Best Ice Fishing Gloves (2021 Update) – Buyers Guide

Cold fingers and cold toes are my two worst nightmares.

With ice fishing it can be difficult to find a happy medium between keeping your hands warm and being able to use your fingers to setup your gear.

The choice is yours when deciding to have gloves that are thick vs thing or have thumb and index fingers uncovered.  This also can correlate between whether the glove is waterproof or not.

So what should you look for in the perfect waterproof ice fishing glove? Experienced fishermen prioritize several factors, including comfort, dexterity so you can perform fine tasks, definitely warmth, waterproofing, and durability.

It’s important to find a balance of those characteristics, as a warm glove that’s not waterproof, or a durable glove that is so bulky that you have to take it off every time you need to do something is of no use.

Treat your ice fishing gloves like an investment and your hands will stay warm and dry for many seasons as you bring home trophy-worthy fish!

Best Waterproof Ice Fishing Gloves

Keep Your Hands Warm & Dry with these top 6 pairs of ice fishing gloves.  

1. Stormr Typhoon Neoprene Ice Fishing Gloves

• 100% Other Fibers
• Made in the USA or Imported
• BUILT FOR WATER: Stormr gloves are water resistant; naturally beading the water right off. For our fisherman, we extended the glove up the wrist for when you are grabbing the tournament winning fish your arms and hands will remain warm and comfortable.

If you’re not planning on using a braided line, you might want to try a different glove by Stormr, their Typhoon Neoprene model. These mitts are 100% waterproof, and they stand up to rain, sleet, and plenty of icy water with glued and stitched seams. They also run well longer than the wrist to keep ice and water from entering through your sleeves and, of course, we know Stormr uses quality with their 3 mm Premium Stretch Neoprene fleece lining.

2. Frabill FXE Gauntlet Glove (Warmest Ice Fishing Gloves)

Low temps, extreme cold, and conditions that send other ice anglers home? That’s not a problem with Frabill’s FXE Gauntlet Gloves, which are specifically designed for just those elements (like their great suits!).

They’re constructed from a durable 660- denier nylon shell, which is practical and will last you years. One awesome feature is that you can adjust the tightness around the cuff, either with straps or wrist fasteners, making sure ice and water stay out, and you stay dry. But their SnoCore breathable insulation is remarkable at keeping your hands warm and dry, but also fresh. They even included a nose wipe pad for you!  A lot of fishermen tell me that if your fingertips commonly stiffen and freeze up, these are great gloves.

3. Glacier Glove Premium Waterproof Glove

• Glacier Glove Premium Waterproof Glove, Black/Blue, Medium
• Medium
• Black/Blue

Glacier put out these gloves for those who need serious waterproofing. They’re made from specialized Yamamoto Neoprene that’s both highly resistant to moisture but also more durable than normal neoprene. These gloves also go way above the wrist but also pinches in that area, so they’re designed to keep snow and ice away from your clothes and skin. Active fishermen will also love their grippy surfaced digits and pre-curved knuckles for easy flex and bend.

4. Black Diamond Absolute Mitts Cold Weather Gloves

• Shell: 100% Nylon, Palm: 100% Goat Skin, Lining: 100% Polyester
• Imported
• Removable liner with a 100% waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex insert with XCR Product Technology
• Reinforced thumb for working with fixed lines
• Woven nylon, abrasion-resistant shell with 4-way stretch

Sure, they might not be the gloves for ice fishing purists, but if you’re ready for that big trip north – and I mean far north – then you’ll want to make sure to go with the right gear. And for extreme cold conditions, you won’t find a better glove than these mitts by Black Diamond. As their name implies, many people use them for skiing or ice climbing in polar regions. I suggest bringing these gloves for backups or wearing while you’re going to and from your destination out on the ice because they are a little bulky and aren’t the best for dexterity. But their multiple levels of insulation will keep you as toasty as a campfire.

5. Glacier Glove ICE BAY Fishing Glove

Best rated ice fishing glove on Amazon with 100+ reviews

• 100% Waterproof
• 2MM Fleece Lined Neoprene
• Seamless Palm Design
• Blind Stiched & Glued
• Sharkskin Textured

Once your hands get wet, it’s extremely difficult to get them dry – and warm – again, and it can literally ruin your fishing day. So Glacier made a glove for casual fishermen that are waterproof. They also allow you to keep dexterity and are one of the lowest priced gloves on this list. However, they’re not the best in extreme cold conditions, so either bring a fleece insert to keep your hands warm or choose a higher-graded temperature glove. But they are lightweight, made of neoprene, and have great texture on the fingers.

6. Ice armor Dryskinz ice fishing Gloves

There are plenty of warm, waterproof gloves available for ice fisherman, but how many of them are so bulky and cumbersome that you have to take off your gloves to set your bait or operate other gear? You shouldn’t have to compromise dexterity for warmth and waterproofing, so these Icearmor Dryskinz Gloves will keep you dry, but you’ll still have control and the feel of your rod. They also fit more snug than many gloves and have a great grip.

Best Flexible Winter Gloves (Top 3)

1. Stormr Torque Kevlar Neoprene Glove

Weather the storm with another great glove by Stormr, their neoprene model. With reinforced Kevlar on the index finger and thumb, you can fish with braided line and not wear down your gloves – or your fingers. But even if you’re not fishing with braid, its 2mm neoprene outer and cushy, insulated fleece keeps you warm while you work.  The Stormr Torque is our #1 pick for our best ice fishing gloves.

2. Frabill FXE Performance Task Glove

Speaking of Frabill, their FXE Performance Task gloves are one of the most beloved and popular among ice fisherman. These are just really good, practical, and durable gloves, with everything you need to enjoy your time out on the ice. They’re wind and water resistant, breathable, but also give you enough control to handle small tasks. They’re also priced right so the average beginner or seasonal fisherman can invest in a pair and it will last them years. One thing I’ll add is that I wouldn’t count on them to be 100% waterproof, but other than fully dipping your hand into the icy depths, you’ll end your day dry, warm, comfortable, and with a big catch to show off!

3. Hatch Winter Specialist All-Weather Glove

If you want a good-quality, affordable, and practical ice fishing glove, try these All-Weathers by Hatch. They may not be the top of the line for either waterproofing or extreme cold resistance, but you’ll find that they keep you warm, dry, and allow you to do the detailed work and keep fishing on most days. Their insulated lining also allows you to keep that sensitive feel of your rod or whatever you’re picking up, and they even have materials inserted for wiping your nose.  This rounds out our list best ice fishing gloves

Winter Gloves with Thumb and Pointer Finger Uncovered

1. Glacier Glove Pro Angler Glove

Every ice fisherman knows that Glacier makes some great gear, and their gloves are no different.  I think these are the best ice fishing rod gloves.  They’re a perfect blend of comfort, warmth, and weather resistance with giving up dexterity. One of the best qualities of these gloves is their unique finger slits, which allows you to free up your fingers to tie knots, remove hooks, or hold up that prize fish for a photo

However, you should realize that these gloves are NOT fully waterproof, so don’t reach beneath the ice or dip your hands into a bucket of water, etc. But other than that drawback, they’re fantastic gloves for serious fishermen.

 

 

Pro Ice Fishing Tip: 

So you bought a great pair of waterproof gloves, but what happens when a sharp hook inadvertently goes through your glove? Get ready for a wet and frigid day…and purchasing a new pair of gloves. So while waterproofing is very important, don’t forget to look for the most durable pair of gloves you can find so that they’re not easily pierced or worn.