8 Best Running Gloves in 2023

Our hands get cold quickly when the temperature goes down because our body tries to keep our core and internal organs warm by increasing blood circulation. That’s the main reason why our extremities get cold during a cool winter run. Tough weather conditions aren’t the reason for stopping your outdoor running workouts.

Therefore, properly chosen running gloves keep your hands warm and dry, so you won’t notice harsh weather conditions, i.e., cold wind, snow, rain, or frost. Perfectly fit running gears work for all conditions in which you run. To get the most out of the chosen gloves you should consider the temperature outside, the intensity of your training, and the tendency of your overheating.

It’s better to look for the gloves with extra wind-proofing properties: multiple layers of the material are designed to stop the wind and protect hands from windchill and stiffnes feeling. The next point you should consider is gloves gripping texture on the palm side. For instance, if you regularly get out your phone from the pocket, or want to uncover a protein bar, or gel on the go, then a good secure grip on the palms is imoprtant for you to consider when choosing a perfect gear. Such silicone patterns brings much better traction when holding objects and there’s no need to stop running to get out a phone.

This feature refers also to trail and course obstacle runners. They wear gloves to protect their hands while running through diverse terrain surfaces, i.e., to cushion from accidental falling thanks to padding elements. Also, they will provide extra grip when a runner needs to climb up or down the rock, or climb the rope, overcome obstacles, jump through the roots and so on. In such harsh and extreme conditions, running gloves are must-have because they also bring runners’ hands mobility and dexterity while protecting them.

With reflective accents on the gloves, a runner becomes more visible for the upcoming traffic and attracts more attention to the drivers in the evening with their hands moving and waving while running in poor light districts. Generally, high-visibility elements on the sports wear can significantly reduce accidents in low-light conditions.

The price tag is also important when choosing the best winter running gloves: high-quality garments can’t be cheap and their price shouldn’t be super high considering the specific features. The more durable the material is, the more extra features running gloves have, and the higher price will be for the item. The average price for good gloves may vary from $20-30 and they should be touchscreen compatible, with reflective and non-slip elements, made of durable fabric to allow optimal breathability, moisture-wicking, and keep the warmth.

Running gloves should be comfortable for everyday use, they don’t have to compress your palms and fingers, as well as they don’t have to be loose. The main point is that comfort depends on the material: gloves for running should be made of flexible, stretchy fabric that is highly durable to provide users with ultimate comfort while staying functional sports gear. They should prevent sweat, stiffness, and numbness of the hands in any weather conditions.

Stretchy material should guarantee a snug fit that also simplifies the usage of smartphones without taking the gloves off. So, you may feel them like a second warm layer. Too big gloves can cause enough discomfort, i.e., skin chafing and irritation, especially if your hands are already sweaty. Too small gloves prevent normal blood circulation to your extremities, so they’re becoming colder more quickly.

Material breathability also plays a crucial role in vouching for a high level of comfort. They should be ventilated enough to keep your hands dry while staying warm. Polyester material copes with this task perfectly due to its high breathability and absorbency features.

The quality of stitching refers directly to the material and its thickness level. You’d rather choose gloves of thicker material for cold weather, and you’ll wear thin ones on warm days. As usual, the front side of the gloves is made from thicker fabric to protect hands from wind, while the opposite side is thinner to absorb sweat in the palm area and make hands dry and warm.

That means your gloves can be produced from several types of synthetic fabric that should be stitched well not to make it easy to tear accidentally or avoid gloves seams split in the stitching of two materials.

Durability is connected to the material your gloves are made from. The majority of gloves are made from polyester, spandex, and nylon, also merino wool is becoming popular nowadays. These materials wick away moisture and provide runners with additional warmth and protection.

For instance, polyester brings good absorbency and breathability while not having water protection and wind resistance features. The same is with acrylic and elastane. Fleece gloves don’t absorb water well, but are soft and keep hands warm and highly protected. Polypropylene material can protect hands from wind and is water-repellent, but it’s not breathable enough which results in internal sweat accumulation.

Choosing the right running garments is important both for starters and experienced marathon runners. If you keep your body warm during running, you get better performance, maintain your health, and have an injury-free workout. Besides proper warm-up exercises, you should wear comfortable and warm clothes, as well as appropriate running gloves that will protect your extremities from being frostbite and numbed.

So, when picking a pair of gloves, consider what temperature range and weather conditions they’re designed for. When speaking about winter or cold fall/spring running, such gloves should have a warm fleece lining, moisture-wicking material that is moderately thin, and light not to slip off your hands or bunch up on the palms. They should bring you extra thermal insulation and protection, so after running you still feel your fingers keep the warmth.

Also, a vital point in selecting running gloves is the possibility of not exposing your hands to the cold when you want to use your phone to type something or take a photo quickly. So, the chosen pair of gloves should be warm enough, soft inside, flexible, and breathable to bring you maximum comfort while working out.

Running in the cold with gloves influences athletes’ general comfort, maintains blood circulation to your fingers and protects them from being stiff, cold, and swollen because of frost. Even experienced runners wear gloves to avoid injuries in case of losing their footing and falling.

Wool gloves can become useful for your low-temperature running training if the temperature is going below 7 C, so your fingers are becoming highly susceptible to frost. Wool is a pretty breathable material that enables air circulation and protects your hands from overheating and extra moisture. Still, wool gloves keep hands warm inside.

There may be several reasons: gloves do help to warm up since fingers aren’t working hard while running. Also, runners use gloves as sweat rags to wipe their faces from salty sweat. Another reason is that running gloves can save runners’ hands from injuries and occasional falls or tripping.

• Practicing Sport in Cold Environments // NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8471173/ 
• Running in Winter: Benefits and Protection Strategies // HealthLine: https://www.healthline.com/health/winter-running
• Tips for First Time Cold-Weather Runners // Very Well Fit: https://www.verywellfit.com/tips-for-first-time-cold-weathered-runners-5205528

• The Effects of Gloves on Grip Strength and Muscle Activity // Sage Journal: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1518/107118188786762603
• Workout glove having a wrist wrap // Patents: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9067123B1/en