The Best Gloves of 2019
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Hot pockets—nuking not required (unless we’re talking about snow)
Oyuki Haika ($150)
This Japanese import has two features we always look for in a touring glove: a removable liner, and external seams on the fingers for maximum dexterity. The Haika’s liner is made from highly breathable Lycra and has durable goatskin leather in the palm. A suppler goatskin makes up the glove’s shell, with comfy tricot inside.
The North Face Etip Grip ($55)
This light single-layer glove is perfect for cool-weather cycling, nordic skiing, or simply having in your pack when the weather turns foul. It’s knit from stretchy fleece, and the palms and fingertips are coated in a tacky elastic that dutifully grips cold, slick surfaces like a phone or water bottle.
Hestra Army Leather Patrol Three-Finger ($130)
Many skiers shy away from mittens, despite their superior warmth, because they lack the versatility of gloves. The Patrol’s free index finger addresses this issue. Hestra put polyester on the back, because it’s more breathable than the goat leather in the palm and fingertips, where dexterity is key.
Leki Xplore XT S ($130)
Combined with the Leki trigger pole, the Xplore XT S is the warmest glove we tried. The reason: rather than a circulation-restricting strap that you wrap around your wrist, Leki’s pole clips to a Dyneema loop between the glove’s thumb and index finger. PrimaLoft Gold insulation doesn’t hurt either.
Astis Long-Cuff ($195)
Riding chairlifts on a powder day calls for a stylish mitten that sets you apart from the crowd. This suede gauntlet comes in dozens of combinations of beadwork and fur trim, but there’s tech under all that bling. High-loft Polartec lends toasty warmth, and the leather is injected with hydrophobic silicone, which adds waterproofing.
Outdoor Research Bitterblaze ($135)
The Bitterblaze is lined with aerogel, the überwarm, porous silica insulation used by NASA in its space suits. That 1.5-millimeter layer of gel also deserves credit for making this glove, which was created for ice climbing, remarkably warm while maintaining dexterity. Plus, it won’t break down or thin out over time.