9 Best Running Gloves from Light to Serious Warmth

When the cold, biting winds of winter or the unpredictability of transitional seasons descend upon our runs, the need for finding the best running gloves becomes paramount. They can make all the difference in how we feel and keep us heading out!

The right pair of running gloves is not just a winter accessory; it’s an essential tool in maintaining your comfort, dexterity, and safety throughout your runs, regardless of the weather.

From lightweight gloves designed for brisk autumn mornings to heavily insulated mittens meant to withstand frigid winter temperatures, we’ll help you navigate the wide array of choices.

We’ll also discuss the key features to look for in a great pair of running gloves, how to find the perfect fit, and budget-friendly considerations for all runners.

9 Best Running Gloves

Running gloves for women and men are more than just a standard glove. The best ones are those that not only keep you warm enough, but not too warm and of course wicking!

I’ve tried an incredible amount of pairs of gloves over the years, especially since moving to Colorado and getting in plenty of cold weather runs.

Some didn’t fit great, some were light weight, some didn’t actually work on the phone as promised and I quickly realized that water-resistant to play in the snow is NOT a feature of most running gloves.

Which is why I went in search of (and tested) what’s actually worth your money when it comes to gloves for running.

Below my recommendations are more on what specifically to look for and our warmth rating.

Best Touchscreen Running Gloves

Touchscreen compatibility is one of the hardest to find. I’ll say that many claim it, but few that I test truly allow me to use my smartphone with my thumb or index finger (where the fabric is designed for use).

If you’ve been wondering are merino gloves good for running, my very first recommendation is merino! Gloves for running are always going to be a bit individual, but these have become a go to for me.

✅Ibex Merino Wool ($50)

Warmth Level: 3

Pros:

• 5 unisex sizes to choose from
• touchscreen compatible
• lightweight and not bulky

Cons:

• not the warmest gloves on the list
• some customers say they run small in size

These are such great year-round gloves. Merino wool is that perfect lightweight for those chilly spring and fall mornings. It’s going to easily wick away sweat, providing just the right level of warmth.

These gloves feature a conductive material on the index finger and thumb that definitely works. I’ve worn these alot and I’m really impressed that I could fully use my phone.

A definitely winner for me. Especially because they are thin enough to also pair with another mitten when temps really drop.

The small also actually fits my hand well, even as unisex.

Nathan Reflective Gloves ($30)

Warmth Level: 4

Pros:

• reflective and super fun color
• great touchscreen
• key pocket

Cons:

• not the best for very cold weather

Oh, these are such fun gloves for visibility. They have a great pattern for when not reflective, but then offer that extra bit of protection for these early morning runs.

The gloves fit well and the touchscreen actually worked for me. DID YOU SEE THAT?!

I didn’t find that feature to work on a lot of gloves I tested so, for me, this is big. Because when it’s cold, but I want to snap a photo of the incredible deer running along my path, well I don’t want to pull off my gloves.

These are on the lighter side with a lot of breathability making them a good lighter option. Apart from the reflective details, they also feature a custom pocket you can use to stash away some cash or maybe your keys.

Plus, you can even clip a strobe light onto them to improve your visibility while running at night even more!

Best Cold Weather Running Gloves

These aren’t the warmest, but are probably exactly the mid-level many are looking for in that early Fall temperature drop or some 30 degree runs. I’m sure you’re going to find ones that are right for you:

Columbia Omni Heat Gloves ($30)

Warmth Level: 6

Pros:

• Omni-Heat reflection keeps you super warm
• moisture-wicking

Cons:

• these run big, be sure to size down

I have a windbreaker with the Omni heat, so I was excited beyond words to test these out. Unfortunately, I ended up with gloves that were way too big and for that reason, at first, I wasn’t impressed (size down!).

But I took them out again on a 20-degree day and found my palms were a bit sweaty by mile 3. Not cold because of the way they’re designed, but definitely generating some heat.

The Omni has a little reflective panel inside the glove which should be reflecting the body heat you are generating back to you. Totally works with the jacket, but maybe my fingers just don’t generate heat, ha!!

