Comparison Review: Cold weather protection starts from the extremities! Comparing the best running gloves for winter runs

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Mountain Hardwear , Mont-Bell , Montane , Gloves , Comparison , Trail Running , The North Face , Patagonia

Written by Outdoor Gearzine Editorial Department

The cold weather is finally here. As someone who is extremely sensitive to the cold, it's now the time of year when I can't easily go out for a run without taking all the necessary precautions

At times like these, the coldness of the extremities of the body can be surprisingly difficult. After running for a while, the body warms up, but the hands and feet that are constantly exposed to the wind become numb and numb, and it's difficult to warm them up, which can be quite a hassle

That's why gloves are essential for winter running and hiking, but as always, there are a variety of models available depending on the purpose and climate. This time, we'll be looking at what kind of gloves are best for trail running (or running), and what model you should use. We've gathered a few candidates and will compare and review them. I'm sure many people are secretly curious about this. Work gloves are good, but dedicated gloves are always better!

table of contents

table of contents
About the running gloves compared this time
- Test environment
Test Results & Spec Comparison Table
Impressions of each model
summary
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About the items tested this time
Test Results & Spec Comparison Table
Impressions of each model
summary

About the running gloves compared this time

We compared five models this time. Among the many running gloves available, we chose models that offer the warmth, mobility, and durability needed for running on winter trails

Montane VIA Trail Gloves
Mont-Bell Climabarrier Gloves
Mountain Hardwear Death Stimulus Gloves
Patagonia Windshield Gloves
THE NORTH FACE Gore Close Fit Tricot Gloves

Test environment

The following five points were set as indicators for the evaluation items and the review was conducted

Fit: Even the slightest discomfort can be stressful when running, so a good fit is a fundamental element of the best gloves
Warmth: When searching for the best winter gloves, it goes without saying that they should be windproof and warm, but they also shouldn't be too hot
Comfort: Ideal for smooth fingers and skin feel, and also for it to not get stuffy even when worn for long periods of time
Usability: We evaluated the device from the perspective of how easily the user could use their hands to take things in and out of the backpack, tie shoelaces, operate a smartphone, and so on
Functionality: Don't underestimate gloves. Each manufacturer has put in a lot of effort to improve ease of use and convenience. We evaluate the added value of these gloves
Durability: While this may be a concern for normal running, trail running in particular involves using your hands frequently, often touching rocks and trees and falling over. The durability of the fabric and construction is also important when choosing shoes

With these five points in mind, I tested the shoes several times on roads and on trails with lots of ups and downs. To see how they would be affected by getting wet, I also ran in the rain and immersed them directly in water to test their waterproofing

Test Results & Spec Comparison Table

comprehensive evaluation	AAA	AAA	AA	AA	AA
item	Montane VIA Trail Gloves	Mountain Hardwear Death Stimulus Gloves	THE NORTH FACE Gore Close Fit Tricot Gloves	Patagonia Windshield Gloves	Mont-Bell Climabarrier Gloves
Reference price	4,320 yen	5,940 yen	6,480 yen	6,696 yen	3,132 yen
Here is ◎	Excellent fit Lightweight and stress-free to wear Useful features for running	A balance of lightness, fit, cold protection, and operability Convenient small features such as anti-slip palms and joint parts on both sides	Lightweight and comfortable to wear Comfort and operability when moving your fingers	Carefully designed cut for a comfortable fit and ease of use	Anyway, it's warm Durable
Here is △	Cold, wind and water resistant palm area Slightly slippery	The fingers are slightly shorter than other models (depending on the person)	Cold protection (warmth retention) durability	Seam feel and durability	Difficulty with manual tasks Easy to get sweaty
Fit	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆
Cold protection	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆	★★☆☆☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★★
Comfort	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	★★★☆☆
Operability	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆
durability	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆	★★★★☆
Specifications
item	Montane VIA Trail Gloves	Mountain Hardwear Death Stimulus Gloves	THE NORTH FACE Gore Close Fit Tricot Gloves	Patagonia Windshield Gloves	Mont-Bell Climabarrier Gloves
Actual weight	46g (medium size)	52g (medium size)	47g (medium size)	47g (medium size)	85g (medium size)
material	Cameleon Lite (soft shell)	Shell: Deflection Softshell Plain Weave (86% Polyester, 14% Polyurethane); Accents: Polartec Stretch (84% Polyester, 16% Polyurethane); Palm: Nylon PU Synthetic Microsuede (65% Nylon, 35% Polyurethane)	GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ Stretch Technology (Outer: 100% Polyester, Midlayer: ePTFE, Lining: 100% Polyester) <Flat Side Lining> Polyester Jersey (100% Polyester) <Back Lining> Brushed Fleece (100% Polyester)	5.5-oz 100% recycled polyester with a grid embossing and polyurethane film laminate. DWR (durable water repellent) finish. Panels: 6.9-oz 85% polyester/15% polyurethane with a brushed backing. Polygiene permanent odor control. Palm overlay: 7.6-oz 50% nylon/50% polyester microsuede. Bluesign® approved	CLIMABARRIER® [Polyester]
Smartphone compatible finger	thumb index finger middle finger	thumb index finger middle finger	All fingers	thumb index finger	thumb index finger
Anti-slip	×	○	○	○	○
Left and right joint parts	×	○	○	×	×

