12 Best Hunting Gloves 2026: Picks From A Colorado Elk Guide

Picking the best hunting gloves comes down to one question: what are your hands doing when it gets cold? Glassing a basin at first light, drawing a bow on a bugling bull, breaking ice on a duck hole and quartering an elk at dark all ask for different gloves. I guide elk, deer, moose and bear hunters in the Colorado Rockies 50-plus days a season, and the hunters who suffer most aren’t the ones with cheap gloves — they’re the ones with one pair trying to do every job.

Quick answer: The best all-around hunting glove for 2026 is the Sitka Jetstream WS — windproof, light enough to shoot in, and warm enough for most of the season. For bitter late-season sits, go Sitka Blizzard GTX. For wet alpine elk country, the Stone Glacier Altimeter shell-and-liner system is the one to beat. Bowhunters should look at the Sitka Fanatic or the Blocker Finisher Merino Fingerless we carry, and if you want the most warmth per dollar, the ArcticShield Heat Echo Shooters is hard to argue with at under $30.

Heads up if you’re coming back to this page: a lot changed since last year. Under Armour pulled out of hunting gloves, and Sitka retired the Stormfront, Pantanal and Incinerator glove. Every pick below is current for the 2026 season, and I’ll tell you what replaced the old favorites. Let’s find the right hunting gloves for how you hunt.

*Prices checked September 2026 and subject to change.

Sitka Jetstream WS Glove

• Shell: GORE-TEX WINDSTOPPER
• Lining: Fleece
• Weight: About 2.8 oz per pair
• Touchscreen: Thumb and forefinger
• Patterns: 8 Optifade and solid colorways
• Price: $79

Wind is what kills your hands on a western hunt. You sweat on the climb, stop on a ridge to glass, and a 15 mph breeze strips the heat out of damp fingers in minutes. A windproof shell with a thin fleece backer is the most useful single glove you can own for elk and mule deer, which is why this gets the top spot. If you want the same idea in a lighter weight, Stone Glacier’s Graupel fleece glove ($55) doubles as a liner under the Altimeter below.

Pros: Truly windproof, thin enough to run a rangefinder, bino focus wheel or release, wide range of patterns.
Potential Drawbacks: Not waterproof, and not warm enough for long, still late-season sits on its own.

Sitka Blizzard GTX Glove

• Shell: GORE-TEX waterproof/breathable
• Insulation: PrimaLoft Gold Cross Core
• Palm: Synthetic leather
• Weight: About 7.3 oz per pair
• Patterns: Optifade Subalpine, Waterfowl Marsh, Mud
• Price: $189

The Blizzard is a sitting glove. It’s what you want when you’re in a stand at 10°F or glassing a late-season elk herd for three hours without moving. Most hunters who run a glove this warm pull one hand out to shoot, or pair it with a thin liner underneath. Waterfowlers get the same glove in Sitka’s marsh pattern — it’s the most direct replacement for the discontinued Pantanal GTX.

Pros: Genuinely waterproof and heavily insulated, works for late-season elk, whitetail stands and waterfowl.
Potential Drawbacks: Bulky on a trigger or release, no touchscreen, and expensive.

Stone Glacier Altimeter Gloves

• Shell: 3-layer HydraShield waterproof
• Liner: Removable, 170g PrimaLoft Gold
• Weight: About 6.9 oz per pair
• Touchscreen: No
• Colors: Muskeg, Granite Grey
• Price: $175

The advantage of a shell-and-liner system in the backcountry is drying. A one-piece insulated glove that gets soaked stays soaked in a tent. Pull the Altimeter’s liner out, sleep with it in your bag, and it’s dry by morning. If you hunt wet country — the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, or a Colorado November storm — this is the system to buy.

Pros: Modular, fully waterproof, dries faster than a sewn-in insulated glove because the liner comes out at night.
Potential Drawbacks: No touchscreen, not a camo pattern, and you’ll likely have to order direct.

