Last updated on April 14th, 2021 at 04:53 pm
When the weather gets wet and cold you will need a good pair of gloves to ensure you don’t have a miserable hike. It isn’t just a matter of comfort though, it’s a matter of safety. Since fingers are the most susceptible body parts to frostbite it needs to be a priority to keep them warm and dry. In this post, we’ve researched the best waterproof gloves for hiking to help your fingers make it through their next cold (and wet) hiking experience.
The Best Waterproof Hiking Gloves Are...
After researching countless hiking gloves that claim to be waterproof we feel that two deserve specific mention at the top of this post. Here our the two best waterproof hiking gloves of all those we researched:
Best Waterproof Hiking Glove (also budget-friendly!): MCTi Waterproof Gloves with Thinsulate
Second place waterproof glove for hiking: Carhartt W.P. Waterproof Insulated Gloves
Yes, one of the above is a Carhartt brand glove. We realize Carhartt is a brand more focused on making gear for outdoor work, but after using the glove there is no denying that it is a near-perfect waterproof hiking glove, and it belongs on our shortlist of winners.
Below we go into more detail on our winning gloves, but also provide a comparison table of all 7 waterproof gloves we researched.
Best: MCTi Waterproof Gloves with Thinsulate
The MCTi Waterproof Gloves are the best waterproof hiking glove on the market primarily because it hits on four points most gloves don’t all hit on:
- It is TRULY waterproof
- It doesn’t limit dexterity
- It has a zippered pocket
- It has a wrist strap
Waterproofing Technology in the MCTi
These gloves are designed using waterproof TPU technology to keep your hands dry. TPU stands for Thermoplastic Polyurethane, and when used in glove waterproofing, a TPU membrane is attached to other fabrics that have other attributes such as warmth and comfort.
In other words, The MCTi Waterproof Gloves combine a trusted waterproofing technology with fabrics designed perfectly for a wet weather hike.
Dexterity in the MCTi is Surprisingly Great
Obviously you lose some dexterity with gloves since the intent is to have hands protected from cold and wet… But you aren’t going to be playing the piano here, and for the purposes of hiking these gloves are tailored perfectly for keeping your hands dry on a hike, while maintaining a base level of dexterity. The MCTi Waterproof Gloves achieve this through multi-fabric technology that we outline below.
MCTi Employs Thinsulate Technology
Thinsulate is a 3M technology that provides warmth and additional water-resistance to any material (more info on Thinsulate). For gloves, one of the key parts of this type of insulation material is evident in its root word: Thin.
As in, your hands won’t have a gigantic bulky shell around them that prevents them from having any movement.
Instead, the MCTi Waterproof Gloves combine Thinsulate technology with a windproof polyester to create an all-around great glove that doesn’t sacrifice too much dexterity.
The MCTi Waterproof Glove Offers Great Features
The main reason a glove makes any “best of” list should be its function. There is no question of that, and the MCTi glove checks all those boxes off.
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But as glove technology improves, and more gloves are able to meet the main functional requirements you may expect from a waterproof glove, the add-on features can be what set a given glove apart from the rest. Here are some of the additional features of this glove that make it our top pick.
Zippered Pocket for Storage
This glove has a zippered pocket for storage right on the back of the hand. This is a great spot for a pocket because you can check to make sure it is still closed very easily.
The pocket-size is pretty good too. You can fit ID cards, cash, a set of keys, and more in the gloves. Not bad for a secondary feature (remember that dry warmth is the main feature).
There is a Wrist Strap
Wrist straps are underrated for keeping the glove itself sealed and preventing snow and water from making its way inside. The MCTi wrist strap can be easily tightened, and this is just another reason this glove is our favorite waterproof hiking glove.
The MCTi Waterproof Glove PROS and CONS
MCTi Waterproof Glove PROS
- Rated for temperatures down to -10 degrees Fahrenheit
- Soft and pliable material for improved dexterity
- Built in zippered pocket for storage
MCTi Waterproof Glove CONS
- Wrist cuffs are a bit large
Whether hiking during a cold fall rain or hitting the trails during a snowstorm, the MCTI Waterproof Gloves provide a good defense against the elements while remaining sleek enough for you to maintain finger usage. If you’re looking for a sleek pair of gloves that can perform in harsh conditions, then you should definitely consider these gloves. You can check out more specs and current pricing on Amazon here: MCTi Waterproof Gloves with Thinsulate.
Our Second Place Waterproof Hiking Glove: The Carhartt W.P. Waterproof Insulated Glove
Carhartt is a brand focused on work attire, but don’t be fooled, the Carhartt Waterproof Insulated Gloves are perfect for hiking because:
- They have superior dexterity
- They wick sweat away while being waterproof
- They are SUPER warm
Below we go through how these gloves have earned their spot as one of the best waterproof hiking gloves around.
Carhartt's Waterproofing Technology
Carhartt focuses on the source for their waterproofing on this glove by protecting the hand with an insert. Coupled with its fast-drying and durable polytex shell, these two pieces of waterproofing technology work together to keep your hands dry.
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To work in conjunction with the waterproofing, and to keep your hands dry, these Carhartt gloves are equipped with FastDry technology. FastDry technology keeps your hands dry for longer durations by quickly wicking away sweat. This can be especially important when temperatures begin to drop.
Carhartt Gloves Focus on Dexterity
As a brand focusing on work gear it is no surprise these gloves provide freedom of movement.
If you think you will find yourself using your hands a lot on a hike these gloves are for you. They are perfect for holding a dog leash, tying shoes (yes you might have to do this with gloves), or holding a flashlight.
Dexterity really does need to be considered when looking to select a good pair of hiking gloves. Yes, waterproofing is what this post is all about, but it can’t be a gloves only positive attribute. With the Carhartt Waterproof Insulated Gloves, you get top-line dexterity too.
Fleece Cuff with a Wrist Strap
Any glove worth its weight needs to have thoughtfully designed wrists. After all, the wrists are a potential point of failure for gloves so it’s an important point to consider.
Carhartt seems to understand this, and the design of the Carhartt Waterproof Insulated gloves does two things with the wrist design to help protect your hands:
- A fleece cuff creates consistent (comfortable) pressure around your wrist to seal the cold out and the heat in.
- The wrist strap closure is adjustable so you can tailor it better to your body.
Having a wrist strap is a powerful way to create a better seal between your fingers and the elements outside. After all, the shell and liners are only part of how gloves work effectively. The other part of the equation is keeping warm dry air in one place. The Carhartt Waterproof Insulated gloves execute this extremely well.
Carhartt Waterproof Insulated Glove PROS and CONS
Carhartt Waterproof Insulated Glove PROS
- Grippy palm for improved dexterity
- Sweat-wicking technology
- Adjustable wrist strap
- Less bulky than others we researched
Carhartt Waterproof Insulated Glove CONS
- Made by a brand not traditionally focused on hiking
If you are looking for a less bulky glove that provides maximum dexterity, this glove really does need to be on your shortlist.
If you can get past the fact that this glove is made by a non-hiking centric brand you will benefit greatly. Check out more of the specs and current pricing on Amazon here: Carhartt Waterproof Insulated Gloves
Comparison of 7 Best Waterproof Hiking Gloves
After wading through countless glove options we feel all seven gloves in the comparison table below are excellent waterproof hiking gloves. All include waterproofing, quality dexterity, and more features. Click on the Name to check out more specs and current pricing for any of the gloves on Amazon.
| Picture | Name / Link | Price |
|---|---|---|
 