Impressions of each model

Montane VIA Trail Gloves

Montane VIA Trail Gloves (Black/M/Men's)

Montane

Here is ◎

Excellent fit
Lightweight and stress-free to wear
Useful features for running

Here is △

Cold, wind and water resistant palm area
Slightly slippery

In addition to an excellent fit, it also has some useful features that are great for cold winter days, such as a thumb panel for wiping your nose

the VIA trail series , a lineup of trail running gloves developed by Montane, a young brand with a proven track record of producing high-performance, fast and light mountain gear

As it is made for trail running, it has all the necessary functions, with warm and flexible fleece on the palm and Chameleon Lite soft shell on the back, which is windproof, sweat-wicking, and breathable. Moreover, it is lightweight and stress-free to wear, with a streamlined design that reduces stress while running

Not only are they functional, but they also have an excellent fit. Other features include thumbs for wiping sweat and noses, and easy on and off, making them truly impressive for a trail running model!

One thing that bothers me is that the palm side is not windproof or water-repellent, so the heat retention is not that great among the gloves we've used so far. You should be careful when using them in extremely cold or wet places

Mountain Hardwear Death Stimulus Gloves

MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR Deathnastimulus Gloves OU7857 010 (Black) Small 2018-19 Model

Mountain Hardwear

Here is ◎

A high level of balance between lightness, fit, warmth, and operability
Convenient small features such as anti-slip palms and joint parts on both sides

Here is △

The fingers are slightly shorter than other models (depending on the person)

By placing heat-retaining material only where necessary, it is both lightweight and warm.It also features a palm stopper and a thumb panel for wiping your nose

I was impressed by the careful attention to detail that went into the construction. The fabric provides an excellent fit and is generally thin, but the POLARTEC padding is placed only in essential areas, such as the wrist, back of the hand, and fingertips, achieving a good balance between warmth, weight, and ease of use

It is also windproof and water-resistant, with a non-slip palm, smartphone-compatible fingertips, joint parts on both sides, and a sweat wipe on the thumb, so it is functionally well-designed and seems like it will fit people in any situation, and these small details are a big plus

I felt that these gloves were the most versatile and excellent overall in terms of their overall performance, as they can be used from early autumn to the depths of winter, from road running to trail running

THE NORTH FACE Gore Close Fit Tricot Gloves

The North Face Men's Gore Close Fit Tricot Gloves, NN61871, Bright Yellow, Size M (Japan)

created by Rinker

THE NORTH FACE

Here is ◎

Lightweight and comfortable to wear
Comfort and operability when moving your fingers

Here is △

Cold protection (warmth retention)
durability

These thin, comfortable, and insulated gloves are also extremely easy to use

The back of the hand is made with GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ Stretch Technology, the latest technology developed by GORE-TEX for gloves, and the first impression is that it is very lightweight, soft, and comfortable to wear, while of course providing sufficient wind resistance and breathability

