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Most hard water fishermen have specialized gear they use to protect themselves from the elements during the winter season—including ice fishing gloves. After all, anglers in the North don’t let a pesky thing like frigid temperatures keep them from venturing out onto the frozen lakes to catch fish. Quality ice fishing gloves are vitally important, and the importance grows as the mercury plummets. Serious ice anglers look for handwear that combines warmth and a waterproof exterior with dexterity and grip. If you are in the market for the best ice fishing gloves, we’ve assembled the top picks in hand protection available to help prepare you for the winter months and hours of fun chasing fish out on the hard water.
Best Overall: Glacier Glove Perfect Curve Neoprene Gloves
Best Waterproof: Glacier Glove Ice Bay Gloves
Best Fingerless: IceArmor by Clam Delta Glomitts
Best Liner Glove: Fish Monkey Monkey Hands Gloves
Best Dexterity: IceArmor by Clam Renegade Gloves
Best Adjustable: Striker Ice Attack Gloves
Best Overall: Glacier Glove Perfect Curve Neoprene Gloves
Specs
Waterproof Material: Neoprene
Insulation Type: Fleece and neoprene
Cinch Location: Velcro cuff
Touchscreen-Compatible? No
Pros
One-piece palm
Extremely form-fitting
Great for gripping things
Warmer than standard gloves
Cons
Not smartphone compatible
Harder to get on and off
The Perfect Curve gloves seemed like they might be a tad gimmicky at first glance, but then I used them. Nope, not a gimmick at all. The company molds the curve of your fingers at mid-grip right into the glove, giving them a natural shape. This gives you maximum coverage for your neoprene, and prevents any odd bunching of the material and the fleece liner. It also makes it very handy when you need to grip something, like a fish. It feels natural. These gloves are warm and dry, making them a great ice fishing glove.
The biggest downfall is that they’re a little harder to get on and off when you’re not used to the feel. You’re not going to be able to just rip them off your hand if you need to answer the phone but your hand will be dry and warm, even if you need to reach into the hole for a fish.
Best Waterproof: Glacier Glove Ice Bay Gloves
Specs
Waterproof Material: Neoprene
Insulation Type: Neoprene
Cinch Location: Wrist
Touchscreen-Compatible? No
Pros
Flexible taped-seam neoprene
Warm and dry with excellent grip
Great for reaching into a hole for a fish
Good dexterity
Cons
Not smartphone compatible
Neoprene doesn’t breathe, so expect sweaty hands
A lot of neoprene ice fishing gloves are only half neoprene, with the palm made of some other material with better grip. The problem is that it defeats the purpose of using a neoprene glove, as you lose the waterproof and insulative properties of the material. These gloves, however, are made from neoprene with sealed seams to give you a waterproof glove that insulates well against the cold. A rubberized finish in the palm gives you some grip, too.
The only real issue here—besides not being smartphone compatible—is that neoprene doesn’t breathe, so your hands can sweat, making them colder if you expose them to the outside air too much. Still, for fishing on milder days, or when you need a pair of gloves to throw on while you run to check a tip-up, these are hard to beat.
Best Fingerless: IceArmor by Clam Delta Glomitts
Specs
Waterproof Material: None
Insulation Type: Nylon fleece
Cinch Location: Elastic cuff
Touchscreen-Compatible? Yes, because you can get your finger out
Pros
Mittens and gloves all in one
Form-fitting
Easy to pull fingers out to tie knots
Warmer than standard gloves
Cons
Not waterproof
Fleece can pile, losing some of its softness
Is it a mitten? Is it a glove? It’s both. The glomitt is warmer than gloves, yet you can easily pull your fingers out for doing things that require the dexterity you’d otherwise sacrifice in a mitten. This pair is very well-made and the fleece is warm and faster drying than some other materials. These also have the advantage of being lightweight, so they won’t add to any fatigue you might experience.
While it’s nice that you can pull out your fingers for things like tying knots or using your phone, there is the issue that these aren’t waterproof, which is a big consideration for an ice fishing glove. Being fleece, they dry fast, but it’d be nice if they didn’t get as wet in the first place.
Best Liner Glove: Fish Monkey Monkey Hands Gloves
Specs
Waterproof Material: None
Insulation Type: None
Cinch Location: Elastic cuff
Touchscreen-Compatible? Yes
Pros
Smartphone compatible
Form-fitting
Slits for pulling fingers out to tie knots
Silicon dots for grip
Cons
Not waterproof
Not insulated
A lot of anglers wear a thin liner glove inside of heavier gloves or mittens so that they have some protection when they need to drop the heavy gloves for things like tying a knot or reeling in a fish (check out our favorite ice fishing reels). That’s where these gloves from Fish Money come in. Thin and form-fitting, they have slits cut into the thumb and fingers so you can pull out your fingers and tie knots. They’re smartphone-compatible and they feature a brushed interior that’s comfortable, too.
The biggest gripe is that they aren’t waterproof, which can be a pain, especially if you get them wet early on in a fishing trip. There isn’t much to them to keep your hands warm, so you’ll want to have other gloves, but they add a layer of protection when you need it.
