Best Gloves for Outdoor Winter Training at Manchester Outdoor Fitness
Winter training means cold, wet hands — and when you’re doing press-ups, burpees, and ground drills, that can get uncomfortable fast but only if you don't have the right equipment. The right gloves can make all the difference. Here’s a breakdown of the main types of gloves you can use, with their pros and cons.
1. Waterproof Gloves
Best for: Wet grass, mud, rain sessions
✅ Pros:
Keep your hands dry during ground contact
Usually windproof too, which helps on colder mornings
Good balance between protection and grip
❌ Cons:
Can get sweaty inside (reduced breathability)
May feel bulky for finer movements like tying laces
Slower drying if they do get soaked inside
Glove Options
💷 Under £20
Extremities Insulated Waterproof Powerliner – typically ~£15
Light, stretchy liner-style glove with a waterproof membrane; good dexterity for burpees/press-ups in drizzle or wet grass.
👉 Amazon
💷 £20–£40
Extremities Contact Waterproof Powerliner – ~£35
Upgraded version with touchscreen-friendly fingertips; better durability for ground contact than basic fleece.
👉 Cotswold Outdoor
💷 £40+
Sealskinz Anmer – Waterproof All Weather Ultra Grip Glove – ~£55
Fully waterproof, grippy palm, longer cuff; solid for persistent rain and muddy sessions.
👉 Sealskinz
2. Thermal / Fleece Gloves
Best for: Cold but dry mornings
✅ Pros:
Lightweight and flexible
Great for insulation in freezing weather
Comfortable and inexpensive
❌ Cons:
Useless once wet — they absorb water fast
Not durable for repeated ground work
Hands may still feel cold against wet surfaces
Glove Options
💷 Under £20
Under Armour Storm Fleece Gloves — ~£9.99
Lightweight fleece with UA Storm water-resistant finish; flexible enough for burpees/press-ups.
👉 SportsShoes.com
💷 £20 – £40
Sealskinz Acle Water-Repellent Nano Fleece Gloves — ~£27–£35
Nano-treated fleece, grippy palm, touchscreen-friendly; good warmth in damp conditions (not fully waterproof).
👉 Cotswold Outdoor
💷 £40+
Patagonia Retro Pile Fleece Gloves — ~£54–£55
Thick, cozy pile fleece with recycled materials; great in dry cold, less ideal for muddy ground contact.
👉 The Sporting Lodge
3. Heated Gloves (Battery-Powered)
Best for: Very cold, static sessions (spectating, light training)
✅ Pros:
Built-in heat for immediate warmth
Rechargeable batteries or USB-powered
Great before and after training sessions
❌ Cons:
Not practical for burpees or ground contact (bulky + risk of damage)
Batteries add weight and can run flat mid-session
Expensive
Glove Options
💷 Under £20
USB Winter Warm Heated Gloves — The Range — ~£11.99
Basic USB-powered knit gloves. Handy for light warmth or pre/post-session, but not durable enough for burpees/ground work.
👉 The Range
💷 £20 – £40
Aroma Season Heated Mittens — Amazon UK — ~£34.99
Rechargeable mittens with 3 heat settings; a good mid-price option for cold commutes and sidelines. (Bulkier for circuits.)
👉 Amazon UK
💷 £40+
Sealskinz Upwell — ~£190
A cold weather, heated, waterproof glove with a luxury feel. An integrated heating element has a rechargeable battery, providing long-lasting warmth in freezing conditions.
👉 Sealskinz
4. Neoprene
Best for: Wet and muddy training, similar to water sports gear
✅ Pros:
Warm even when wet
Durable against mud and abrasive surfaces
Flexible for bodyweight exercises
❌ Cons:
Don’t keep you dry (water seeps in)
Can feel clammy over long sessions
Need rinsing and drying properly to avoid odour
Glove Options
💷 Under £20
Osprey 3mm Neoprene Wetsuit Gloves — ~£13.99
Budget-friendly neoprene; decent grip and warmth for wet, cold sessions.
👉 Marine Supplies Direct
💷 £20 – £40
Tribord Adult Sailing Neoprene Gloves (1 mm, 2 fingers cut) — ~£22.99
Durable marine-grade neoprene; good grip in wet/windy conditions.
👉 Decathlon
💷 £40+
Fourth Element 3mm Neoprene Dive Gloves — ~£58
Premium build, reinforced palm, warmer for harsh/wet winter sessions.
👉 Mikes Dive Store
5. Fingerless Training Gloves
Best for: Grip work (ropes, kettlebells, tyres) in cold conditions
✅ Pros:
Protect palms during carries and lifts
Better ventilation (hands sweat less)
Lightweight and cheap
❌ Cons:
Fingers exposed to cold and wet
No finger protection for ground work
Not ideal for press-ups or burpees in mud
💷 Under £20
Adidas Essential Half Finger Gloves — ~£10
Lightweight fingerless gloves with padded palms. Great for grip and protection during carries or kettlebell work, but limited insulation.
👉 Argos
💷 £20 – £40
Nike Vapor 2024 Fitness Fingerless Gloves — ~£25
Durable training gloves with breathable mesh and solid padding. A good balance between comfort, grip, and resilience.
👉 Next
6. Tactical / Outdoor Work Gloves
Best for: All-round durability and mixed training surfaces
✅ Pros:
Designed for grip, abrasion resistance, and weather
Good for crawling, ground contact, and carries
Often water-resistant and tough
❌ Cons:
Can be stiff until broken in
May not insulate well in very cold weather
Some models expensive
💷 Under £20
Mil-Tec Army Tactical Gloves — ~£12.56
Budget-friendly tactical gloves with abrasion-resistant palms and breathable backs. A solid option for rough ground contact and outdoor drills.
👉 Military1st
💷 £20 – £40
Mechanix M-Pact Gloves — ~£28.42
Durable gloves with impact padding and reinforced grip. Great for obstacle work, carries, and tougher outdoor sessions.
👉 Amazon UK
💷 £40+
First Tactical Hard Knuckle Gloves — ~£42.50
Premium tactical gloves with hard knuckle protection and rugged construction. Built for maximum durability in challenging conditions.
👉 First Tactical UK
🏆 Our Recommendation
For Manchester Outdoor Fitness sessions in cold, wet winter months:
The Glove I see most often worn in the Park and recommend by members to newbies.
Sealskinz Anmer – Waterproof All Weather Ultra Grip Glove – ~£50
Fully waterproof, grippy palm, longer cuff options; solid for persistent rain and muddy sessions.
👉 Sealskinz
A quick Google search finds the exact same glove varying from £20 upwards in many colours
👉 See here
👊 Train Smarter This Winter
Your hands take a beating when you’re training outdoors in all weathers. Test a few glove types and see what works best for you. Remember: no glove is perfect for everything, but the right pair can keep you training harder, longer, and more comfortably.
👉 Got a favourite winter glove setup? Share it with us at Manchester Outdoor Fitness and help other members train smarter this season.
