Running gloves are the gloves worn when going for running or harder exercises, so that you can comfortably run or jog. They are as important as any other running essential for example tights, sweaters, hats, etc.
Why are running gloves important?
It is very important to wear running gloves during winters because if your body is at a cooler temperature, then it will have to put more energy to bring your body to a warmer temperature.
A lot of times, running gloves are also worn in summer to absorb sweat and keep your hands sweat free. Hence, it can be concluded that running gloves are a very important piece for a runner to wear when going out for running.
Top Running Gloves Comparison Chart
What to consider when picking out gloves for running?
There are three factors that you need to consider to pick out the right pair of gloves before going for the run:
- Yourself: Everyone’s body and inner blood circulation rates are different than other. If you think that your hands take a longer time to warm up then go for thicker gloves but if your hands are the last first thing to warm up while on the run then opt for a little thinner glove choice.
- The outside temperature: What is the outside weather? Is it snowing outside? Or there are only cold winds? These are the questions that you must ask yourself before going for the right pair of gloves.
- The weather: Make sure to check the weather forecast before going for the run. You need to check the wind rate, chances of snow or rain, moisture in the air and then choose your gloves accordingly. You may need to wear waterproof gloves if there are more than 50% chances of rain.
What are the different types of running gloves available in the market?
There may be a lot of similarities in the following glove types but they are all unique in their own sense and their utility.
-
Modular Gloves:
These gloves are promoted in the market as winter gloves that can also be worn over mittens or other ordinary gloves. Their design includes breathable material and the shell fitted with fleece in the inner part. The best types of modular gloves are brushed fleece inner material to provide breathing of the hands and retention of the warmth in the gloves at the same time. If you are planning to wear these gloves with an additional layer of fleece, then they may become extra thick which might irritate you, so it is better to wear them with an attached liner that you can easily find in the market. These modular gloves supposed to fit the hand 100% and that is why almost 80% of these gloves do not fit the hands of the people. For me the finger is too short, too narrow, etc. modular gloves are currently produced by Lowe Alpine, extremities, marmot, black diamond etc.
-
Ski Mitts:
Unlike the name suggests these gloves are not only for skiers but they are also perfect for the runner who wants to run comfortably in the coming winter. The best thing about these gloves is that they are cheap, but they provide full functionality in the minimum price tag. There are as useful as any other expensive and heavyweight gloves. The only downside of these gloves is that the grip and the insulation of these is a little slippery which may cause you to slip if you are planning to go for hiking after running. Extremities offer different mitts at a very reasonable price range.
-
Technical Shell gloves:
These gloves are made of thin airbrushed fleece fabric due to which they are very waterproof. They are particularly made by the companies called outdoor designs, black diamond, etc. if these are worn with power stretch inner, they work perfectly and just like a full-scale modular glove.
-
Fleece mittens:
These gloves are light weight and very compact. These are perfect for those runners who need to take their gloves off after a small time of running; you can put them in your pockets. They are worn even best if you wear them over your regular pair of gloves.
Different degree of glove types available in the market:
Thin gloves
As the name suggests these gloves are perfect for starting to run in the cold weather. They have a mechanism to keep your hands warm enough without turning the internal temperature into a sauna. Thin gloves are made of extremely soft material and weathered fabric with the function that allows you to use your touchscreen phone with both hands and fingers.
Intermediate gloves
As the temperature of the weather will drop, these gloves will be your best friend. But these will only work if there are no chances of rain or what so ever. The main plus point of these gloves is that they include a nose fleece wipe that is present on the back of the thumbs. This feature helps you to warm up your cold nose.
Intermediate gloves with weather
If the temperature is near freezing, then these gloves are the best for you to get your hands on. They have brushed interior that will give you warmth comfort throughout the run. Some of these types of gloves include silicon grips in dots and also a small pocket perfect for keys.
Heavy duty gloves
These are perfect for extreme weather with snow. These gloves will provide full waterproof coating and their Velcro flaps make them very easy to wear and take them off.
Different materials of running gloves
Acrylic:
The gloves that are made up of acrylic will be very breathable, quite stretchy and cosy. But they will not be able to protect you against water or cold winds.
Polypropylene:
These are the gloves that will give you insulation against the wind and even water, resulting your hands to stay warm and dry throughout the run. But you will have to sacrifice on the breathability or the gloves and also these will not be able to absorb moisture
Polyester:
These gloves will keep your hands warm, cozy and dry. They will also provide sweat absorption and high breathability rate of the gloves. However, one downside of this material is that they will not be 100% waterproof or even windproof.