|
MCTi Waterproof Gloves | $ |
 
|
Carhartt Waterproof Insulated | $$ |
 
|
Jeniulet Waterproof Glove | $ |
 
|
Outdoor Research Arete Gloves | $$$ |
 
|
KINGSBOM Waterproof Gloves | $+ |
 
|
MCTi Waterproof Leather Gloves | $ |
 
|
Balnna Waterproof Touchscreen Gloves | $ |
What Makes a Waterproof Glove Great for Hiking
If you are struggling with how to narrow down all the options, here are some ways to guide your decision-making process.
Finding a Balance of Warmth and Dexterity
If you were focused solely on the warmth you might be better off searching for the best mittens on the market. That is to say, mittens are proven to be warmer than gloves. But warmth isn’t the only important factor for selecting a great glove. Dexterity is also important.
Finding a good balance between warmth and dexterity should be one of the ways you select a great hiking glove. If a glove looks to be super bulky, and you are planning to use your hands a lot, that may rule out a handful of gloves (pun intended).
Waterproof Gloves Should be Truly Waterproof
This seems like a no-brainer, but some glove manufacturers might claim a level of waterproofing that isn’t actually achieved. Make sure you read the specs and details for each glove thoroughly before making a selection.
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Taking the time to research each pair of waterproof gloves will ensure you are purchasing gloves that can really hold up to rainy (or sloshy) weather.
Selecting Comfortable Gloves
Just because you are seeking a functional pair of gloves doesn’t mean you should be uncomfortable.
Chances are you will be wearing your gloves for hours (possibly even the entire day), so it is imperative that the gloves you purchase seem well suited to keeping you comfortable. If you think a glove will irritate your wrist, or be too tight for your hand, possibly continue exploring your options for a while.
To protect yourself against an uncomfortable fit make sure you seek out the sizing chart on any product listings. You may also find that some glove manufacturers post whether the gloves run slightly small, large, or are true to size.
Don’t settle on uncomfortable gloves. Purchasing a comfortable pair is something you deserve!
Great Waterproof Gloves Provide Confidence In Any Weather
Sometimes the weather makes it more difficult to comfortably enjoy the great outdoors. With cold wet fingers, this is definitely true.
If you want to find yourself on the trails through more seasons, and in any weather, it is absolutely necessary to have a quality pair of waterproof hiking gloves.
Who doesn’t want to head out on a hike knowing their fingers won’t get numb? Having the hand protection you need is really one of the best ways to gain the confidence needed to get outside regardless of weather.
Image Credit: Madison Dragna | (https://www.flickr.com/photos/42677822@N04/) | Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) – reduced file size