First Lite Shale Touch Hybrid Glove

• Back: Merino-blend fleece
• Palm: Goatskin leather
• Weight: About 2.8 oz per pair
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Patterns: Fusion, Typha
• Price: $80

Merino earns its place because it keeps insulating when it’s wet from sweat, which is the normal state of a bowhunter’s hands on a September climb. The leather palm is the difference between this and a basic wool glove — it’ll survive glassing from rocks and a season of grabbing a pack frame.

Pros: Merino stays warm when damp, leather palm grips a bow riser or rifle stock, quiet.
Potential Drawbacks: Not windproof or waterproof; a shoulder-season glove, not a winter one.

Sitka Fanatic Glove

• Material: Stretch-woven polyester
• Fingers: Half-length forefinger and thumb
• Touchscreen: Via exposed fingertips
• Patterns: Optifade Cover, Elevated II
• Price: $45

Bowhunting gloves are about hiding your hands and keeping your feel on the release, not warmth. Pale hands moving at full draw are a big part of what a bull or buck picks off at 30 yards. The Fanatic hides them without costing you a feel for your release trigger.

Pros: Near-bare-hand feel on a release, covers your hands from game, cheap for Sitka.
Potential Drawbacks: Minimal warmth; this is concealment and dexterity, not insulation.

Blocker Finisher Merino Fingerless Gloves

• Material: Merino wool knit
• Fingers: Fingerless
• Color: Flint
• Price: $34.99

A fingerless merino glove under a flip mitt or muff is one of the best cold-weather bowhunting combos there is: fingers stay warm in the mitt, and when a shot comes you shuck the mitt and you’re still in a glove.

Pros: Warm when damp, zero loss of feel on a release or mouth call, pairs well under a mitt.
Potential Drawbacks: Your fingertips are exposed; not a cold-weather glove by itself.

ArcticShield Heat Echo Shooters Gloves

• Lining: Fleece with heat-reflective Retain Active technology
• Weather: Windproof, water resistant
• Palm: Reinforced synthetic
• Touchscreen: Thumb and index finger
• Pattern: Realtree APX
• Price: $29.99

This is the glove to buy for a treestand whitetail hunter or a new hunter who doesn’t want to spend $80 before they know what they need. Pair it with a hand muff and a couple of chemical warmers and it covers a lot of November. Want a thicker fleece at the same price point? We also stock the Manzella Hunter Fleece Gloves ($31) in Realtree Edge.

Pros: Cheap, windproof, thin enough to shoot in, bamboo charcoal fibers help with scent.
Potential Drawbacks: Buyers report it’s best around 40°F and above; touchscreen tips are hit and miss.

Volt Heat CAMO Rechargeable Heated Hunting Gloves

• Power: 7V, two 2600mAh rechargeable batteries
• Run Time: 2–8 hours depending on setting
• Heat: Fingers, thumb and back of hand
• Shell: Quiet poly fleece with waterproof/breathable membrane
• Pattern: Mossy Oak Country
• Price: $199.95

Heated gloves make the most sense for hunters who sit: deer stands, duck blinds, ice-cold turkey mornings, or anyone with poor circulation in their hands. For a backcountry elk hunter carrying everything on their back, the batteries and weight usually aren’t worth it. See Volt’s spec page for sizing.

Pros: Actively warms fingertips, which no insulated glove can do; quiet fleece face.
Potential Drawbacks: Bulky, heavy for a backpack hunt, and batteries die fastest on the coldest days.

Sitka Incinerator Flip Mitt

• Insulation: 133g PrimaLoft Gold Cross Core
• Shell: GORE-TEX WINDSTOPPER (windproof)
• Palm: Goatskin overlays
• Touchscreen: Forefinger
• Closure: Magnetic flap
• Price: $175

Want the same flip-mitt concept for about half the price and shipped from our shelves? We stock the King’s XKG Wind-Defender Shift Mitten ($89.99) in XK7 camo.

