How to Choose the Right Hestra Gloves: Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Pair
From crisp morning walks to challenging mountain adventures, the right gloves can make all the difference. Here's our guide to find the perfect Hestra gloves for your outdoor pursuits.
There are few things that can spoil a great day outdoors quite like cold hands. Whether you're heading out for a winter walk, tackling a windswept mountain ridge, exploring the trails on a chilly morning or spending a day on the ski slopes, having the right gloves can make all the difference.
Hestra has been making gloves since 1936, combining generations of specialist glove-making experience with carefully selected materials and thoughtful design. With an extensive range covering everything from lightweight walking gloves to technical mountaineering gloves, ski gloves and insulated mittens, there's plenty of choice.
But with so many different styles available, how do you decide which pair is right for you?
At Hit The Trail, we're proud to stock an extensive range of Hestra gloves. In this guide, we'll take a closer look at what makes the range special and explain the key things to consider when choosing your next pair.
How to choose Hestra gloves
1. Think about what you'll be doing
The best place to start is with the activity you have in mind. A glove that's perfect for a brisk walk through the countryside might not be the best choice for a day in the mountains or a ski touring expedition.
Walking and hiking
For everyday walking and hiking, look for a comfortable glove that balances warmth, breathability and grip. You want enough protection for chilly mornings and exposed trails without feeling restricted when using walking poles, adjusting your rucksack or reaching for your map.
Depending on the season and conditions, a lightweight fleece glove, a wind-resistant design or a
more insulated option could be just what you need.
Winter walking and trekking
When temperatures drop and the weather becomes more challenging, warmth and weather protection become increasingly important. Consider how exposed you'll be, how long you'll spend outdoors and whether you'll encounter rain, snow or strong winds.
A well-insulated glove with suitable weather protection can make longer days outside considerably more comfortable.
Climbing and mountaineering
Technical mountain activities demand a different approach. You'll often need a close, secure fit, reliable grip and enough dexterity to handle ropes, equipment and other small items.
Look for gloves designed specifically for climbing or mountaineering, with construction and reinforcement suited to the demands of the activity.
Skiing and ski touring
Ski gloves and mittens need to cope with cold temperatures, wind and snow. Insulation, weather protection and durable palm materials are all worth considering.
Ski touring introduces another consideration: your hands can become much warmer when climbing uphill than when descending or stopping at an exposed summit. A glove system that allows you to adapt to changing activity levels can be particularly useful.
The important thing is to choose gloves for the conditions you'll actually encounter, rather than simply opting for the warmest pair available.
2. How warm do your gloves need to be?
Not every outdoor adventure calls for heavily insulated gloves. In fact, wearing gloves that are too warm when you're working hard can leave your hands sweaty and uncomfortable.
As a general guide:
Lightweight gloves are ideal for milder weather, active walking and situations where dexterity and breathability are priorities.
Midweight gloves offer a useful balance of warmth, comfort and freedom of movement for colder days.
Heavily insulated gloves are better suited to sustained exposure to cold and activities where warmth is a priority.
Mittens can be an excellent choice when temperatures are particularly low, as keeping your fingers together helps them share warmth.
It's also worth considering how you personally respond to the cold. Some people naturally have colder hands than others, so what works for one person may not work for another.
Remember, warmth isn't determined by insulation alone. A good fit, protection from wind and moisture, and the ability to manage perspiration all contribute to keeping your hands comfortable.
3. Waterproof, water-resistant or windproof?
With British weather being famously unpredictable, choosing the right level of weather protection is particularly important.
Waterproof gloves use a waterproof construction or membrane designed to prevent external moisture from reaching your hands. They're worth considering for wet weather, snow and prolonged exposure to the elements.
Water-resistant gloves can repel some moisture, depending on their materials and treatments, but shouldn't automatically be relied upon in persistent rain.
Wind-resistant gloves help protect your hands from cold winds, which can make a significant difference on exposed hillsides and mountain ridges.
Breathability is important, too. When you're walking uphill or moving at a brisk pace, your hands can become warm inside your gloves. A breathable construction can help manage moisture from the inside.
It's worth remembering that waterproofing and warmth are two separate considerations. A waterproof glove isn't necessarily heavily insulated, and a very warm glove won't necessarily keep your hands dry.
Think about the conditions you're most likely to encounter and choose accordingly.
4. Leather or technical fabrics?
Hestra offers gloves in a variety of materials, each with its own characteristics.
Leather gloves
Leather is a key part of Hestra's glove-making heritage. Depending on the type of leather and the glove's construction, it can offer durability, grip and a supple feel that develops with use.
Leather gloves are a popular choice for those who appreciate traditional craftsmanship and robust materials. They can be particularly useful for demanding activities where the palms and fingers experience plenty of wear.
However, different types of leather have different properties, and appropriate care is important to maintain performance and condition.
Technical fabric gloves
Technical fabrics allow glove designers to balance weight, flexibility, breathability and weather protection. Combined with suitable insulation or waterproof membranes, they can be a practical choice for everything from hiking to cycling and skiing.
Reinforced palms and fingers
If you regularly use walking poles, handle climbing equipment or put your gloves through demanding use, pay attention to the palm construction and areas most likely to experience abrasion.
