Warm Mittens and Gloves

Warm mittens and gloves are the first answer to cold hands on the bike, the dog walk or the school run. This guide compares mittens, finger gloves, lobster gloves and liners, and explains what to look for. Gløde does not sell unheated mittens yet; we do make heated gloves, called Øven.

Which mittens or gloves suit you?

Type	Good for	Keep in mind
Mittens	Cold hands, walking, standing on the sideline	Less grip for keys, zips or a phone
Finger gloves	Cycling, driving, anything that needs grip	Each finger on its own, so fingers often get cold sooner
Lobster or three-finger gloves	Cycling in the cold: warmer than gloves, more grip than mittens	Takes a little getting used to
Liner gloves	A thin glove under a mitten, or on its own on mild days	Not warm enough alone in real cold
Shell mittens	Rain, wind and wet snow	The shell keeps out weather; the lining keeps in warmth

What to look for

• Lining: fleece, wool or a pile lining does most of the warming. A removable liner can dry separately.
• Wind- and water-resistant outside: on the bike, wind through the fabric chills your hands quickly.
• Long cuffs: a cuff that goes over your sleeve stops wind and rain getting in at the wrist.
• Grip: a textured palm helps on handlebars and with a dog lead.
• Room at the fingertips: mittens that are too tight press the lining flat and feel colder.

Warm hands when you stand still

Unheated mittens hold in the warmth your hands make themselves. When you stand still for a long time, or spend most of the day outside, that is sometimes not enough. Then a heated glove can be the better answer.

• Øven heated gloves: 3 heat levels from 35 to 50 °C, warm fingertips, water- and windproof, with a thick lining that is warm even when switched off.
• Heated gloves: everything about Øven, in sizes S to XL.
• Spare glove batteries: a second pair of 3,000 mAh batteries for long days out.
• How to stay warm watching football: for cold hands on the touchline.

Frequently asked questions

Are mittens warmer than gloves?

Usually, yes. In a mitten your fingers lie together and share their warmth, and less surface is exposed to the cold. Gloves give more grip and let you use your fingers. Lobster gloves are a middle option, popular for cycling.

What are liner gloves for?

A liner is a thin glove worn under a mitten or glove. It adds a layer and lets you take the outer mitten off for a key or a phone without bare hands. On mild days you can wear a liner on its own.

Mittens or gloves for cycling?

Many cyclists use finger gloves or lobster gloves for grip on the brakes and gears. If your hands get very cold, lobster gloves or mittens with a wind-resistant shell keep more warmth in. Try them on with your handlebars in mind.

When are heated gloves the better choice?

When you stand still for long, are outside most of the day, or your hands stay cold even in thick mittens. Heated gloves such as Øven add warmth themselves, on 3 levels, while unheated mittens can only keep in what your hands produce.

What size mittens should I buy?

Leave a little room at the fingertips, especially if you wear a liner underneath. Mittens that are too tight press the lining flat and often feel colder. If you are between sizes, the larger one is usually more comfortable.