Fleece:
Once you wear wool gloves you will feel like you have worn a fleece blanket over your hands. They are hot, cozy and comfortable to wear. But they are not so good with sweat absorption and breathability inside the gloves. If they have patches that are made up of a different material, then they will be the best gloves for winter. Sometimes, gloves come with an outer piece made up of fleece to wipe the sweat from your forehead.
How to choose the right running gloves?
If you want to pick the best running glove, then look for the following things in the gloves before deciding.
Thickness:
make sure to check that the running gloves are thicker on the outer side of the hand and thinner on the inner part of the hand. This is because the inner part sweats quicker and does not need too much warmth whereas the outer side needs more heat and takes more time to warm up. The interior part of the gloves must be made up of mesh material to provide breathability.
Fit:
Running gloves must fit your hands like they are made just for you. They should feel like a layer of skin not an extra piece of cloth. If the gloves that you are wearing are oversized, they will move around your hands and will irritate you throughout the run whereas if they are too tight, they will inhibit basic hand movements and will also lead to numbness of the fingers.
Warmth:
The warmth provided by the gloves depends on person to person. One may need warmer gloves while the other may need less warm gloves; this depends on the rate with which your body circulates the blood. Most of the time, runner wear the gloves only until their hands are warmed up while others wear them for the entire run. Make sure to get the glove with an extra pair of liners for extra coziness and warmth.
Seasonality:
There are a few gloves that can be worn all-round the year. However, it is not very recommended to wear running gloves during the warmer season. For fall and spring season go for gloves with extra liners for more warmth but for more heated season ditch the liners and go for fabrics that will be waterproof and perfect for rainy days.
Weight:
The fabric used in the making of the running gloves will tell the weight of the glove. Make sure to put the running gloves lightweight because you do not want to feel like you are running with dumbbells on either side of your hands throughout the run.
Top 10 best running gloves Review
Salomon is a trusted brand which specializes in a number of things. However, their gloves are everyone’s favorite pick. Their gloves can be worn for any outdoor activity all year round. These gloves come with silicon grips to prevent slipping of things from our hands while wearing gloves. Their heat retention technology makes them perfect for the winter season, as it will keep your hands warm and cozy. Note that, these gloves are not only for women but both men and women can wear these.
Pros:
- You can use your touchscreen phones while wearing these gloves
- They have inner pockets for keys etc.
- They are made up of strong and long-lasting material
- They are extremely lightweight.
Cons:
- Due to their toughness and sturdiness, people with larger hands find it difficult to wear it comfortably
These gloves are with special liners that absorb sweat in a blink of an eye, making it perfect to be worn in summers as well. Your hands will not turn into swamp once your body temperature is regulated after running. On top of this, these gloves are extremely friendly to the screens of your smartphones; you will not have to take your gloves off just to attend an important incoming call. Give these Etip a try, and they will be your new favorite for sure.
Pros
- Their material is perfect to absorb the sweat
- They are 100% water resistant
- Lightweight
- They fit into your hands seamlessly
- They are very durable
Cons:
- The only downside is that they are quite expensive, everyone may not be able to buy them.
These gloves are perfect for lesser extreme weather like for fall and spring. They are such a lightweight hat you will not feel that you are wearing them on your hands. They will keep your hands nice and busy throughout the run. They even have synthetic leather strategically placed in high wear areas.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Easily packable and can be put in a small purse.
- They include grip patches made up of silicon.
- They come with reflective elements for safety of the user
Cons:
- They do not have any pocket to keep keys etc.
These pair of gloves are from the trust Nike. These gloves offer features that no other running gloves can offer but also comes with an affordable price tag. These gloves are made purely from a mesh material combines with fleece to keep your hands warm, but also allows them to breathe simultaneously. Perfect for someone who is a beginner at running and is scared of catching a cold after a long run in winters.
Pros:
- Affordable for everyone
- Comfortable and soft to wear
- They have classic Nike design
Cons:
- They may not be 100% waterproof
These are mitten type running gloves. They are perfect for both winter and spring season. These gloves are perfect for handling smartphones. These gloves may not be suitable for weather that is below 40 degrees.
Pros:
- They have dual style
- Touchscreen compatible fingertips
- They have thermal infusion for extra warmth
- The Beck side of the gloves comes with reflective material for safety in low light situations.
