The cold weather is here yet again and you know what that means – covering up and dressing in layers. You’d need warmer and more insulating pieces of clothing to protect yourself from the freezing air. This includes your coat, a hat or a beanie, socks, and maybe even a scarf. However, the same can’t be said when it comes to your cold weather tactical gloves.
Sure, there are a lot of gloves that offer incredible warmth and comfort. However, to get that level of protection from the elements, most of these gloves sacrifice movement and dexterity. If your profession or activities require you to move your hands a lot during the cold, these types of gloves just won’t do. So what do you do?
Get yourself a pair of the best cold weather tactical gloves. But what exactly are these types of gloves, and what makes them different from others? Let’s find out below.
Our Top Picks
What Are Cold Weather Tactical Gloves?
There are different types of gloves, and they each serve a different purpose. Cotton and fabric gloves, for example, are great for keeping your hands clean and protected from abrasions. However, they are not ideal for working with sharp or rough materials. All-leather is a type of glove that’s warm and good-looking but doesn’t provide you enough knuckle protection and grip for all your full-scale adventures. There are also puffy winter gloves that are too large and bulky, it’s impossible to use your hands while wearing them.
Then there are cold weather tactical gloves or also called military gloves. These winter gloves are designed to give you full protection without sacrificing mobility and dexterity. They can protect your hands and wrists from injuries, cuts, and abrasions while still allowing your hands and fingers a full range of motion. On top of that, since they are cold weather gloves, they can also provide you extra protection against low temperatures.
Cold weather tactical gloves or military gloves are ideal for combat, survival, and any situation that requires you to be precise and quick with your hands. This is why they are often used by the police, military, special ops, hunters, and those who work with weaponry. They are also popular among bikers, motorcycle riders, hikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Top 3 Cold Weather Tactical Gloves for Men
1. Mechanix Wear ColdWork M-Pact
- INSULATED: 40g 3M Thinsulate technology combined with heavyweight fleece material will help regulate your body temperature and keep your hands warm in moderately cold weather
- TOUCHSCREEN GLOVES – The perfect blend of dexterity and durability, these can be used for smart phones, tablets, and any capacitive touch-screen devices at construction site, repair shop, or any...
- IMPACT DURABILITY – Ergonomic designed D3O palm padding absorbs and dissipates vibration, while Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) provides high impact knuckle protection on these heavy-duty gloves, meeting...
- WATER & WIND RESISTANT SOFTSHELL: Smooth back of hand material prevents water from reaching hands while the laminated wind barrier provides critical wind resistance to stand up to the coldest days on...
Mechanix Wear is a top brand in the tactical gear industry – and for good reasons. They offer high-quality materials and products at a surprisingly affordable price range. Just check out the Mechanix Wear ColdWork M-Pact.
With their C40 3M Thinsulate insulation, the Mechanix Wear ColdWork M-Pact gloves are perfect for cold conditions. They have excellent heat retention, helping you to regulate your body temperature. While they aren’t ideal in sub-zero temperatures, they can sure keep your hands and fingers warm and toasty in moderately cold climates.
These Mechanix Wear Gloves’ softshell can resist water and can keep chilly air from sneaking in. Their palm also features durable synthetic leather with touchscreen compatibility and dedicated D30 padding, which is comfortable yet strong enough to protect you even from high impact and force.
On the backside, the Mechanix Wear ColdWork Gloves uses a Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) material that meets ANSI 138 Level 2 impact standard. This provides you with enhanced protection against impact. There’s also a TPR loop closure to provide you with a secure fit. If your line of work is related to maintenance and repair, construction, carpentry and woodwork, oil and gas, towing and transportation, or mining, then these Mechanix Wear gloves are perfect for you.
2. Ironclad Cold Condition Gloves
- PROTECTION FROM COLD CONDITIONS - With a Windproof and Water Repellant Membrane your hands will stay warmer and dryer longer
- STRENGTH & DURABILITY - Gloves are manufactured with DURACLAD reinforcements that are 8X's more durable than standard synthetic leather
- IMPACT-PROTECTION - The TPR protection covering the knuckles will help keep your hands safe from unexpected or accidental impact
- QUICK FIT - With our TPR Cuff Puller for the easy, smooth positioning of your glove so you can get down to business quicker
While not necessarily labeled as tactical gloves, the Ironclad Cold Condition Gloves are designed with the same purpose: to provide you the precision you need in cold conditions. They provide maximum dexterity and comfort while offering you protection from the elements. They are warm, windproof, and repels water well, ensuring your hands will remain warm and dry no matter what.
The Ironclad Cold Condition Gloves are equipped with TPR knuckle protection to protect you from impact and abrasion. They also have a neoprene wrist hook and loop closure for a secure fit and Duraclad reinforcements on the palms, saddles, thumbs, and fingers, which is said to be 8 times more durable than regular synthetic leather.
If you’re using hand and power tools, operating equipment, hunting, or into cold storage and industrial safety, then here’s a pretty great pair of cold weather gloves for you.
