To choose the right size in sheepskin mittens, measure around the widest part of your palm (excluding the thumb) and match it to our size chart, then round up if you're between sizes or plan to wear the mittens with hand warmers inside. Genuine sheepskin is handmade from a natural material, so sizes can vary slightly between pairs, and a little extra room is almost always better than too little.
Getting this right matters more with mittens than with most accessories, because a mitten that's too tight won't just feel uncomfortable - it can restrict circulation and actually make your hands feel colder, which defeats the point of wearing sheepskin in the first place.
How to measure your hand for mittens
You don't need any special equipment - a soft tape measure or a piece of string and a ruler will do.
- Wrap the tape around the widest part of your palm, just below the knuckles, keeping your thumb out of the way
- Keep the tape snug but not pulled tight - you want your natural palm measurement, not a squeezed one
- Measure both hands if you can, and use the larger measurement if they differ slightly
- Compare your measurement against our size guide, which lists sizing for ladies' and men's sheepskin gloves in both inches and centimetres
As a general guide, ladies' sizing runs from around 16.5cm (small) to 20.3cm (extra large) round the palm, and men's from around 21.5cm (small) to 25.4cm (extra large). Because every piece is handmade from natural sheepskin, slight variation between individual pairs is normal, so treat these as a close guide rather than an exact science.
What to do if you're between two sizes
Genuine sheepskin has a small amount of natural give, and it will ease slightly with wear as the leather softens. Even so, if your measurement falls right between two sizes, we'd generally suggest sizing up rather than down. A slightly roomy mitten still keeps your hand warm; a slightly tight one can pinch, restrict movement, and - worse - reduce the airflow and circulation that helps keep your hand warm in the first place.
Sizing up for hand warmers
This is one of the most useful things to know before you buy, and it comes straight from us: our sheepskin mittens can absolutely be worn with a hand warmer tucked inside for extra heat on the coldest days, but you need to size up to make room for it. A hand warmer - whether it's a disposable pouch, a reusable gel pack, or a small electric one - takes up real space inside the mitten alongside your hand, and mittens sized just for your palm alone will feel cramped once you add one in.
Before you order, it helps to:
- Measure your palm as normal using our size guide
- Check the physical dimensions of the hand warmer you plan to use - they vary quite a bit in size and thickness
- Size up by one size from your measured fit if you intend to wear a hand warmer regularly, so there's enough room for both your hand and the warmer without squashing either
- Avoid sizing up by more than one size, since too much excess room can let warm air escape and reduce the natural insulating effect
The goal is a mitten that still fits comfortably and traps warmth well with the hand warmer inside - not one that's simply loose all over. If you're only using a hand warmer occasionally, on the very coldest days, it's worth deciding upfront whether that's a regular habit or an occasional one, since it changes which size will suit you best day to day.
Other fit details worth checking
Wrist and cuff length
Check whether the mitten cuff sits at the wrist or extends further up the forearm, particularly if you'll be wearing it with a coat sleeve pushed up or down over the top.
Thumb position
A well-made sheepskin mitten should let your thumb move freely without pulling at the seam. If a mitten feels tight specifically across the thumb gusset, that's usually a sign to size up rather than a fit you should "break in."
Children's sizing
Children's hands grow quickly, so it's worth measuring close to the time of purchase rather than relying on age-based sizing alone, and allowing a small amount of extra room for a longer season of wear.
Why getting the size right protects your investment
Genuine sheepskin is built to last for years with simple care - no machine washing, just occasional airing and a soft brush, as covered in our Sheepskin Care Guide. Buying the right size the first time means you'll actually reach for them all winter, rather than leaving an ill-fitting pair in a drawer. If you do end up between sizes after measuring, our delivery and returns page has our current exchange policy so you can put it right.
FAQs
How do I measure my hand for sheepskin mittens?
Measure around the widest part of your palm, just below the knuckles and excluding your thumb, using a soft tape measure. Compare the result to our size guide to find your closest size.
Should I size up if I want to wear a hand warmer inside my mittens?
Yes. Hand warmers take up physical space inside the mitten, so sizing up by one size - while also checking the dimensions of the hand warmer itself - helps ensure the mitten still fits comfortably with room for both your hand and the warmer.
What happens if my sheepskin mittens are too tight?
Beyond discomfort, a mitten that's too tight can restrict circulation, which makes your hands feel colder rather than warmer - the opposite of what you want. If in doubt, size up rather than down.
Will sheepskin mittens stretch to fit over time?
Genuine sheepskin has a small amount of natural give and will soften and ease slightly with wear, but it shouldn't be relied on to fix a mitten that's genuinely too small. Start with an accurate measurement and size up if you're between sizes.