It has great ratings on Amazon, and for the ones that it works for it’s a great pair of gloves to keep you nice and warm on those colder days.

Smartwool Merino 150 Touchscreen ($30)

Warmth Level: 6

Pros:

• Merino wool is moisture-wicking, self-cleaning, and odor-resistant
• super soft
• multiple sizes available

Cons:

• not the best touchscreen capabilities

Running from XS to XL these are a good option to find what truly fits your hand. It’s considered one of their mid-weight gloves, so again not the top-level warmth for crazy cold days, but good for most winter runs.

No more freezing fingertips to use your phone. And plenty of durability from this well-known brand that knows how to use wool to keep your body warm and prevents odor.

Oiselle Super Puff Mittens ($40)

Warmth Level: 8

Pros:

• long cuffs will keep wrists warm and gloves in place
• super soft
• one of the warmest gloves you’ll find thanks to Prima Loft

Cons:

• not the best touchscreen capabilities
• can’t use your fingers (this is a struggle for me with my watch, zippers, etc.)

This recommendation comes from many of the running coaches on my team. They swear first by mittens, but second by Oiselle for these. In truly cold conditions you can easily slip on a thin pair like the Ibex above and then you’ve got serious warmth for whatever mother nature is throwing at you.

Waterproof and will cut the wind!

Best Women’s Running Gloves

There are a lot of options for Unisex gloves, but I often found they were just too big or way too small for my hands. I really liked these for my running options, and I’m sure you’re going to find the right ones here if you’ve always felt the same way:

Nike Women’s Dri-Fit Tempo ($30)

Warmth Level: 3

Pros:

• well-made and durable
• lightweight and compact
• silicone grips

Cons:

• some customers say they run small

These have been my stage one, ok it’s starting to get chilly, gloves for a super long time. I have a couple of pairs because they’ve lasted forever and well one would go missing…I’d get another pair and find them both.

This lightweight spandex glove is great because it’s just what I need for the first 2-3 miles of a lot of fall/winter runs when I’m adjusting to the temperature changes.

I know they wick away the sweat well and fold up super tight, so I can shove them in my pack or a pocket if I decide I don’t want to wear them any longer.

The Dri-Fit fabric definitely helps you stay dry and comfortable, and the mesh accents make them breathable and lightweight.

The design features articulated fingers and palms that fit really great and the silicone grips are definitely a plus on top of it all!

Lululemon Run For All ($52)

Are Lululemon gloves good for running? They do the trick! Honestly, I don’t think they release anything that hasn’t been well tested and I’ve never been let down with a purchase.

Warmth Level: 4

Pros:

• mitten hood for added warmth
• water-resistant and windproof
• silicone grips and touchscreen compatibility

Cons:

• only 2 sizes available: XS/S or M/L

If you want one step up they have options with an additional mitten hood. These are another great spring, and fall option!

They are water-repellent and made with brushed fleece fabric that’s perfect for the cold-weather runs. These gloves even come with reflective details, and include a snap clip to snap them together so you don’t lose one in your bag.

Don’t let the cold hold you back. These hooded, water-repellent gloves are made with brushed fleece fabric to help keep you warm during cold-weather runs.

They’re a great water-resistant and windproof pair of gloves with the fold-top hood that really adds convenience.

Best Running Gloves for Raynaud’s

If you’ve ever experienced numbness in your fingers due to the cold, and want the right protection for Raynaud’s, here are my top tried and tested picks for 2023-2024:

Trailheads Touchscreen Quilted Mittens ($40)

Warmth Level: 9

Pros:

• the warmest gloves on the list
• extended cuff to keep your wrists warm, too
• 200g Polartec Power Fill insulation is warm without being too bulky

Cons:

• mittens lack dexterity

Full-on mittens are going to be the warmest option and the extended cuff prevents air from coming down through the wrists.

I can’t vouch for the touchscreen because I feel like that rarely works, but so many of you with super cold fingers told me that mittens like these were your winter running go-to.

I’m a fan of this particular brand because they do a lot of testing and are a budget-friendly mitt. The downside for me with mittens is the lack of dexterity.

 BONUS: Stuff hot hands in your gloves on super cold days.

