Inexpensive insulated/water resistant winter gloves in "women's" sizes
December 25, 2022 7:49 AM Subscribe
I have a bunch of winter gloves that are OK for walking around or driving in cold weather, but yesterday I wore them while cleaning off my car in 7 degree (Fahrenheit) weather and my fingers got cold enough that they ached for several minutes after I came inside. Would like recs for something inexpensive and better for this kind of situation. Doesn't need to be touchscreen compatible or be great for very fine motor skills, but needs to be flexible enough to hold an ice scraper (obv no mittens.) I usually wear a medium in latex/nitrile gloves.
May I ask why "obv no mittens?" I have and use mittens all winter long, including when I have to scrape ice and snow off a car.
posted by cooker girl at 8:00 AM on December 25, 2022
posted by cooker girl at 8:00 AM on December 25, 2022
Response by poster: I'm also curious about any kind of two-part system - a liner plus an outside that is wind/water-resistant/proof. Is there something I could wear over knit gloves when I'm actually touching snow?
Also, inexpensive = I'd like to spend around $20, could spend more or bargain-shop/trawl ebay for bargains on something with a higher list price but definitely not more than $40.
posted by needs more cowbell at 8:01 AM on December 25, 2022
Also, inexpensive = I'd like to spend around $20, could spend more or bargain-shop/trawl ebay for bargains on something with a higher list price but definitely not more than $40.
posted by needs more cowbell at 8:01 AM on December 25, 2022
I’ve never personally cleaned off a car windshield in the winter but my family members in the Northeast exclusively use gloves for this task or anything requiring dexterity in the winter and have done so successfully for decades.
I own Uniqlo HeatTech gloves that are both cheap and warm. In Iceland, I also purchased gloves from 66 North that are on the pricier end for you, per your recent update, but are also extremely warm and specially designed for outdoor activities. I believe the model I have is the Vik.
posted by lovelygirl at 8:06 AM on December 25, 2022
I own Uniqlo HeatTech gloves that are both cheap and warm. In Iceland, I also purchased gloves from 66 North that are on the pricier end for you, per your recent update, but are also extremely warm and specially designed for outdoor activities. I believe the model I have is the Vik.
posted by lovelygirl at 8:06 AM on December 25, 2022
Response by poster: At least with the mittens I've had, I don't feel like I have enough dexterity in them to do the things I need to clean off a car easily. Maybe I use my fingers for leverage in various ways more than other people do?
posted by needs more cowbell at 8:06 AM on December 25, 2022
posted by needs more cowbell at 8:06 AM on December 25, 2022
Nimble, light-weight, water-resistant I swear by these (also my camping/backpacking gloves): https://www.rei.com/product/745948/seirus-all-weather-gloves-womens (there is also a men’s version). The bad reviews puzzle me…I think all people expecting them to be appropriate for very cold weather and serious extended outdoor time or very wet conditions. But they are not insulated or truly water proof, more of a flexible middle ground. I also wear them to bike at night or in the winter.
Serious winter snow gloves. I would use a pair of Hestra’s that are also my “warm day” ski gloves. (Insulated and waterproof)
When skiing on cold days I wear insulated mittens.
Living in the mountains though I’ve found my hands have toughened up…my daily coat-pocket gloves are leather lined with sheepskin and when they get wet they just dry out. If you are wearing knits that’s your problem…I never wear knits except in fall before it gets cold and snowy. My husband does but he is immune to cold.
On REI’s website you can filter by waterproof and insulated :)
They do make waterproof over-mittens that go over your knits, but not gloves that I am aware.
posted by amaire at 8:36 AM on December 25, 2022
Serious winter snow gloves. I would use a pair of Hestra’s that are also my “warm day” ski gloves. (Insulated and waterproof)
When skiing on cold days I wear insulated mittens.
Living in the mountains though I’ve found my hands have toughened up…my daily coat-pocket gloves are leather lined with sheepskin and when they get wet they just dry out. If you are wearing knits that’s your problem…I never wear knits except in fall before it gets cold and snowy. My husband does but he is immune to cold.
