We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. The first snowfall can be magical, but overcast skies and visible breath during a run can dampen the enthusiasm of any runner impatient for spring. To survive the everlasting cold, the trick is to layer properly so you don’t feel miserable during winter training.
Stocking up on a winter running jacket, leggings, and pants is a no-brainer, but don’t forget to accessorize. As a constantly cold person who has three sweatshirts piled onto the back of her office desk chair, I’ll never forget that one Santa 5-Miler when I left my gloves in my car. As I squeezed my hands into fists trying to retain warmth as I raced, I swore to never again run a winter race without full coverage over my five digits.
This winter has tested my cold-weather tolerance, dipping below zero degrees more than once. But it’s a perfect breeding ground for glove—and mitten—testing. I’ve worked at RW for eight years and started running XC in high school.
I learned to embrace the cold this year, testing most of the gloves included on this list. I judged them by insulation, dexterity, and fit. I also had a little help from male staffers, who tested the men’s version of gloves—and became aghast learning that the women’s wasn’t similar.
Contributor Nick Hilden also provides tips on what to look for when shopping for gloves and answers your frequently asked questions on when to wear them, and on sizing and fit. The Smartwool Active Fleece Insulated Glove is included in our Best Winter Gear for Runners guide because it checks off all the boxes: double-knit insulation, reflective lining, windproof panels, and touchscreen-compatible fingertips. The stitching on the long cuffs ensures a secure, tailored fit around the wrists.
The Active Fleece kept my fingers warm for an hour during 32-degree and slightly below freezing runs. When the temperature dropped to 20, my fingers started to ache after a half hour in the cold. My main critique is that they’re unisex sizing only.
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