Top-Notch Women's Mittens for Severe Cold: Maintain Warmth in Harsh Winter Conditions
In the depths of winter, keeping hands warm and comfortable is essential for enjoying outdoor activities. Investing in the right women's mittens for extreme cold can make all the difference, ensuring you stay protected from frostbite and can enjoy winter activities comfortably.
To prolong the life of your mittens, it's important to store them in a cool, dry place, avoiding compression and cleaning them before storing. Here, we explore various types of mittens designed for extreme cold, each with its unique features and benefits.
Leather Mittens ----------------
Leather mittens, such as the Endura® 304BOA, offer durability and good warmth. Their cowgrain leather resists wear and tear, while a fleece lining provides warmth down to -35°C / -31°F. Fleece cuffs seal wrists and lock in heat, making them an excellent choice for cold weather. However, leather mittens may be heavier than synthetic options and are not fully waterproof unless treated.
Sheepskin-lined Pram Hand Muffs -------------------------------
Sheepskin-lined options, like the pram hand muffs, provide luxury warmth and comfort with water repellency. Made from high-quality, water-repellent, PFC-free materials, they are very warm and comfortable. Due to their long-lasting nature, they can be passed down. However, they may not suit vegans and are less versatile beyond stroller use, as they can be fiddly to quickly remove hands.
Nitrile Chemical Handling Mittens ----------------------------------
Nitrile-coated chemical mittens, such as the FrogWear 8450, excel in very harsh, wet, and chemically hazardous environments. They offer waterproofing and insulation down to -50ºF, with a rough grip surface for added safety. However, these mittens are designed for industrial use and may feel bulky, making them less suitable for casual or recreational wear.
Waterproof Insulated Mittens with Gore-Tex ------------------------------------------
High-end Gore-Tex insulated mittens, like the REI Co-op Switchback GTX 2.0, balance warmth, waterproofing, breathability, and some dexterity. Removable fleece liners allow layering for warmth and dexterity, while durable abrasion-resistant overlays and long gauntlet cuffs protect from snow. Touch-screen compatibility allows you to use your smartphone without removing them. However, these mittens are higher cost and some loss of finger dexterity when wearing mittens vs gloves may occur.
Choosing the best mitten depends largely on your use case—casual outdoor winter use, rugged work environments, or specialized activities like backcountry skiing. For extreme cold, prioritize insulation and wrist seals; for wet conditions, waterproof/breathable shells matter most; and for dexterity, consider mittens with liners or layered systems.
Other options include the Columbia Heavenly Gloves, suitable for both casual outings and winter sports, and the Hestra Women's Heli Ski Mittens, designed with skiers in mind. Budget-friendly options like the OZERO Winter Thermal Gloves and top picks like the Arctic Pro Waterproof Insulated Mittens are also available for those seeking quality mittens in extreme cold conditions.
To prevent moisture buildup inside mittens, ensure your hands are dry before putting them on and consider using moisture-wicking glove liners. Mittens should allow for some dexterity to perform everyday tasks. Follow the manufacturer's care instructions when washing your extreme cold mittens, as they are often designed to be water-resistant or waterproof.
In conclusion, finding the best women's mittens for extreme cold requires considering various factors such as insulation, waterproofing, dexterity, and intended use. With the right mittens, you can stay warm, comfortable, and protected during winter activities.
- For luxury warmth and water repellency, consider sheepskin-lined options like pram hand muffs, made from high-quality, water-repellent, PFC-free materials.
- if you're looking for durability and good warmth in extreme cold, leather mittens such as the Endura® 304BOA, with a fleece lining providing warmth down to -35°C / -31°F, could be a good choice.
- Nitrile-coated chemical mittens, like the FrogWear 8450, are ideal for very harsh, wet, and chemically hazardous environments, offering waterproofing and insulation down to -50ºF.
- High-end Gore-Tex insulated mittens, such as the REI Co-op Switchback GTX 2.0, balance warmth, waterproofing, breathability, and some dexterity, with removable fleece liners, durable abrasion-resistant overlays, and long gauntlet cuffs.
