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Best Hiking Gloves and Hats

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Solid gloves and a warm hat are important but often overlooked hiking accessories that can truly go a long way to keeping you comfortable in the backcountry. It doesn’t matter if you encounter some chilly desert nights on a Utah hiking tour or if you’re facing brisk mountain winds on a guided Mount Rainier hike; some reliable gloves and hat should earn their spot in your pack. But the question then becomes, what are the best gloves and hats for hiking? Well, that’s what we’re here to answer.

We’ll discuss preferred materials and features that can make hats and gloves perform at their best in the backcountry, along with a few recommended products that check all the boxes for what we’re looking for in the best gloves and hats for hiking. If you’re joining us on a guided USA hiking vacation or a trip to one of our international destinations, don’t forget to review the packing list included in your trip paperwork to ensure you have the proper clothing and gear to make your trip a roaring success.

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Best Hats Hiking In Cold Weather

KEY CONSIDERATIONS for the best Hiking Gloves and Hats

Material

In short, fleece is typically a solid material choice for both hats and gloves. This synthetic material is typically polyester or a blend of multiple synthetics and offers excellent warmth and durability that can stand up to the rigors of hiking and after-action washing. Fleece also retains its insulative capability even when it gets wet, so even though it’s not the most comfortable scenario, you can rest assured that your gloves and hat can still function and help keep you warm even in foul weather.

We also see merino wool occasionally for hats and gloves. Merino brings natural moisture-wicking and anti-odor properties, making it an attractive material for inner glove linings. However, it tends to be less durable than synthetic fleece in the long run, as well as being more picky on how to wash it.

Waterproofing/Windproofing

If you anticipate encountering more extreme weather – or if you’re heading up into unpredictable mountain conditions – then it may be worth looking for waterproofing to add extra protection to your gloves and hat.

Waterproof gloves will go a long way to keeping your hands dry and warm when the weather turns and can be a lifesaver in cold and wet conditions. Of course, adding waterproofing to a product also increases the price, so you’re looking at a steeper investment if you decide to pursue this feature.

Additionally, a waterproof layer tends to decrease the overall breathability of gloves. This can lead to heat and moisture build-up when working hard on the trail, potentially causing a swampy situation inside the gloves when you start sweating. So think about what conditions and temperatures you’re likely to encounter on the trail, your comfort preference for a pair of gloves, and what budget you’re working with. Put all these considerations together, and you should be able to tell if waterproof gloves are right for you.

Touchscreen Compatible

Smartphones have become an essential photo-taking tool in the backcountry, but it’s such a pain to take off your cozy gloves in order to operate your phone and take a picture. This is where touchscreen-compatible gloves come in, where you can still interact with your phone screen without needing to remove your gloves. If you tend to use your phone to take a lot of pictures, we definitely recommend looking for a pair of gloves that will let you snap those pictures in cozy comfort!

Price

Luckily, standard hiking glove prices hover in the manageable $20-$40 range, making them a fairly easy addition to your hiking kit. If you’re heading frigid midwinter hiking or high-altitude adventures, you’ll likely need to invest in more insulative and serious gloves than what we’re discussing here. In that case, you can expect the price to increase significantly.

Likewise, with cozy hats, we tend to see $25-$45 as the usual price range. Again, these standard warm beanie hats serve us well on classic backpacking trips. If you upgrade your search for more technical and performance-focused products, you will undoubtedly see the price range increase very quickly.

Black Diamond ScreenTap

Best Overall Gloves

  • MSRP:
    • Lightweight: $29.95
    • Midweight: $39.95
    • Heavyweight: $49.95
  • MATERIAL: Stretch fleece (93% recycled polyester/7% elastane)
  • WATERPROOF?: No

PROS: Multiple thickness options available – Touchscreen compatible – Durable fleece material – Competitive price

CONS: Not waterproof

LOOKING CLOSER: The ScreenTap gloves from Black Diamond check just about all the boxes for a solid hiking glove. First, they’re fabricated from recycled polyester for a cozy, highly durable fleece product. This fleece will insulate if it gets wet, is easy to wash when it gets dirty, and should stand up to years and years of use. Those three points alone make the ScreenTap gloves stand out as excellent hiking gloves that you can throw in your pack and forget until you need them. Additionally, we’re particularly pleased that Black Diamond offers the ScreenTap in three weights – Light, Medium, and Heavy – allowing you to pick just the right weight/warmth for your needs. All three models are touchscreen compatible, making them very handy if you tend to use your smartphone for pictures in the backcountry. The only potential downside is that these gloves aren’t waterproof, but that’s not a dealbreaker for most hikers since waterproofing can make gloves get extra hot and sweaty when we’re working hard.

