Mittens vs Gloves for the snow?

How On Earth Do We Keep Our Hands Warm?

When the temperature dips below zero and the wind bites at your cheeks, nothing matters more than keeping warm – and your hands are often the first to feel the freeze. Whether you’re dog sledding through Lapland, building a snowman with your kids, or standing still under the Northern Lights, cold fingers can ruin the moment fast!

So let’s settle the age-old debate: mittens or gloves for the snow? Which is better and how do we keep our hands warm in extreme winter conditions?

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Gloves: The Classic Choice

Gloves offer individual finger movement, which means greater dexterity – perfect if you’re handling a camera (which I always am!), tying a child’s shoelace, or fiddling with your phone. Lots of new gloves come with touch-screen fingertips, waterproof linings and thermal insulation that promise warmth and functionality.

But here’s the catch… your fingers are separated and that means they can’t share heat. So even with the best gloves, your fingertips might still end up numb.

Winter gloves are best for:

• Driving
• Photography
• Hiking in mild to moderate cold
• Any activity where you need full use of your fingers

Mittens: The Underrated Heroes

Mittens are often seen as childish or clumsy – but when it comes to warmth, they’re the best. They keep your fingers huddled together, they generate and retain body heat more efficiently. That’s a game-changer in sub-zero temps.

Many mittens are also lined with fleece or down, waterproof on the outside and ridiculously warm on the inside. The downside? They’re not great for detailed tasks. Think of them as sleeping bags for your hands.

Mittens in winter are best for:

• Standing still in the snow (Northern Lights, anyone?)
• Spending hours at a playground or sled park watching the kids have fun
• Dog sledding
• Long, cold walks
• Children and adults who feel the cold easily

Glove and Mitten options at different budgets

Here’s a curated selection of waterproof gloves and mittens across various price ranges, sourced from reputable Australian retailers. These options cater to different budgets and preferences, ensuring you find the perfect pair for your winter adventures.

Budget-Friendly Options

Rad Gloves Sidehit Insulated Unisex Snow Mittens

These mittens are a solid choice if you want waterproof protection without spending a fortune. With a 10,000mm Hipora insert, 3M Thinsulate insulation, and a tough leather-look palm, they’ll keep your hands dry and warm on active winter days. The slip-on cuff, wrist leashes and handy boogie wiper thumb make them easy and practical to wear – great for snow trips, hiking, or just staying warm outdoors.

Sosoport Snow Mittens for Kids

These budget-friendly kids’ snow mittens are a winter essential for little hands. Made from soft, durable polyester with a waterproof outer, they help keep your child’s hands warm and dry while playing in the snow. They’re great for skiing, snowboarding, or just everyday outdoor fun. A built-in hook makes them easy to hang or clip together – no more losing mittens! Simple, cosy and perfect for active winter days.

LEAKDRY Waterproof Merino Wool Touchscreen Gloves

Built for cold-weather adventures, these gloves combine waterproofing, wind protection and advanced insulation to keep your hands warm and dry in harsh conditions. The lightweight thermal lining traps heat without bulk, while touchscreen fingertips let you use your phone or GPS without taking them off. Great for snow travel, hiking, or everyday winter wear – easy to wash and designed for both men and women. Reliable, practical, and ready for whatever winter throws your way.

Middle of the range

Men’s Leather HydraHyde Mittens

Designed for seriously cold days, these water-resistant leather mittens are built to handle snow, wind, and everyday winter wear. With 150g of insulation on the back and 100g on the palm, plus a soft fleece lining, they’re warm without feeling bulky. The HydraHyde leather keeps moisture out while still letting your hands breathe. Perfect for snow shovelling, snowmobiling, or long days outdoors – these are reliable, rugged mittens that actually do the job.

The North Face – Etip™ Recycled Gloves

These fleece gloves are a go-to for runners, walkers, and travellers who need warmth without bulk. Made from recycled polyester with four-way stretch, they’re super comfortable and touchscreen-compatible across all five fingers. The silicone grip helps you hold onto your phone or trekking poles, and the fit is snug without restricting movement. Ideal for milder winter days, layering under mittens, or staying connected on the go.

