How to Size Hiking Gloves

Glove sizing errors cause more cold hands than insulation shortfalls do. A glove that is too tight compresses the insulation and restricts circulation; a glove that is too long leaves dead fabric at the fingertips that never warms up.

1. 1

   Measure across the knuckles

   Wrap a tape around the widest part of your dominant hand, excluding the thumb, and record the circumference in inches. That number maps to manufacturer sizing charts more reliably than any general small-medium-large guess.

2. 2

   Check finger length separately

   Measure from the base of your palm to the tip of your middle finger. People with long fingers and narrow hands routinely buy a size up for length and end up with a baggy palm — in that case look for brands offering a longer-finger cut rather than sizing up.

3. 3

   Understand why tight is colder

   Insulation works by trapping still air. A compressed glove has less trapped air and less room for blood flow, so a snug glove is measurably colder than a correctly sized one. If your fingertips go numb in a glove that should be warm enough, suspect fit before suspecting the glove.

4. 4

   Size shells with the liner inside

   If you are building a layered system, order the shell with the liner already on your hand or size it up accordingly. A shell that fits bare hands perfectly will compress a liner and make the whole system colder.

   Layering guideBuilding a system that fits together

   Read Guide →
5. 5

   Account for brand quirks

   Japanese industrial sizing, like the Showa Temres, runs one to two sizes small. Outdoor Research's athletic-fit gloves also run small. Leather gloves such as Hestra should start snug because they stretch and mold with use.

Sizing Notes by Brand