Pros: Mitten warmth with a shooting hand ready in a second, windproof, touchscreen forefinger.
Potential Drawbacks: Windproof, not waterproof; pricey; the flap takes practice to flip quietly.

Sealskinz Kelling Waterproof All Weather Insulated Glove

• Membrane: Aquasealz waterproof/breathable
• Insulation: Light thermal layer
• Palm: Goatskin leather
• Colors: Black, Olive
• Price: About $77

For a waterfowler, a rainy-day deer hunter or anyone who just needs dry hands for less than $80, this is the pick. Olive blends fine in a blind.

Pros: Truly waterproof, grippy palm, versatile enough for chores and hunting.
Potential Drawbacks: Not camo, hand wash only, and stock runs thin in the US.

Orvis Uplander Shooting Gloves

• Material: Unlined sheepskin leather
• Cuff: Extended, protects the wrist
• Sizes: S–XL
• Price: $89

Turkey hunter? We stock two purpose-built pairs at Final Stalk: the Shocker Turkey Gloves ($21.99) with a spur measuring tape on the palm and a mouth call pocket, and the Drake Ol’ Tom Performance Stretch ($29.99) in Mossy Oak Bottomland. Traditional archers can grab the leather October Mountain Shooters Glove ($17.99).

Pros: Excellent trigger feel, briar protection, gets better with age.
Potential Drawbacks: Not waterproof or insulated; treat with a water-based leather conditioner, not mink oil.

Allen Mesh Hunting Gloves

• Material: Breathable mesh
• Palm: Silicone dot grip
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Pattern: Mossy Oak Country
• Price: $8.99

Early-season archery, spring turkey and September dove hunts are about hiding your hands, not warming them. We also carry the Allen Jersey ($9.99) and stretch-fit Vanish Spandex ($18.99) in the same pattern.

Pros: Dirt cheap, breathable, hides your hands in warm weather, grippy.
Potential Drawbacks: Zero insulation or weather protection.

Best Hunting Hand Muff: ArcticShield Classic Elite Hand Warmer

• Lining: Heat-reflective Retain technology
• Pattern: Realtree APX
• Size: One size
• Price: $41.69

A muff is the warmest setup for any hunt where you wait: wear a thin shooting glove, keep both hands in the muff, and pull your shooting hand out when it’s time. It’s the reason a lot of whitetail and turkey hunters don’t bother with heavy gloves at all. Budget option: the Hot Shot HF-3 Hand Warmer ($30.02). Feed either one with a 40-pair box of HotHands ($36.50) or a rechargeable Muddy 3-in-1 Hand Warmer ($42.99).

Pros: Warmest way to keep hands ready on a stand, pocket for warmers, cheap.
Potential Drawbacks: Useless on the move; not for spot-and-stalk hunts.

Don’t Forget Field Dressing Gloves

The gloves above keep your hands warm on the way in, but a successful hunt ends with your hands inside an animal. Disposable field dressing gloves keep you clean, keep bacteria off your meat, and cost less than a gas station coffee.

We keep the essentials stocked: the HS Field Dressing Gloves 6-Pack Combo ($10.99) with shoulder and wrist-length pairs, the 12-pair Hunters Specialties Long/Short Combo ($11.99), and single HME shoulder-length gloves ($1.96). Toss a couple of pairs in your kill kit next to your game bags and skinning knife.

Shop All Hunting Gloves At Final Stalk

How To Choose The Best Hunting Gloves

No single glove does everything. Most hunters who stay comfortable all season run a small system and change it by month and by hunt.

Best Gloves For Elk Hunting

Elk hunting is spot-and-stalk with long, cold glassing sessions. Start with a windproof glove like the Sitka Jetstream, carry a warmer mitt or shell system like the Stone Glacier Altimeter for glassing and storms, and bring a thin glove or fingerless for the shot. Pair it with the right hunting socks and boots and the rest of your layering will make sense. If you’re new to it, start with our bow hunting elk tips.

