From heaters to sleeping bags, there are a lot of ways you can keep warm while camping. Keeping your hands covered is a great way to keep your body warm, but how can you find the best gloves for camping?
What should you be looking for if you want to go hiking, too? Is waterproofing important? And how can you tell how warm your gloves will be?
We’ll answer all those questions, as well as giving you recommendations for our top 5 camping gloves.
The bottom line up front: the SEALSKINZ Unisex Waterproof All-Weather Ultra Grip Knitted Glove is a great choice. They’re comfortable enough to wear in your tent as well as on a hike, and they’re warm too.
We also like:
- Black Diamond Soloist Cold Weather Gloves for super-cold weather
- Columbia Mens Wind Bloc Men's Glove for both warmth and breathability
We’ll be looking at:
- What gloves for camping are
- What features you should be looking for
- Our top 5 picks, including their key features, pros, and cons
- Some frequently asked questions
- Which ones we like the best, and why
Table of Contents
- Best Gloves for Camping Compared
- What Are Gloves for Camping?
- What to Look for in Gloves for Camping
- Top 5 Gloves for Camping
- The North Face Etip Glove – Good All-Rounder
- SEALSKINZ Unisex Waterproof All-Weather Ultra Grip Knitted Glove – Most Comfortable
- Columbia Mens Wind Block Men’s Glove – Best for Breathability
- Black Diamond Soloist Cold Weather Gloves – Best for Cold Weather
- Achiou Winter Knit Gloves – Best for Touchscreen Compatibility
- Frequently Asked Questions
- To Sum Up … Which are the Best Gloves for Camping?
Let’s start by looking at how our top 5 gloves for camping compare to each other.
Best Gloves for Camping Compared
What Are Gloves for Camping?
Gloves for camping are weatherproof, hard-wearing gloves that can withstand rougher conditions than regular winter gloves. They’re ideal if you enjoy hiking and climbing, or if you’re going camping in cold weather and need to keep warm.
Camping gloves come in different sizes and styles, so you can get different pairs to suit every occasion.
What to Look for in Gloves for Camping
There are a few things you should look out for when it comes to camping gloves, including their size and warmth, but also some less obvious features that you may have overlooked. Here are a few things to bear in mind:
Size
There aren’t many options in terms of glove sizing. Typically, they range from extra small through to extra large. Try to find gloves that aren’t too loose around the wrist, as this will allow cold air to get in.
Glove sizing may involve a bit of trial and error. It’s a good idea to check the returns policy in case you need to swap them for a different size. Some manufacturers include a sizing guide, which you can check out to try to get the most accurate size for your hands.
Warmth
Winter gloves will be insulated with material like polyester. This allows the gloves to trap air, keeping warmth inside. The more insulation, the bulkier the glove, but if you’re in freezing temperatures, you’ll need it!
Material type makes a difference too (more on this shortly). The tightness of the weave within the fabric will show how well it will keep the wind from reaching your skin.
It’s really important to keep your hands warm – REI Co-op has more tips on how to keep your hands warm if you need advice.
Waterproofing
Your gloves might be a little waterproof – enough to protect you from the elements, but they won’t keep water from reaching your hands if you were to dip them in a pool of water. The more waterproof the gloves, the more likely they are to make your hands sweat, as they will be less breathable.
Breathability
A good pair of hiking gloves will help to get rid of any moisture around your hands, using fabric that pushes away moisture from your skin to the outermost layer.
Durability
Your camping gloves may go through a lot of wear and tear, so it’s good to invest in a pair that will last a long time. The palm area will be the first to wear out if you go hiking. This is because you may have to use the gloves to grab onto rocks to steady yourself, and if you use a walking pole, the palms may wear out quite quickly. It’s good to look for thick material here. The stitching also makes a difference – poor-quality stitching will cause your gloves to fall apart quickly.
Protection
The level of protection you will need depends on the activities you’ll be doing. Climbing in the winter, for example, is going to require more protection than a brief hike in spring in terms of keeping your hands warm and protecting your hands from cuts and grazes if you need to grab onto rocks as you go. It’s also worth checking the weather to see if you’ll need waterproof protection or not.
If you’re going to be using a walking pole, or you’ll be holding onto rocks as you walk, look for reinforced material on the palms.
Materials
Camping gloves tend to be made from nylon, polyester, spandex, and other synthetic materials. Warmer gloves may also include wool, and some may include GoreTex (which is great for keeping moisture away from your hands if they sweat).
