech Gloves
- Best Value: New Balance Lightweight Running Glove
- Best Hybrid: Black Diamond Deploy Wind Hood Gloves
- Best Windproof: Brooks Draft Hybrid Glove
- Best Mittens: Trailheads Convertible Zip Mitts
- Best Touchscreen Mittens: Saucony Hurricane Mitt
How to choose the best running gloves
Most activewear companies that cater to runners sell running gloves, so there are lots of options to choose from. Keep these three things in mind when you’re considering your options.
For running, it’s best to choose moisture-wicking materials that provide warm insulation without being too bulky. “Sweating can be dangerous when you’re running in the winter,” Gonzales says, since your skin loses heat faster when it’s wet. Synthetic fabrics like polyester are a good pick—or, if you want to go the natural route, look for Merino wool, she suggests.
Many running gloves offer a few design details that can come in handy when you’re on the move. If you plan to use your phone or track your miles with a smartwatch that has a touchscreen, choose gloves that have compatible tips at least on the thumb and index finger. Nurse and Saad both add that it’s helpful to have some reflective details if you plan to run after dark (although these elements are typically pretty minimal on gloves, so you might want to pair them with some high-visibility clothing). Many gloves also have silicone grips on the palms, fingers, or both to help you securely grab your phone or rip open that gel mid-stride.
The amount of insulation in running gloves can vary, so be sure to choose options that work for the climate you’ll be running in. Lightweight or liner gloves that offer some breathability are best for mild conditions. When it dips into the 20s or teens, you might want a thicker, midweight option. For more brutal winter weather, consider a mitten, which will trap your body heat better than gloves can, Dr. Saad says.
There are also hybrid glove/mitten options that can be helpful if you warm up over the course of a run, or when you’re heading on a trail run where conditions are likely to change mid-way through.
Frequently asked questions about running gloves
Why is it important to keep your hands warm while running?
In short, it can help keep them healthy—and much more comfortable. Sub-freezing temps can lead to debilitating pain and may even cause nerve damage in extreme cases, Dr. Saad says. Even if conditions outside aren’t quite that dire, “having a pair of gloves keeps you from shivering and losing energy,” Boston-based running coach Amanda Nurse tells SELF.
How do you find the right glove size?
Most companies offer a size chart with instructions on how to measure your hand. Some fit gloves based on the circumference around your knuckles, while others are based on the length of your hand from the edge of your wrist to the tip of your middle finger. Some brands tell you to measure both; in that case, go with the larger of those two measurements to make sure you’ve got enough room.
Merino wool is a great fabric for running clothes because it’s temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant. Nurse highly recommends Merino wool because “they create a great amount of warmth, but also they’re very breathable.”
Which running gloves provide the best warmth and breathability?
Shop the best running gloves
No matter how bad it gets out there, you can keep your fingers from freezing by slipping on these gloves and mittens.
Best Overall: The North Face Etip Recycled Gloves
The North Face
Etip Recycled Gloves
Pros
- All five fingers are touchscreen-compatible
- Grippy dots on palm and fingers
- Easily snap together when you take them off
- Made with recycled materials
Cons
- Inner stitching can feel itchy
This midweight pair of gloves from The North Face is decked out: All five fingers are touchscreen-compatible (and actually worked well during testing). Grippy dots along the palm and fingers make it easy to grab a zipper or a credit card while you’re on the go. After your run, the pairing clip allows you to easily snap both gloves together, so you won’t lose one.
Rather than a unisex fit, the men’s and women’s versions fit differently, which our tester loved—the material actually wrapped around her fingers properly and fit, well, like a glove. The only red flag? There’s some scratchy inner stitching that doesn’t feel great when you’re slipping them on. Once the gloves are in place though, it didn’t bother our tester or cause any chafing on her run.
Materials: Recycled polyester, elastane double-knit fleece | Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: 4
Best Lightweight: lululemon Fast and Free Rulu Running Gloves
Lululemon
Fast and Free Rulu Running Gloves
Pros
- Soft brushed fleece inside
- Clip together
- Grippy silicone on palms
- Screen-friendly fingertips
Cons
- Don’t cover much of the wrist, according to Lululemon reviewers
Most running gloves look pretty darn plain, but you can count on Lululemon to make them a bit more stylish. A heathered grey and black colorway, curvy reflective design on the back of the hand, and grippy dotted print on the palms and fingers zhuzh up this basic accessory.
“They’ve always been a favorite of mine,” Nurse says. “They’re just very comfortable and have a nice little stretch to them. My fingers aren’t stiff or uncomfortable in them.” Lululemon’s Rulu fleece is known for being soft, stretchy, and sweat-wicking—a.k.a. ideal for running. Although some reviewers report that they’re a bit short on the wrist (and Nurse warns they’re not super warm), these gloves are great for runs when you want some lightweight, but still screen-friendly, coverage.
