Ever dealt with bitter, bone-chilling cold, the kind that sticks with you long after you’ve retreated indoors to the comfort of a warm fire? Men’s gloves, or at least, a better pair of gloves than the kind you normally wear, are just what the doctor ordered when fall and winter weather hits. It’s never too early (or too late) to start preparing to combat blustery storms and adverse conditions, so take our word for it and snag some stylish, highly functional winter gloves ASAP.
Men’s gloves should do at least one thing well: That is, they should keep you warm as heck and protected from the perils of frostbite, snow, rain, sleet and more. But these days, it’s not enough to simply keep your hands warm. Sure, you can get tactical gloves or work gloves for those days you’re on the job or out in the field, but we’re here to urge you to tackle things with a bit more style, plus practicality, for the season (or seasons) ahead.
Men’s gloves are also one of those accessories that you can find available at a nice deal depending on when you start shopping.
Men’s gloves are just like, say, your favorite dress boots in that regard. The best dress boots help you tackle winter sleet and slush with ease, blending the best of the best in terms of traction with sleek, sharp style. The best men’s gloves, believe it or not, can help you do the very same thing (take a page out of Bond’s playbook and snag some cool-as-can-be dress gloves for a prime example of their power).
You’ve got to find the pair that works for you, so investing a little bit isn’t a bad thing at all (more on this in a second, of course). And if you figure out the proper formula (say, quality materials + quality construction = your new favorite pair of gloves), then you’ll reap the rewards — and stay nice and toasty — for the weeks and months ahead.
We think men’s gloves are every bit as important as the right boot socks or the right winter boots, and if you’ve ever forgotten your gloves at home, you know this to be the truth. Versatility is pretty crucial in that regard, too. Ideally, you should be searching for gloves you can wear with multiple outfits and with multiple types of outerwear, be it a warm puffer jacket, a thigh-length parka or a slick, Bond-approved peacoat.
Men’s gloves are also one of those accessories that you can find available at a nice deal depending on when you start shopping. Consider it advance deal hunting for winter gloves in the warmer months, but then be prepared to jump at the first sign of snow, when winter gloves are also typically available. There are even gloves that boast all the functionality of insulated work gloves, but with the sharp design of dress gloves. We’ll cover a few different styles to keep those digits warm this winter and well beyond.
Just as with reviewing any product, it pays to not go in blind, but rather, with a solid amount of knowledge top of mind. That way, you won’t be hoodwinked into buying a pair that’s less than stellar. To shop for men’s gloves, follow a few tips from your friendly neighborhood style experts (that’s us) below.
How to Choose Gloves That Are Right For You
- Consider your wardrobe: What makes up the rest of your wardrobe? It’s going to be the key to figuring out what gloves are best for your situation at the moment. If you tend towards rugged style staples like henleys, flannel shirts, denim and vests for layering, plus rugged moc toe boots, you can wear a thicker pair of gloves akin to leather work gloves. If your wardrobe is dressy and tailored, search for winter dress gloves that check all the right boxes in terms of style points. There ways to find a happy medium based on the gloves you think you’re going to be wearing most often. Choose wisely, or heck, go right ahead and buy multiple pairs.
- Find the right material: If we’ve said it before, we’ve said it a million times. It’s all about the proper material and construction. Dress gloves are usually made of smooth leather, while gloves more suited to work or to rugged outfits are often made with thicker, textured leather. Both styles of gloves should feature some sort of warming insulation, and they should also be relatively flexible and easy to form to your hand, not overly rigid and hard to wear. Of course, the best men’s gloves will also break in over time, molding to your hands, the way you wear them and the adventures you embark upon (because we know you’ll be going on adventures aplenty with the right winter gloves).
- Quality over quantity: Buying up bulk gloves made up of cheap leather never did anyone any favors, just as with skimping on any sort of material or menswear essential. Spend a bit more upfront, just like with dress boots or denim, and you’ll find a pair of gloves to reach for on a consistent basis, season after season and year after year. You’ll get more wear out of one well-made pair of gloves than out of multiple pairs made with inferior materials, so keep that in mind as you shop.
There’s a whole host of other considerations you should hold near and dear to your heart as you scour the market for the best men’s gloves. Those pointers will help out plenty in the meantime, though. And without further ado, allow us to present our favorite men’s gloves of the moment. Winter will be here before you know it. Shop accordingly.
The Best Men’s Gloves to Add to Your Cart Now
Dents Muncaster Abraham Moon Tweed Gloves
If we had to spotlight just one pair that nicely toes the line between dressy and rugged in the world of men’s gloves, Dents would be the ideal brand to spotlight. They’re a heritage brand with the pedigree and longstanding tradition to prove it, and they’re using time-honored tactics and rich, tough deerskin leather to craft one high-quality set of gloves. It only gets better from there, though. They’ve used Abraham Moon tweed – another legendary British brand – to accent these handsome gloves while adding warmth and style points. Wear these with a handsome camel topcoat or a wool shirt jacket and your favorite henley.
Hestra Utsjo Gloves
When you want gloves you can count on in the worst weather imaginable, find a pair from a brand that crafts its gloves to exacting standards, and in a region known for its unforgiving weather. We’re talking about Hestra’s gloves, made from Nordic elk leather and made using processes that date back to 1936. That durable leather is finished off with a warm yet breathable fleece lining, plus Primaloft insulation within the gloves themselves. It doesn’t hurt that they’re available in rugged, versatile leather shades like Chestnut, all the better to pair with nearly anything in your winter wardrobe.
Patagonia Retro Pile Gloves
Remember that soft-as-can-be Patagonia fleece you relied on in college, the same fleece you likely throw on now when you wake up on frigid mornings working from home? What if Patagonia took that same approach and turned it into a super-soft, super-warm pair of retro gloves featuring water-repellent palm overlays and touchscreen-compatible thumb and index fingers? That’s not all these retro-style gloves have going for them. Consider them the ultimate pair of gloves to wear on casual winter outings. Huckberry said it best when talking about these gloves: “There’s just something about high-pile fleece that’s getting our attention this year—the warmth, the throwback look, the all-around coziness.” We couldn’t agree more.
Filson Full Finger Knit Gloves
Filson has never been a brand to cut corners when it comes to durable, tough-as-nails, simply remarkable outdoor gear. That extends through to its socks, belts, leather goods and of course, these warm and long-lasting gloves. Think of them like the final touch on a workwear outfit featuring Filson’s waxed pants and jacket on mornings when your to-do list just can’t wait. The ragg wool design is also unique and designed to insulate when wet or dry. When you recall the fact that Filson made gear for the original outdoor explorers of the Pacific Northwest more than a century ago, we’re willing to bet you can wear your own pair just about anywhere on the planet.
Nordstrom Leather Gloves
Fancy finding yourself a pair of James Bond-style leather dress gloves, but not interested in spending an arm and a leg? This super-sharp Nordstrom pair, done up in black leather and lined with polyester fleece, should prove the right way to go these days. They hit the sweet spot between style, durability, affordability and functionality. You can wear them out on date night with a navy peacoat, tailored grey trousers, a white Oxford shirt and black Chelsea boots, or you can style them with a leather aviator jacket and slim blue jeans for the right blend of high-low style. Better still, they retail for well under $100.