Cons:
- Sizing is not fitted to every hand type
These gloves are designed specifically for running. The build of these gloves makes them perfect for opening and closing doors or even using iPod shuffle. They are perfect for extreme winter runs and they’re made mostly of polyester, spandex and fleece! They feature grippy palms and they even have fun, innovative features like the names of each New York City Burrough on their fingers (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Staten Island). Antimicrobial properties are built in to these gloves and they are touch screen compatible. Oh, did I mention they come in 5 different colors?
Pros:
- Smooth fleece surface with 240 GSM (GSM refers to the weight of fleece)
- The fingertips are touchscreen-friendly
- A very reasonable price tag
Cons:
- They are a little looser for your hand fit.
For those of you who want to buy an excellent running glove without doing hours of research, you can actually close your eyes and buy these gloves without thinking about it at all. These Trailheads are among the best on the market for very nearly the best price possible! When it comes to technical features, these gloves check all of the boxes. For example, they are made of 4-way stretch polartec powerstretch pro fabric, wind-resistant outer layer, moisture-wicking (inner layer) fabric and they also feature touchscreen compatibility.
Keep in mind that (like most running gloves) they are meant for outdoor aerobic acitivities and are not super great for sedentary or very low-intensity activities outdoors when temperatures dip to single digits. Think of these running gloves as an investment and buy them today from Amazon.
Pros:
- Grippy palms
- Touchscreen compatible
- Affordable
- Sweat absorbing material present on the inside
- Great name in the industry (from Connecticut)
- 4.5 out of 5 rating from around 170 purchasers on Amazon. That’s incredible! (in a good way)
Cons:
- Not meant for being stationary outdoors in single digits
These gloves may look like an ordinary liner, but in reality, these gloves are perfect warm running gloves suitable for everyone. They are insulated; reflective, quick drying and can easily operate the touchscreen. They are a full package.
Pros:
- They have silicon finger grips
- Touchscreen competitive fingers
- Thermal liners on the backside of the hand
- Reflective material for safety
Cons:
- They are not 100% waterproof
These gloves are super soft and stretchy. These gloves are proved to keep your hands warm and will also allow you to use your phone at the same time. These running gloves offer maximum utility at a very affordable price tag
Pros:
- The honeycomb pattern on the palms provide perfect grip
- This package includes 10-hour warmers
- They are made up of comfortable polyester fleece material
- Extremely affordable
Cons:
- They are not that long-lasting and durable as the expensive ones are
10. Gordini Gore-Tex Gauntlet Gloves
These runner’s gloves give the perception as if they are made for astronauts, but in reality, they are made exclusively for running. Thin outer part is made up of Ripstop nylon while the inner part is made of an insulating material to absorb the sweat builds up. They can also be a great gift for your runner friend because of their affordable price tag.
Pros:
- SUPER warm
- Reasonable price tag
- Palms in made of ripstop nylon
- They have hydro wick lining
Cons:
- They are not the most stylish running gloves available on the market – for running that is.
Conclusion:
You may think that every one of the gloves mentioned above will be the best for the winter run but in reality, each of the above-mentioned running gloves has their unique set of qualities. For example, if you are looking for warmth then go for gloves that have liners in them. But due to the enhancement of the technology, not every thin-looking glove is warm enough but they work as perfectly as any other thick and heavy duty gloves do. Also, thinner gloves will not inhibit your hand movements.
If you are scared of buying the runner gloves or if they are out of your budget, then try making your customized runner’s gloves by wearing layers of gloves. When you start to feel warm, you can take one or two pairs off. You can also wear plastic gloves inside the regular gloves to make your own waterproof gloves and weather-resistant gloves. Although they may be a little irritating, they will do the job just well.
Where to buy?
Know that this running glove is a very different thing than the normal gloves and they may not be available at every store. You can find normal gloves from anywhere, but they are not suitable for the purpose of running. You can search for these at any athletic shop, or you can even find them at Amazom.com. If you are the kind of person who prefers to try things on before buying them then visit your nearest sports shop yourself and then buy but if you don’t care about trying before buying, then AMAZON can be your best option. Also, you might want to buy only one pair first and then buy the second one to make sure that this design is the right decision.
Cost
Depending on the brand that you are going for and the priorities that you have, your running gloves cost will vary. If you want more fancy and durable gloves, they will be more expensive, but if you are only looking for the warmth and you do not care about the durability and style of the running gloves, then cheaper gloves are right for you. In general, gloves that are for everyday use will cost around $15 – $25. The place from where you are buying will also make the difference and on top of that if you are buying online then the delivery charges and tax applied may end up doubling the price of the glove than the original price. But again, think of the expensive gloves as an investment and take your time to survey before making the decision.
