Carhartt W.P. Waterproof Insulated Glove (men’s) review: a warm, tough first winter glove
The first winter glove most people need is not a technical ski glove. It is a warm, waterproof, tough glove that does not cost much, copes with snow and slush, and can be trusted on a cold walk, a snowshoe outing or an hour of camp chores. Carhartt built the W.P. Waterproof Insulated Glove for people who work outside all winter, and that is exactly why it makes a sound first winter glove for hikers.
Quick take
A warm, waterproof, hard-wearing winter glove built for outdoor work. The waterproof insert keeps snow and slush out, the synthetic insulation stays warm on cold days, and the grippy palm handles tools, poles and ice scrapers. It breathes poorly, so hands get sweaty when you work hard, the lining can pull out when you take a damp hand out, and the knit cuff is not a gauntlet. A dependable first winter glove for casual cold-weather outings.
What it does
The W.P. (Carhartt style A511) pairs a polyester and softshell outer with a synthetic palm, a waterproof insert and synthetic insulation. A FastDry lining wicks sweat away from the skin, textured grip on the palm, fingers and thumb holds tools and poles securely, and a soft fleece knit cuff with an adjustable wrist strap seals out snow. A clip keeps the pair together when you take them off, and a soft panel on the thumb serves as a nose wipe. It comes in men's small to extra-extra large.
What verified buyers say
Across verified-purchase reviews, the same points come up:
- Warm for the money. The most common report is warm hands through snow clearing, freezer work, winter commutes and long cold days outside.
- Tough enough for work. Owners use them for snow removal and outdoor labour, and many are on their second or third pair after years of use.
- Good grip and an easy fit. The palm holds tools and handles well, and the wrist strap makes them easy to snug down.
- They do not breathe. Several owners find their hands get sweaty during hard work, and damp hands then feel cold.
- The lining can pull out. Some owners report the inner lining coming out with their hand, which makes the glove hard to put back on, especially when it is damp.
- Waterproofing and seams draw some complaints. A minority report water getting in or stitching giving way early, and a few found the fingers short for their hands.
Worth knowing
This is a work glove, and it breathes like one. On a steep climb or a fast snowshoe your hands will sweat, and a glove that is wet from the inside is a cold glove at the next stop. Take them off on the climbs and wear a thin glove such as the Etip Recycled, then put the Carhartts on when you stop. If the lining pulls out, turn it back gently while it is dry rather than forcing a wet hand in. The knit cuff tucks under a jacket sleeve rather than over it, so it will not keep deep snow out the way a gauntlet does.
Who it is for
The W.P. is for hikers buying their first real winter glove for day walks, snowshoeing on packed trails, winter camping chores and cold commutes, who want warmth and waterproofing without spending much. The women's equivalent is the Carhartt Quilts (women's). If you are out for longer, colder days or in deep snow, the gauntlet cuff and warmer insulation of The North Face Montana (men's) will serve you better, and for serious cold the Hestra Army Leather Heli 3-Finger is the step up.
Specs at a glance
- Typewaterproof insulated work and winter glove
- Shellpolyester and softshell, synthetic palm
- Waterproofingwaterproof insert
- Insulationsynthetic, FastDry wicking lining
- Cufffleece knit cuff, adjustable wrist strap
- Sizesmen's S to 2XL
- Trade-offspoor breathability, lining can pull out, no gauntlet
- Listed weight7.2 oz (204 g) · pair, men's L
- Best forfirst winter glove, cold day hikes, snowshoeing, camp chores
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The Verdict
The Carhartt W.P. is the glove we would hand someone heading into their first winter on the trail. It is warm, it keeps snow and slush out, and it lasts, at a price that leaves room in the budget for a thin glove to wear on the climbs. It is not built for hard aerobic effort or deep snow, but for casual winter outings it does the job with no fuss. Women's sizing is covered in our Carhartt Quilts (women's) review, and how gloves fit into a full layering system is in what to wear in the bush.
