from frostbite, which is why it is essential to have the right snow gloves to protect them with. Here are some guidelines to use when buying a pair of snow gloves to ensure you choose the right ones.
Style
Mittens are warmer than gloves because your fingers generate heat when they are together. Even so, mittens can be cumbersome, which is why most people prefer gloves. To get the best of both worlds, consider “lobster gloves”, which allow the index and ring fingers to be together and generate warmth.
There are also mitten/glove combos that consist of an inner glove and outer mitten that can be mixed and matched as needed for comfort and dexterity.
If dexterity is an issue, look for gloves that fit tightly and conform snugly to the contours of your fingers. You can also find gloves that have open tips, or provide coverings that can be lifted off of individual fingers as needed.
Snow gloves such as these will allow you to operate a smart phone or tablet, while also keeping your hands as warm and dry as possible.
Waterproof Material
The most important feature of snow gloves is the fact that they are waterproof in order to keep your hands dry. A good pair of snow gloves should do more than that-they should also whisk away sweat as well. They should fit tightly at the wrists to keep snow and ice from entering them. Velcro closures are ideal because they can be adjusted easily, and allow your gloves to fit tightly while still maintaining some flexibility. For added protection, choose snow gloves with long cuffs that extend over top of your coat.
Aside from a waterproof exterior, snow gloves should contain down or synthetic insulation to help protect your hands from extreme temperatures. Down is lightweight and breathable, but somewhat more expensive than synthetic insulation. Synthetic insulation is desirable because it dries rather quickly and allows for greater flexibility. Snow gloves with synthetic insulation are often chosen by downhill and cross-country skiers for those very reasons.
Heated Gloves
For extreme temperatures, consider purchasing a pair of heated snow gloves. These gloves contain rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that will allow your gloves to stay warm for hours. Others have a zippered pocket that are designed to hold hand warmer packs. Heated gloves are a great choice if you have poor circulation that often results in cold hands. They are also bulkier to wear, and may not be suitable for performing outdoor chores such as shoveling snow or stacking firewood.
As you can see, there are plenty of choices when it comes to snow gloves. Since there are so many different options, you may want to invest in more than one pair to ensure you have gloves that are right for every occasion.