Style
There are a few different types of gloves to choose from:
- Finger gloves – these have a single area for every finger. They’ll allow you to use your hands pretty much as normal, but you do sacrifice some warmth.
- Mittens – these have an area for your thumb, and then one larger area for the rest of your fingers. These are useful if you want to stay warm.
- Lobster – otherwise known as ‘3-finger mittens’ or ‘3-finger gloves’, these have individual areas for your thumb and index finger and then a larger compartment for the other 3 fingers. These offer a good balance of dexterity and warmth.
Long cuffs are good, as they give you more warmth – they’ll cover up your wrists, minimizing areas for cold air to creep in. However, they do limit your maneuverability a bit.
Extra Features
There are some extra features to look for, including:
- Attachment loops – these allow you to hang your gloves on your backpack, which is handy if you have to take them off from time to time
- Grip patterns – some gloves have a ‘grippy’ area on the palm, which is helpful if you are climbing or using a walking pole
- Cinching – this allows you to draw the gloves around your wrist, stopping cold air from getting in
- Pocket warmer pouch – pocket warmers are a great idea in theory, but they can fall out easily. Some gloves have a pouch to store these small hand warmers, which is useful if you’re out in cold weather.
- Nose wipe patch – sounds gross, but if you’re out in icy weather, your nose is going to run. This will save you from having to dig around in your pocket for a tissue every 5 minutes!
- Touch screen compatibility – some gloves have different material on the fingertips, which may allow you to use a touch screen while wearing them. Not all touch screens will work with gloves, and it won’t be the same as using your phone with your bare fingers, but it’s still a useful feature to have. It’s also useful to have a bit of grip if you need to quickly grab your water bottle without dropping it.
Top 5 Gloves for Camping
We’ve rounded up 5 of the best gloves for camping out there. From light hiking gloves through to super-warm gloves for the winter, there’s a good range here to choose from, so hopefully, you’ll be able to find a pair that suits you!
The North Face Etip Glove – Good All-Rounder
Key Features
- Style: Finger glove
- Color: Black, blue, grey, khaki, navy, green
- Sizes: Extra small – extra large
- Materials: Polyester Silicone
- Touch screen compatible: Yes
The North Face Etip Glove is a good all-rounder. The gloves come in a variety of sizes and colors, from extra small through to extra large.
It has radiometric articulation – this keeps your hands in a relaxed position, which is great, as it will feel more comfortable and natural. These gloves also has silicone gripper palms, making them ideal for climbing, or if you’re using a pole.
While these are great for keeping your hands warm, they’re not waterproof. Good for cold weather, but it’s worth checking the weather before you head out.
These gloves are touch-screen compatible, so you can use your smartphone without having to take them off.
Pros
- Comes in a variety of colors and sizes
- Keeps your hands in a relaxed position
- Warm and comfortable
- Touch-screen compatible
Cons
- Not waterproof
SEALSKINZ Unisex Waterproof All-Weather Ultra Grip Knitted Glove – Most Comfortable
Key Features
- Style: Finger glove
- Color: Black, grey, blue, yellow
- Sizes: Small – extra large
- Materials: Nylon, Merino wool, Elastane
- Touch screen compatible: Yes
The SEALSKINZ Unisex Waterproof All-Weather Ultra Grip Knitted Glove are very comfortable to wear. It comes in a few sizes and colors, although it’s worth noting that the sizes are generous, so it may be a good idea to size down to ensure a better fit.
These are stretchy gloves. They move with you, making them feel natural and comfortable to wear. The Merino wool lining makes them very warm, soft, and cozy.
They have a 3-layer construction, making them both durable and waterproof.
It has touch-screen-friendly index fingers and thumbs. The downside is it doesn’t have an extra grip on the palms, meaning it may not be the best choice if you’re going on a challenging hike.
Pros
- Merino wool is soft and warm
- Comfortable to wear
- Touch-screen compatible
- Waterproof
Cons
- Doesn’t have grip area on palm
Columbia Mens Wind Block Men’s Glove – Best for Breathability
Key Features
- Style: Finger glove
- Color: Black, grey
- Sizes: Small – extra large
- Materials: Polyester and polyurethane
- Touch screen compatible: Yes
The Columbia Mens Wind Bloc Men's Glove are great for breathability. They come in a few sizes and 2 colors.
They are comfortable to wear, with a heat management design. It has a reflective lining, which is designed to keep the heat in, while dissipating moisture, drawing it away from your skin. This means your hands should be comfortable and warm.
They aren’t particularly waterproof, so they won’t be great for hiking in a downpour. They are windproof, as they use a membrane on the outer layer, providing wind protection while staying breathable.
