Faced with darker mornings and gloomier evenings, 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 Only one colour option winter running gear, the key to running in the cold is really all in the accessories. Yep, we're talking a winter running beanie and, of course, a pair of running gloves.
Your legs and your body warm up pretty fast, but the hands can really suffer – especially if you suffer from Raynaud's. 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 make sure your autumn/winter running wardrobe is well stocked with our recommendations of the best running gloves below.
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All of the gloves in this guide have been selected by our team of editors, who have years of experience testing running gear and apparel from a range of top brands. We test the gloves in a range of conditions, from cool to downright cold, considering factors such as material, fit, warmth, visibility, durability and price. Only the best of the best are selected for this guide.
The best running gloves for 2025
Featherweight but with a soft shell fabric on the back of the hand that’s highly effective at keeping out the chill of the winter wind, these Montane gloves also feature a dedicated thumb-nose wipe and touchscreen-friendly fingers so you can operate your devices on the move. They also come in specific men's and women's sizes, though there's only one colour options for both (black).
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.
If you’re looking for a lighter, thinner layer that will still keep your mits toasty warm, Sweaty Betty’s Swiftie Pace 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, plus the thumb and index finger are touchscreen compatible. Our only gripe? We wish they had a clip to secure them together, to avoid one glove getting lost.
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.
Merino wool boasts many properties that make it an amazing material for a pair of running gloves: it's soft, lightweight and odour-resistant, plus it keeps you warm without letting you get hot and clammy as your temperature rises. This pair from Salomon also come with touchscreen-compatible fingers and handy reflective details. The fit is fairly snug, so bear that in mind if your hands are particularly large.
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.
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.
As you'd expect from Inov8, 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.
The 100% waterproof Aquasealz hydrophilic membrane sits between a merino wool interior and a durable exterior that adds touchscreen-friendly grip. Breathability is decent and four-way stretch gives a close fit with free movement.
The recycled polyester is moisture-wicking, warm and comfy, with serious wind-proofing tech to handle cold blasts. A hidden over mitt also provides additional warmth, while a silicon palm ensures grip and touchscreen compatibility means you won’t have to expose your extremities to the elements.