3. Viktos Men’s LEO Insulated Gloves
- Comprised of a rugged polyester twill chassis, and lined with premium Thinsulate brand insulation, and fitted with a waterproof/breathable Hipora insert
- AX suede Laredo palm with touchscreen compatible trigger finger and thumb
- Backside wrist cinch closure
- US Veteran Designed & Developed in Portland, Oregon USA
If your occupation exposes you to the elements, then try the Viktos LEO Insulated Gloves for men. With a rugged polyester twill chassis, waterproof/breathable Hipora insert, and Thinsulate insulation lining, these gloves can surely keep your hands dry and warm throughout the cold weather. They also feature synthetic leather in the palms for superb grip and durability.
The Viktos LEO Insulated Gloves have additional black gun-specific features, making them the perfect accessories to have in the shooting range. The thumb and trigger finger are touchscreen compatible. There’s also an integrated pull tab to attach the gloves with your standard duty vest or belt and a reinforced thumb valley to reduce slide bites. Unfortunately, if you need knuckle armor, then these are not the gloves for you.
Wondering why the popular Glove Station Tactical Rubber Knuckle Gloves for men aren’t included in this list? It’s because they are not designed for cold weather.
Top 3 Cold Weather Tactical Gloves for Women
1. Ironclad EXOT-PBLK-22-S Tactical Operator Pro
- Exo Embossed palm
- Terry cloth sweat Wipe and Suede cuff puller
- Neoprene knuckle impact protection
- TPR hook and loop closure
For moderately cold weather, consider the Ironclad Tactical Operator Pro for women. Made with neoprene/spandex shells, these pair of gloves offer incredible fit and comfort. They are not bulky, so you can freely move with them on. Additionally, the palm areas feature synthetic leather for durability and EXO embossed for extra grip.
The Ironclad Tactical Operator Pro also features a neoprene knuckle to protect you from impact and abrasion. Plus, there’s a terry cloth on the back of the thumb for wiping away sweat and a hook and loop closure for a secure fit. They are also machine washable, so they’re very easy to clean. On the downside, however, these gloves don’t have insulation. Thus, they are not ideal for freezing temperatures.
2. TAC9ER Kevlar Lined Tactical Gloves
- Reinforced for Protection - The TAC9ER Black Tactical Gloves sport full Kevlar(R) lining with reinforced palm grips to provide the highest level of protection. These survival gloves are heat,...
- Comfortable and Reliable - Made with warm, breathable neoprene, anti-slip fabric with touch screen sensitive fingertips, our tactical gloves are up for any tough job without sacrificing comfort and...
- Functionality at its Finest - The high-performance design makes it ideal for hiking, mountaineering, and airsoft. It can also be used as motorcycle gloves and is suitable for handling heavy machinery,...
- Improved Size Guide - Measure starting from where your thumb and index finger meet and continue straight across your palm. SMALL: 3.00"-3.50", MEDIUM: 3.51"-3.80", LARGE: 3.81"-4.20" XLARGE:...
Sporting a full kevlar lining with reinforced palm grips, these pair of tactical gloves offer you exceptional protection against heat, temperature, and cuts. They are also made from neoprene and polyester, which can help keep your hands warm, cozy, yet still flexible even during cold weather. Moreover, they use an anti-slip fabric with touchscreen sensitivity in the thumb, index, and middle finger. So you can use your devices or weapons with ease. These gloves use a hook and loop closure as well for a personalized fit.
If you are looking for tactical gloves for hiking, airsoft, mountaineering, and other outdoor sports, then the TAC9ER Kevlar Lined Gloves are a great choice. They are also ideal for handling heavy machinery, motorcycle riding, gardening, woodworking, construction, and other heavy-duty work.
3. 5.11 Tactical Caldus Insulated Cold Weather Gloves
- Tactical Touch glove with integrated Thinsulate C100 lining
- Tactical Touch fingertips promote dexterity
- Weather-resistant to protect your hands from cold, snow and ice
While labeled for men, the 5.11 Tactical Caldus Insulated Gloves run very small that they can fit women perfectly. Just check out the sizing guide on the company’s website to make sure they’ll fit you nicely.
The 5.11 Tactical Caldus Gloves are perfect for the cold weather as they are integrated with a 40g Thinsulate C100 lining. This provides you the protection you need against wind, snow, ice, moisture, and freezing temperatures. Moreover, the fingertips feature the company’s TacticalTouch technology, offering you improved dexterity. The palm, fingertips, and knuckles are also made with reinforced goatskin for durability.
What Features are Important to Look for in Cold Weather Tactical Gloves?
Cold weather tactical gloves have very specific features that separate them from the others. These features also allow them to provide you the full protection and mobility you need while on duty or while doing your outdoor activity. So if you’re interested in buying a pair of cold weather gloves, pay close attention to the following features:
Warmth
There are many popular tactical gloves around, including those from Mechanix Wear, FREETOO, and Glove Station. However, not all of them are designed to keep your hands warm and toasty in cold weather conditions. So when looking around for cold weather tactical gloves, the first thing you should look for is their warming capabilities.
