The Best Flip Mittens For A Versatile Blend of Dexterity And Warmth
Choose convertible mittens, AKA flip mitts or glomitts, because they’re warmer than fingerless gloves, and more dexterous than either full-finger gloves or standard mitts. But buyer beware; the flip mitten genre is rife with poorly executed designs, weak magnets, and lack of attention to detail. Out of 11 test pairs from many of the best glove brands, all but our editor’s choice model had at least one major flaw.
- The best flip mitts are TrailHeads Convertible Running Mittens
In evaluating convertible mitts, we assess for warmth; weight; dexterity; whether the thumb flips open; and security of flip attachment systems. Jump ahead to check the Don’t Buy List, and learn more in our buyer considerations section. And while you’re here, don’t miss more handwear content, including guides to hiking gloves, fingerless gloves, rain mitts, and sun gloves.
You make Adventure Alan & Co possible. When purchasing through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Here’s why you can trust us.
Quick Picks For Convertible Flip Mitts
- Editor’s Choice, Best Overall: TrailHeads Running Mittens
- Warmer Version of Above: TrailHeads Insulated Winter Mittens
- Runner up: Manzella Cascade
- Top Pick, All-Around: Outdoor Research Gripper Windbloc
- Top Pick, Extra Warm: Kinco Alyeska Ragg
- Top Pick, Ultralight: SkyGoat Camp Fleece
- Warmest & Thickest Wool: Outdoor Research Lost Coast
- Convertible Puffy Mitt: Enlightened Equipment Torrid
Left side, power ranking mid-weight gloves, best to worst order, top to bottom, left to right.
Right side, power ranking non-mid-weight gloves, top to bottom
Convertible Mittens Comparison Table
Mobile users rotate device for full-width table
| Make/Model | Price ($) | Measured Weight (Men’s L) Pair (oz) | Warmth (1-5)* | Dexterity (1-5)** | Is flip top secure? (y/n) | Convertible Thumb (y/n) | Is thumb flip secure? (y/n) |
| TrailHeads Running | 38 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 5.0 | yes | yes | yes |
| Manzella Cascade | 40 | 4.6 | 3.5 | 4.5 | yes | yes | no |
| TrailHeads Insulated | 52 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 5.0 | yes | yes | yes |
| OR Gripper | 65 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | yes | yes | yes |
| SkyGoat Camp | 25 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | yes | no | n/a |
| Kinco Alyeska | 43 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | yes | no | n/a |
| OR Lost Coast | 59 | 7.6 | 4.5 | 2.5 | yes | no | n/a |
| EE Torrid | 70 | 2.8 | 5.0 | 2.0 | yes | no | n/a |
*Our warmth ratings are as follows: 1 = sun glove; 2 = thin lightweight liner ; 3 = standard, midweight fleece or wool: 4 = extra thick, heavyweight fleece or wool; 5 = ski glove insulated with synthetic batting
**Our dexterity ratings are as follows: 1 = traditional mitten; 2 = traditional glove; 3 = flip mitt without convertible thumbs; 4 = flip mitt with convertible thumbs but insecure thumb flips or back-of-hand bulk; 5 = exemplary flip mitt with convertible thumbs, secure attachments, and no back-of-hand bulk
TrailHeads Convertible Mittens
TrailHeads Convertible Running Mitts
The TrailHeads Running Mitts are our editor’s choice model because they flawlessly execute the concept of convertibility. The flip top mitten stows into a back of hand compartment, lying flush and out of the way. The thumb flips open too, and is held in place with a strong magnet that never comes undone. Essentially a flawless system.
The mid-weight fleece is soft, stretchy, comfy, and made with Repreve recycled polyester. What’s more, they even have an elongated wrist gauntlet to prevent skin exposure in the event of sleeve ride up. Textured dots between thumb and forefinger increase grip, while reflective trim on back-of-hand adds safety for running at night. They are THE best-in-class convertible mittens, and all competitor models are inferior in at least one way.
