These Highly Rated Gloves Make a Great Last-Minute Gift for Women

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It’s no secret winter is tough on your body. Dry, cool weather takes a toll on delicate, unprotected skin, leading to dryness, redness, and even breakage. And no, that doesn’t just apply to you face. Your hands also require bundling up this time of year—not only to keep your extremities from going numb, but also to protect them from becoming uncomfortably dry. In addition to hand creams and moisturizing lotions, you need the best winter gloves for women in your closet.

Depending on where you live, your glove needs may vary. You might only need a pair of ski gloves for an upcoming vacation in the mountains or a pair of sleek leather gloves for the odd chilly night out. Perhaps, you’re an avid runner living in a place where temperatures regularly drop below freezing and need to invest in the best running gloves. Maybe you spend a lot of time outside watching football games or stocking up at the farmer’s market and need casual, everyday mittens. Whatever you’re into and wherever you live, you likely need at least one pair of reliable women’s winter gloves in your rotation.

Meet the experts: Lana Pinchasov, PA-C, field medical director at Dermavant Sciences, and Dendy Engelman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.

The most important factors to consider when shopping for a new pair of winter gloves are fit, warmth, and protection. Do they fit well? Do they feel comfortable? Do they keep your hands dry and warm? These questions will help guide you to your perfect pair of gloves or mittens.

But before you slip on a pair, don’t forget one crucial step: “A trick I like to tell my patients is to first apply a thicker moisturizer to provide an extra barrier before putting gloves on,” says Dendy Engelman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.

Our top picks

Read on for a closer look at the best women’s winter gloves and some advice from skincare pros about what to look for in the essentials.

Osito Etip Gloves

The North Face is a trustworthy cold-weather brand, and these gloves are a top pick for Dr. Engelman. “I’m a big fan of touchscreen gloves, which limit your exposure to cold air and make it easy to check your phone,” she says. These are made with heat-trapping fleece and have durable nylon material over the knuckles and fingers for extra grip. Great for shoveling, hiking, skiing, and ice skating, these thermal gloves will keep your digits nice and cozy.

Winter Waterproof Gloves

These affordable gloves from Ozero are suitable for use in temperatures between 23 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. They have double elastic cuffs to keep out cold winter and lock in heat. Made of polar fleece, they’re waterproof, machine-washable, and quick-drying. They also have a PVC patch on the palm for grip and touchscreen tips on the thumbs and index fingers.

“It’s 20 degrees outside and these gloves are perfect,” wrote and Amazon reviewer based in Chicago. “My hands are toasty warm!”

The North Face Etip Recycled Gloves

Prevention’s digital director and senior commerce editor agree that these are the best running gloves for women. They’re lightweight, slim, and touchscreen compatible, making them an excellent choice for winter workouts or casual outings in the cold.

“Great gloves for when you don’t need a ton of insulation but want to keep you hands from getting wind chapped. The e-tip finger tips actually work for my phone, too,” wrote one reviewer.

Prevail Heated Gore-TEX Gloves

For seriously cold conditions, you might consider buying heated gloves. This pair from Outdoor Research is our pick for the best heated gloves overall. They’re waterproof and windproof with heating elements hidden in the interior lining. With a battery life of up to eight hours, these are great for long days and nights spent outside in the cold, whether you’re skiing or walking through a snowstorm.

Winter Gloves For Women

These lightweight winter gloves for women landed on Oprah’s Favorite Things of 2023. The affordable pick comes in nine colorful variations all featuring a stylish checkered design. They’re also fully functionally thanks to smart touchscreen finger pads, so you can stay connected while keeping your hands warm.

“These gloves are lightweight yet still warm,” said an Amazon shopper. “They’re soft and flexible, so they’re easy to keep in your coat pocket and slip on when your hands get cold. Also great that you can use your phone while wearing them.”

Mongolian Cashmere Gloves

For soft and cozy cashmere gloves, Quince has you covered. The store has 100% Mongolian cashmere gloves in eight rich hues for just under $30 a pair. They’re ideal for casual daily wear in moderately cold climates. Plus, the gloves have long cuffs and touchscreen-friendly fingertips.

Hundreds of shoppers gave them a five-star rating. “I get these in bulk and give them as Christmas gifts. They are warm, comfy and have just enough of a luxurious feel.”

Cashmere Lined Leather Touchscreen Gloves

These sleek, fashionable gloves have a timeless look with modern design features. Inside their leather exterior is soft cashmere. Plus, touchscreen-compatible fingertips mean you won’t miss a beat.

“Love these!” wrote a Nordstrom customer. “The touchscreen feature is spot on. Ohio winters can be brutal, and these keep my hands nice and warm.”