It’s a trick many friends with Raynaud’s Syndrome use and one that got me through a VERY LONG morning of filming running scenes.

Best Windy Running Gloves

If it’s windy, you know you’ll some added protection to get through your run. Here is my favorite option that I recommend you check out:

✅Craft Hybrid Weather Gloves ($39)

Warmth Level: 8

Pros:

• wind-resistant!
• 5-finger gloves with a mitten attachment keeps you super warm
• reflective print for visibility

Cons:

• not great for very cold weather

Not too many gloves address wind, but that’s probably my biggest issue with cold weather running. If it’s not windy, I am pretty darn happy…but it picks up and suddenly every inch of me feels a little tighter and wants to curl into a ball.

I got these at the end of last season, and I was like WHY haven’t I been using a hybrid glove all along?!

Because of the mitten style, they should be warmer as keeping your fingers together is like putting your whole body in a sleeping bag, trapped heat. Additionally, they have great silicone grip so I can actually hold on to that touchscreen device we’re all so connected to.

See additional colors on Craft >>

What are the Warmest Running Gloves?

The warmest running gloves will be either a full-on mitten or a convertible glove with a mitten cover. It’s the same reason you can be toasty warm inside a sleeping bag while it’s cold outside, body heat.

• Merino Wool and fleece gloves are going to provide warmth while pulling away sweat
• I often double up on gloves like I would a base-layer shirt, wearing liner gloves underneath as a base layer

Do Running Gloves Keep You Warm?

Keeping your core covered is the first step to helping your hands feel warm. So gloves alone, no.

You absolutely need to think about what layers are protecting your core because that’s what the body wants to keep warm, your organs! To do that it’s pulling blood from the extremities, which is why your fingers and toes get cold first.

They will not keep you warm on a winter run, but you might find you feel ok in shorts and still want gloves simply due to the fact that blood is shuttled to your core first.

And personally, I’m just less miserable if my fingers don’t feel like they’re going to fall off.

Should You Wear Gloves When Running?

Why not? Personally, if I’m cold then my entire run is less enjoyable and I’m more likely to find a reason to cut it short.

Additionally, we know that in the winter our body will first send all heat to our core to protect our organs.

That’s why our fingers and toes can so quickly feel cold when otherwise our overall body feels ok. Keeping your hands warm is a great way to feel comfortable from early mornings to snowy winter runs.

✳️BONUS TIP: Buy throw away running gloves to wear at the start of your race and while standing at the start line. When you warm up a few miles in, you can toss them without feeling bad about it!

What Temperature Should You Wear Running Gloves?

This is going to vary by person, just like you see some folks in shorts when it’s 20 degrees outside!

However, you may also notice those same folks are wearing gloves even if shirtless because our fingers are going to get colder than the core of our body.

Personally, if the temps are below 40 degrees I will start out with a pair of light gloves and then take them off during the run. On days where we’ve hit that 30 degree mark, you’ll seem me reaching for a warmer pair like one of the mittens.

Checkout my complete what to wear running at every temperature guide for more layering ideas!

What’s the Difference Between Gloves and Running Gloves?

The key factor is going to be material. After my recommendations I provide more specifics on what to look for, but in general we are looking for fabrics that pull moisture away from the skin or we’re looking for things to help break the wind.

How We Tested Them

Running gloves for women and men are more than just a standard glove. The best ones are those that not only keep you warm enough but not too warm and of course wicking!

I’ve tried an incredible amount of pairs of gloves over the years, especially since moving to Colorado and getting in plenty of cold weather runs.

Some didn’t fit great, some were lightweight, some didn’t actually work on the phone as promised and I quickly realized that water-resistant to play in the wet snow is NOT a feature of most running gloves.

This is why I went in search of (and tested) what’s actually worth your money when it comes to gloves for running.

Looking for more reviews to find the best things for your run?

Checkout our full page of my best running gear reviews and guides to save you time searching and money! I share what’s worked for me and fellow runners, along with what wasn’t worth the price tag.

A few common requests:

• Must have winter running gear
• Best winter running jackets
• Best compression tights for runners

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