On REI’s website you can filter by waterproof and insulated :)
They do make waterproof over-mittens that go over your knits, but not gloves that I am aware.
posted by amaire at 8:36 AM on December 25, 2022
My recommendation as a short term/inexpensive pass is to try wearing your thinnest gloves and shoving those into your roomiest and/or waterproof gloves. I have some good-quality Smartwool gloves and some super cheap knit gloves that I use as liners when it gets really cold. The smartwool gloves are better but they both make a huge difference.
posted by tchemgrrl at 8:37 AM on December 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by tchemgrrl at 8:37 AM on December 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
If you can afford the 2-pack, the Holmes deerskin work gloves at Costco are great. The Head women’s gloves (hybrid) should be ok too. Waterproof ski gloves might be a useful search term.
posted by warriorqueen at 9:35 AM on December 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by warriorqueen at 9:35 AM on December 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
I have an older pair of LL bean 2 part gloves, they dont get used much because they are bulky, and too warm unless its very cold out, or im outside for a long time. But you can take the outer layer off for driving or something. An outer waterproof layer and inner fuzzy glove. Makes it easier to dry the inner layer if it gets sweaty as well.
Reminds me that i need to replace them. Wearing out from age.
I cant locate a current example on their website, so theyve either changed or im bad at searching.
posted by TheAdamist at 10:06 AM on December 25, 2022
Reminds me that i need to replace them. Wearing out from age.
I cant locate a current example on their website, so theyve either changed or im bad at searching.
posted by TheAdamist at 10:06 AM on December 25, 2022
I bought a pair of these Heat Holders gloves last year & everyone in the family fought over them because they are so warm (even at -7F), so I bought 4 more pairs yesterday. They are definitely flexible enough for us to hold an ice scraper or do barn chores. They were on sale for $15 in the store yesterday.
posted by belladonna at 10:20 AM on December 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by belladonna at 10:20 AM on December 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
Something from this page of Kinco gloves should work. I have a pair of this type of glove, not sure exactly which specific product, and that's what I wear if I need to do chores where my hands might get wet. Gloves like this are widely available from farm and garden type stores at reasonable prices. I have no problem using an ice scraper while wearing mittens, though, and if it was only 7 degrees I would quite likely just wear mittens.
posted by Redstart at 11:07 AM on December 25, 2022
posted by Redstart at 11:07 AM on December 25, 2022
If you're happy with your current gloves, get a thin set of knit glove liners. My set from REI probably doubled the effectiveness of my gloves. REI looks a little out of your price, but searching Amazon returns many in the $10-$20 range.
If you haven't looked at lobster gloves, consider them. They split the difference between glove dexterity and mitten warmth. You can choose which fingers are split, from splitting between the 2nd and 3rd finger for the most warmth to only the ring and pinky fingers joined for maximum dexterity.
I also find tossing a small chemical heat warmer into my gloves does a lot of good for my hands on those rare cold-as-bones days.
posted by Ookseer at 11:26 AM on December 25, 2022
If you haven't looked at lobster gloves, consider them. They split the difference between glove dexterity and mitten warmth. You can choose which fingers are split, from splitting between the 2nd and 3rd finger for the most warmth to only the ring and pinky fingers joined for maximum dexterity.
I also find tossing a small chemical heat warmer into my gloves does a lot of good for my hands on those rare cold-as-bones days.
posted by Ookseer at 11:26 AM on December 25, 2022
You say a two-part system is OK? Well, I'm jest a leetle ol' glove-wearin' ice scrapin' unfussy ex-Atlantan, but we just put plastic bags over our gloves.
