It’s a question we get all the time: What is the best glove for my winter holiday? Whether you’re headed to the Arctic or Japan, we know how crucial it is to have the right gear dialed in before you hop on that plane. There’s nothing worse than investing in gear that doesn’t work for you. Finding a glove that works best for everyone can be tricky but we’ve learned some tips over the years to help you get the right glove for your winter holiday.
Best Gloves for Lofoten, Norway
Photos by Christian Hoiberg
Tinden EVO or Senja Mitt between Nov - February / Markhof Pro V4 or Saga Women's all other times.
It’s no doubt that Lofoten tops the charts when it comes to dream winter photography locations. With its idyllic seaside fisherman cabins and frequent Northern Light shows, Lofoten has made a name for itself as a winter photography must-do. But being in the far north during winter has its challenges. During winter Temperatures range from -2 to -15 with the short daylight and ocean side weather conditions making it feel even colder.
If you’re traveling to Lofoten during November - February, we recommend taking the Tinden EVO. These are our warmest five-fingered gloves. They are wind proof, have a 20K waterproof rating and insulated with an antimicrobial fleece and heavy Primaloft Gold insulation. The FlipTech on the finger and thumb allow full access to your dials and settings without having to remove the gloves. If you're more of a mitten person or you're getting cold more easily, our Senja Mitt in combination with the Senja Liner is a great choice. It's super warm on those cold but beautiful aurora nights yet super versatile with the Senja Liner if the weather turns out to be nicer than expected.
Outside of November - February, you can get by just fine with our fan favorites, the Markhof Pro V4 or Saga Women's gloves. These are the gloves we take everywhere. They are great for walking around town but also warm enough for the mountain. Both gloves also have an antimicrobial fleece lining and a solid Insulation as a mid-layer.
You can check Lofoten's average temperatures here.
Best Gloves for Japan
Photo by Charlotte Workman
Skadi LRS Mitt - Perfect pow glove with all that snow + Layering option with the 2 in 1.
For many, Japan is considered powder heaven. Many ski resorts in Japan get nearly 15 meters of snow each season so if you’re headed to Japan to chase the waist-deep powder, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got the perfect glove to accompany you.
We recommend the Skadi LRS Mitt for a Japan holiday. The Skadi is a 2-in-1 mitt that makes customizing your warmth a breeze. The mitt comes with a Power Stretch Pro Liner glove for extra insulation. When you need to use your fingers, unzip the side of the mitt to reveal one finger or four. For milder days, you can wear the mitt all on its own without the liner. Flip tech on the thumb allows you to have complete dexterity.
Best Gloves for Iceland
Left Photos by Denis Palanque, right photo by Luca Ruggiero
Tinden EVO or Senja Mitt:
Those headed for an Icelandic winter should be prepared to bundle up. While the lowlands of the island tend to be relatively mild for its latitude (0° C), the Highlands tend to average around -10°C with the lower temperatures in the northern part of the island ranging from -25° to -30°C. Those seeking the Northern Lights are in for a cold night where covering up is essential. For Iceland winters, we recommend our Tinden EVO glove, our warmest five-fingered gloves. Made out of goat leather and 2 ply twill, the outer is 20K water proof and wind resistant. The gloves are insulated with an antimicrobial fleece inner and solid Primaloft Gold insulation. The even more cozy option is the Senja Mitt with it's double layer of insulation and it's weatherproof shell. Combined with the Senja Liner you're ready for those long windy winter days Iceland will throw at you.
Best Gloves for British Columbia, Canada
Photo by Todd Easterbrook
Get ready for deep winter Skadi LRS Mitt / Tinden EVO
Similar to Japan, Canada is known for its epic powdery winters. For those visiting British Columbia, we recommend the Skadi LRS Mitt. This glove performs great in powder and will keep you warm in the deep winter. This glove provides the ultimate customizability performing as a glove, a mitt or both! A side zipper reveals all four fingers and the FlipTech on the thumb gives you complete control. Wear it on its own on warmer days or pair it with the included Power Stretch Pro liner glove for colder days.
