Best Waterproof Gloves for Rainy Hiking: A Hard-Won Guide

The Short Answer

If you are standing at the trailhead right now, waiting for that Pacific Northwest drizzle to turn into a deluge, you need a balance of breathability and durability. After spending decades getting soaked on the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, I have learned that “waterproof” is a moving target. The best gloves for rain are those that keep your fingers dexterous enough to manage a zipper or a water filter while shedding a relentless downpour.

For light rain and cool mornings, the REI Co-op Merino Liner Gloves are a smart first layer, but they are not waterproof by themselves. For actual rain exposure where you need a barrier, the Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves have held up best for me during high-output hiking in wet conditions. If you are doing technical alpine work where dexterity is paramount, the Black Diamond Midweight Screentap Gloves offer a solid balance, though they struggle once the rain hits hard. For extreme cold combined with wet conditions, you must move to mittens like the Black Diamond Mercury Mittens or Outdoor Research Alti Mitts. Never attempt to use the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves for general hiking; they are built for stationary work on ice and will overheat and chafe on a ten-mile trek.

The Key Factors to Understand

When rain hits your hands, you are fighting two enemies: the water coming from above and the moisture coming from below. The moisture from below is sweat generated by your body heat trying to escape through the fabric. If you wear gloves that are too heavy or have a membrane that doesn’t breathe fast enough, your hands will sweat out before the rain even touches them. This is a common mistake.

You also need to consider the type of waterproofing. Many gloves use a membrane that eventually clogs with dirt and sweat. After 200 miles in the Cascades, I found that the Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves maintained their breathability better than others because the fabric construction allows moisture vapor to pass through more readily. The Black Diamond Midweight Screentap Gloves use a coating that works well for a few days but tends to degrade if you scrub them too hard in the wash, which is a common mistake.

Temperature matters immensely. A glove that works at 40 degrees Fahrenheit will freeze your fingers at 28 degrees, even if it is dry. The Black Diamond Mercury Mittens are insulated for cold, but they sacrifice the dexterity you need to operate a trekking pole in a hurry. The Outdoor Research Alti Mitts are slightly more flexible but still require you to be mindful of how much you move. The Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves are incredibly warm, but the leather exterior absorbs water if the rain is acidic or heavy, leading to a cold, wet hand inside the glove.

Common Mistakes Buyers Make

One of the biggest mistakes I see is buying a glove that is too warm for the activity. If you are hiking in the rain at 5,000 feet with a 40-pound pack, your hands will generate significant heat. Wearing a thick, insulated mitten like the Black Diamond Mercury Mittens without a liner will cause your hands to sweat profusely. Once the rain starts, you will be stuck with wet, cold gloves because the sweat cannot escape.

Another mistake is relying solely on a waterproof membrane without considering the fit. Gloves that are too tight restrict blood flow, which is your first line of defense against the cold. I once wore a pair of gloves that were slightly too snug on the Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves, and after a long descent in the rain, my fingers went numb. This is not because of the rain, but because the circulation was cut off by the tight fit.

Finally, do not use Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves for hiking. They are designed for ski patrol work where you are standing still and shoveling snow. The leather is thick and the insulation is heavy. On the trail, they will overheat, and the lack of flexibility will make it impossible to use them for anything other than holding a cup of coffee. They will chafe your wrists and fingers within an hour of movement.

Our Recommendations by Budget and Use Case

Here is what I have tested and used in the field, ranked by how they performed under real rain and wet conditions.

Light Rain and Cool Weather

REI Co-op Merino Liner Gloves

I tested these on the High Sierras in late October when the rain turned to sleet. They are not waterproof, but the merino wool wicks moisture away from the skin, keeping your hands warm even when damp. They are a great base layer to wear under a waterproof shell. They are budget-friendly, but do not expect them to stop a downpour.

Black Diamond Midweight Screentap Gloves

These are excellent for light rain and wind. I used them on a 12-mile loop in the Olympics during a steady drizzle. They kept my hands dry enough to operate a GPS and adjust my pack straps. However, they are not fully waterproof. If the rain gets heavy, water will seep through the fabric. They are a good budget option for fair weather, but not for a storm.

Wet Conditions and High Output

Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves

These are my go-to for wet hiking. I wore them on the Pacific Crest Trail during a week of continuous rain. They kept my hands dry and warm enough to handle a water filter and pack straps. The fit is snug, which helps with breathability. They are a bit pricey, but the performance is worth it. The downside is that they are not very warm in freezing temperatures without a liner.

Black Diamond Mercury Mittens

I used these on a climb in the Cascades where temperatures dropped to 28 degrees with wet snow. They kept my fingers warm and dry. The mittens are great for cold, but the lack of dexterity means you have to use your other hand to operate your gear. They are heavy and bulky, which is a trade-off for the warmth.

Extreme Cold and Wet

Outdoor Research Alti Mitts

These are the warmest option I have tested. I wore them on a summit push in the Rockies where the wind was blowing at 30 mph and the rain was freezing. They kept my hands functional and warm. They are slightly more flexible than the Mercury Mittens, but they still sacrifice dexterity. They are a great option for cold weather, but not for technical climbing.

Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves

I tested these in the snow and rain on a ski patrol training exercise. They are incredibly warm and durable, but they are not designed for hiking. The leather is thick and absorbs water, leading to a cold hand inside. They are also too bulky for hiking, and the lack of dexterity makes them impractical for most outdoor activities.

Comparison Table

Product	Best Use	Temperature Range	Dexterity	Waterproofing
REI Co-op Merino Liner Gloves	Base Layer / Light Rain	30-50°F	High	None (Wicks moisture)
Black Diamond Midweight Screentap Gloves	Light Rain / Wind	35-55°F	High	Partial (Membrane)
Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves	Wet Hiking / High Output	30-50°F	High	Good (Membrane)
Black Diamond Mercury Mittens	Extreme Cold / Wet	20-40°F	Low	Good (Membrane)
Outdoor Research Alti Mitts	Cold / Wet	25-45°F	Medium	Good (Membrane)
Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves	Stationary / Snow Work	15-35°F	Very Low	Poor (Leather absorbs water)

Who Should Not Buy This

Do not buy the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves if you plan to hike. They are too heavy, too bulky, and the leather will absorb water, leading to a cold hand. Do not buy the Black Diamond Mercury Mittens if you need dexterity for technical tasks. Do not buy the Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves if you are hiking in freezing temperatures without a liner.

One Mistake I Made

I once wore the Black Diamond Midweight Screentap Gloves on a long hike in the rain without a liner. I thought they were warm enough, but I underestimated the heat generated by my body. By the time I reached the summit, my hands were sweating profusely, and the gloves were no longer waterproof. I learned that you need to layer your gloves, especially in wet conditions.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right gloves for rain is about balancing warmth, dexterity, and waterproofing. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. If you are hiking in the rain, you need a glove that breathes well and keeps water out. The Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves are my top pick for most situations. For extreme cold, the Outdoor Research Alti Mitts are better. For light rain, the REI Co-op Merino Liner Gloves are a great base layer. Avoid the Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Gloves for hiking—they are not designed for the trail.

For more on how to choose the right gloves, check out the Best Mittens for Extreme Cold Alpine Climbing: A Hard-Earned Guide