Best Gloves For Bowhunting

For archery, feel on the release beats warmth. Run a thin glove like the Sitka Fanatic or a fingerless like the Blocker Finisher, and add a muff or flip mitt when it gets cold. Make sure whatever you pick doesn’t catch the string or bunch under your release strap — shoot in it before the season.

Best Gloves For Cold-Weather Stand Hunting

Sitting still is where hands get coldest. Go heavy (Sitka Blizzard GTX), go heated (Volt Heat), or go thin glove plus hand muff. The muff setup is the cheapest and the most shootable.

Best Waterproof Hunting Gloves For Waterfowl

Duck hunters need true waterproofing, not water resistance. The Blizzard GTX in Waterfowl Marsh is the premium choice, and the Sealskinz Kelling is the budget one. Bring a dry backup pair for after you set decoys.

Upland And Turkey Hunting

Upland hunters want thin leather for trigger feel and briar protection — the Orvis Uplander is still the standard. Turkey hunters want camo and grip, which is where the Allen Mesh and our Shocker and Drake turkey gloves come in.

What To Look For

Wind and water: Windproof matters more than most hunters think; waterproof matters for wet climates and waterfowl. Insulation: Synthetic insulation like PrimaLoft keeps working when damp; down doesn’t belong in a hunting glove. Dexterity: Put the glove on and work your release, safety and rangefinder in the store or right out of the box. Fit: A glove that’s tight across your knuckles cuts circulation and makes you colder. Size up slightly if you plan to wear a liner.

Cold hands are a comfort issue until they’re a safety issue. Know the early signs of frostbite and hypothermia from the CDC and the National Weather Service, and read Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s elk hunting gear and layering lesson before your first mountain hunt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best hunting gloves?

For most big-game hunters, the Sitka Jetstream WS is the best all-around hunting glove in 2026. It’s windproof, touchscreen-compatible and thin enough to shoot in. Late-season stand hunters should look at the Sitka Blizzard GTX, and wet-country elk hunters at the Stone Glacier Altimeter.

Are mittens or gloves warmer for hunting?

Mittens are warmer because your fingers share heat, which is why the Mayo Clinic recommends them for frostbite prevention. Hunters get the best of both with a flip mitt or a thin glove inside a hand muff.

Can you shoot a bow release with gloves on?

Yes, if the glove is thin. A stretch glove like the Sitka Fanatic or a fingerless merino glove keeps feel on the trigger. Practice with the exact glove you’ll hunt in, because thicker gloves can change your anchor and release timing.

How many pairs of hunting gloves do I need?

Most western hunters carry two: a light windproof glove for moving and shooting, and a warmer mitt or insulated glove for glassing and sitting. Waterfowl and wet-weather hunters should add a dry backup pair.

What material is best for hunting gloves?

Merino and fleece for lightweight warmth, a windproof membrane for mountain hunting, GORE-TEX or a similar membrane for wet conditions, and synthetic insulation like PrimaLoft for cold. Leather palms add grip and durability.

Are heated hunting gloves worth it?

For stand, blind and ice-fishing hunters, often yes — they’re the only gloves that actively warm your fingertips. For backpack hunters, the weight and battery management usually aren’t worth it.

Why Trust Us?

I spend 50-plus days every fall guiding elk, deer, moose and bear hunters in Colorado’s backcountry, from September archery through late-season rifle. That’s a lot of mornings watching what works for my hunters’ hands and what doesn’t. This list is built from that field time plus current manufacturer specs, independent reviews and a fresh check that every pick is still in production for 2026. When a glove got discontinued, it came off the list.

Which Hunting Gloves Will You Run This Season?

The best hunting gloves are the ones that match what your hands are doing: a windproof glove for moving, a warm mitt or muff for sitting, and something thin for the shot. Start with the Sitka Jetstream if you only buy one pair, add a warmer layer before late season, and don’t forget a pack of field dressing gloves for when it all goes right.

Now argue with me. What gloves are you running this season, and what’s the coldest your hands have ever been on a hunt? Tell me in the comments or on the Final Stalk forum.

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