Hands get cold quickly on the trail, on the slopes or on the sideline, and mittens are the warmer choice. Gloves keep each finger separate, and mittens keep them together, so they share warmth.
The Wilderness Medical Society’s frostbite guidelines include changing from gloves to mitts as a way to increase insulation and skin protection.[1] This guide covers the three types of mittens, mittens versus gloves and five pairs, from an expedition mitt to a convertible.
This article is general information, not medical advice. See a doctor about numb, painful or discolored fingers.
Warm mittens at a glance
- The Wilderness Medical Society’s frostbite guidelines name adding layers and changing from gloves to mitts as ways to increase insulation.[1]
- They also say to avoid wet extremities and constrictive clothing that restricts blood flow.[1]
- NIOSH says to protect the ears, face, hands and feet in extremely cold weather, and that tight clothing reduces blood circulation.[3]
- The five picks are an expedition mitt, a split mitt, a work mitten, a convertible mitten and a ski mitten.
Types of Mittens
Mittens keep your fingers together, so they warm each other. Most cold-weather mittens are insulated with Thinsulate, down, PrimaLoft or fleece, and the warmth depends on the amount of insulation. There are three main types.
- Shell Mittens – A windproof and waterproof shell of synthetic material such as polyester, nylon, polyurethane or spandex, with a fleece or other lining. They suit hiking and other outdoor activities.
- Heated Mittens – A rechargeable or battery-operated heating element warms the hand. Heated mittens are less common. The Wilderness Medical Society guidelines say hand warmers should not be placed directly against skin or restrict flow.[1]
- Leather Mittens – Like leather gloves, leather mittens resist wind and water. They are better suited to work and outdoor use, and they usually have a fleece or padded lining.
Mittens vs Gloves for Warmth
- Gloves – Gloves suit sports and tasks that need finger use and grip. Cold-weather gloves are less agile because of the insulation, and they must fit exactly, or they squeeze, bunch or slip. Gloves are not as warm as mittens.
- Mittens – Mittens are warmer, and the guidelines name the change from gloves to mitts as a way to add insulation.[1][2] Some have a flip-top that exposes your fingers for finer tasks or a touchscreen.
Features of a Good Warm Mitten
- Materials – Wool, leather or synthetics, usually with a windproof and waterproof outer shell and a fleece or padded lining.
- Touchscreen – Most warm mittens are not touchscreen friendly. A flip-top or a touchscreen-compatible index finger solves this.
- Water and Wind Resistance – The guidelines advise protecting skin from moisture, wind and cold, and avoiding wet extremities.[1]
- Insulation – A thermal or fleece lining and padding keep heat in.
- Fit – A mitten should fit loosely enough not to restrict blood flow, but not so loose that it falls off.[3]
- Grip – A leather or textured palm helps you hold things.
How We Chose These Warm Mittens
These picks come from research. This is desk research. We compared the manufacturer specifications and product descriptions for each pick. We did not test the gloves ourselves, and we did not check stock this time.
We looked at these factors:
- Insulation – Fleece, PrimaLoft and other fills.
- Weather – Waterproof and windproof shells.
- Dexterity – Flip-tops and touchscreen fingers.
- Fit – Cuff and closure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Warm Mittens
- Are mittens warmer than gloves?
Yes. Mittens keep your fingers together, and the Wilderness Medical Society’s frostbite guidelines name changing from gloves to mitts as a way to increase insulation.[1] - How do mittens keep you warm?
A mitten is an insulator. It slows the loss of your hand’s own heat to the cold air. - Can I wear a hand warmer in a mitten?
Yes. The guidelines allow chemical and electric hand warmers, and say they should be close to body temperature before use and not placed directly against skin or restrict blood flow.[1] - How do I dry wet mittens?
Dry them before you wear them again. The guidelines say to avoid wet extremities.[1] Follow the care label on your pair, and keep mittens away from direct heat that could melt a synthetic shell. - When should I see a doctor?
If your fingers stay numb, painful or pale after you warm them. The guidelines say numb fingers should be warmed as soon as possible.[1]
Our Picks: Warm Mittens
Here are 5 warm mittens, from an expedition mitt to a convertible mitten.
We hope you love the warm mittens we recommend!
So that you know, we may earn a share of sales or other compensation from links on this page. This does not change your price.
1
Black Diamond® Unisex Mercury Warmest Mittens
Currently unavailable
The Black Diamond Mercury is an extreme cold-weather mitt with a nylon and spandex shell, goatskin palms and a polyester lining, plus a waterproof removable dry insert.
- The removable liner is insulated with 340 grams of PrimaLoft Gold and high-loft fleece.
- It is lightweight, abrasion-resistant and four-way stretch, and it is less dexterous than a glove. It comes in one color.
2
Gore Wear® Unisex Thermo Warmest Mittens
Currently unavailable
The Gore Wear Thermo Split is a polyester split mitt with a waterproof Gore-Tex lining, Gore-Tex Infinium and Windstopper windproofing and a silicone-imprinted palm.
- It has three-finger construction, and the index finger is insulated and touchscreen compatible along with the thumb.
- It is machine washable and has no removable liner.
3
Carhartt® Unisex waterproof Warmest Mittens
Currently unavailable
The Carhartt W.P. is a waterproof, fully insulated polyester mitten with a pull-on design and a moisture-wicking lining.
- It is a work-style mitten.
- It comes in several sizes.
4
Bessteven® Unisex Convertible Warmest Mittens
Currently unavailable
The Bessteven Convertible is an insulated polar fleece mitten with a flip-top, so you can expose your fingers and cover them again.
- The flip-top lets you use a phone or do small tasks.
- The mitten is fleece for warmth.
5
Winter Ski® Unisex Mitts Warmest Mittens
Currently unavailable
The Winter Ski Mitts are insulated mittens with a snap closure for skiing and cold weather.
- The design is durable.
- The snap closure holds the cuff.
Index Table: Top Rated Warm Mittens
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black Diamond Unisex Mercury - Warmest Mittens |  |
| Black Diamond | - |
| 2 | Gore Wear Unisex Thermo - Warmest Mittens |  |
| Gore Wear | - |
| 3 | Carhartt Unisex waterproof - Warmest Mittens |  |
| Carhartt | - |
| 4 | Bessteven Unisex Convertible - Warmest Mittens |  |
| Bessteven | - |
| 5 | Winter Ski Unisex Mitts - Warmest Mittens |  |
| Winter Ski | - |
Sources
- Wilderness Medical Society. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Frostbite: 2024 Update. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- American Family Physician (American Academy of Family Physicians). Frostbite: Recommendations for Prevention and Treatment from the Wilderness Medical Society. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- CDC, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Cold Stress. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around the Wilderness Medical Society frostbite guidelines and NIOSH cold stress, removed the Healthline and video links, the unsupported testing section, the unsupported warmth claims and the old score tables, added a short health disclaimer, rewrote all product notes and added Sources
- Apr 2021: Published