Materials: Recycled polyester, elastane, recycled nylon, Lycra elastane | Sizes: XS–L | Colors: 1
Softest Material: Tracksmith Inverno Gloves
Pros
- Super soft, flexible fabric
- Touchscreen pads on index finger and thumb
- Extra-velvety brushed material along thumb and index finger
- Very durable
Cons
- No grips
- Only available in two sizes
Fan favorite running brand Tracksmith has a reputation for making high-quality products that resonate with runners—including the not-so-glamorous parts of the sport. Think: All the snot that comes with logging cold, dry winter miles. Tracksmith’s lightweight Inverno Gloves feature super soft brushed material along the thumb and index finger that’s specifically designed for nose wipes. It’s a genius little detail that means your skin won’t get irritated, even when your nose won’t stop running. And yes, they wash up without any problems afterwards (although we’ve always followed the brand’s rec to let them air dry).
Our tester has had an old pair that’s now seen her through four New England winters, and they still don’t show any signs of wear. “The stretchy knit fabric fits so snugly and easily on my hands that I almost forget I’m wearing gloves,” she says. Despite how lightweight they are, she says they keep her hands warm and happy, even when temps dip down into the teens.
Materials: Polyester, elastane | Sizes: S/M, L/XL | Colors: 3
Best Merino Wool: Smartwool Active Fleece Gloves
Smartwool
Active Fleece Gloves
Pros
- Lightweight but warm
- Feel super soft against your skin
- Silicone grips cover entire palm and insides of all fingers
- Responsive touchscreen pads on index finger and thumb
Cons
- Smartwool reviewers say they run small
- May not be warm enough for very cold weather
The soft Merino wool that lines the inside of these gloves keeps your hands surprisingly warm, even though they’re on the thinner side. Nurse says they’re ideal for harder workouts in the 20s or 30s “if you want your hands to be nice and warm, but not sweaty and gross—they’re a perfect weight.”
On the outside, recycled polyester helps keep the winter weather from creeping inside. During testing, we even found it kept our hands dry in the snow. But when conditions got especially chilly (in the low 20s or teens), we craved something a little thicker.
Materials: Recycled polyester, merino wool, elastane | Sizes: XS–XL | Colorways: 4
Best Midweight: Rabbit Tech Gloves
Pros
- Fleece inner lining
- Touchscreen pads on index finger and thumb
- Cinching around inner wrist keeps them secure without pinching
Cons
- Material shows wear pretty easily
- Only available in two sizes
When you want to keep your hands warm, but not too warm, we suggest reaching for Rabbit’s midweight Tech Gloves. They’re just thick enough to protect against temps in the teens, 20s, and 30s, with a thin strip of elastic sewn into the inner wrist to keep the cold out. Our tester particularly appreciated that there’s thinner material between the fingers to keep them from feeling too bulky.
But what really sets these gloves apart is the fleece lining: It’s downright dreamy, delivering exactly the kind of softness we wanted during testing. The only drawback is that the material isn’t the most durable—it got a little fuzzy along the palm and fingers after just a few wears.
Materials: Polyester, spandex | Sizes: S/M, L/XL | Colors: 1
Best Value: New Balance Lightweight Running Glove
New Balance
Lightweight Running Glove
Pros
- Touchscreen pads on index finger and thumb
- Grippy silicone on palms
- Stretchy, sweat-wicking fabric
Cons
- Thin and not super durable, according to Amazon reviewers
Sure, you could pick up a bare bones pair of knit gloves for a few dollars pretty much anywhere. But for just a little more, this pair from New Balance is a far more runner-friendly option. The sweat-wicking fabric is designed to keep your hands dry (and the gloves from smelling, if you don’t wash them right away). There’s grippy silicone on your palms to help you securely hold onto your phone if you pull it out mid-run.
And, maybe most importantly, the thumb and forefinger both have touchscreen tips to let you easily swipe on your screen. Reviewers report that these gloves aren’t super warm, and that the stitching can come apart with heavy wear—but thousands still swear by them as a budget-friendly option for running in mild cold.
Materials: Polyester, spandex | Sizes: S–XL | Colors: 4
Best Hybrid: Black Diamond Deploy Wind Hood Gloves
Black Diamond
Deploy Wind Hood Gloves
Pros
- Optional wind-resistant, water-repellent hood
- Light and flexible
- Grippy pattern on palm
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Some Black Diamond reviewers wish the hood was detachable
Winter weather can be finicky, and if your running route takes you from windier to warmer patches, it can be helpful to wear gloves that are more versatile. Black Diamond’s Deploy Wind Hood Gloves fit the bill, with a thin, wind-resistant mitt that you can pull over your fingers when things get extra breezy or stow inside the cuff once you heat up.
Our tester found that this design makes a major difference, effectively blocking the wind so her hands stayed comfy in a variety of temps. Whether the hood’s on or off, all the fabric is super light, so you never feel like you’ve got too much stuff on your hands. And, like many other picks on this list, they also have silicone grips on the palms and touchscreen-friendly fingertips.
Materials: Recycled polyester, spandex | Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: 1
Best Windproof: Brooks Draft Hybrid Glove
Pros
- Attach together with a magnet
- Windproof, water resistant mitt can cover fingers or be tucked away
- Touchscreen-friendly fingertips
Cons
- Seams can rip somewhat easily, according to Brooks reviewers
