Another consideration is just how much precipitation you’re expecting. As much as we’d like to imagine winter as pristine snow conditions and blue skies, the reality is often much more brutal (Scotland we’re looking at you). There could be horizontal hail, damp snow or even torrential downpour. So consider if you need your gloves to be waterproof. If you’re most likely to be in very damp places, maybe even without snow, in the colder months of the year, you might find it essential. Sizes S – XXL in both Men’s and Women’s / DRYLITE waterproof lining is waterproof and breathable / Polyamide shell and leather palm / Karabiner carry loops / Removable wrist tethers / Reversed suede nose wipe / Pre-curved fingers / Single handed drawcord closure. BUY NOW: MOUNTAIN-EQUIPMENT.CO.UK The fore finger and thumb are touch screen compatible, while other finger tips have the same stiffer reinforced polyester material as across the palm. A mini clip at the wrist keeps the gloves in a pair. These gloves have good dexterity, as well as being durable and waterproof, making them an excellent choice for winter mountaineering. Full Specifications

The palms have PU fabric reinforcement that extends up and over the tips of the fingers. It is also doubly reinforced between the index finger and thumb where a rope might pass through and rub. There is an elasticated wrist with a big compression strap and a long cuff. These cuffs can be cinched in at the bottom too, using the elasticated cord and toggle. A connecting clip means you don’t accidentally lose one glove when storing. The Berghaus Hillmaster Infinium Gloves are durable softshell gloves with a thin microfleece lining. It’s a bit more advanced than just a one-piece softshell glove. The fabric is cut and shaped into multiple panels to get a good unisex fit, although it is quite a loose fit compared to others in test. We put this down to the small range of sizing options. The GoreTex Infinium softshell fabric had some stretch in it and the reinforced strip across the palm is a nice addition. Sizes S – XL in Men’s and Women’s / 432g/m2 63% polyester, 23% wool outer fabric / wind and water resistant outer / fleece lined inner / leather quilted palm / touch screen compatible / boxwall finger construction / stretch insulated low bulk cuff. BUY NOW: RAB.EQUIPMENT Overall, there’s a lot to like here - especially if you’re not a fan of cold hands. The North Face Montana FUTURELIGHT Etip Gloves are certainly warm, and robustly made to stand up to a fair bit of winter use and abuse. The FUTURELIGHT membrane is breathable enough to keep damp hands at bay for a while, and the deep gauntlet cut adds weather protection as well as keeping the wrists insulated.The North Face Etip Gloves are warm, but not the absolute warmest gloves you can buy. If sheer warmth is all you're going for, then you'll probably end up with a pair that falls short in terms of comfort and usability. The temptation (or pure necessity) to use my phone is usually enough to get me to take my gloves off in the coldest of weather, but there's no reason to with Etips because they balance warmth, comfort, and usability.

These are the perfect mitts to pull on when the weather is throwing it all at you, but you still need to use your hands for basic functions and stay warm. They’re also high up the list on our all-rounder rating for this review. Having the fully detachable lining makes them very versatile and adaptable to many uses. Full Specifications In all, these are the ideal gloves for when keeping your hands dry is the priority. Full Specifications Sealskinz have made their name as the go to brand for waterproofing. These Sealskinz Extreme Cold Weather insulated gloves are no exception – and it’s safe to say their key feature is their waterproofing. Pretty much everything else comes across as secondary. Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing, because if you need to deal with wet winter weather, these could be the gloves for you. Winter gloves are a crucial part of any kit list as the weather gets colder. Never mind if you’re hiking, running, mountaineering or something in between, it’s important to keep your hands warm and dry. Sizes S – XL / Primaloft Gold Eco insulation / PU palm / 100% polyester outer and inner fabric / Extremities X-Dry fabric gives waterproof and breathable protection. BUY NOW: TERRA-NOVA.CO.UK

How they fit

The forefinger and thumb have conductive tips giving touch screen capability. Although the material here is very slippery and makes a crinkling noise when moved, so there is some compromise for being able to your gadgets. Despite being unisex, the gloves have a very snug fit – you really do need the cuff loops to help pull them on. But once they are on, you have great dexterity – its designed to be like a second skin and that really does deliver. You won’t risk pulling these off under another glove or let any cold air get in while you’re wearing them. Overall, a very comfortable, very warm glove that is still completely practical for hands-on outdoor use. Full Specifications The Rab Ridge Gloves are a mid-weight, sturdy glove for multiple outdoor activities. The outer is a knitted construction, made of a polyester-wool mix, with a fleece lining and reinforced leather palm. Although they are not waterproof, they make a good all-round winter glove that can be used for hiking through to single axe winter routes on drier days. The stretchy ribbing gives a flexible fit – and you could probably err on the side of smaller if you are near the boundary of two sizes. Knitted cuffs also enable a snug and warm fit around the wrist. Little extras, like the tiny popper to keep the gloves together as a pair when storing and the touch screen finger points, are a nice touch. Overall, the Rab Ridge Gloves are a practical and functional glove that looks good and could suit a wide range of winter activities. Full Specifications

Sizes XS – L in Women’s, S – XXL in Men’s / DryVent waterproof insert / HeatseekerEco 180g insulation / 100% recycled polysester non-PFC DWR finish outer / Faux leather palm / Touch screen compatible / Progressive pre-curvature shape. BUY NOW: THENORTHFACE.CO.UK Sizes XS – XL / DWR treated Pittard goat leather and softshell outer with GoreTex lining / suede nose wipe / seamless palm / velcro cuffs / removable leashes. BUY NOW: NORRONA.COM These are warm and waterproof winter gloves for people who’d prefer more insulation and warmth to finer dexterity. Full Specifications

In terms of fit, the biggest consideration is dexterity, including whether or not to choose a women’s specific fit. We’d encourage you not to think about that as a boy/girl blue/pink kind of decision. If you have slimmer hands, regardless of gender, it’s worth considering a women’s fit glove. The main difference is width of hand relative to finger length. Unisex gloves could leave you with extra folds of fabric between thumb and forefinger, which frankly get in the way. Or maybe mean you have an extra half a fingernail of space at the end of each finger. This can be fine until you’re trying to put on a pair of crampons in a snowstorm. Basically, women’s fit is definitely worth considering for people with long and narrow hands.