Best Winter Mittens and Gloves for Kids and Toddlers (2024)
Choosing a pair of winter mittens or gloves for your kids doesn’t need to be a struggle, but often it’s more complicated than it seems. The mittens are too short and snow sneaks between a crack, or they’re not nearly as waterproof as you thought are soaking wet within 15 minutes of playtime.
The worst yet are mittens that are uncomfortable and cause your little ones to panic when you try to put them on.
Believe me, I’ve experienced all these scenarios as I’ve raised my kids in cold winter climates. The only mittens you’ll find on this list are those that will leave your kids toasty warm and ready to play in the coldest winter temperatures!
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Quick Links to the Best Mittens and Gloves
1. Chopper Mill Mountain Mittens – Best All Around
Our top pick for winter mittens! Chopper Mill Mountain Mittens are durable, warm, and come with a FREE replacement mitten if your child loses one.
2. Reima Ote Mittens – Best Durability
These are a great choice for any winter activity. Featuring an adjustable wrist strap, these mittens stay on and keep kids’ hands dry and warm, even after hours outside!
3. Jan and Jul Waterproof Mittens – Best Budget
When it comes to cheaper mittens, you can’t go wrong with Jan and Jul’s Waterproof Mittens. At only $22, these mittens are a high-quality option at a great value.
Discount Codes
Reima Discount Code – OUTDOORSY15 for 15% Off!
Shred Dog Discount Code – OUTDOORSYFAMILIES for 25% Off!
What to Look for in a Winter Kids Mittens and Gloves
I always look for a few must- have features in any winter mitten or glove for my kids (or for me!)
- Waterproofing: Look for something that has full waterproofing. Waterproofing is rated in mm from 0-20,000 mm. High-quality gear companies will often share the waterproofing rating for their kids’ gear. Look for something with at least 10,000 mm protection!
- Long cuff: Choose mittens with long cuffs that go OVER kids’ coats, sealing the barrier between the end of their coat and the child’s hand.
- Wrist Straps and Toggles: Mittens with wrist straps and toggles can be cinched down for a tighter fit, preventing mittens from falling off while outdoors in the cold and keeping kids warm and dry while playing in winter weather. These adjustable straps are a game changer for keeping little hands warm!
- Grippy palms: Grippy palms help kids with their dexterity while playing outside on cold days. I’ve seen my kids get frustrated when they can’t pick up items while playing, or grip ski poles while skiing. Grippy palms keep everyone happy!
- Don’t skimp by choosing cheap gloves or mittens from big box stores! These are typically ill fitting for children’s hands. The last thing you want is cold hands on snowy days! If you are on a budget, be sure to check out the best low price mittens.
Winter Kids Gloves Vs. Winter Kids Mittens
This is such a personal choice between kids! When skiing, my family is all pro-mitten, from mom and dad down to the kiddos. We choose mittens for several reasons. They keep fingers close together, providing more warmth. Mittens have less total surface area, providing fewer opportunities for heat to escape. They can also be easily layered with a thin glove when you need extra protection.
I also don’t like using gloves for a toddler’s hands. Little fingers are so much more challenging to get into gloves than the wider space provided in mittens.
Advantages of using gloves include added dexterity while building snowmen or playing in cold weather conditions.
Warmest Kids Winter Mittens
Chopper Mill Mountain Mitten
These leather mittens are worth every dollar! With 3M Thinsulate interior, these mittens keep hands toasty warm. The thumb hole is easy for kids to get into on their own and pre-curved mittens provide extra dexterity. The goat leather is super soft and the Hipora windproof and waterproof layer make these a great mitten on extra cold days. These are our go-to mittens for our Northwest Montana ski days. My kids and I love the personalized leather name tag too. Another awesome feature of Chopper Mill mittens is that they will send you a FREE replacement if your kid loses a mitten! All you have to do is fill out a form and they’ll have a replacement mitten on the way.
Reima Ote Mittens
The extra durable Reima Ote mitten is designed to last season after season! One of my favorite features of these mittens is the grippy exterior, making these great mittens for playing outside on cold days. The adjustable strap is thick and durable, making it very easy to adjust. The different colors mean you can choose a mitten that goes well with your kids’ outerwear. I personally like the brighter colors, so they’re easier to find in the outdoors. Our Ote mittens have been through it all and still keep working great!
Reima Lapases Mittens
These waterproof and warm mittens feature hook and loop straps that securely fasten to your child’s wrists. For some kids, the hook and loop is something they can adjust on their own. This makes these extra warm mittens a great option for playing outside on a school day.
Stonz Snow Mitt
These mittens are some of the warmest in the market! Rated to -20 C, the Stonz Snow Mitt features 3M Thinsulate technology, fleece lining, and longer cuff with adjustable toggles to keep the mittens secure. Your child’s hands will stay warm and cozy, even in windy conditions, with wind-resistant 600D nylon and interior waterproofing. Stonz Mitts are also machine washable.
Warmest Kids Winter Gloves
Reima Pivo
The extra waterproof gloves feature water resistance up to 10,000 mm! Adjustable wrist straps keep these gloves securely fastened to kids’ hands. With a kid-friendly design, these are great gloves options for younger kids who prefer gloves over mittens.
