Outdoors Gear The 8 Best Mittens of 2023 By Erika Owen Erika Owen Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Erika Owen is a self-proclaimed Professional Iceland Enthusiast, covering everything from boutique hotels to ATV tours. She's also a product reviewer who's tested out everything from airplane pillows to travel adapters for TripSavvy. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 10/27/22 Share Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. TripSavvy's Pick There’s a surprising amount of variety when it comes to mittens. For something that will fit any situation, opt for The North Face Montana Futurelight Etip Mitt, which will keep you warm and dry. For a lighter option when you don’t need waterproof protection, the Smartwool Knit Mitt is a simple option that will look great with whatever you’re wearing. For extreme warmth, the Canada Goose Arctic Down Mitts will keep you safe from the elements. There are few things cozier than slipping your hands into a warm pair of mittens once the temperatures dip. Whether you’re outside hitting the ski slopes or just taking in the wintry views with a cup of hot chocolate, keeping your hands warm is a key to comfort. There are many options out there, so carefully consider what kind of work you’ll be putting your mittens through. If you’re planning on getting into the snow, opt for something waterproof with a warm lining. There are plenty of lighter knit mittens on the market, as well, if you just need an extra layer of warmth to combat the fall air. Keep in mind that material matters when picking the right mittens for you: thicker materials like leather will hold up longer compared to wool or knit options. Ahead, we picked out some of our favorite mittens and researched them for several qualities: warmth, material durability, water resistance, and fit. The Rundown Best Overall: The North Face Montana Futurelight Etip Mitt at Amazon Jump to Review Best Fingerless: ViGrace Winter Knitted Convertible Fingerless Mittens at Amazon Jump to Review Best Leather: Give'r Frontier Mittens at Give-r.com Jump to Review Best for Extreme Cold: Canada Goose Arctic Down Mittens - Women's at Backcountry.com Jump to Review Best for Skiing: L.L.Bean Men's Gore-Tex PrimaLoft Ski Mittens at L.L.Bean Jump to Review Best for Kids: L.L.Bean Cold Buster Waterproof Mittens at L.L.Bean Jump to Review Best Touchscreen: Eddie Bauer Powder Search Touchscreen Mittens at Eddiebauer.com Jump to Review Best Wool: Smartwool Knit Mitt at Zappos Jump to Review Best Knit: Bruceriver Geometric Knit Mittens at Amazon Jump to Review Table of contents Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Why Trust TripSavvy Best Overall The North Face Montana Futurelight Etip Mitt Dick's Sporting Goods View On Amazon View On Dick's View On The North Face What We Like Very warm Water resistant Touchscreen compatible What We Don't Like Bulkier than other mittens The Montana mittens from The North Face have a little bit of everything: water resistance, touchscreen-compatible fingertips, warmth, and a full-coverage design with an elastic wrist guard that will keep snow and rain out of the mitten. These mittens would perform just as well on a ski slope as they would keeping your hands warm on an impromptu winter walk with the dog. This mitten is also offered in a slightly adjusted fit (with all of the same features) for men. Price at time of publish: $70 Water resistant: Yes | Liner: Yes Best Fingerless ViGrace Winter Knitted Convertible Fingerless Mittens Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Convertible design Warmth What We Don't Like One-size-fits-most sizing Not water resistant Sometimes you want the best of both worlds: a full-on mitten to keep your hands warm and the option to pop out your fingers for a few minutes of fresh air. These convertible mittens from ViGrace offer just that. Made of 50 percent wool and 50 percent acrylic, these mittens are not water resistant, but they will give you the warmth you want. The unisex style is excellent for any mitten weather. The finger flap is attached with a velcro piece on the mitten's back. The palm/thumb of the mitten also features a piece of leather for a better grip. These mittens are best worn when you know you won't be digging around in the snow. Price at time of publish: $17.99 for medium in beige Water resistant: No | Liner: No Best Leather Give'r Frontier Mittens View On Give-r.com What We Like Get more comfortable with time Extreme durable Available in 7 sizes What We Don't Like Must be broken in Whether you are braving the cold for work or play, these rugged all-cowhide leather mittens will keep your hands cozy and warm. Produced by crowdfunding efforts, the Frontier mitten features a waterproof membrane, Thinsulate insulation, and a wrist cuff to retain heat. They come carefully hand-waxed by the manufacturer to protect the leather exterior and are tested against extreme heat and cold conditions. As with any high-quality leather product, a short break-in period will result in a specially molded, personalized fit. Price at time of publish: $139 Water resistant: Yes | Liner: Yes Best for Extreme Cold Canada Goose Arctic Down Mittens - Women's Canada Goose View On Backcountry.com View On Canadagoose.com What We Like Fantastic temperature control Waterproof liner What We Don't Like Bulky design No touchscreen compatibility Choosing a pair of mittens for an extreme environment is serious business, and these mitts from Canada Goose will keep you warm and safe from the elements. White goose down insulation is the workhorse of the design, while a removable waterproof liner adds a further layer of protection. The cuffs also feature a fleece lining and a drawcord to ensure a close fit. These will be entirely too warm for a walk around the neighborhood, but you’ll be thanking yourself for packing these mittens if you’re ever off to ski slopes...or the Arctic during the winter. These