While regular tactical gloves provide adequate protection in mild temperatures, you’ll need insulated tactical gloves when it is especially cold outside. They are perfect for keeping your hands, fingers, and wrists exceptionally warm even in harsh weather conditions. On the downside, having high insulation in your tactical winter gloves results in lesser dexterity and usually a higher price range.
Design
When it comes to tactical gloves, you have two options: full-finger or fingerless. Generally, most people prefer full-finger gloves for cold environments. Since they provide full coverage, you have extra protection from frostbite. You can also prevent numb and clumsy fingers, which are caused by reduced blood flow when it’s cold. Furthermore, full-finger gloves offer better grip when your hands get wet from snow, sweat, rain, or mud.
There are other advantages to using full-finger gloves too. For instance, you’ll have more protection when you fall or handle sharp and other dangerous objects or weapons. Debris will also be unable to enter your gloves.
Touchscreen Compatibility
Wouldn’t it be such a hassle and a waste of time if you have to remove your gloves just to make a call, send a message, or access your other touchscreen devices? To avoid such a scenario, look for cold weather tactical gloves with touchscreen compatibility. This will allow you to use your phone and other devices without having to take off your gloves.
Knuckle Armor
Knuckle armor or also called padded knuckles provides an extra layer of protection to your hands. It is usually made of thermoplastic with impact-absorbing abilities. It also offers excellent abrasion resistance. Depending on how you use your gloves, this feature may not be necessary. However, if you’re in the military or law enforcement, a hard knuckle is an important feature to look for.
Palm Padding
Having extra padding in the palms will provide you impact protection and additional protection against sharp objects. Most times, it also offers increased grip, which is ideal for those using weapons.
Material
Material is one of the most important features you should pay close attention to as it plays a huge role in your gloves’ performance and durability. When looking for what material to go with, keep in mind the activity your using the gloves for. As your guide, here are the most common materials used for tactical gloves:
- Leather: This material is comfortable, water-resistant, and flexible. Moreover, leather materials are known for their remarkable durability.
- Neoprene: If you’re going to be in wet conditions, consider gloves made with neoprene. It is excellent in keeping water away and keeping your hands dry. It’s also a great insulator and able to stay stable against hot and cold temperatures.
- Kevlar: For those who will handle blades and other objects with sharp edges, then consider Kevlar as it’s highly resistant to slashes.
- Rubber: This material is versatile, water-resistant, and offers a high-friction grip, making it great for palm padding. And because it can provide you high impact protection, it’s also great for the knuckles.
- Polyester: Breathable and able to keep your hands dry, polyester is a good and cheap material. It doesn’t become slippery when wet too.
- Spandex: Stretchy and flexible, this material provides users with a great fit. More importantly, it can provide you with great dexterity, making it a perfect choice for those handling guns and weapons.
- Nylon: This material is known for its flexibility, breathability, and durability. It is often combined with leather at flex points for dexterity.
- Thinsulate: For cold weather tactical gloves, this is a common material to look out for. It is an insulating material that’s thinner and more dexterous than fleece. Usually, it’s measured in grams, where the higher the volume, the better insulation it provides.
- Nomex: When safety is your highest concern, Nomex is a key material to look out for as it is fire-resistant.
Now, with the many tactical gloves in the market, it can be difficult to find the perfect pair for you. So to help you out and to make your search easier, below is our list of the best cold weather tactical gloves.
See, the whole purpose of tactical gloves is to provide you maximum dexterity and the ability to do intricate work with your hands. To do that, they should be snug, fit, and as close to your hands and fingers as possible. So to help you get the fit right, here are a few things you should look out for:
- Adjustable Wrist Straps: To get that personalized fit, look for gloves with adjustable wrists or those with hook and loop closure. They can help keep the gloves in place and allow you to take off or put them on faster. Having a loop closure can also prevent debris from entering your gloves.
- Height Over Width: When looking at measurements, always prioritize your hands’ height over width. This is because tactical gloves stretch over time. So even if they are a little tight in the beginning, they’ll eventually fit you perfectly later on. However, there’s nothing you can do if you get gloves with extra space at your fingertips.
- Tightness Over Looseness: You should also get gloves that fit tight. If your gloves are loose, it will be incredibly difficult for you to handle your gear. They might even slide off when in use. That said, you should also make sure your pair of gloves are not too tight that they can restrict your movement.
Conclusion
Before you purchase a pair of cold weather tactical gloves, there’s one thing you should remember – the fit. Fitting is one of the most important things you should consider when choosing which tactical gloves to buy. Even if you get the right material and features, they won’t be very useful if they don’t, well, fit like a glove.
There you have it. We hope this article can help you find the perfect cold weather tactical gloves for your needs.