These gloves are touch-screen friendly, too. It doesn’t have a grip on the palm area, which is something to keep in mind.
Pros
- Draws moisture away while keeping heat in
- Windproof
- Comfortable
- Touch-screen friendly
Cons
- Doesn’t have grip on palm area
Black Diamond Soloist Cold Weather Gloves – Best for Cold Weather
Key Features
- Style: Finger glove
- Color: Black
- Sizes: Extra small – extralarge
- Materials: Shell: 92% Nylon, 8% Spandex, Palm: 100% Goat Skin
- Touch screen compatible: No
The Black Diamond Soloist Cold Weather Gloves are the best choice if you’re camping in cold temperatures. They come in a variety of sizes from small – extra large, but just the one color.
They are comfortable to wear, and they feel cozy, but they’re thick – this is to be expected, but they’re not as flexible or easy to wear as thinner gloves.
They’re designed for cold weather climbing. You can remove the insulated liner if the weather is a little warmer, which is useful. The gloves are waterproof, and the goat leather on the outer layer is hardy and long-lasting, ideal for climbing over rough terrain. They’re durable, with high-quality stitching.
The gloves aren’t touch-screen friendly, but they do have a palm patch for extra grip and durability.
Pros
- Very warm
- Removable liner
- Waterproof
- Has a palm patch for extra grip
Cons
- Not touch-screen compatible
Achiou Winter Knit Gloves – Best for Touchscreen Compatibility
Key Features
- Style: Finger glove
- Color: Black, black and white, blue, rose red, coffee, coffee and white
- Sizes: Medium, large, extra large
- Materials: Acrylic, wool
- Touch screen compatible: Yes
The Achiou Winter Knit Gloves are excellent if you want to use your phone while keeping your hands warm. It has touchscreen-compatible material on the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger, and a large silicone area on the palm to improve grip, so you won’t drop your device. There aren’t many sizes to choose from though – starting from medium to extra large.
These are comfortable, with 4-way stretch fabric that moves with your fingers, making them feel natural to wear.
They’re super-warm, with wool lining, but they’re not waterproof. They’ll work well in cold weather but won’t keep the rain out.
They don’t come with much in the way of extra features, but the grip area on the palms is useful for driving in cold weather.
Pros
- Warm and soft
- Comfortable to wear
- Touchscreen compatible
- Large silicone grip on palm
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Not many sizes to choose from
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about gloves for camping:
Are camping gloves heavy?
They can be, compared to regular gloves – it depends on the materials used and the amount of insulation they have. Winter gloves do tend to be heavier, but they should still be comfortable to wear. They should be able to fit easily in your backpack (you can check out this guide on how to pack a backpack if you want some ideas).
How can I wash my camping gloves?
It depends on the materials. Your camping gloves should have some washing instructions. Many are hand wash only, as washing machines may be too rough to keep them intact. Fabric conditioners can mess with waterproofing materials too, so make sure you read the washing instructions carefully.
You can wash your camping gloves by hand, using a gentle soap, and by sprinkling baking soda on the inside to get rid of any lingering odors.
You do have to be careful with GoreTex gloves – their website has a care guide if you want more details.
What else do I need to go hiking?
You can enjoy camping and hiking in all weathers with the right clothing. Sunny days will require hiking sunglasses, while rainy weather will need a decent waterproof jacket (you can read our guides to the best jackets for women and lightweight rain jackets if you want recommendations), or you could go for a poncho.
One of the most important things you can get is decent footwear for hiking. Look for tough, comfortable hiking boots or hiking sandals (depending on where you’re camping). The REI Co-op has more information on this in their guide to hiking boots.
To Sum Up … Which are the Best Gloves for Camping?
We like the SEALSKINZ Unisex Waterproof All-Weather Ultra Grip Knitted Glove. They’re comfortable, so if you’re camping in cold weather, you can wear them for hours with no problems. They’re also good for walks, and they’re touch-screen compatible.
If you’re going camping or hiking in very cold weather, we’d recommend the Black Diamond Soloist Cold Weather Gloves. They’re thick, super-warm, and they’ll keep your hands dry too.
We also like the Columbia Mens Wind Bloc Men's Glove. They’re warm, but still very breathable, so you won’t have to worry about getting sweaty hands.
We hope this has helped you to find the best camping gloves for you – if it has, please feel free to share this on social media. We’d also like to hear your thoughts – how do you stay warm while camping? Do you have any tips? Let us know in the comments!