Stacy Rounds
Ellie Miller
Buying Guide for Men’s Mittens
Why should you buy mittens?
If you plan on clearing snow from your driveway, going skiing or snowboarding, or spending any time outdoors during the winter, you’ll want a pair of mittens. Gloves are warm, but mittens are even warmer because they keep your fingers together to preserve body heat better. Why suffer through punishing conditions when you can easily protect and insulate your hands from the cold? Furthermore, men’s mittens can also serve as nice gifts to friends, family members, or significant others.
What should you look for in mittens?
- Insulation: If you ski, hunt, hike, snowboard, ice skate, shovel snow, snowmobile, or work outside in the cold months, you’ll want a pair of mittens that will provide you with plenty of warmth. Look for thick linings like Sherpa, fleece, or Thinsulate that will help lock in warmth, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time outside.
- Material: Some of the more common materials used to construct men’s mittens include faux leather, nylon, wool, suede, and more. The quality of the material plays a huge role in the durability of a mitten’s construction. Look for waterproof materials like nylon if you’ll be in the snow, but wool or acrylic options will be soft and work for casual cold-weather outings.
- Functionality: The functions available in mittens may seem limited, but if you look closely at what’s on the market, you’ll find there are many features that may help to meet your needs. Some mittens offer tight buttons, drawstrings, or Velcro to lock them onto your wrists so that when you’re playing cold-weather sports, no moisture or cold air will seep in. Other mittens may flip open, allowing you to use your fingers for snapping pictures, driving, ice fishing, or simply answering your phone.
How should your mittens fit?
You ideally want your mittens to fit snugly onto your hands, but the fit ultimately comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer tighter-fitting mittens over ones that provide you with a little more wiggle room for your fingers. The material should comfortably compress around your wrists and hands but make sure they leave enough room for you to have good dexterity.
Our Picks for the Best Men’s Mittens
Carhartt Men's W.P. Waterproof Insulated Mitt
These fully insulated mittens come with a waterproof insert for all-day wear in subzero conditions.
Pros: From a trusted brand name in outerwear, these premium polyester mittens are lined with soft, cozy fleece for maximum warmth and ultimate comfort. They’re easy to pull on and strap tight for a secure fit that will keep out cold and moisture on harsh days. And they’re durable, with a tough polytex shell, and the inner core keeps your hands toasty while wicking away unwanted sweat. There are also grips on the palm, digits, and thumb, so you can snowmobile, hunt, shovel, or even drive with these mittens on. Plus, while they’re hand-washable, and that may sound burdensome, they’re actually quite easy to clean and dry.
Cons: These mittens are made to fit snugly, so don’t expect them to be roomy. Also, they’re not breathable.
Bottom Line: While you can enjoy outdoor activities with these premium mittens, they’re not made for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. However, they’re warm and comfortable for many other activities and everyday use.
ViGrace Knitted Convertible Fingerless Mittens
Wool mittens that keep your hands warm while performing outdoor tasks in the cold.
$14.59 
Pros: These double-layer mittens keep your hands extra warm while offering dexterity when needed. They’re made from wool and acrylic material for better thermal insulation and protection from cold temperatures. The underneath half-glove design allows you to use items that require more dexterity, such as pens, fish hooks, or cell phones. Plus, they’re stylish and come in a wide range of attractive colors to match your favorite jacket, bibs, or snowsuit.
Cons: They don’t have a drawstring around your wrist, so some snow or cold air could creep in. They aren’t waterproof.
Pros: You can perform many different activities while wearing these mittens. Feel comfortable going from shoveling snow to driving your car to texting without your hands getting too cold or having to mess with your mittens too much. They’re convenient, versatile, and stylish.
RefrigiWear Fiberfill Leather Mittens
Heavy-duty leather mittens that are well insulated.
$23.91 $34.17 Save 30%
Pros: These extra-durable mittens are Tough with a capital T. They feature cowhide leather with a reinforced double-layer leather palm, which will prevent wear and tear from daily use, even if you work hard with your hands. The kevlar threading at the seams adds another layer of durability to these rugged mittens. They’re also fleece-lined so that your hands remain comfortable and warm while out in the cold. Plus, they feature special cuffs to keep your wrists warm and protected from subzero temperatures, with a comfort rating for as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cons: These are on the more expensive side since they’re made from genuine leather. This also means that they’re not vegan-friendly.
Bottom Line: These men’s mittens provide you with extra comfort and durability to get you through the snowy months, especially if you are someone who works on a lot of projects outdoors. In terms of temperature rating, you likely won’t find a more reliable pair of mittens.
Tough Outdoors Winter Ski Mittens
These weatherproof and breathable mittens keep your hands warmer than a pair of gloves on a frigid day.
$21.95
Pros: Designed for snowy sports, these mittens keep your hands warm and dry all day in the worst conditions. They’re made with patented SummitLoft insulation that retains body heat while allowing unwanted moisture to escape. They’re weatherproof and breathable with a snap closure for a perfect fit. And the durable synthetic leather palm and nylon shell are made to stand up to wear and tear. There are five sizes available. Plus, these mittens are machine washable for your convenience.
Bottom Line: For all-day wear in the cold and snow, these are great mittens. They have plenty of padding to keep your hands warm and enough grip to hold a ski pole or snow shovel comfortably. Also, these mittens are unisex.
Palmyth Ice Fishing Gloves
With their many great features, these mittens are made for safety and dexterity.
$39.96
Pros: For optimal dexterity, these mittens are perfectly made. They easily convert from warm mittens to fingerless gloves with magnets, freeing your fingers for fishing, knot tying, line stripping, pocket opening, photography, texting, running, or walking your dog. And they’re insulated with 40 grams of 3M Thinsulate, microfiber fleece, and have a four-way stretch shell that provides additional warmth without excess bulk. The inserted windproof membrane keeps hands dry; plus, they have a heat-pack-compatible pocket on the wrist. The silicone finger and palm grips help to grip and protect your hands. And with a reflective strip on the back, they add a layer of safety for nighttime walks or other activities.
Cons: These mittens are recommended at 20 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer, so they’re not the best option for extremely cold weather or heavy snow days.
Bottom Line: When you’re outside enjoying fishing, photography, or other hobbies that require dexterity, these are fantastic mittens that can help keep your hands warm. They even have heat pack pockets for extra warmth. And the magnetic closure keeps the mitten part from getting in the way when you’re actively using your fingers.
Final Thoughts
When shopping for the pair of mittens that best suits your needs, consider the design, style, material, and construction. Ultimately, you want a pair that provides you with enough warmth without compromising the dexterity of your fingers. Our picks can do just that.