Editor’s note on sizing: The men’s size M/L size fits more like a true L. While no XL is offered, we think the M/L would fit a size XL hand because they run a bit large to begin with and the fleece is stretchy. If you wear a size medium, we recommend the S/M over the M/L.
- Price & Weight (per pair): $38 | 3.0 oz
- Warmth & Dexterity: 3/5 | 5/5
- Are Both Flip Mitt and Thumb Flip Secure? Yes | Yes
- Pros: Perfect flip conversion with secure hold of flip top mitt and thumb. Soft and comfy. Reflective. Sustainable.
- Cons: Combo sizing options for less refined fit (S/M, M/L)
TrailHeads Insulated Convertible Mitts
The TrailHeads Insulated flip mitts feature everything we love about the baseline version (our editor’s choice pick), including a secure stowaway flip top and secure magnetic flip thumb. But to winterize, they’ve swapped out materials on the back-of-hand and flip mitt top. Instead of fleece insulation, it’s PrimaLoft Gold “puffy” insulation, which is a definitive step up in warmth.
However, PrimaLoft is not featured on the wrist gauntlet, front-of-hand, or half-fingers, which is why we only bumped it up from a 3 to a 3.5 in terms of our warmth scale. When the flip tops are down, the back of hand is kept very cozy by three layers of folded over PrimaLoft stowed in the pouch. However, this can create a sweaty area when heat is generated during high intensity activities.
We recommend choosing the original Trailheads Convertibles as your baseline hiking flip mitts, but swapping these in for temps below 40F.
- Price & Weight Per Pair (oz): $52| 3.0 oz
- Warmth & Dexterity: 3.5/5 | 5/5
- Is Flip Mitt Secure? Yes
- Pros: Insulated mitten with best-in-class PrimaLoft Gold. Perfect flip conversion with secure hold of flip top mitt and thumb. Soft and comfy. Reflective. Sustainable.
- Cons: Combo sizing options for less refined fit (S/M, M/L). Potential for back-of-hand sweat.
Manzella Cascade Flip Mitts
For a nice convertible mitten with great performance and warmer-than-average fleece, choose the Manzella Cascade, enhanced by 3M Thinsulate batting. While the back-of-hand magnet could be a bit stronger, it is sufficient to hold the flip mitts in place for all but the most vigorous of movement, and it keeps the fabric relatively flush.
While there’s a major flaw with the convertible thumb, it’s not a deal breaker. Any thumb convertibility is welcome and increases dexterity, it’s just that this magnet is simply too weak to hold the tip down while open. This causes the thumb to stick out awkwardly to the side, though in practice it rarely causes many issues; it’s just kind of annoying. Furthermore, the thumb opening is very small and tight, though it can be stretched out without damaging the rest of the glove.
- Price & Weight (per pair): $40 | 4.6 oz
- Warmth & Dexterity: 3.5/5 | 4.5/5
- Are Both Flip Mitt and Thumb Flip Secure? Yes | No
- Pros: Best value. Wind-resistant fleece with added 3M Thinsulate makes it warmer than average. Palm grip/durability enhancement. Flip top lies flat.
- Cons: Thumb opening is tight and thumb magnet is too weak to hold. Back of hand magnet could be a bit stronger.
Outdoor Research Gripper Windbloc Convertible Mittens
There’s lots to like, and dislike about the Outdoor Research Gripper Windblocs, a pair with all of the bells and whistles. For starters, this is one of only two flip mitts we tested with full thumb and mitt convertibility AND sufficiently strong magnets for both. Truly, it’s a rare and delightful combo; the only other is our editor’s choice top pick. Furthermore, they’re made with name-brand Polartec WindPro fabric, and have enhanced palm grips. They even have pull loops!
That being said, they’re about 50% more expensive than average within their peer group, and aren’t offering all that much more when it comes down to what matters most. The touch sensitive faux leather panels on the convertible mitt tip are a contradictory design concept that does more harm than good. First of all, if you want to use your device, just pull the flip mittens down. But also, those panels add structure, which prevents the mitt from laying flat against the back of your hand while open, causing voluminous fabric bulk protrusion to stick up with potential for snagging. All in all, this is a functional pair that gets the job done, but we question the price point and some of the design choices.