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Midweight

Sealskinz Anmer

Best Waterproof Hiking Glove

  • MSRP: $65.00
  • MATERIAL: 84% merino wool/14% nylon/2% elastane
  • WATERPROOF?: Yes – Aquasealz waterproof membrane

PROS: 100% Waterproof – Cozy and comfortable – Touch screen compatible

CONS: Merino may be less durable in the long run – Expensive

LOOKING CLOSER: We’ve used Sealskinz gloves for years for various hiking and backpacking trips around the world, including some wickedly wet and deary hikes, and we’re consistently impressed by their comfort and waterproofing ability. Here, we have the Sealskinz Anmer, which utilizes the tried and true Aquasealz waterproof membrane with a durable knit nylon outer material combined with a super soft Merino wool interior. There’s a lot to like about this glove, and we appreciate that Sealskinz thought to put the much tougher nylon material on the outside to help maximize this glove’s durability while saving the more comfortable but less durable merino wool for the interior area right next to our skin. Merino tends to be a more delicate, albeit cozier, material, and we’re a little concerned about the longevity of these gloves compared to more durable fleece. Additionally, we have a grip print on the palm and fingers for some added dexterity, making it easier to grip your trekking poles or set up a tent while wearing these gloves. We pay more for the Anmer compared to other gloves, but if you know you want waterproofing, we consider these some of the best gloves for backpacking.

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Cotopaxi Teca Fleece

Best Fleece Hiking Gloves

  • MSRP: $30.00
  • MATERIAL: 100% Recycled polyester fleece
  • WATERPROOF?: No

PROS: Durable fleece material – Multiple sizing options – Fun colors – Very comfortable and warm

CONS: Stretches over time – Slightly overpriced for simple fleece gloves – Not touchscreen compatible

LOOKING CLOSER: For a classicly simple and uncomplicated fleece glove, look no further than the Cotopaxi Teca. These gloves feature 100% recycled fleece with Cotopaxi’s snazzy signature color schemes. The fleece is durable, easily washed, and cozy and warm. We also like that Cotopaxi includes XS and XXL sizes, opening up the gloves to folks who have a hard time finding properly fitting gloves. These gloves are also notably uncomplicated: no fancy grip or palm padding, touchscreen compatibility, inner liner, or waterproofing. They’re classic fleece gloves for hikers who want a simple yet effective warm layer when the temperatures drop. Just be aware that these gloves will stretch over time with repeated washings and heavy use.

View at REI.COM

Smartwool Liner Gloves

Best Budget Hiking Gloves

  • best hiking gloves smartwool liners
  • MSRP: $24.00
  • MATERIAL: 48% polyester-48% merino wool-2% other fiber-1% elastodiene-1% elastane
  • WATERPROOF?: No

PROS: Good price – Touchscreen compatible

CONS: Less warm than other options – Lower durability

LOOKING CLOSER: If you’re looking for some cozy hiking gloves but also have an eye on price, then these Smartwool Liners may fit the bill. With a blend of synthetic polyester and natural merino, these gloves offer merino’s natural odor protection and moisture-wicking capability combined with polyester’s durability. However, it’s worth noting that these gloves aren’t quite as durable as 100% polyester fleece and will likely see some degradation over time. Nevertheless, they’re a handy, low-priced, and cozy addition to your pack that will keep your hands nice and warm if temperatures drop. These Smartwool Liners don’t offer the same amount of standalone warmth as other gloves out there, but they work well when you’re hiking in cooler temperatures. If temperatures truly plummet into the subfreezing range, these liners would best be paired with a full-on mitten or glove for complete warmth.

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Outdoor Research Trail Mix Mitts

Best Hiking Mittens

  • best hiking glove outdoor research trail mix mitts
  • MSRP: $35.00
  • MATERIAL: 100% polyester fleece
  • WATERPROOF?: No

PROS: Cozy fleece design – Breathable for hiking – Extremely durable – Decent price – Touchscreen compatible

CONS: Lower warmth retention

LOOKING CLOSER: If you’re all about that mitten life, then the Outdoor Research Trail Mix Mitts may be just right. These mittens are exquisitely comfortable with a soft fleece grid pattern. They’re also not as thick as other options, which can be beneficial since they promote breathability and, therefore, won’t overheat or trap in sweat if you’re hiking hard while wearing them. On the flip side, the thinner design means these mittens don’t hold as much warmth as other options, meaning that they may not be the best option for camping in sub-freezing temperatures (we recommend pairing with a liner glove in this case or opting for a more insulative choice). But these mittens are an excellent choice for potentially chilly spells on the trail or at camp.

