Buying Guide: Outdoor Gloves

By Kenny Stocker 21 Nov 2019 · 7 min read

Keep your hands warm and functional with the right gloves. This guide helps you choose gloves for climbing, hiking, cycling and more.

From fleece liners to waterproof winter gloves, discover hand protection that balances warmth, dexterity, and durability. Choose the right pair for your outdoor activity.

For more on keeping your hands warm, including how to build a glove system, read our complete guide to outdoor gloves.

Find gloves that will keep your hands warm through the colder months.

The Alpkit glove collection

Over two decades, we've refined our approach to hand protection based on real feedback from real adventures. Each glove in our range exists because someone needed it - whether that's the Specta's convertible running mitt for unpredictable weather or the Vulcan's lobster design for extreme cold with retained finger control.

Shopping for gloves made easy

Short on time? Just tell us what you're doing and we'll point you in the right direction.

Basic Warmth > Aura
Better Grip > Aura Grip
Cold Days Out > Shiel
Emergency Backup > Shiel
Summer Cycling > Rhythm
Trail Riding > Floe
Adventure Cycling > Comet
Bike Commuting > Cirrus
Night Cycling > Stratus
Natural Comfort > Mica
Trail Running > Specta
Winter Climbing > Frazil
Serious Mountains > Gabbro
Alpine Routes > Haline
Extreme Cold > Vulcan

Your hands are covered

Simple enough? This quick-match system works for most people, but your hands might have specific needs we haven't captured in two words.

Dig deeper into our complete collection if you need features like touchscreen tips, specific grip patterns, or specialised construction.

Explore our full glove range

Why choose Alpkit gloves

Two decades of real-world testing

Our gloves protect hands on actual adventures, not just in marketing photos. Each design reflects genuine needs discovered through years of use - like the Frazil's back-of-hand-only insulation that maintains palm sensitivity for technical work.

Performance without the premium price

Quality materials and thoughtful construction don't require luxury pricing. Our direct relationships with manufacturers and focus on function over fashion means your money goes into performance, not marketing budgets.

Built to last, designed to repair

Every Alpkit store includes a repair station because good gloves should last years, not seasons. We use PFAS-free treatments and sustainable materials wherever possible while ensuring performance isn't compromised.

Designed for real hands

Proper fit transforms comfort and performance in ways you notice immediately. To constricting and your fingers will soon get cold. To big, well have you every tried clipping a carabiner wearing boxing gloves?

Match up your gloves to your adventures

What are you actually going to do while wearing these gloves? That simple question drives every design decision we make and is exactly where you should start.

Choose gloves for what you do

Your activities determine what your hands need. Here's how to match our gloves to your adventures.

Walking and hiking

Day hikes throw everything at your hands - temperature changes, weather shifts, and varying activity levels. Aura gloves handle mild conditions beautifully while staying thin enough to slip under shells gloves when the weather turns. For proper cold weather, Shiel gloves pack serious warmth into a package small enough to forget about until needed. When winter hiking gets serious, Gabbro gloves provide full weather protection without the bulk that makes simple tasks frustrating.

Climbing and mountaineering

Your hands are tools when climbing - they need protection without losing sensitivity. Frazil gloves solve this with insulation only where heat escapes fastest, leaving palms responsive for rope work and gear placement. The softshell construction handles wind and light precipitation while articulated fingers move naturally allowing technical operations.

Cycling in all conditions

Bikes demand constant hand contact, making glove choice critical for comfort and control. Rhythm fingerless gloves focus on palm protection for long summer rides. Floe gloves add weather protection and impact padding for aggressive trail riding. Cirrus gloves tackle British weather with windproof construction that doesn't sacrifice the dexterity you need for shifting.

Running through the seasons

Running generates heat fast but exposes hands to wind chill during longer efforts. Specta gloves adapt as conditions change - lightweight fleece for mild weather, deployable windproof shell when needed. Reflective details keep you visible during darker months.

Serious winter conditions

Mountain winter demands gloves that perform when consequences matter. Gabbro gloves combine full waterproofing with insulation that works even when damp. Haline gloves offer lighter protection for summer alpine conditions where occasional weather protection matters more than constant warmth. Vulcan mitts balance extreme cold protection with enough dexterity for essential tasks.

Cross-over activities

Many adventures don't fit neat categories. Mica gloves use natural fibres for breathable warmth across moderate conditions. Aura Grip gloves add palm traction to basic fleece performance, working equally well for approaches, easy scrambles, or general outdoor tasks. Vulcan mitts work as well on your bike as they do grasping the adze of your ice axes.

Focus on what matters most

Cold weather specialists

Here are your best options when temperature is your main purchasing decision:

• Gabbro (wet and cold conditions)
• Shiel (dry cold, packable)
• Vulcan (extreme cold with dexterity)

Highly dexterous

These are your top choices when finger control is critical:

• Aura (basic warmth, maximum feel)
• Frazil (technical climbing balance)
• Mica (natural fibre responsiveness)

Out in all weathers

We recommend these gloves for when you just don't know what the weather is going to throw at you:

• Gabbro (full waterproof protection)
• Cirrus (cycling weather resistance)
• Haline (alpine weather security)

Bike-specific solutions

When you are riding your hands are stationary and exposed to the wind. We have these purpose-built gloves for the demands of cycling:

• Rhythm (road comfort, fingerless)
• Comet (gravel durability, minimal bulk)
• Floe (trail protection, impact resistance)
• Stratus (commuter visibility, full waterproof)

Comparing our gloves

For those of you that prefer a good spreadsheet we have conveniently organised our gloves by activity.

Everyday and liner options

Cycling collection

Technical and winter range

Specialty options

Spotlight: Why these gloves work

Real insights from the gloves that define our range.