The palm side is made of a thin stretch material, which provides a comfortable fit. The stress-free movement of the fingers is the best I've experienced so far. I was able to do a variety of tasks without any difficulty even while wearing the gloves

On the other hand, because it's made of a thin fabric, you can't expect much heat retention. For this reason, it's best worn alone from early autumn to early winter. In the depths of winter, you might feel a little chilly when you stop moving, so it might be a good idea to layer it with a thin inner layer, like a windbreaker

It has a variety of detailed features, such as joint parts on the left and right, grips on the palm, and reflective material on the entire instep, and is versatile enough to be used for everyday running, so as long as you buy it at the right time, it will be a very convenient pair to use

Patagonia Windshield Gloves

Windshield Gloves

Patagonia

Here is ◎

Carefully designed cut for a comfortable fit and ease of use

Here is △

Seam feel and durability

If you look at the lining, you can see that there are seams at the knuckles and other areas, and that the garment has been cut with the natural curves of the hand in mind

Patagonia's winter gloves, which offer high-quality clothing and accessories, are designed for high-intensity activities such as running, cycling, and Nordic skiing, while also protecting against the wind and cold. Compared to the other models compared here, these gloves are made with many parts sewn together to create a three-dimensional design. This results in an excellent fit and allows for comfortable bending and stretching of the fingers. I was impressed by the quality of the cut

However, there are many stitching parts, and the stitching on the inside rubs against the skin, which leaves some concerns about the smooth feel and durability. It seems fine for running, but you need to be careful when using walking sticks or grabbing branches. Also, while the water-repellent and windproof properties on the back of the hand are excellent, water does seep in on the palm, so be careful there

Mont-Bell Climabarrier Gloves

Climabarrier Gloves

Mont-Bell

Here is ◎

Anyway, it's warm
Durable

Here is △

Difficulty with manual tasks
Easy to get sweaty

The windproof membrane and generous amount of fleece provide excellent heat retention

It doesn't really seem like a big deal when you compare them in photos, but when you see them in person, they are much thicker than other gloves

With a windproof and breathable Climabarrier membrane all over and fleece on both sides, this is the bulkiest and fluffiest jacket on the market. However, it also offers exceptional windproof, warmth, and waterproofing, making it the most suitable for cold weather out of all the models

The fit is good enough that it doesn't bother me, but it's thick and heavy. Although the gloves are breathable, the insides of the gloves tend to get steamy if worn during moderately cold weather. Also, the thickness of the fabric means you won't be able to do detailed work, and opening and closing the zipper can be difficult until you get used to it

In that sense, its usefulness is somewhat limited, but it will come in handy when you need extra warmth during the coldest of months. Its price is nearly half that of other models, making it a very cost-effective model

summary

I personally don't like the cold, but I also find it annoying to run in gloves. Even when it's cold, I usually wear them until my fingers warm up, then I tend to put them away in my backpack or pocket. This is because they are so bothersome

For me, I recommend a model that fits as well as possible and causes as little stress as possible. If you're looking for a versatile model that can be used right through to the winter, Mountain Hard Wear or Montene are the best, while if you're looking for something to wear just before the cold weather really sets in, I recommend The North Face or Patagonia. While these models vary in degree, they're all great for keeping out the cold while still allowing you to concentrate on running

On the other hand, if you do a lot of stop-and-go riding, want to ride in sub-zero temperatures, or are prone to feeling cold, thin clothing may be a bit unsettling, so it's a good idea to use a thicker, more insulating model like Mont-Bell

This marathon season, don't give up on running because of the cold! Find the right pair of gloves for you and enjoy a comfortable winter run or mountain run!

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Takashi Yokoyama

Living in Yakushima, a beautiful environment with both sea and mountains, he is a boy (at heart!) who loves nature, from skin diving, mountain climbing, cycling, bouldering to trail running. He is currently interested in American trail running culture, and is training daily with the goal of completing the Western States Endurance Run and Hardrock 100, two of America's biggest races. He continues to take on various challenges with the motto, "Just give it a try." He is also an avid mole lover

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