- Price & Weight: $65 | 4.0 oz
- Warmth & Dexterity: 3/5 | 4/5
- Are Both Flip Mitt and Thumb Flip Secure? Yes | Yes
- Pros: Dexterous and grippy. Windproof fabric. One of only two models with sufficiently strong magnets for both thumb and back-of-hand. Pull loops.
- Cons: Very expensive. Major mitt bulk protrudes off back-of-hand. Reinforced palm is structural, non-breathable, and unpleasant feeling. Touch sensitive faux leather mitt tip is unnecessary.
Kinco Alyeska Ragg Wool Flip Mittens
The workwear-inspired Kinco Alyeska Ragg are our favorite convertible mittens for truly frigid conditions. They’re much warmer than average, thanks to a double layer of wool plus 3M Thinsulate batting. The textured dots add palm grip and a satisfying strong magnet secure the flip top mitten while open. The biggest bummer is that they don’t have convertible thumbs, which is a massive hit to dexterity. That, and the fact that the flip mitts look a bit silly and phallic when pulled over your fingers.
- Price & Weight Per Pair (oz): $45 MSRP (frequently $25) | 7. 0 oz
- Warmth & Dexterity: 4/5 | 3/5
- Is Flip Mitt Secure? Yes
- Pros: Very warm. Grippy. Strong magnet.
- Cons: No thumb convertibility massively decreases dexterity. Very heavy. Flip top is silly looking.
SkyGoat Camp Flip Mitts
For ultralight backpackers, we recommend SkyGoat Camp Mittens, weighing in at just one ounce per pair. While less warm than average, the overall warmth-to-weight ratio is perfectly respectable. What’s more, the grid fleece is dreamy soft and highly breathable. These use a stow away system to secure the flip mitt; simply stuff the top of the flip mitt into the gap directly over back-of-hand. Lack of thumb convertibility is a dexterity bummer, but simplifying the system does keep cost and weight down.
- Price & Weight Per Pair (oz): $25| 1.0 oz
- Warmth & Dexterity: 2/5 | 3/5
- Is Flip Mitt Secure? Yes
- Pros: Ultralight. Great value. Soft and breathable. Secure stow away conversion system.
- Cons: No thumb convertibility massively degrades dexterity. Least warm.
Outdoor Research Lost Coast Fingerless Mitts
The OR Lost Coast fingerless convertible mittens are easily the warmest wool pair, and also the softest, coziest, and most comfortable, thanks to an interior fleece lining. From a lifestyle perspective, the heathered gray color with reinforced brown palms look great too. But like many of their peers, they would have massively benefited from convertible thumbs, and lack thereof significantly degrades dexterity. Furthermore, we find the fit to be a bit sloppy, and note these to have the longest fingers of any fingerless glove we’ve ever worn. While long fingers aren’t intrinsically bad, there was tons of excess fabric/room on the lower exterior side of hand that resulted in upward drift, which fully encapsulated the entire pinky, and nearly covered the ring finger. But on the plus side, additional finger coverage does add warmth!
- Price & Weight Per Pair (oz): $59 | 7.6 oz
- Warmth & Dexterity: 4.5/5 | 2.5/5
- Is Flip Mitt Secure? Yes
- Pros: Incredibly warm, softy, and cozy. Good looking. Elongated fingers keep digits warm.
- Cons: Expensive. No thumb convertibility and elongated fingers massively degrades dexterity. Sloppy fit.
Enlightened Equipment Torrid Flip Top Mitts
The Enlightened Equipment Torrid flip mitts are another niche pair for cold weather ultralight backpacking. Essentially, they’re like booties for your hands, with an off-the-charts warmth-to-weight ratio compared to the peer group. Their shock cord system to secure the flip top open works pretty well. The fact that there’s no thumb convertibility is a bummer, but might not have made sense with this design anyway. The main opening is large enough to jam your entire hand through when dexterity is the name of the game.
