Keep your hands toasty with our pick of the best running gloves (2024)

Faced with dark mornings, gloomy afternoons and even darker evenings – not to mention low temperatures – it can be really hard to motivate yourself to run outside in the colder months. But outfitting yourself with the right kit can make a big difference.

While a pair of leggings, a running gilet or even a waterproof jacket can make a difference, the key to running in the cold is really all in the accessories. Yep, we're talking a winter running beanie and, of course, running gloves.

Your legs and your body warm up pretty fast, but the hands can really suffer – especially if you suffer from Raynaud's disease. Even if your body warms up, sufferers may find their hands getting colder and colder as the blood flow moves away from the peripheries. So keep out there and at it, and make sure your autumn/winter running wardrobe is well stocked, with our recommendations of the best running gloves.

The best running gloves to shop now

In a rush? No sweat. Here's our pick of the best running gloves, at a glance. Keep scrolling for the full list.

What to look for in a pair of winter running gloves:

Fabric: With running gloves, there is a fine balance between having a warm-enough layer of fabric to keep out the chill, but that's also breathable enough not to become too clammy and give you that awful itchy hand feeling.

Remember: thicker fabrics don't always mean warmer hands, and if you end up having to carry a bulky pair, they will soon become annoying.

Design features: Some running gloves have inner layers you can remove, so you can make them lightweight if the temperature isn't too frosty. Others have a mitten construction which some runners prefer as their fingers can move more freely inside the glove – some people find this style to be warmer, too.

Screen-friendly: If you take your phone with you on the run, you'll want a pair of gloves that don't have to be removed to switch music tracks or answer a call. Many gloves now have phone-friendly detailing on at least the index finger.

Visibility: If you are running in the dark – and in winter, that's hard to avoid – then look for gloves that enhance your visibility with reflective detailing or even built-in LED lights.

The best running gloves for winter 2024

Here are some of the best pairs of winter running gloves on the market to keep your hands warm as the weather changes.

Proviz Reflect360 Running Gloves

These Proviz gloves are touch-screen compatible with a lovely fleecy inner material that keeps you warm but is also breathable, so your hands don't get too clammy. The backs of the gloves are made of reflective material, making the runner really clearly visible to motorists and other road users. The cuffs of the gloves are quite firmly elasticated, which keeps them in place or allows you to tuck in long sleeves so not a mm of skin is exposed to the winter air.

Sweaty Betty Swiftie Run Gloves

If you’re looking for a lighter, thinner layer that will still keep your mits toasty warm, Sweaty Betty’s Swiftie gloves are the complete package. On the outside, the material is buttery soft, while the inner is more of a fleece-like material for warmth. Fit wise, our tester reported them feeling like a second skin, with just enough stretch to be able to move all your fingers as normal. They also come in S, M and L sizes so you can find the best fit for you.

Our tester also appreciated the extended cuffs which can go over or tuck under your sleeves to help keep the cold out. There’s handy reflective detailing if you’re running at night too. The thumb and index finger are reportedly touchscreen compatible, but it’s worth noting that our tester found this fairly temperamental.

Kiprun Running 500 Black Tactile Gloves V2

Proof that you can get a decent pair of running gloves for less than a tenner, these are ideal for those who like that ‘second skin’ feeling. Lightweight and practical, they’re made from two different materials: brushed fabric on the top of the hand to provide warmth and comfort, and breathable fabric on the inside of the hand to stop your hands getting all clammy. Our tester found they were great for keeping their extremities warm in mild to single figure temperatures, but you’d probably want something more substantial for those sub-zero days. The thumb and index finger are touchscreen compatible though, and our tester found this worked better than some more premium brands they'd tested.

Gore M Gore-Tex Infinitum

The fit on these lightweight gloves is very snug. That's particularly useful if you want a pair of gloves for your runs and bike rides: you'll still be able to zip up jackets, use a touch screen, comfortably change gears and operate breaks on a bike. They are best suited to crisp but not freezing temperatures – but if that thermometer does dip further, you could also use these very slim-fit gloves as an inner layer, perhaps with mitten-style gloves over the top.

Tracksmith Inverno Gloves

As it happens, not all gloves fit like a glove, but thankfully the Tracksmith Inverno Gloves do as they should. Made from a smooth, lightweight brushed fabric, these gloves are super thin but surprisingly warm, meaning you can feel your hands on chilly runs without compromising dexterity, which is often an issue with thicker, clunkier gloves and mittens. As such, you can be gloved-up and still easily operate things like zips and your phone, especially since the forefingers and thumbs feature touchscreen-friendly tips that actually work well. You can choose from several colourways, too, and the trademark Tracksmith hare embroidered on the back of each hand makes a fun but sophisticated statement.

Inov-8 All Terrain Pro Mitt

As you'd expect from Inov-8, these mittens are perfect for cold snaps or serious winter outdoor adventures. The mitten style keeps your fingers warmer than most gloves. They are super hard-wearing, lightweight and waterproof. When it's bitingly cold, they are the perfect over-layer to a pair of gloves, and as they are light and pack down small, they'll fit nicely in a pocket or your pack for those adventures.

Tracksmith Franklin mittens

If you can't bear the feeling of itchy, scratchy fabrics next to your skin, look no further than these super-soft, fleece mittens from Tracksmith. Made from a double-velour that is warm and insulating, but also wicks moisture and dries quickly. We also love the handy little magnet hidden inside the cuff – snap them together so you don't lose one of your pair.

Lululemon Fast and Free Fleece Running Gloves

Unlike many other running gloves, Lululemon's come in different sizes, so you can find the best fit for you. That makes them a great buy, particularly for those with delicate digits who find most unisex gloves a bit on the large side.

They are a simple, stylish design made from a lovely soft fleecy material, which is also very breathable. There's some simple reflective detailing for visibility in the dark, and phone-friendly finger tips.

We particularly like the little clip with which you can attach them together: no more hunting down the back of the cupboard, drawer or radiator for that missing glove - though on the negative side, that's ruined your excuse for a good 10 minute faff before you get out of the door and into the cold.

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Sealskinz Waterproof All Weather Glove

If you need a pair of seriously weatherproof gloves, these are the ones for you. They are more bulky than some simply because they are so warm and robust. They are also 100% waterproof and windproof. Whether it's mud, rain or snow – or all three – these are gloves for tough conditions. They also come in a range of sizes to fit all different hands.

Odlo Ceramiwarm Gloves Light

If you have winter races in your calendar, you will want a glove to keep you warm at the start, but that don't quickly become sweaty and annoying. You'll also, therefore, want something lightweight enough that you can easily get them off and tuck in a pocket. Look no further than Odlo's lightweight Ceramiwarm. The touchscreen-friendly fabric means you can still use your phone with them – though not in the middle of the race, we would suggest. Racing aside, they are also good for those who generally need gloves at the start of a winter run but inevitably soon find themselves stashing them.

Soar Winter Gloves

For those susceptible to very cold hands when running in winter, these gloves from Soar are primed and ready to keep those digits toasty. A supple and cosy fleece lining paired with a protective outer means that your hands stay warm and protected. The cuff length contributes to the warmth of these gloves, extending down the wrist and stopping any cold getting between sleeve and glove. The fingers and some of the palm feature touchscreen-friendly silicone grip and the perils of losing one glove are somewhat abated with a helpful clip when not being worn.