Gloves keep your hands warm all winter: leather for the city, knit or wool for everyday, fleece or insulated for the mountains. Mittens, which hold the fingers together, are even warmer.
Fine leather gloves go with a coat; mittens suit a day in the cold.
In a mitten, the fingers warm each other: it is warmer than a glove of the same thickness, at the cost of precision. The glove allows each finger to be free to hold a phone, a key, or a handlebar. In very cold weather or for cold hands, the mitten wins; in the city, the glove remains more practical.
Leather, soft and thin, hugs the hand and cuts the wind. Lined with wool or fleece, it keeps you warm without bulk. Black or brown, leather gloves match a long coat, a pea coat, or a wool jacket, and last for several winters if well cared for.
For skiing, winter hiking, or cycling, technical gloves combine an outer layer that blocks wind and moisture with a lightweight insulation. They retain warmth even when wet and provide a good grip. Fleece gloves, simpler, are suitable for dry walks or as under-gloves.
A glove in the right size covers the tips of the fingers without compressing them and closes around the wrist without being tight. Measure the circumference of the hand, just below the knuckles, and choose the closest size. If it's too tight, a glove restricts circulation and keeps you less warm; if it's too loose, it lets in the cold.
The short glove stops at the wrist and slips under the sleeve: it should not leave any skin exposed between the two. With a coat that has wide sleeves, the cold can easily enter; a longer glove cuff or a tapered sleeve closes this gap. In terms of colour, gloves in the same tone as the coat elongate the silhouette.
Wool gloves and knitted mittens should be hand-washed in cold water and dried flat, without wringing. Fleece can go in the washing machine, on a cold cycle and without fabric softener. Leather should not get wet intentionally: dry it away from a heat source, then soften it with a leather cream.
For the neck, scarves; for the head, beanies. The trio of winter accessories.
Gloves are sought after as soon as the first frosts arrive: Black Friday, then the winter sales, are the two occasions for discounted gloves, during peak season.
Check the Black Friday page at the end of November, the Sales page in winter, and the accessories on sale page throughout the rest of the year. Fast shipping and best price guaranteed.
The tips of the fingers touch the bottom and the hand has difficulty closing. A tight glove also keeps you less warm, as air can no longer circulate.
For both: mittens are suitable for anyone with cold hands. For adults, they are mainly used for skiing and in severe cold.
Choose a breathable lining, wool or fleece, and take off the gloves indoors. A thin under-glove also wicks away moisture.
A thin layer of leather cream, massaged in then left to absorb overnight. Then wear them for a few minutes to help them regain the shape of the hand.
Always store them in the same pocket or connect them with a clip or cord. A pair in colour is also easier to find.