Best Dexterity: IceArmor by Clam Renegade Gloves
Specs
Waterproof Material: Dintex
Insulation Type: Thinsulate
Cinch Location: Wrist and cuff
Touchscreen-Compatible? No
Pros
Flexible goatskin leather
Varying amounts of Thinsulate for comfort
Long cuff with easy-to-use cinches
Good dexterity
Cons
Not smartphone compatible
Not as warm as other options
The guys at Clam Outdoors live to fish on the ice, and the gear they develop is made specifically to make that task easier and more fun. That’s one of the main factors that makes these gloves winners. Tested in some of the harshest conditions (a.k.a. Minnesota winters), these gloves fit very well and keep your hands dry and warm with minimal bulk. They have 200 grams of Thinsulate in the back, and 150 grams in the palm and fingers to allow you to better grip the auger, poles and more. The soft goatskin leather is a nice touch as it feels good on your skin and requires less of a breaking in period for comfort and protection.
Like some other gloves, it would be nice if these were smartphone compatible. At least the cinches are super easy to use, so you can get them on and off faster than some other gloves.
Best Adjustable: Striker Ice Attack Gloves
Specs
Waterproof Material: HIPORA
Insulation Type: Thinsulate
Cinch Location: Velcro cuff
Touchscreen-Compatible? No
Pros
Easy on and off
Neoprene cuff
Warm, but not too warm
Cons
Not smartphone compatible
Cumbersome on larger hands
These ice fishing gloves from StrikerICE meet a lot of the qualifications you’d need in a glove. They’re made with 150 grams of Thinsulate insulation, so they’re warm but not too bulky. The neoprene cuff holds them securely on your hand and helps keep your fingers dry, while the wide velcro strap is easy to use and makes them easy to get on and off in a hurry, which is a big plus in a non-smartphone-compatible glove. The reinforced synthetic suede palm gives good grip, even when wet.
Unfortunately, even though these gloves don’t look bulky, they feel a little cumbersome to me and my fat fingers. For some, that’s not a big deal, but it’s a pet peeve of mine when it comes to gloves. That said, I’d still wear them.
How We Tested Ice Fishing Gloves
I am from northern Michigan and have been ice fishing for decades on water across much of North America. I started this article from a position of experience having tested and reviewed many of the ice fishing gloves available while I searched for the perfect pair. What I realized is that there is no one perfect pair, but several that can be used to match the weather conditions and the style of fishing of a given day.
We also took into account user reviews from Amazon, Cabela’s and more. These are important because we realize that not everyone uses equipment the same way we do. Some people like gloves to fit one way versus how others choose them. There is no one right way to look for a pair of gloves—there is just your own personal way. Pick the best features for you and your budget and start from there.
What To Consider When Choosing Ice Fishing Gloves
The number one thing to keep in mind when you’re buying a pair of ice fishing gloves is how you fish, followed closely by how you like your gloves to fit. If you’re the type of hard-water angler that has a heated shanty and/or you prefer to fish in milder weather, the best ice fishing gloves for you will mostly be about function over warmth. You will want to find a pair that lets you grab a fish out of the hole a little easier, or that keeps your fingers dry when clearing ice.
If you forgo the shanty and sit out on the ice in a chair or on a bucket, you will want to opt for a pair of ice fishing gloves that give you the most protection from the elements, including water, wind, and frigid temperatures.
You’ll also want to look at how waterproof a waterproof glove really is. A waterproof lining or material in a glove is really only as good as the seal. In a way, it is a lot like the roof on your house in that if the seam isn’t sealed, there really isn’t anything keeping the water from seeping in at that point.
Another thing to consider: Not all gloves are smartphone-compatible, and many that are waterproof are not going to work with your phone. If the ability to text or make calls while staying warm is important to you, there are liner gloves that you can put under a heavier pair of outer gloves, or a muff. I’m a fan of this setup. As someone who’s also a duck hunter, I’m drawn to big gloves that go high up on my arm, are waterproof, and can be easily taken off and pulled back on.
FAQs
Q: What should I look for in ice fishing gloves?
Fit and warmth top my list of must-haves. Then I look at dexterity because if I can’t do anything while wearing them, they aren’t much use. I also would suggest something that is waterproof, or at least water-resistant, as getting wet when it’s really cold out can lead to very bad things.
Q: What are the warmest ice fishing gloves?
The warmest gloves you will find will actually be two pairs: an outer glove and a liner glove. The outer glove should be waterproof and heavily insulated. It should also extend past your wrist. A good liner glove is snug with some form of natural insulation like fleece or even wool.
Q: Do I need to wear gloves when ice fishing?
Yes, you do need to wear gloves. Frostbite—which is very harmful to skin and tissue—is like a sunburn in that you won’t really know you have it until well after you have it. And by then, it can be too late.
Q: Is it safe to touch fish with gloves on?
The most important thing to keep in mind when touching a fish is the slime coating. If you’re picking up a fish that you intend to keep and eat, this isn’t too big of a deal. If you’re going to release the fish, your hands or gloves should be wet on the outside before you touch the fish. It is a good idea to not use a glove with an abrasive palm to handle fish as that can scrape off that slime coating. A rubberized grip pattern on gloves like a neoprene pair will work well for catch and release.
Final Thoughts
Ice fishing is fun and a great way to beat the winter blues. You need to have the right gear and proper ice fishing gloves are a must-have item to keep your hands warm and protected from frostbite. The best ice fishing gloves will keep you warm and comfortable enough that you will wear them when you’re on the hard water. Good fishing!
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