- Price & Weight Per Pair (oz): $70 | 2.8 oz
- Warmth & Dexterity: 5/5 | 2.0/5
- Is Mitt Flip Secure? Yes
- Pros: Highest warmth-to-weight ratio. Lightweight. Great for winter backpacking.
- Cons: Overall poor dexterity, especially because no thumb conversion. Expensive. Niche.
TrailHeads Convertible Mittens
Do Not Buy These Flip Mitts
While no pair is perfect, the following glomitts exhibit fatal design flaws, and we strongly recommend against purchasing them. In all cases, this is a failure of the flip top mitt to be secured while open, which causes it to flop around infuriatingly. Conversely, all of our recommended convertible mittens stay put while flipped open.
- Insecure Button Attachment: Patagonia Better Sweater Mittens
- Insecure Button Attachment: Smartwool Cozy Grip
- Very Weak Magnet Attachment: Carhart Flip-It Glove/Mitt
- Too Much Bulky Neoprene: Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
- No Flip Top Attachment Mechanism: Cotopaxi Teca Glittens
TrailHeads Convertible Mittens
Buyer Considerations for Convertible Mittens
The importance of a convertible thumb
When it comes to operating touchscreens, your thumb is the most important digit. And because of just how frequently we use our phones, whether or not your flip mitts have thumb convertibility is a major factor. So whether you’re using GPS in the backcountry or texting friends while out for a walk, flip top thumbs are an incredibly desirable feature.
From our perspective, no model without thumb convertibility is capable of scoring full marks, and touch sensitive fabrics just don’t cut it when it comes to dexterity for tech. Essentially, any model with thumb convertibility will be more dexterous than any model without. On the other hand, proper flip thumbs are difficult to execute, and many brands who attempt it wind up screwing up the design.
Flip Mitt Attachment System Power Rankings
These rankings are based on the flip mitt attachment systems used by our favorite and least favorite convertible mittens.
- Stow Away
- Magnets
- Shock Cord
- Velcro
- Button
1. Stow Away
As demonstrated by the Trailheads Convertible Running Mitts, a Stow Away system does the best job of keeping the flip top in place, and compresses the excess fabric thereby reducing back-of-hand bulk. Despite being a bit more fiddly, it’s way more secure than magnets and our preferred system.
2. Magnets
Magnets are the second best, by far the most common, and the easiest to use so, long as they’re strong enough. Out of six test models, four had sufficient magnet strength, while two were floppy and constantly came loose. One advantage of magnets vs stow away is that it’s a faster system. One disadvantage is that it creates more back-of-hand bulk because the top layer of fabric is not secured, and the opening is prone to getting snagged.
3. Shock Cord
Only one pair of convertible mittens we tested, the Enlightened Equipment Torrid, used a shock cord to secure the flip mitt. For Torrid in particular, which is a puffy mitten, it works well. It may or may not work on fleece, but it is likely superior to Velcro or buttons, both of which have proved themselves horribly ineffective.
4. Velcro
Out of the test batch, only one used velcro and it was definitely not strong enough to secure the flip mitt. They could have used more of it to add security, but you also want to minimize the amount of abrasive surface area on back of hand (think about wiping your nose – ouch!), and velcro can be quite scratchy. All in all, we aren’t keen on Velcro for securing an open flip top.
5. Button
Last and most definitely least, the lowly button. The problem with buttons is that getting it taut enough to guarantee a hold on your flip mitten will stretch the fabric out, impair range of motion, or otherwise be difficult to use. Too loose of a button and the flip top will come undone as you move your hand around at different angles. Based on what we’ve seen, there is no good way to make a button attachment system work.
TrailHeads Convertible Mittens
Flip Mitt Buyer’s Guide Conclusion
Thank you for reading our guide to convertible flip mittens, where we hope you found your next pair. Flip mitts are a versatile piece of gear that outperform traditional gloves and mittens in term of dexterity, and fingerless gloves in terms of warmth. A well-designed, well-executed pair, like our editor’s choice model, should serve you well for a wide array of cool-to-cold weather in the front and backcountry. Happy trails!
Share this entry