Gloves, Mittens and Ear Warmers for Icy Commutes
- Words by
- Julio Arco
- Published
- Reading
- 5 min
For an icy commute, fitted knit gloves are the best all-round pick: snug enough to trap warmth, thin enough to use your phone and a transit card. If the temperature is well below freezing and you mostly stand still, mittens are warmer. Add a knit ear warmer or headband and your hands and ears are covered.
Below: how gloves and mittens compare, which knit materials to look for, how to match hands and ears, and how to care for the set.
Do gloves or mittens keep you warmer?
Mittens usually win on warmth. Your fingers share one space and heat each other, and there is less surface area exposed to cold air. Gloves give up a little warmth for dexterity, which matters when you are tapping a screen, gripping a pole or digging for keys.
A practical split: fitted knit gloves for the walk to the station, mittens for long waits at a stop or very cold mornings. Convertible flip mittens, where a cap folds back to expose the fingers, are a decent compromise if you do not want to carry two pairs. The fold-back cap adds bulk at the knuckles, so check that the glove part still fits closely.
Why a fitted knit works for commuting
A close fit leaves little room for cold air to circulate, and the stretch of a knit lets the glove move with your hand instead of bunching. A glove that is loose at the fingertips is the usual culprit when hands feel cold even in thick wool. That is a sizing problem, not a you problem.
If you can pinch a pocket of empty fabric at the fingertips, size down. If the seams pull when you make a fist, size up.
Which materials keep hands warm?
- Wool, especially merino: warm, soft and good at handling moisture. It stays comfortable if your hands sweat a little on a crowded train.
- Cashmere: very soft and light for its warmth, but it wears faster and needs gentle washing.
- Acrylic: cheaper and easier to wash. It feels warm but can hold more moisture than wool.
- Wool or acrylic blended with a little elastane: keeps the fitted shape and the stretch.
- Fleece lining: adds warmth for sub-freezing days, though it makes the glove thicker.
Moisture matters as much as thickness. Howdy Health at Texas A&M advises avoiding cotton in cold weather because it absorbs moisture and can keep it next to your skin, making you cold. That advice is written about layers for exercise, but the same logic applies to a cotton glove on a damp day.
What to look for in a pair
Touchscreen fingertips
Conductive thumb and index fingertips save you from pulling gloves off to read a message. Some touch screen mittens and ear warmer set combinations exist too, with a slit or a conductive patch on the thumb. Test them before you commit, because the effect varies from pair to pair.
Ribbed cuffs
A long ribbed cuff tucks under a coat sleeve and closes the gap at the wrist, which is where cold air usually gets in.
Grip and reinforcement
Silicone dots or reinforced palms help if you carry bags, hold a steering wheel or grab handrails. Knit alone can feel slippery on cold metal.
Water resistance
A light water-resistant finish helps with slush and wet snow. For heavy wet weather, a shell glove over a thin knit liner is more dependable than a single knit layer. For a puffier option, see soft puffer gloves for icy morning commutes.
What to wear to keep your ears warm
Ears have little padding and lose heat quickly. A knit ear warmer headband is the easiest fix: it keeps ears covered without flattening your hair the way a full hat does. Earmuffs sit over the ears and are easy to put on and take off. A hat with ear flaps covers the most, as in these insulated hats with ear flaps.
Choose a snug fit over the ear and a soft inner surface. Wool or a soft fleece lining feels better against skin than rough acrylic.
Matching sets: ear warmer and glove sets
Ear warmer and glove sets, or earmuffs and gloves in one color, take the guesswork out of coordinating. They suit commuters who want one grab-and-go bundle, and they make easy gifts in men's, women's and kids' sizes.
Through the lens of evidence-based design, I'd pick matching texture before matching color. Two knits in the same navy but with different stitch patterns read as a mismatch, while a ribbed glove and a ribbed headband in slightly different shades usually look deliberate.
- Classic: charcoal or black knit with a tailored wool coat and neutral scarf.
- Casual: a fair isle or striped set with a puffer and jeans.
- Soft neutral: beige or light gray in a fine knit with a wrap coat.
- Bright: red, mustard or forest green against an all-dark outfit, where a single color stands out.
More ideas are in this guide to winter scarves, gloves and beanies.
Choosing for cold hands and older wearers
If cold hands are a constant problem, mittens with a soft lining are the safest start. Look for wide cuffs and stretchy knits that are easy to pull on, and flip-top styles so you can handle a key or card without baring the whole hand. Persistent cold or painful fingers are worth mentioning to your doctor.
Caring for knit gloves and ear warmers
- Wool and cashmere: hand wash in cool water with a gentle detergent.
- Acrylic and blends: often machine washable on a gentle, cold cycle. Check the label.
- Dry flat, away from direct heat. A dryer can shrink them and loosen the stretch.
- Store them dry. A drawer or box keeps moths and dust away.
Frequently asked questions
Are there gloves that actually keep your hands warm?
Yes. Look for a snug fit, a wool or wool-blend knit, a ribbed cuff and optionally a fleece lining. In very cold weather, mittens or a thin liner under a shell glove keep hands warmer than a single knit glove.
What are the best gloves for elderly people with cold hands?
Lined mittens in a soft, stretchy knit with a wide cuff are easy to put on and warm. Flip-top mittens help if you need your fingers free briefly. If cold hands are persistent, check with a doctor.
Can I use a phone with knit gloves?
Only if the fingertips are conductive. Look for touchscreen-labeled gloves and test them on your phone, since performance varies.
Filed under Weather Style