If a five finger glove is your preferred option, this is where the Tinden EVO comes in. These are our warmest five-fingered gloves and they are built for cold, snowy conditions. The FlipTech on the fingers overlaps to ensure no snow gets in the glove if you take a spill. They are insulated with heavy Primaloft Insulation and the goat leather and 20K waterproof shell on the outside and an additional waterproof and breathable glove inlay keep you dry all day. If it get's really nasty out there, you can layer them up with our Polartech Powerstretch Pro Liner for an extra layer of warmth and protection.
Best Gloves for Antarctica
Photo by Muench Workshops
Markhof Pro V4 or
Saga Women's gloves & Power Stretch Pro Liners (due to only visiting in summer it should only be around 0 to -2 degrees.)
Despite being one of the coldest places on Earth, Antarctica requires only a modest glove since visitors usually only visit in the summer months. During the summer, the days are long and the sun is plentiful and temperatures typically hover around 0° to -2°C. For this reason, we recommend the Markhof Pro V4 or Saga Women's gloves. Those are our most popular gloves and performs both in the city and the mountain. For extra cold days, you can pair them with the Powerstretch Pro Liner to get a few more degrees of warmth.
However, if you are one of those amazing adventurers that go deeper than the regular tourist and decide to follow Sir Ernest Shackleton's footsteps (and probably share a sip of whiskey at his grave as a tradition) you should be prepared for some deep winter conditions.
As most expedition cruises only reach the Antarctic Peninsula at around the 66th latitude, some routes go much further south and inland. A great example is the Union Glacier at the 80th latitude, where it’s significantly colder. Emperor penguin colonies along the Weddell Sea sit around the 75th latitude at the edge of the ice shelf and are also notably chillier than typical tourist landings. While cruise operators often quote temperatures between –5°C and –24°C, conditions can feel even more extreme with wind and exposure. If you already have a pair of Markhof Pro V4 or similar, just add our expedition-ready Alta Arctic Mitt and you’ll be well-equipped to stay warm even in these harsher environments. If you don't have any gloves so far, the Senja Mitt & Senja Liner combination is a great fit to battle those Antarctic conditions. Thanks to their ultra-warm yet low-bulk build, they are letting you shoot comfortably with fingertip control when needed and instantly slip into full mitt warmth when the polar wind bites.
Best Gloves for New Zealand
Photo by Nico Babot
Despite being a Southern Hemisphere winter destination for many, New Zealand’s winters are quite mild. Being a maritime climate, the temperatures rarely drop below 0 meaning your hands don’t need to be layered up too heavily. We recommend the Markhof Pro V4for your New Zealand winter. It’s just enough to protect you from the elements without being too big or bulky.
Best Gloves for Alaska and Yukon
Senja Mitt & Senja Liner + Hand Warmers
For serious winter chasers, Alaska and the Yukon might be the ultimate winter photography destination. These places are remote and wild. They bring some of the harshest winter conditions out there, and some of the biggest rewards for your photos. If that sounds like your kind of good times, we have the perfect layering system for you.
Our Senja Mitt is your outer layer, a serious protection against cold, wind and snow. The Senja Liner are your base layer. They sit close to your hands, so you keep the feel you need for your camera while the Senja Mitt takes care of the cold. Combined they offers serious warmth, so you can stay out longer and stay stoked.
When it’s time to shoot, open the Zip Palm on the Senja Mitt and use the Flip Finger Thumb to free up your hand. Your Senja Liner stays on, and you can work your camera without losing your warmth.
For other work like pitching a tent or making a bonfire the Storm Leash keeps the Senja Mitt on the wrist, so it won’t go flying when you grab your equipment.
Here’s a pro tip from us. Always bring a few Hand Warmers. Slip them in when conditions turn grim and they will keep your gloves nice and warm. It’s a simple backup that can save your shoot.
Happy shooting all you winter loving creatives.
