Best Waterproof Gloves for Cold Rain (2026)

Waterproof gloves come in three builds, and the build decides more than the brand: a membrane glove (a waterproof film sewn between a fabric shell and a liner), a coated glove (a polyurethane or rubber skin over a knit liner) and neoprene. Hikers, deckhands, ice anglers and people shoveling wet snow each want a different one, and most makers tell you less about the waterproofing than a rain-jacket maker would.

How we chose: we did not test these gloves; we picked from maker listings and spec pages, noted what each says makes the glove waterproof and whether it names a test, and kept only gloves sold by Amazon.com or the brand's own store and in stock on September 29, 2026.

Why wet hands matter

The CDC's hypothermia page says hypothermia can happen above 40°F if you are chilled by rain, sweat or cold water, and it lists "fumbling hands" among the warning signs. Cold rain on bare or soaked hands is exactly that, which is why a glove that stays dry inside earns its place well above freezing.

For dry cold well below freezing, see our guide to mittens and gloves for extreme cold.

Three ways a glove keeps water out

Membrane gloves (Sealskinz, Frogg Toggs, Gordini's GORE-TEX insert) have a waterproof film between the shell and the liner. The shell fabric can soak up rain, but the membrane keeps it from your skin, and the glove still breathes. The catch is that a wet shell feels cold and heavy, and a glove that fills from the cuff stays wet inside.

Coated gloves like the SHOWA TEMRES 282 put a waterproof polyurethane skin on the outside of a knit liner. Nothing on the outside can wet out, and the grip is made for wet tools and lines. SHOWA's listing says the coating still lets moisture escape.

Neoprene gloves like KastKing's IceRiver are closed-cell rubber foam. KastKing says its 2.2 mm neoprene and bound, stitched and glued seams keep water out, and that the glove is made for "extremely cold and wet conditions."

What "waterproof" means on each glove

Rain jackets usually come with a hydrostatic head in millimetres. Gloves almost never do. Here is what each of the five makers actually states:

• SHOWA TEMRES 282: "100% liquid-proof seal" with breathable TEMRES technology, per the listing. No test is named.
• Sealskinz Harling: an "Aquasealz 100% waterproof hydrophobic membrane," per Sealskinz. The product page gives no hydrostatic figure or method.
• KastKing IceRiver: "100% waterproof," from KastKing, based on 2.2 mm neoprene and bound, stitched and glued seams. No test is named.
• Frogg Toggs Three-Layer: "high hydrostatic resistance" with no number, and "seam-sealed integration" for immersion, per Frogg Toggs.
• Gordini GORE-TEX Gauntlet: a GORE-TEX insert, per the listing.

GORE-TEX is the one name here with a written promise. Its guarantee page says it will repair, replace or refund a product you are not satisfied with for waterproofness, but only on products sold with the black "Guaranteed to keep you dry" hang tag. Check the tag on the mitt you receive.

Which glove for which job

Hiking in cold rain: a membrane glove with a thin liner. The Sealskinz Harling has touchscreen fingertips and a suede palm for poles; the Frogg Toggs Three-Layer is lighter and has no insulation.

Work outdoors: the SHOWA 282. The coated shell will not wet out on a wet rope, shovel or rebar, and the listing rates the liner to -58°F.

Fishing: the SHOWA 282 for handling lines and fish on deck, or the KastKing IceRiver when your hands go into the water. For bare-fingertip sun gloves in summer, see sun gloves for fishing.

Wet snow and freezing rain: a shell mitt with insulation, like the Gordini GORE-TEX gauntlet. Mittens trade dexterity for warmth; take them off only for fiddly jobs.

The five gloves side by side

Prices are Amazon's, as of the time shown, and subject to change. Details

Keeping the inside dry

Most gloves that "leak" fill from the cuff. Wear a membrane glove's short cuff under your jacket sleeve so rain runs over it, and a gauntlet over the sleeve with the drawcord pulled. Dry gloves overnight inside your jacket or sleeping bag rather than on a hot stove, which can damage coatings and leather.

Wash only as the maker says. Sealskinz says to wash the Harling at 30°C/85°F and drip dry; the other listings give no wash directions.

Related: rain gear for fishing and outdoor work, rain pants for hiking and hiking gaiters.

The CDC's frostbite guidance lists the signs as white or grayish-yellow skin, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, and numbness. If you see them, see a doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are neoprene gloves warm when wet?

That is what they are sold for. KastKing pairs 2.2 mm neoprene with only a 1 mm polar fleece lining and says the neoprene stays pliable in extreme cold, which is why ice anglers use it in and out of the water.

Can I wear a liner glove inside a waterproof glove?

Yes, if the outer glove fits over it. The Frogg Toggs Three-Layer has no insulation, so a thin liner is the way to use it below freezing; the SHOWA 282 and Sealskinz Harling already have fleece liners.

Does the GORE-TEX guarantee cover every GORE-TEX glove?

No. GORE-TEX's guarantee FAQ says only products sold with the "Guaranteed to keep you dry" promise are covered, and WINDSTOPPER gloves are excluded.

Why do my waterproof gloves feel wet inside?

Usually sweat or water down the cuff. A membrane lets some vapor out, but hard work in a warm glove still builds up sweat; swap to a thinner glove on climbs.

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WildProofLab is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Waterproofing claims are the makers' own.