are available in an adjusted fit for men. Price at time of publish: $225 Water resistant: Yes | Liner: Yes Best for Skiing L.L.Bean Men's Gore-Tex PrimaLoft Ski Mittens L.L. Bean View On L.L.Bean What We Like Nose wipe on thumbs Waterproof liner Palm grip What We Don't Like Not touchscreen compatible These polyester ski mittens from L.L.Bean combine the power of a polyurethane palm and a waterproof Gore-Tex liner to ensure you start warm, and your ski poles stay put. Each thumb also features a “nose wipe” or a soft bit of gentle fabric on the skin. A chase leash is also designed into the mittens so that you won’t lose them after spills or tumbles. Price at time of publish: $69.95 Water resistant: Yes | Liner: Yes Best for Kids L.L.Bean Cold Buster Waterproof Mittens L.L. Bean View On L.L.Bean View On Zappos View On Zappos What We Like Waterproof Name label What We Don't Like No leash or cable There are a couple of things you want in a kid-approved mitten: water resistance, warm lining, ease of putting on and taking off, and protection against misplacement. The Cold Buster mittens from L.L.Bean check all the boxes and then some. One of the hidden gems of this design is an interior name label. What this means: You can mark your child’s mittens, which are bound to get lost in a mountain of outdoor gear at some point. There’s an easy-to-use Velcro closure on each of the wrists, so you can make sure they’ll stay put through any adventure. Price at time of publish: $24.95 Water resistant: Yes | Liner: No, but they are lined Best Touchscreen Eddie Bauer Powder Search Touchscreen Mittens Eddie Bauer View On Eddiebauer.com What We Like Zip pocket Touchscreen compatibility What We Don't Like Nothing yet Not only are the Powder Search mittens from Eddie Bauer touchscreen friendly, but they also have a small zippered pouch for housing small objects on each hand. That may not sound super helpful until you have to find a spot for your house key while taking your daily winter stroll around the block. You can even store an extra heating pad in there for extra warmth. These mittens are packed with ThermaFill insulation, a soft-brushed lining, and feature cuffs that seal out snow and other moisture. Water resistant: Yes | Liner: No, but they are lined Best Wool Smartwool Knit Mitt Smartwool View On Zappos View On Moosejaw.com View On Smartwool.com What We Like Touchscreen-compatible thumbs Minimal style What We Don't Like Not water resistant No liner If you're looking for a pair of mittens you can toss in the washing machine, you found them. These unisex wool mittens from Smartwool are beautifully minimal and come without any major bells and whistles. The design does feature a touchscreen-compatible thumb, which certainly comes in handy, but don't expect these mittens to keep you warm and dry in the middle of a snowstorm. They're more for everyday wear. Available in three colors, they also have a ribbed cuff to help keep your body heat inside. While there are more serious mittens out there, the simple design of these is quite eye-catching. Price at time of publish: $24 Water resistant: No | Liner: No Best Knit Bruceriver Geometric Knit Mittens View On Amazon What We Like Classic winter aesthetic 7 different color combos Affordable What We Don't Like Only available in 2 sizes A knit mitten may not be the workhorse of winter handwear, but it certainly serves for everyday winter situations. The Geometric Knit Mitten uses soft acrylic lined with cozy fleece to protect you while running errands, walking the dog, or roaming a pumpkin patch with friends and family. The stylish geometric pattern pairs well with any look and comes in seven different color combinations. We appreciate that they are machine washable and not too hard on the budget either—perfect for gifting. Price at time of publish: $18.99 Water resistant: No | Liner: Yes What to Look for When Buying Mittens Material Many mittens feature wool, nylon, or acrylic fabrics. While not water resistant, wool is an excellent insulator for dry environments and will keep your body heat maintained in the mitten. Nylon will keep your hands dry as it’s generally water-resistant. Make sure to keep your winter activities in mind when choosing your mittens. Waterproofing Unless you know you’re only going to be wearing your mittens in dry environments, it’s best to get a pair that can withstand a little rain and snow. Luckily, most sports mittens are equipped for handling these scenarios while trapping your body heat. Removable Liners Some mittens come with removable liners—which are often waterproof—to help add a layer of heat and dryness. The perk of removable liners is that they can be washed (check with the manufacturer for washing instructions) or taken out to lighten your mittens for warmer weather. Frequently Asked Questions How do I wash my mittens? It’s best to check with the manufacturer for washing instructions. Generally, spot-clean all of your mittens with a damp cloth and a bit of dish soap or laundry detergent. Do not put wool mittens in the washer or dryer—they’ll shrink beyond recognition. Removable liners should be spot cleaned and aired out instead of sent through a washer or dryer. Do I need a removable liner? You don’t need one, as many mitten designs come with built-in liners made of fleece or other insulation materials. Removable liners are great if you want to wear your mittens in warmer temperatures. Taking the liner out will give your hands extra breathing room. Why Trust TripSavvy Erika Owen is a cold-weather enthusiast who had to find the perfect mittens for a January trip to the Swedish Lapland a few years back. Needless to say, warmth and temperature control were top of mind. She researched these products and owns (and loves) the Hestra Gloves Wakayama Insulated Mittens. The 7 Best Winter Coats for Men of 2022, Tested and Reviewed Was this page helpful? 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