Best Mountaineering Gloves of 2024

BEST FOR: ALPINE CLIMBING

If your mountaineering expedition includes a lot of alpine climbing, the Black Diamond Soloist gloves are an ideal choice. The outer shell is made of four-way stretch nylon so you’re not restricted in your movement when you’re making your way up the mountain, and the goat leather palm provides extra grip and features extremely durable Kevlar stitching. The liner is fully insulated and can be taken out on less intense days, while a waterproof insert protects your hands from wet snow and ice. The Black Diamond Soloist gloves feature a gauntlet-style cuff which protects your wrists from snow and can easily be adjusted with a pull cord.

BEST FOR: VALUE

The Outdoor Research Revolution gloves are a great value in mountaineering gloves with lots of small features that make a big difference. The fleece liner is incredibly soft, making these gloves both extra comfortable and extra warm. Leather palms provide a good grip, while waterproof inserts protect from moisture.

The extra large pull loops on the Revolution gloves make a surprisingly big impact in the ease of taking the gloves on and off. Also, patches of soft fabric on the back of each thumb let you wipe your nose when it’s dripping in the cold or wipe your goggles when they get fogged up or covered in snow.

BEST FOR: DURABILITY

The Gordini GTX Storm Trooper II is a glove made to stand up to the abuse that wintery mountain adventures dish out, so, despite their low price point, they should last through many mountaineering missions. While the outer shell is durable, it also includes some spandex to provide stretch and allows for a good range of motion in your fingers. However, if you have larger or especially wider hands, these gloves might fit a little too snug.

If you need extra warmth, the Gordini GTX Storm Trooper II feature pockets on the back of each glove which securely hold a hand warmer without compromising dexterity.

BEST FOR: DEXTERITY

Designed especially for those who work in the mountains, the Mountain Hardwear Route Setter Alpine gloves are also good gloves for those who play in them. These gloves are designed to mimic the natural curve of your hand which helps give you the dexterity you need to handle a rope or ice tools, and the combination of leather and abrasion-resistant Dyneema fabric means the gloves will last through heavy use.

The cuff of the Mountain Hardwear Route Setter glove is designed for a streamlined fit under the sleeves of your jacket and will keep your wrists warm, but if you prefer a gauntlet cuff, which fits over the sleeve to keep out snow, you’ll want to choose a different pair of mountaineering gloves.

BEST FOR: VERSATILITY

The REI Co-Op Switchback GTX gloves work in a wide range of situations, so you can take them up into the mountains and use them at home, too. The removable fleece liners are designed to be used on their own in warmer conditions, and they have grippy silicone on the palms and fingers so you can hold onto things without slipping. Also, both the outer shells and the liners are touchscreen-compatible, allowing you to use your phone or GPS without exposing your hands to the cold.

While the liners of the REI Co-Op Switchback GTX gloves might not be the most durable on their own, the shells are waterproof and windproof to keep your hands warm in inclement weather, and synthetic leather on the palms resists abrasion.

BEST FOR: EXTREME EXPEDITION CONDITIONS

If you’re in search of a mountaineering glove for long expeditions in changing conditions, the Outdoor Research Alti will keep your hands warm and dry as you chase big objectives. The liners of the Alti gloves are windproof yet breathable and can be worn on their own on warmer, less intense days. The outer liners have extra warm insulation and are waterproof for when you need extra protection in extreme conditions.

The Outdoor Research Alti have been specially designed for maximum dexterity, thanks to a shape that is constructed to be as close as possible to a natural hand shape as well as articulated fingers for securely grasping gear.

BEST FOR: WARMTH

When warmth is your main priority, the Black Diamond Guide gloves fit the bill. The insulated liner is made of wool to keep your hands toasty, and a fleece lining on the palm provides even more warmth. The outer shell is stretchy, with a reinforced leather palm for durability and grip. A foam padding at the knuckles offers protection from bumping into things, as well as even more heat.

All of this warmth comes at the price of some dexterity. Though the Black Diamond Guide gloves will break in over time, they still will remain slightly stiffer than some other gloves.

BEST FOR: ICE CLIMBING

If you plan to do ice or alpine climbing on your mountaineering missions, the Arc’teryx Alpha SL gloves give you the required dexterity to handle a rope, ice tools, and other gear. These gloves are thin and form-fitting, and they feature a pulley system for customizing the fit. Leather on the palms and fingers offer extra grip so you won’t fumble with your gear.

The Arc’teryx Alpha SL gloves are windproof and water resistant to protect your hands from the elements, and a fleece backing is soft and comfortable against the skin while adding extra insulation for warmth. However, while the thinness of these gloves allows for dexterity, it also means that these gloves are far from the warmest pair you can find.

BEST FOR: HEATED GLOVES

For an extra boost of warmth, the Outdoor Research Capstone Heated gloves have an integrated battery-powered heating system. You can run one or two batteries on each hand, depending on how much heat you want, and the batteries are rechargeable so you can keep them ready for your next adventure.

The fingers of the Capstone gloves are touchscreen-compatible, so you don’t have to lose the heat to use your phone or GPS. The gloves also come with removable leashes to prevent you from dropping or losing them, which is especially nice since these heated gloves come at a high price.