XTM Whistler II GORE-TEX Gloves

Tried and tested in harsh winter conditions, the XTM Whistler II Gloves are a reliable go-to for snow adventures. With a GORE-TEX® membrane to keep hands completely dry, toasty fill insulation for warmth and a tough polyester outer shell, they balance comfort and durability perfectly. Wrapped fingers add strength, the barrel lock cuff seals out snow and the adjustable wrist strap ensures a snug fit. Plus, they’re a certified carbon neutral product – great for the planet and even better for your hands!

The “Bees Knees” of Gloves and Mittens

The North Face Nuptse Convertible Mittens

Inspired by the iconic Nuptse Jacket, these convertible mitts bring serious warmth with a mix of responsibly sourced down and Heatseeker™ insulation. They flip open when you need finger access and stay secure with a handy cord. Etip™ functionality on the thumbs means you can text or scroll without freezing your fingers. Made with recycled materials, they’re warm, practical and perfect for winter city life or travel. Stylish, functional and built for the cold.

Arc’teryx Sabre Gloves

Built for backcountry skiing and big mountain days, the Arc’teryx Sabre Glove delivers top-tier protection in harsh alpine conditions. With a GORE-TEX insert for full waterproofing, reinforced leather palms and fingers and PrimaLoft® insulation for warmth without bulk, these gloves are made to perform. Thoughtful design touches like seam-free fingertips, Tri-Dex technology for dexterity and a secure wrist strap give you comfort and control. Durable, weatherproof and purpose-built for snow sports and sub-zero temperatures!

Rab Women’s Pivot GTX Gloves

Designed for technical alpine and ice climbing, the Rab Women’s Pivot GTX Gloves offer serious protection in extreme cold. With GORE-TEX Active waterproofing and PrimaLoft® Gold insulation, they keep your hands warm and dry even on bitter climbs. The pre-curved, 3D-mapped fit, reinforced leather grip zones and high dexterity construction make handling tools feel natural, while features like knuckle protection, a soft lining, and adjustable cuffs show just how thoughtfully these gloves are made. Tough, warm and built for performance in the harshest winter environments.

So… Which One Should You Pack?

Honestly? If it were me, I’d say both.

Option 1: Glove inner and Mitten outer

Here’s a strategy that works wonders for extreme cold:

1. Thin liner gloves – Start with a snug-fitting thermal glove (merino or synthetic). You can keep them on indoors or when ducking into shops.
2. Thick mittens – Layer waterproof, insulated mittens over your liner gloves when heading outside into the snow. If you need to use your fingers, just take off the mitten and still have a glove on.

This combo gives you the warmth of mittens and the dexterity of gloves without risking frostbite.

Option 2: Glove inner and Glove and Mitten outer

This may seem unnecessary to have both but to be honest, if you have not experienced sub zero temperatures before then how do you really know what will work for you. You don’t. I think that it really does come down to individual preferences.

We took a pair of gloves and mittens for both of our kids. As it turned out, one preferred the mittens and the other preferred the gloves so they ended up with two pairs each of their preferred outer layer. Which brings me to the other thing I would say on this matter – it is great to have a second pair of ‘outer’ (in particular), in case one gets wet. We had one pair of outer that were better quality than the other, but it was very handy to be able to swap them out after a long day playing in the snow!

Bonus Tips to Keep Your Hands Toasty:

• Hand warmers – Pack reusable or disposable hand warmers. Slip them into your mittens or pockets for a quick heat boost.
• Avoid cotton – It traps moisture. Opt for synthetic or wool layers that keep hands dry.
• Keep your core warm – If your body is cold, it diverts blood away from your extremities. Layer up properly everywhere else and wear a good quality jacket!
• Move your fingers – Wiggle them frequently. Still hands get cold fast.

Don’t underestimate how much cold hands can derail a dream winter trip. Whether you’re an Aussie off to Lapland, planning your first snow adventure, or revisiting the Arctic for round two, invest in quality handwear. Choose mittens for warmth, gloves for movement – or better yet, layer both and cover all bases. Because the truth is, the best winter adventure is one where you’re warm enough to actually enjoy it!