The Best Hunting Gloves of 2025

Other Great Gloves

Hunting Gloves Comparison Chart

How We Test Hunting Gloves

Gloves are an incredibly personal choice, and each hunter’s needs vary dramatically due to differences in physiology and hunting location. That’s a fancy way of saying “Some people get cold hands easily, others don’t.”

We understand that. Our team of hunting glove testers is made up of Rachelle Schrute, a Montana native and lifelong hunter who happens to get cold hands easily. Our next tester is Sean McCoy, a former Wisconsinite who somehow got the hot hands gene. His hands stay warm even in brutal conditions, but he still needs good gloves to keep them dexterous! He now tests gloves in the mountains of his home state of Colorado and beyond. Finally, Nicole Qualtiere, GearJunkie’s former hunting editor, weighs in on her choices.

We tested the gloves in this guide through multiple seasons and various conditions. Most of the gloves here were worn through at least five hunts, with some stretching into their fourth or fifth season (or more in the case of our favorite Give’r Gloves). And they’ve withstood tough, real-world use, proving their efficacy and durability.

Finally, our goal is to give you the same clear-cut, useful information that we give our hunting buddies. Yes, they too know we test gear and ask us for recommendations all the time. The advice we give them is the same as we present to you, here, in this article.

Our email line is always open. If you have feedback on this or any other product we’ve tested, please let us know, particularly if you disagree with our assessment. We are always working to improve our guides to help you pick the best hunting gloves for your needs the first time, every time.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Right Hunting Gloves

Know Your Body

We’ve said this once already, but it bears repeating; gloves are incredibly personal. Every person experiences cold differently, and the extremities seem to magnify that fact. McCoy, who tends to not get cold hands easily, often skis with his wife, who does get cold hands very easily. If they choose the same gloves on the same day, our editor will have toasty hands while his partner freezes.

So our first piece of advice is this: know your body. If you know you easily get cold, choose warm, highly insulated gloves. And bring hand warmers! They can make a world of difference. Finally, a Muff, like the one listed above, allows you to really warm your fingers and gets downright toasty with the addition of hand warmers.

If you’re lucky enough to have warmer hands, you can choose lighter gloves and get away with it. This allows you extra dexterity, which can be an advantage in many situations. But even those blessed with good hand circulation and warmth need warm gloves when it gets really cold. So don’t overestimate yourself and prepare for the elements you will face. Which brings us to …

Know Your Elements

A waterfowler has very different needs from an upland bird hunter. Consider the climate you’ll be hunting in. If it’s cold and you’re actively hunting, consider a layering system. A wool liner glove coupled with a heavy-duty option for cold weather can be rotated to keep hands warm.

If conditions will be snowy or rainy, a waterproof glove with some over-the-wrist length is a must. For some, water-resistant gloves can be a great option. However, waterproof gloves are often not breathable.

Or, maybe it’s not a temperature issue, but rather a protection issue. Some members of the GearJunkie team hunt in the South, where conditions are often warm enough not to require gloves. However, in that environment, it can seem like every plant in the woods is covered in thorns, waiting to rip your hands apart. In those cases, thin gloves with leather provide much-needed protection.

Quality vs. Quantity

A hunting season can take on many different ecosystems and climates. It might make sense to invest in a variety of budget options to cover your bases.

But if you drew your dream sheep tag and expect to get into legitimate weather and elevation, investing in a high-quality (read: expensive) pair of heavy-duty gloves or mittens is a reality. Note: A solid pair of skiing gloves can substitute easily for cold-weather hunting gloves if you’re looking for some versatility.

Durability

Keeping your fingers warm is one thing, but keeping your hands and fingers protected is also important. Leather is a go-to for many, but there are solid synthetics that can do the job as well.

Spending a few extra bucks on padded gloves, leather, or more durable synthetics could be worth it in the long run. If you’re in a warmer climate, maybe a plain leather glove will work out just fine. But if you need a bit more, look for fleece-lined gloves that can keep hands both warm and protected.

Price and Value

How much you should spend on gloves depends entirely on you. If your hands tend to get cold easily, it’s probably worth a little extra investment. Other people don’t like the lack of dexterity that gloves create and as such, don’t use them as much. Those people may not find paying top of the line to be worth it. Below is what to expect in different price points.

Budget

You can find gloves for a multitude of uses for $50 or less. Some gloves in this category, like the SITKA Fanatic aren’t meant for harsh winter environments, but can provide a little bit of warmth on chilly October mornings.

Others, like the Carhartt Gauntlet glove are made for cold conditions, however, there are some drawbacks. Budget gloves may not be very waterproof. When exposed to rain and snow for extended periods, you may find that “waterproof” budget gloves become waterlogged, resulting in damp hands. When that happens, you’ll find the insulating qualities also start to diminish.

It’s best to ensure you keep budget gloves as dry as possible. If you do, they’ll keep you warm out in the field.

Mid-Tier

Gloves from $50 to $100 are most often high-quality, early to mid-season gloves. Some of the GearJunkie team’s favorites (like the First Lite Touch Shale Hybrid) fall into this category. They offer warmth against cold temps without getting too hot while hiking and hunting on the move. Many of these gloves also allow you to maintain dexterity, a big win in the woods.

Premium

Gloves over $100 are made for extremely cold conditions. Spending more money on hunting gloves allows you to get high quality insulation and improved levels of waterproofness. If you know you’re going to be hunting in freezing, potentially snowy conditions, spend the extra money on something like the Stone Glacier Altimeter. Your hands will thank you later.