Advnture Verdict
Columbia Wind Bloc gloves are functional and comfortable, and keep fingers from going numb on frosty morning and chilly evening walks and runs in the colder months. They’re slightly overpriced, though, so look out for a discounted pair in the spring.
Pros
- +
Clever Omni Heat thermal lining
- +
Wind proof
- +
Touchscreen compatible
Cons
- -
On the stiff side
- -
Palm lacks grip
- -
Slightly overpriced
You can trust Advnture Our expert reviewers spend days testing and comparing gear so you know how it will perform out in the real world. Find out more about how we test and compare products.
First impressions
The Wind Bloc boasts Columbia’s own-brand Omni Heat thermal reflective material as an inner layer, which uses tiny silver dots to reflect back body heat and warms hands very effectively while still staying breathable.
- Explore all the best hiking gloves in our buying guide
- And don't forget about the best base layers
- Hiking essentials: everything you need for a memorable trip
Male and female versions with different sizings are available, so it’s easy to find the perfect fit for your mitt. The reflective detailing is a handy safety feature for nighttime running or dog walking, and they feature a touchscreen-compatable fabric on the thumb, index and middle finger, so you can use your phone to keep in contact with people or access various navigation apps such as komoot while out and about on the trails.
If you already own a tough winter glove, this is a good lighter design to add to your outdoor kit arsenal.
• RRP: $41 (US)/£30 (UK)
• Unisex: Yes
• Sizes: S–XL
• Materials: Outer: Polyester fleece (100%)
• Weight (men’s large, per glove): 39g/1.4oz
• Colours: Black
In the field
While thick, insulated gloves are ideal for when the temperature drops to minus digits, they’re overkill in warmer winter weather, and in the shoulder seasons when you need some thermal protection early and late in the day, but nothing too full on. For cool autumn and spring days, or for faster-paced activities such as hiking or trail running, a breathable, windproof glove such as this is ideal.
These softshell Columbia Wind Bloc gloves block wind well, and elasticated wrists further trap in heat and keep cold air out. They do feel a little stiffer than other softshell gloves we tried, but loosen up somewhat with use. The touchscreen fabric does actually work, and you can use devices such as smartphones with ease while using this.
We do reckon £30 is a tad overpriced for gloves that weren’t the warmest or the most weatherproof of the designs we tested, and we’d be more impressed if we picked these up in a sale. But the Wind Bloc is still a useful glove worth owning, especially in the UK where for most of the winter the weather often stays mild.
