Glove liners can be made of several different materials, including fleece, merino wool, silk, and polyester blends. These materials are all similar in that they’re highly breathable and stay warm even if they get wet. Keeping your hands warm and dry in the winter can be a real challenge. When you’re touring uphill or skiing aggressively downhill, your hands might be so toasty they start sweating. The moment you stop moving, that moisture will freeze and leave you with painfully cold fingers. The different materials available for liner gloves offer varying levels of insulation. Some liners are ultra-thin, while others approach almost a stand-alone glove when it comes to insulating properties. Be sure to select your glove liners in concert with your exterior glove, as you’ll want them to work together to provide sufficient warmth without causing your hands to overheat or sweat.

Merino wool glove liner on the left (Smartwool 150), synthetic on the right (OR Versaliner). Breathability Little features in your glove liners can make a big difference when it’s freezing outside and you don’t want to take your hand out of your liner, even for a second. The answer depends upon your usage. We like to use a merino wool liner on really cold adventures where we know it’s going to be cold all day. And we love our Under Armour glove liners for times we know those outer gloves are going to be going on and off. Most people shy away from the silk glove liners unless they love the texture because they aren’t as durable as merino wool or synthetics. Let’s get real, glove liners are not that expensive so consider getting more than one pair and be ready for warm hands no matter what the situation.The best glove liners are dexterous enough for you to operate a camera and other electronic equipment. If you need dexterity, we recommend choosing a glove liner with spandex or elastane which provides the most dexterity. The fit of your glove liners is a critical consideration, just as it is for traditional gloves. First, you’ll want to ensure that the glove construction works for your hands, and doesn’t include seams or spots that cause rubbing or internal friction. Cuff length also varies between gloves with some gloves extending over the wrist and onto the forearm. A longer cuff helps secure the glove on your hand, but not everyone likes the feeling of a long glove. Seams are another factor to consider. Look closely at the stitching to make sure they won't rub against a trekking pole or chafe your hands while climbing. I have cold hands, so I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about glove liners. In fact, I usually carry at least two pairs of liners with me anytime I head out skiing, and even more if I know I’m going to be climbing snow in the springtime.

Anti-Slip Palms should be considered if you think you’ll often use your liner gloves without your regular gloves for activities like skiing where a tight grip on your poles is essential. This is achieved by adding small nubbing or a patch to the palm of the glove. For other activities that don’t require that level of snug grip, it becomes a personal preference. Some people find the anti-slip feature uncomfortable rubbing against their regular gloves. And that’s all the more reason to have more than one pair of glove liners that match up to your planned activities.

How To Choose Glove Liners For Skiing

Synthetic gloves are a great choice when you don't need the warmth of wool but want something more rugged than silk. Artificial materials are breathable and fast drying like wool, but, unlike silk, they can take a beating. Some synthetic gloves are thin for dexterity, while others have a brushed fleece lining for added warmth. My favorite glove liners use a blend of merino wool and polyester. The wool is extremely breathable and odor-resistant, while the polyester helps the liners dry out faster if they get snow on them. Merino wool on its own is also great, but it tends to stay wet for much longer. Insulation However, waterproof liners won’t necessarily do you much good in the winter, when the snow is colder and drier. Most downhill skiers would also be better off with waterproof ski gloves and a non-waterproof pair of liners. Features Comfort is dependent on the material a glove liner is made from. We find merino wool and silk to be the most comfortable. For the best fit, we love merino wool with a little bit of synthetic blended-in to allow stretching as you move your hands. The most comfortable synthetic gloves have a thin fleece lining to give a soft feel while wearing. Later in this article, we’ll provide a full breakdown of the pros and cons of each material.

And if you are like many of us who love to take pictures and videos of our outdoor adventures, thermal glove liners are perfect. Some of the best glove liners are designed to be used with electronics, so you can get your shots or send your texts without fully exposing your fingers to the frigid air. Just slip your outer gloves off and your have a protective layer on your hands while using your phone or camera. CONS:Silk is more fragile than other fabrics and doesn’t work well as a stand alone glove, only as a glove liner. Don’t Forget your Head and FeetBest use of silk glove liners: Silk glove liners work amazingly in cold weather when combined with a sturdy outer glove. If you like snug exterior gloves, you’ll find silk glove liners are the perfect match. A silk liner like Browint Silk Liners for Gloves will just slide right on! Most people who use silk glove liners use them because they have sensitive skin that doesn’t like the touch of merino wool liners. For durability merino wool will win hands down over silk. Technical Synthetic Glove Liners Glove liners made from synthetics are pretty amazing glove liners. The technology varies with each liner’s fabric blend, but at a high level, they are engineered to do everything natural fabrics deliver plus improved durability and weatherproofing. From personal experience, I don’t feel that the synthetics are quite as warm as merino wool or silk. However a high-quality synthetic fabric liner comes pretty close.