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Best Hats for Hiking in Cold Weather

Top Recommendations

REI Ribbed Watch Cap

  • best hiking hats rei ribbed watch capMSRP: $22.95
  • STYLE: Beanie
  • MATERIAL: Acrylic

PROS: Super cozy – Many color options

CONS: Not waterproof

LOOKING CLOSER: With a classicly cozy, soft, and stretchy beanie, the REI Watch Cap is an easy choice for backcountry adventures. The Acrylic is soft to the touch, and the folded-up band adds an extra layer of warmth around your ears. It’s not waterproof or windproof, so the watch cap is best paired with your rain jacket hood in bad weather. But for a comfortable and stylish backcountry hat for hiking, hanging out at camp, or for sleeping in, the REI Watch Cap is one of the best hiking hats, in our opinion.

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Cotopaxi Alto Beanie

  • best hiking hats cotopaxi altoMSRP: $35.00
  • STYLE: Beanie
  • MATERIAL: 100% recycled polyester

PROS: Recycled material – Comfortable – Unique colors

CONS: A little pricy

LOOKING CLOSER: Sporting Cotopaxi’s distinctive color scheme, the Alto beanie is another comfortable and warm accessory for backcountry adventures. Like many of Cotopaxi’s products, the Alto uses 100% recycled materials. Additionally, the beanie is incredibly comfortable and does an excellent job keeping your head and ears warm in cold temperatures. Like most beanies, the Alto isn’t waterproof or built for slogging through a frigid rainstorm but easily does the job for the vast majority of chilly hiking and camping.

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SMARTWOOL Merino Cuffed Beanie

  • best hiking hats smartwool cuffed thermal merinoMSRP: $35.00
  • STYLE: Beanie
  • MATERIAL: Merino wool

PROS: Performance-oriented – Moisture wicking – Low profile

CONS: Less durable

LOOKING CLOSER: Merino wool brings many helpful characteristics to a warm hiking hat, making the Smartwool Merino Cuffed Beanie a strong contender among the best hiking hats for cold weather. First and foremost, merino wicks moisture away from your skin, a trait that can be handy if you’re hiking hard in chilly conditions. Additionally, the wool is naturally odor-resistant, a very useful feature after many days of hiking. Merino has its downsides, however. Most notably, wool tends to be less durable than synthetic materials, making the Merino Cuffed Beanie more susceptible to snags, stretching, pilling, and simply wearing down quicker over time. But the performance characteristics still make this beanie a powerful option if you’re looking for a good hiking hat when the temperatures drop.

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Fjallraven Tab Hat

  • best hiking hats fjallraven tab hatMSRP: $40.00
  • STYLE: Beanie
  • MATERIAL: Recycled polyester

PROS: Very warm – Durable – Stylish design

CONS: Expensive

LOOKING CLOSER: Fjallraven has a reputation for producing stylish and quality gear (for a steep price), and the Tab Beanie fits perfectly into that trend. The eye-catching knitted pattern ushers in an exceptionally comfortable and warm polyester beanie that feels soft and fuzzy while capturing heat. The recycled polyester is also very durable and should be able to withstand season after season of heavy use in the outdoors. But as we mentioned earlier, this beanie is more expensive than most.

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Additional Considerations

Washing Your Gloves and Hats

While they often don’t need cleaning as frequently as your usual hiking clothes, hats and gloves can certainly benefit from the occasional wash. Gloves, in particular, can build up some funk if you’ve worn them while working hard and building up a sweat. For the vast majority of gloves and hats, a warm water wash in the sink with a mild soap is going to fit the bill and get those items plenty clean. 100% polyester fleece gloves and hats may also be perfectly safe to throw in the washing machine, but look at the manufacturer’s instructions before you take that step.

Why Trust Us?

Choosing the right outdoor gear and apparel can be difficult. But at Wildland Trekking, we live and work with hiking gear every single day. It’s an integral part of what we do, and we understand better than anyone how important it is to have the right equipment. In addition to our vast knowledge of backpacking gear, we also offer:

  • Independence – our recommendations are not influenced by partnerships or sponsorships with outdoor gear and apparel manufacturers.
  • Experience – as one of America’s top guide companies, we take 8,000-10,000 people on hiking and backpacking tours annually. Since our inception in 2005, we have guided more than 75,000 people into the wilderness.
  • Cutting Edge Knowledge – we regularly attend trade shows and pay close attention to the leading edge of new developments.
  • Up To Date Recommendations – we update our recommendations regularly as new products are developed and released.
  • Dedication to our Readers – we know that the gear we select as our top picks will end up in the field with our readers, and we take that responsibility very seriously. We view our readers as guests on our guided trips, just without the guides. We are committed to helping you be as well-outfitted and prepared as possible for your adventures.

*Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. At no cost to you, we earn a commission on any products purchased through these links. Any proceeds go to supporting our blog and operations. These affiliate links do not influence the products that we include in our gear round-ups. We only recommend products that we 100% support and that we have used in the field. 

More Gear Recommendations

Check out our Wildland Gear Guide for more recommendations about hiking, trekking, camping and outdoor gear. We are always adding new products to help our guests and readers make the best choices to outfit their adventures.