Burton GORE-TEX Gloves
Burton is known for their excellent winter gear, and these kids’ gloves are no exception. With GORE-TEX, these gloves are ideal for keeping kids warm and dry on colder days. The cool graphic designs are also appealing to older kids.
Hestra Gauntlet Glove
These snow gloves feature a wind and waterproof outer membrane and synthetic insulation to keep kids hands warm on snowy days.
Reima Refle Reflective Gloves
This unique design features reflective fabric, making this a great ski glove for night skiing. The Refle is lined with lightweight PrimaLoft insulation, making it warm for night time winter play. Reinforced palms help kids grip as they’re playing.
Best Winter Kids Mittens for Skiing and Snowboarding
Reima Snoukka Ski Mitten
This skiing mitten is designed for ski days in mind! It includes a small pocket to put RFID ski passes (which I love!). It also has PrimaLoft insulation for keeping kids warm in the coldest of conditions.
Dakine Tracker Mitten
The Dakine Tracker mitten is a similar design to the adult version of Dakine’s legendary ski mittens. It includes a small pocket for hand warmers, keeping kids cozy on the coldest of ski days.
Burton Gore-Tex Mitten
Burton’s Gore-Tex mittens are sure to keep your kid warm and dry on cold ski days. They include an easy-to-use toggle on the cuff and an adjustable strap on the wrist.
Chopper Mill Mountain Mitten
These leather mittens are worth every dollar! With 3M Thinsulate interior, these mittens keep hands toasty warm. The thumb hole is easy for kids to get into on their own and pre-curved mittens provide extra dexterity. The goat leather is super soft and the Hipora windproof and waterproof layer make these a great mitten on extra cold days. These are our go-to mittens for our Northwest Montana ski days. My kids and I love the personalized leather name tag too. Another awesome feature of Chopper Mill mittens is that they will send you a FREE replacement if your kid loses a mitten! All you have to do is fill out a form and they’ll have a replacement mitten on the way.
Reima Ote Mitten
The extra durable Reima Ote mitten is designed to last season after season! One of my favorite features of these mittens is the grippy exterior, making these great mittens for playing outside on cold days. The adjustable strap is thick and durable, making it very easy to adjust. The different colors mean you can choose a mitten that goes well with your kids’ outerwear. I personally like the brighter colors, so they’re easier to find outdoors. Our Ote mittens have been through it all and still keep working great!
Best Ski Gloves for Kids (And Snowboarding Gloves)
Akova Gloves
Akova (formerly Shred Dog) is one of my favorite ski gear companies. These gloves feature a waterproof membrane that prevents moisture from pooling inside the glove. These gloves were thoughtfully designed to wrap and fit children’s hands. Featuring an inner soft fleece lining, kids are sure to have warm, dry hands on even the coldest or wettest snow days.
Dakine Tracker GORE- TEX gloves
These lower-cost ski gloves have all the same features as Dakine’s adult version, including a small zipper pocket for placing hand warmers. I love this feature on Dakine gloves and mittens, because the pocket is in the perfect place to keep hands extra warm on cold ski days.
Reima Skimba Ski Glove
These ski gloves are perfect for days on the ski hill. Featuring a pocket for RFID passes, adjustable wrist straps, extra long cuffs, and adjustable toggles, this pair of gloves has it all for winter sports.
Best Winter Mittens for Toddlers and Babies
Burton Mini Shred Mitt
These toddler mittens are easy to get toddler’s hand into place with a zipper. But unlike some toddler mittens, they also feature a hook and loop wrist strap to secure the mitten in place on your child’s wrist. The extended cuff slides over your child’s coat sleeves, keeping them cozy on cold days.
Stonz Snow Mitt Baby Mittens
These mittens do not have a thumb hole, keeping tiny fingers close together and warm. They’re rated down to -20 C and feature the same superb waterproof and wind-resistance as Stonz Mitt’s larger version.
Reima Tepas
These PrimaLoft mittens feature a zippered entry that makes getting toddler hand into place a breeze.
Best Winter Kids Mittens and Gloves on a Budget
Jan and Jul Waterproof Mittens
These mittens are such a great bang for your buck! They feature not only an adjustable wrist strap but also an adjustable toggle on the long cuff. They also feature the same 3M Thinsulate insulation as other, more expensive mittens. There are a variety of color and pattern options for the waterproof outer layer. Since they’re at a lower price point, I love using these mittens for school recess.
Dakine Tracker GORE- TEX gloves
These lower-cost ski gloves have all the same features as Dakine’s adult version, including a small zipper pocket for placing hand warmers. I love this feature on Dakine gloves and mittens, because the pocket is in the perfect place to keep hands extra warm on cold ski days.
Best Mittens for Wet and Warm Winters
Reima Puro
These waterproof rain mittens make a great choice for warmer winter weather or early spring outdoor time. Featuring a knit lining, these mittens keep little hands dry and warm in the wettest of conditions.
Quality Kids Mittens and Gloves
When looking for high-quality kids’ mittens and gloves, be sure to choose something that is waterproof, wind resistant, and insulated enough to keep your child’s hands warm on even the coldest of winter days.
