Heated gloves for Raynaud's: what to look for

You probably know the moment: out in the cold your fingers turn white, then blue, and as they warm up again they start to throb and tingle painfully. For people with Raynaud's phenomenon that's everyday life — at the bus stop, in the supermarket freezer aisle or on a winter walk. Heated gloves can make it a lot more bearable, provided you choose the right ones. In this guide we explain honestly what they can and can't do, and what to look for specifically if you have Raynaud's.

What is Raynaud's phenomenon (in short)

With Raynaud's, the small blood vessels in your fingers (and sometimes your toes) narrow sharply in response to cold or stress. Your fingertips temporarily get too little blood: they turn pale or blue, feel cold and numb, and hurt as the circulation returns. It's usually harmless but unpleasant; sometimes it's linked to another condition. Unsure, or are your symptoms getting worse? Talk to your doctor — heated gloves are an aid, not a medical treatment.

Do heated gloves help with Raynaud's?

The honest answer: they don't cure Raynaud's, but they do tackle the main trigger — cold. By keeping your hands at a comfortable temperature the whole time, you help stop the blood vessels from going into the spasm that starts an attack. Many people with Raynaud's find they have fewer and shorter attacks as a result. The difference from ordinary (thick) gloves: thick gloves only insulate your own body heat — and that's exactly what you're short of with Raynaud's. Heated gloves add warmth.

What to look for if you have Raynaud's

1. Heating that reaches into the fingers. With Raynaud's the problem is in your fingertips, not your palm. Choose gloves whose heating wires run along the fingers — not just across the back of the hand. This is exactly where cheap models fall short.

2. Mittens often heat better than gloves. In a mitten your fingers share each other's warmth, and there's more room for heating around all your fingertips at once. For cold-sensitive hands, heated mittens are therefore often the warmest choice. At EastCamp those are the Alpin Mitten and Urban Mitten; if you'd rather keep your fingers free, take a look at our heated five-finger gloves.

3. Fast and warm enough — check the heat settings. When an attack is coming on, you want warmth quickly. Choose a model with several settings (for example high/medium/low), so you can warm up fast on the highest setting and then switch down to save battery.

4. Fit: not too tight. This one is often overlooked: a glove that's too tight restricts your circulation — exactly what you don't want with Raynaud's. Choose a fit that's comfortably roomy, so the blood can flow freely.

5. Battery life that covers your day. An attack doesn't come by appointment. Look at the battery life per setting and whether you can carry spare batteries.

Cold feet too?

Raynaud's often isn't limited to the hands — cold, tingling toes regularly come with it. The same logic applies: add warmth instead of only insulating. In that case, take a look at our heated socks.

Practical tips for Raynaud's

• Switch the gloves on before you go outside — preventing an attack is easier than reversing one.
• Keep your core warm too: when your torso gets cold, your body cuts off blood to the fingers first. Layers (and perhaps a heated vest) help.
• Avoid caffeine and nicotine just before you head into the cold — both narrow the blood vessels even further.
• Keep a spare battery warm in an inside pocket.

Ready to choose?

Torn between models? Browse EastCamp's heated gloves or compare the Alpin Mitten and Urban Mitten directly.