Aura: A glove to build your foundation on

Ideal for: General outdoor use, layering base, mild weather protection
Why it works: 200gsm fleece hits the sweet spot between warmth and breathability while staying thin enough for versatility
In practice: Warm enough for frosty walks, breathable enough for active hiking, adaptable enough to work as liner gloves
The reality: Most customers end up buying a second pair because these become indispensable

Gabbro: When winter gets serious

Ideal for: Mountain winter, sustained cold exposure, technical winter activities
Why it works: Full waterproof membrane plus pile lining that insulates even when damp
In practice: Handles wet rope on winter routes, maintains grip during ice axe work, keeps hands functional during long cold belays
The reality: Serious winter gloves that don't make you choose between warmth and capability

Cirrus: The cycling solution

Ideal for: Year-round bike riding, weather protection, long-distance comfort
Why it works: Windproof construction with memory foam palm padding positioned exactly where cyclists need it
In practice: Keeps hands comfortable during long rides, handles British weather without overheating, maintains bar feel for precise control
The reality: Extends your riding season by months while improving comfort on every ride

Getting the right fit

Why fit matters more for gloves

Hands vary dramatically in proportion - finger length, palm width, thumb angle all affect how gloves perform. A poorly fitting glove doesn't just feel bad, it reduces warmth, compromises grip, and limits dexterity.

Fit guidelines for different uses

Technical activities (climbing, mountaineering):

• Snug fit prevents fabric bunching during precise movements
• Adequate stretch for extreme hand positions
• Palm sensitivity for rope feel and gear manipulation
• Finger length that doesn't bunch when reaching

Cycling applications:

• Secure grip without restricting blood flow
• Palm padding positioned to match your hand contact points
• Finger length that allows brake/shift lever operation
• Wrist fit that doesn't create pressure points

General outdoor use:

• Comfortable for extended wear without pressure points
• Room for light liner gloves if layering
• Adequate dexterity for pack adjustments and general tasks
• Weather seal at wrist without restriction

Our sizing approach

We use a four-step measurement system because hands don't fit simple length measurements:

Step 1: Measure your dominant hand with relaxed fingers
Step 2: Find your knuckle circumference with fingers together
Step 3: Measure finger length from tip to wrist crease
Step 4: Use the larger measurement to determine size

Size chart

Sizing notes: Cycling gloves work best at true size for proper padding placement. If you have thick fingers or plan to layer, consider sizing up.

Decision time

Cut through the options with this simple framework.

Start with your main activity

• Hill walking: Aura (basic) / Shiel (cold) / Gabbro (serious winter)
• Rock climbing: Frazil (winter) / Aura (basic) / Mica (natural)
• Road cycling: Rhythm (summer) / Cirrus (weather) / Stratus (commuting)
• Mountain biking: Floe (protection) / Comet (minimal) / Cirrus (weather)
• Trail running: Specta (variable conditions)

Consider your typical conditions

• Mild and dry: Fleece options work well (Aura, Mica)
• Cold and wet: Waterproof essential (Gabbro, Haline, Cirrus)
• Extreme cold: Maximum insulation needed (Shiel, Gabbro, Vulcan)
• Changing conditions: Adaptable designs (Aura Grip, Frazil, Specta)

Prioritise your main need

• Maximum warmth: Gabbro / Vulcan / Shiel
• Best dexterity: Aura / Frazil / Mica
• Weather protection: Haline / Cirrus / Gabbro
• Versatile performance: Aura Grip / Frazil / Mica

Team favourites

We all have our favourites gloves, find out why we think they could be your favourites too, whether you are in the mountains, on your bike or fitting your snow chains.

Most versatile: Aura Grip - fleece warmth with added grip capability that handles everything from morning dog walks to mountain approaches.

Best for climbing: Frazil - strategic insulation maintains finger sensitivity while providing wind protection during technical winter routes.

Cycling champion: Cirrus - weatherproof performance that extends riding seasons without sacrificing bike handling precision.

Winter insurance: Gabbro - serious protection that keeps hands functional when mountain conditions turn challenging.

Pack essential: Shiel - disappears in your bag until weather requires backup warmth, then delivers when needed.

Caring for your gloves

Keep them working

• Hand wash with mild soap - protects membranes and maintains insulation loft
• Air dry completely - heat damages waterproofing and shrinks leather components
• Refresh water repellency - annual DWR treatment maintains weather performance
• Store properly - stuff fingers to maintain shape, avoid compression storage

Still choosing?

Try in store

Visit any Alpkit store and try on your gloves to make sure they fit like a glove! Fine tune the sizing so you are confident they will layer up. Test the grip on trekking poles and fiddle around with rucksack buckles.

• Visit any Alpkit store for fit testing and expert advice
• Easy exchanges if online sizing doesn't work perfectly
• Support from people who actually use these products

Frequently asked questions

"Are technical gloves worth it for casual hiking?"
If you've experienced cold, uncomfortable, or restricted hands during outdoor activities, absolutely. The comfort and capability improvement is immediate and noticeable.

"How do I pick between similar models?"
Focus on your primary activity and typical conditions. Aura for basic fleece warmth, Gabbro for serious winter protection, Cirrus for cycling weather resistance.

"What's the difference between water-resistant and waterproof?"
Water-resistant (DWR coating) handles light rain and snow contact. Waterproof (membrane construction) manages sustained wet exposure. Match to your typical weather exposure.

"Should I buy larger for layering?"
Only if you regularly layer liner gloves. Most of our gloves provide adequate warmth ranges without additional layers.

Ready to protect your hands properly? Explore our complete collection or visit an Alpkit store for hands-on testing and expert guidance.

Keep exploring

• Understanding outdoor layering systems - How hand protection fits your complete weather strategy
• Glove technology explained - Materials and construction insights