There isn't one universally best material. The right choice depends on your activity, the conditions and the qualities you value most.
5. Gloves or mittens: which is better?
The shape of your handwear can have a surprisingly big impact on both warmth and practicality.
Five-finger gloves allow each finger to move independently, making them useful when you need dexterity for handling equipment, adjusting clothing or using your phone.
Mittens keep your fingers together in a shared space, helping them retain warmth. They're worth considering for colder conditions when insulation is more important than fine finger movement.
Three-finger gloves, sometimes known as lobster gloves, offer a compromise between the two. By grouping some fingers together while keeping others separate, they aim to balance warmth and control.
If you regularly need to use your fingers independently, traditional gloves may be the most practical choice. If your hands get cold easily, mittens could be worth trying.
The best option comes down to how you use your hands and the conditions you expect to face.
6. Discover the benefits of a glove layering system
One of the most useful things to understand about Hestra gloves is that you don't always need a single glove to do everything.
Hestra's layering approach allows you to combine different types of handwear to adapt to changing weather and activity levels.
The liner
A lightweight inner glove can provide additional warmth and help manage moisture. Depending on the design, it may also be comfortable to wear on its own in milder conditions.
The outer glove
Your main glove provides the combination of warmth, grip, dexterity and protection suited to your activity.
The shell
A compatible shell can add a further layer of protection against wind, rain and snow. This can be particularly useful when conditions deteriorate unexpectedly.
The advantage of layering is flexibility. You might wear a lightweight glove while moving quickly, add a liner when temperatures drop or pull on a shell when the wind and rain pick up.
Being able to remove individual layers can also help with drying and moisture management on longer trips.
Not every glove is designed to work with every liner or shell, so check compatibility and sizing before combining different pieces.
For more information, take a look at our Hestra collection at Hit The Trail and our existing guide, Hestra Glove Guide – How to Stay Warm.
7. Getting the right fit
Even the best glove won't perform as intended if it doesn't fit properly.
A glove that's too tight can restrict movement and compromise comfort and insulation. One that's too loose can feel cumbersome and make it harder to grip equipment securely.
Hestra recommends measuring around the circumference of your hand just below the knuckles, excluding the thumb, then comparing your measurement with its sizing guide.
When trying on gloves, look for:
A comfortable fit around the palm without excessive pressure.
Enough room for your fingers to move naturally.
No excessive bunching of material at the fingertips.
Freedom to grip walking poles and handle the equipment you use regularly.
Enough room for a liner if you intend to wear one underneath.
If you're planning to use a layered system, consider how the pieces fit together. A liner that's too bulky beneath your outer glove can compromise comfort and dexterity.
Fit can also vary between glove designs, so it's worth checking the sizing guidance for the particular model you're interested in.
You can find further advice on the official Hestra website.
8. Look after your gloves
A good pair of gloves is an investment, and looking after them properly can help extend their useful life.
Always follow the care instructions for your particular model, as leather, technical fabrics, membranes and insulated linings can require different treatments.
Leather gloves may benefit from an appropriate leather balm, depending on the type of leather and the manufacturer's recommendations. Hestra offers leather care products designed for compatible leather types.
After a wet day outdoors, allow your gloves to dry in a well-ventilated place, away from direct heat. If your gloves have removable liners, take them out where appropriate so the different components can dry more effectively.
Avoid assuming that every glove can be washed or treated in the same way. Checking the manufacturer's guidance before cleaning is always worthwhile.
For more practical advice, read our guide to How to Care for Your Gloves.
Which Hestra gloves are right for you?
Before choosing your next pair, ask yourself five simple questions:
What will I use them for? Everyday walking, winter hiking, climbing, cycling or skiing?
How cold will it be? Milder conditions require different insulation from prolonged exposure to winter weather.
Will I encounter rain, snow or strong winds? Choose the level of weather protection that suits your adventures.
How much dexterity do I need? Consider whether individual finger movement is essential or whether mittens might offer greater comfort.
Would a layering system work better? Liners and compatible shells can give you more flexibility across different seasons and conditions.
Answering these questions will help narrow down the options and make it easier to find gloves that suit your needs.
Can't find the Hestra gloves you're looking for?
At Hit The Trail, we stock a fantastic range of Hestra gloves, covering everything from everyday winter wear and walking to skiing, climbing and mountaineering.
But we know that even with such an extensive collection, you might have a particular model, size or colour in mind that you can't see on our website.
Don't worry — just ask!
We're more than happy to order any glove from the Hestra range, subject to availability. So, whether you've got a specific model in mind or need a little help finding the right pair for your next adventure, get in touch with our team and we'll do our best to help.
We'd much rather help you find the right gloves than see you settle for something that isn't quite what you're looking for.
Find your next pair of Hestra gloves at Hit The Trail
Hestra's combination of specialist glove-making experience, carefully selected materials and designs for different outdoor activities makes its range well worth exploring.
Whether you're looking for lightweight protection for changeable weather, a durable leather glove, a technical design for mountain adventures or a warmer option for winter, choosing the right combination of fit, insulation and weather protection can make all the difference.
Explore our Hestra collection at Hit The Trail, or get in touch if there's a particular model you'd like us to source.
Here's to warmer hands and more time enjoying the great outdoors!
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