Winter Gloves

These lightweight gloves are best-sellers on Amazon. They come at an affordable price and are available in 11 colors and three sizes. While most of the gloves on this list have four tech-friendly fingers, this pair boasts six touchscreen-enabled fingertips, including the thumbs, index, and middle fingers. They also have a thick, windproof elastic cuff and a silicone palm to prevent objects from slipping out of your hands.

“These gloves add a thin layer of warmth to hands, and I like the touch screen ability” said an Amazon reviewer. “I can quickly answer my phone when out for a walk.”

Faux Fur Trim Leather Gloves

If simple and understated aren’t words you’d use to describe your personal style, these faux fur trim leather gloves from Barbour might be a fit. They look (and feel) luxurious thanks to plush faux fur cuffs and a smooth leather exterior. While these might not be the pair you grab for a day on the slopes or a chilly morning walk, they would look fabulous paired with formal attire.

Quilts Insulated Mitten

Those who prefer mittens to gloves should consider this pair from Carhartt. The quilted mittens are insulated for warmth, featuring a fleece cuff with an elastic wrist to keep cold air out. They also have a nose wipe between the thumb and index finger and a moisture-wicking lining to keep hands dry.

“I live in Minnesota and I cannot recommend these mittens enough,” wrote an Amazon reviewer. “They are so great for the price. They keep your hands warm and dry.”

Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves

A day of skiing or snowboarding calls for heavy duty gloves, and this pair from Hestra is a great option for winter sports. They are water-resistant, have an elastic wrist, and come with a carabiner to help you keep track of the essentials. The gloves are also insulated for warmth with a removable lining and durable exterior made of the brand’s Triton polyamide fabric and leather.

“I’ve been a ski instructor for 30 years and have worn all sorts of gloves. These are among the best I’ve had,” said one reviewer. “The leather is durable. Having removable liners is critical for drying out fast.”

Touchscreen Gloves

Slim-fitting everyday gloves that get the job done and look good for under $50? Say no more. Amazon shoppers have left rave reviews of these sleek winter gloves. Women especially like that the nylon-Spandex material extends over the wrist for extra coverage, they aren’t bulky (even with fleece-lining!), and they keep your hands super warm.

“I have been wearing Isotoner gloves for decades,” said one reviewer. “They keep my hands warm and grip steering wheels, shovels, and anything else I need to hold.”

Cold Weather Genesis Gloves

For daily outings, hiking, and driving, these multi-purpose gloves are a great option for women and men (they have a unisex design). They’re made of cozy, stretchy, quick-drying material and have a zipper on each wrist to customize the fit and warmth you need.

“These gloves are perfect! They’re stylish, non restricting, easy to put on...durable, waterproof,” wrote an Amazon reviewer who confirms they are tech-friendly. “Most importantly, they keep my hands perfectly warm.”

How to chose the best winter gloves

✔️ Remember the basics. “The most important thing is to find a pair of gloves that fit well and feel comfortable. They should also keep your hands dry,” says Lana Pinchasov, PA-C, field medical director at Dermavant Sciences. “Wet gloves can irritate the skin underneath, so if you’ll be getting your hands wet, be sure to choose a waterproof glove option.”

✔️ Make sure they’re durable. Your gloves also shouldn’t allow air or wind to penetrate, says Dr. Engelman. This can cause moisture to escape, which leads to dry, irritated skin.

✔️ Pick the right fabrics. 3M thinsulate material traps heat and is breathable and moisture-resistant, Pinchasov says. Leather, cashmere, and fleece offer different levels of warmth and cold protection but are all good options.Thermal gloves have two layers: the insulated material on the inside for warmth and a durable outer layer. Lastly, nylon in gloves keeps the cold out and the warmth in while offering better grip, Dr. Engelman says.

✔️ Make sure they are technology-friendly. If you plan to use your smartphone or smartwatch without taking off your gloves, make sure they have touchscreen tips on at least one finger.

How much is a good pair of winter gloves?

A good pair of winter gloves can range in price from $20 to $150. How much you’ll need to spend depends on what you’ll be using the gloves for. Some lightweight, fashionable gloves cost as little as $20. But if you’re looking for heavy-duty gloves designed for extended outdoor use or winter sports, you may have to spend upwards of $100 for a long-lasting pair that will truly keep your hands warm.

How we chose the best winter gloves

We interviewed Lana Pinchasov, PA-C, field medical director at Dermavant Sciences, and Dendy Engelman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, to learn about the importance of wearing gloves and what to look for in a new pair. We also researched gloves and mittens from well-known brands, taking editor experience and customer reviews into consideration.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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