When faced with the need to prepare our hands for cold weather pursuits, one of the most common questions is: Are mittens or gloves warmer? The gloves vs mittens debate has been going on for years, with many vocal champions with valid arguments in each camp. And it’s no wonder, since our requirements for hand gear depends highly on the activities we want to use them for.
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There are three major criteria that need considering when selecting mittens or gloves, and warmth is just one of these. The other two are dexterity, and hand and finger protection. Let’s take a closer look at how gloves and mittens differ in each of these key areas.
Warmth: Are Mittens or Gloves Warmer?
There are so many types of gloves and mittens that it’s nearly impossible to give a single definitive answer as to which are warmer. The amount and type of insulation and moisture management will greatly influence the ability to keep hands warm.
But all things being equal, are mittens warmer than gloves? The answer is yes.
This is because although gloves insulate each finger individually, mittens keep your fingers all bundled together, resulting in generating, trapping, and retaining greater body heat. This is why mittens are often chosen for many general activities such as walking or simply enjoying the outdoors. And it’s also why mittens for kids are so popular and successful at keeping your children’s hands warm when they go out to make snowballs or just to play on a chilly day.
Dexterity: Which Offer More Flexibility, Glove or Mittens?
That same mitten advantage of bundling fingers together are a disadvantage when it comes to dexterity. Clearly, with only the thumb separated from the rest of the digits, mittens limit the ability to do certain tasks. Ever tried tying a shoe or zipping a zipper with mittens on? No way. Of course, it’s not so easy with many gloves either. But gloves definitely have an edge when it comes to offering greater flexibility and mobility in the use of fingers.
The real question to ask yourself is, how important is dexterity and flexibility for the sport or activity you’ll be involved in? If you’re going to be skiing or snowmobiling or throwing snowballs, then all you really need is the ability to maintain a solid grip. So with these and many other endeavors, like hiking and running, finger mobility may not be so important. This is why ski mittens are so popular.
But if you’ll be doing anything that involves fine finger skills, such as playing football, scuba diving, hunting, and any other sport that depends on finger dexterity and mobility, then gloves are the ideal pick. Mittens just won’t do. In fact, half-finger or fingerless gloves are often the perfect choice for those activities that require even greater fingertip precision, without needing added warmth.
Overall Protection: Are Gloves More Protective Than Mittens?
Sports gloves that are designed for use in specific activities offer extra protective characteristics than what’s found in basic mittens or even basic gloves. For example, weight lifting gloves have padding in key areas of the palm for a cushioned grip that adds comfort and prevents fatigue.
Sportbike gloves provide palm padding plus added knuckle guards to protect against back of hand injuries, and the best soccer goalie gloves have overall padding as well as stiff finger spines that help prevent against hyperextension injuries.
In general, there is a time and place for mittens and a time and place for gloves. It’s not that either one is better. In fact, most people own multiple pairs of different gloves and mittens, depending on their sports and other hobbies. This is because there are so many specialized varieties with unique features. You want to be sure that the mittens or gloves you wear provide optimal warmth, flexibility, and protection for the temperature and for the activities you’ll be involved in.