Carhartt Waterproof Insulated Knit Cuff Glove (Men's)

Winter is a good time to watch trains and a miserable time to hold a camera with cold fingers. This glove is for the long wait at the overlook or the crossing: it has synthetic insulation, a waterproof insert, a FastDry lining that wicks sweat, and a fleece cuff with a wrist strap that seals out snow and slush. OutdoorGearLab found it largely waterproof and one tester stayed warm in extreme cold. It is a warm glove, not a precise one: the fingers are thick, so expect to take it off to work small camera controls or a scanner. Stay off railroad property while you wait.

The maker lists a polyester and softshell shell, a synthetic palm, a waterproof insert, synthetic insulation and a brow wipe. OutdoorGearLab put it through a two-minute dunk, a freezer test, dexterity tasks and long-term wear in cold climates. It stayed functionally waterproof except under full submersion and was well insulated and flexible, but testers noted bulky fingers, a slippery shell and slow drying. The glove is not touchscreen compatible, so a phone or a camera screen means bare fingers or a thin liner glove underneath. It sells in sizes small to 2XL, and testers noted that the cut is men's rather than unisex, so smaller hands may prefer a women's or a smaller size.

Expert pick · OutdoorGearLab: OutdoorGearLab's testers gave it a Best Buy award as a well-insulated, flexible glove that was largely waterproof, with one tester staying warm in extreme cold. They faulted its thick, bulky fingers, slow drying and lack of touchscreen compatibility. Read the review

The railfan who waits in snow and sleet and wants warm, waterproof hands on a modest budget. It is a good pair for the platform, the crossing and the truck. If you shoot with exposed fingers or use a touchscreen constantly, pair it with a thin liner or choose a dexterity-first glove instead.

Mechanix Wear Coldwork Original, a Top Pick for dexterity among OutdoorGearLab's work gloves, is not very warm but is far better for fine control. Outdoor Research Sureshot Pro, the testers' best all-round winter glove, adds touchscreen compatibility at a higher price.