10 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 to find 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.

Best Running Gloves Across Different Warmth Levels

• Best Touchscreen Running Gloves
  • New Balance Lightweight Running Gloves
  • Oiselle Firecracker Reflective Gloves
• Best Cool Morning Weather Running Gloves
  • Smartwool Merino 150 Touchscreen
  • Lululemon Fast and Free Gloves
• Best Women’s Running Gloves
  • Nike Women’s Pacer Therma-Fit Gloves
  • Oiselle Lux Watch Window Gloves
• Best Running Gloves for Raynaud’s
  • Trailheads Touchscreen Quilted Mittens
  • Oiselle Super Puff Mittens
• Best Windy Running Gloves
  • Craft Hybrid Weather Gloves
  • Smartwool Active Fleece Wind Mitten

10 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 number 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 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 if merino gloves are good for running, read on to find out what I think:

New Balance Lightweight Running Gloves ($20)

The New Balance Performance Screen Conductive Lightweight Gloves work great with touchscreens, allowing you to use your phone or smartwatch during a run without having to take them off.

Lightweight & Breathable Fabric – polyester and spandex blend ensures a flexible, snug fit for comfort and ease of movement.

Oiselle Firecracker Reflective Gloves ($38)

The Oiselle Firecracker Reflective Gloves are touchscreen-friendly, but they aren’t only helpful for using your phone or smartwatch on the move; they’re great for visibility too.

These gloves are reflective thanks to the Oiselle Logo prints all over them.

After multiple washes, the print is still clear and bright. If you wanted to add clip-on lights for more visibility, there is a band on the wrist.

Both the thumb and index finger are designed to be able to use your touchscreen device, and they work well! I’ve had no issues using my phone or watch while wearing these gloves.

The gloves fit snugly and comfortably, but they are light, however. So, they are not ideal for very cold weather.

Best Cool Morning Weather Running Gloves

The Smartwool Merino 150 Touchscreen aren’t the warmest, but they are perfect for that early Fall temperature drop or some 30-degree runs.

Smartwool Merino 150 Touchscreen ($35)

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

No more freezing fingertips when using your phone. And plenty of durability from this well-known brand that knows how to use wool to keep your body warm, while also preventing odor.

Lululemon Fast and Free Gloves ($44+)

Lululemon Women’s Fast and Free Insulated Running Gloves are mid-weight and include a water-repellent hood that keeps your hands warm and dry.

While these aren’t the best choice for very cold weather, they are an excellent option for spring and fall runs.

In addition, the index finger and thumb are touchscreen-friendly.

These gloves are water-repellent and made from brushed fleece, making them ideal for colder 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.

The fold-top hood adds convenience; however, you may find it flopping around a bit when you’re not using it.

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 Pacer Therma-Fit Gloves ($25)

The Nike Pacer Women’s Therma-FIT Running Gloves are lightweight, touchscreen-friendly gloves that are breathable while also keeping your hands warm.

The gloves are slim and come with a fitted cuff that keeps the gloves snug on your hands, while also feeling very light. While these aren’t completely waterproof, Nike’s Dri-Fit fabric helps you stay dry and comfortable, while also being breathable.

The fabric wicks away sweat well, and these lightweight gloves fold up tight, so you can easily shove them in your pack or a pocket if you decide you don’t want to wear them anymore.

These mid-weight gloves are great for temperatures from 30 degrees and up, though not ideal for very cold weather.

They also have a textured palm grip, which allows you to hold your phone without fearing it will slip out while you’re on the move.

Oiselle Lux Watch Window Gloves ($46)

The Oiselle Lux Watch Window Gloves are great for cool-weather runs, providing full-wrist coverage with a convenient opening to use your smartwatch on the go.

These gloves also come equipped with a touchscreen-friendly thumb and index fingers so you can make the most of the watch-accessible window. 

They are soft, lightweight, and breathable thanks to the Lux fabric. The full-wrist coverage is a big bonus too!

They’re best suited to crisp fall and spring runs, when you want a little warmth without overheating. Just keep in mind that they’re a lighter-weight option, so they’re likely not warm enough for very cold days.

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:

Budget – Trailheads Touchscreen Quilted Mittens ($38)

The Trailheads Touchscreen Quilted Mittens are an excellent choice for very cold weather, all the way down to 15 degrees.

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.

These gloves are made with a double-layer fabric that makes them both comfortable and excellent at retaining heat.

I’m a fan of this particular brand because they do a lot of testing and are a budget-friendly option. 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.

Splurge – Oiselle Super Puff Mittens ($56)

Oiselle’s Super Puff Mittens are one of the warmest options on this list that also protects you from more weather conditions than just the cold.

This recommendation comes from many of the running coaches on my team. They swear first by mittens, but second by Oiselle for these. They are made with PrimaLoft, which is a synthetic down material that is water-resistant and great at keeping your hands warm.

These mittens are designed for really cold conditions, with an insulated body and a weather-resistant shell that keeps both wind and rain out.

They have a soft knit cuff, a silicone palm grip, and a touchscreen-compatible thumb, which makes them comfortable to wear on a run and not necessary to remove to use your devices (though it’s not the most touchscreen-compatible compared to other gloves on this list).

They also have a pairing clip at the wrist that is great for keeping the pair together.

Best Windy Running Gloves

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

Top Glove Pick for Price – Craft Hybrid Weather Gloves ($30)

Craft’s Hybrid Weather Gloves are a two-for-one, well-priced option: the glove is thin, making it great for when you warm up, but when you first begin your cold-weather run, it comes with a mitten option to keep your hands warm.

When you fold the mitten back, it actually tucks into a pocket, so nothing to flap around! These are definitely not as warm as a puffy mitten, but these have done the trick through a lot of various temperatures and lasted for a few years.

Bonus points for the reflective coating.

These are also great when it might be a little wet or breezy.

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 it made me wonder why I hadn’t 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, trapping heat.

Additionally, they have great silicone grip, so I can actually hold on to that touchscreen device we’re all so connected to.

Smartwool Active Fleece Wind Mitten ($58)

The Smartwool Active Fleece Wind Mitten’s Merino wool makes these very comfortable, while protecting you from the elements.

This is another great pair from Smartwool, and they’re specifically designed to keep your hands warm when it’s windy.

These are the perfect pair to grab on those cold, wintry days. You can either wear them as gloves or add the mitten layer for extra warmth.

When you’re not wearing the mitten layer, just tuck it into the little pocket without it feeling extra bulky or annoying.

The thumb and fingertips are also touchscreen-friendly, and the silicone grippers on the palm and fingers help you hold your device securely. They also have reflective details.

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

Why Running Gloves Help You Warm Up

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 throwaway 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 see me reaching for a warmer pair like one of the mittens.

Check out 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, wick moisture!

Our team has 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?

Check out 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.

What to read next?

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