I believe that hits your price point.
posted by amtho at 11:53 AM on December 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
I believe that hits your price point.
posted by amtho at 11:53 AM on December 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
Also: while one generally only uses a given set of glove plastic bags for a short while before discarding them, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention: the environmental (and monetary) cost of many pairs of plastic bags -- especially if you reuse grocery or other bags -- is far exceeded by the resource, manufacturing, tranport, time, storage, periodic cleaning, and personal monetary cost of a pair of waterproof gloves.
posted by amtho at 11:58 AM on December 25, 2022
posted by amtho at 11:58 AM on December 25, 2022
Have you tried ice scraper mitts? They are amazing, and live in the car, so they don't get lost ever.
posted by mumimor at 1:52 PM on December 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by mumimor at 1:52 PM on December 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
I have Reynaud's and my hands get cold easily. My solution is a pair of liner gloves inside some low profile mittens with a "flip top," if that make sense. I agree that huge, super warm mittens don't allow for great dexterity, but if you get a more modest pair, with the feature that lets you flip back the mitten to reveal your gloved fingers, it's a great compromise. I can typically scrape my car in my mittens, and only tend to need my fingers for things like using my keys to open my front door, etc.
I have REI brand liner gloves similar to these, and I have these convertible mittens. They work great together and keep my hands plenty warm. Good luck!
posted by leftover_scrabble_rack at 5:51 AM on December 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
I have REI brand liner gloves similar to these, and I have these convertible mittens. They work great together and keep my hands plenty warm. Good luck!
posted by leftover_scrabble_rack at 5:51 AM on December 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
It sounds like situations like this aren't super common. I have struggled to find gloves that work well on the coldest days and instead use my regular good gloves or mittens combined with some handwarmers.
There are disposable chemical handwarmers that work great for several hours; these are good to keep around at home and in your car. I bring some on longer bike rides when it's really cold, as a sort of extra supply. They are air-activated and warm my hands up.
You can also make or buy reusable handwarmers that you heat up in the microwave and last about 30 minutes. I made some out of the tops of old wool socks that were beat up on the feet. I have used this when I was going outside from home or work and knew it would be cold and didn't need them to last for ages, like your situation with the car.
posted by bluedaisy at 1:25 PM on December 26, 2022
There are disposable chemical handwarmers that work great for several hours; these are good to keep around at home and in your car. I bring some on longer bike rides when it's really cold, as a sort of extra supply. They are air-activated and warm my hands up.
You can also make or buy reusable handwarmers that you heat up in the microwave and last about 30 minutes. I made some out of the tops of old wool socks that were beat up on the feet. I have used this when I was going outside from home or work and knew it would be cold and didn't need them to last for ages, like your situation with the car.
posted by bluedaisy at 1:25 PM on December 26, 2022
I highly recommend a pair of convertible mittens (or "fingerless mittens" as I like to call them). Depending on how cold you want to be prepared for, a simple pair like this Flip Mitt or these Flip Top Fleece might be enough, or you might want a pair with thinsulate in them (sorry that last link seems to be only available in eye wounding orange). The combo of keeping your palms and bases of the fingers toasty with a thinner layer of fleece works wonders for keeping your fingers nimble while in mitten form. These keep my hands toasty to about -5ºF, and passably warm to about -20ºF.
My preferences:
- Magnet holder, not velcro, for the flipback. They work better, last longer, and aren't loud.
- Fleece, not knit. Knit is so very cute, but snow gets in the grain and makes them stiff.
- Flip the fingers, not the thumb. Yes, my thumb ends up a bit clumsy for fine work like with all hand coverings, but I prefer that option to having a permanent thick crossover of fabric on my thumb.
- Individual finger holders, not a single opening across the palm. This makes the mitten stay in place, rather than introducing the possibility that snow is going to work its way into the palm of your hand.
posted by past unusual at 2:54 PM on December 26, 2022
My preferences:
- Magnet holder, not velcro, for the flipback. They work better, last longer, and aren't loud.
- Fleece, not knit. Knit is so very cute, but snow gets in the grain and makes them stiff.
- Flip the fingers, not the thumb. Yes, my thumb ends up a bit clumsy for fine work like with all hand coverings, but I prefer that option to having a permanent thick crossover of fabric on my thumb.
- Individual finger holders, not a single opening across the palm. This makes the mitten stay in place, rather than introducing the possibility that snow is going to work its way into the palm of your hand.
posted by past unusual at 2:54 PM on December 26, 2022
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posted by rockindata at 7:59 AM on December 25, 2022 [10 favorites]