What Are Thinsulate Gloves? How the Lining Keeps Hands Warm

Thinsulate gloves are gloves lined with Thinsulate, a synthetic fiber insulation made by 3M. Its very fine fibers trap warm air in a thin layer, so the glove stays warm without much bulk. Thinsulate is only the lining. The outer shell is a separate material: Leather Collection's two Thinsulate pairs, for example, are cowhide and lambskin.

This page is part of our leather gloves and apparel guide.

Thinsulate gloves at a glance

How Thinsulate works

Thinsulate fibers are about 15 micrometres (0.00059 in) across. That is thinner than the polyester fibers usually used to insulate gloves and jackets. 3M's advertising credits the dense pack of fine fibers for the warmth. The fibers trap warm air close to the skin, so the lining can stay thin.

How warm is that? Manufacturer material, as reported in the Wikipedia Thinsulate article, puts it at about 1.5 times the warmth of down at the same thickness. Treat that as a 3M figure, not an independent test. 3M also calls the material breathable and moisture-resistant.

There is more than one kind. Besides the original grades, 3M makes flame-resistant, water-resistant, stretch and odor-resistant versions.

What 40g, 100g and 200g mean

The gram number on the label is the insulation's weight per square meter. 3M's Type C technical data sheet lists these typical values. Clo is a unit of thermal resistance: the higher it is, the warmer the layer.

Source: 3M Type C data sheet.

More grams means more warmth but a thicker lining and less finger feel. 3M gives no temperature rating for any weight. It says performance varies too much with conditions. Glove makers give rough guidance instead. HexArmor suggests C40 for active hands in most US winters, C100 for cold-to-freezing climates and C200 for sub-zero cold. If you work hard, your own heat builds up, so a lighter weight may be enough.

Are Thinsulate gloves warm when wet, and are they waterproof?

Thinsulate keeps most of its warmth when damp. Its fibers absorb less than 1% of their weight in water and dry easily. That is not the same as waterproof. Waterproof Thinsulate gloves get that from a separate waterproof, windproof membrane, not from the insulation.

On a leather glove, the shell matters too. Handling wet surfaces can stiffen any leather glove. See are cowhide gloves waterproof for the leather side.

How to wash Thinsulate gloves

Follow the glove's own care label. 3M says washing or dry-cleaning depends on the garment maker's instructions. Its machine-wash settings (warm, delicate cycle, tumble dry low) apply only to garments labeled machine-washable.

For leather gloves, the leather sets the rules. Leather Collection's care advice for its Thinsulate cowhide gloves is to wipe off dirt with a damp cloth and let them dry at room temperature, never on a heater.

Leather gloves with a Thinsulate lining

Leather on its own blocks wind but insulates little. For real cold it needs a lining. The Leather Collection men's leather gloves include two Thinsulate pairs:

• Tough Leather Gloves with Thinsulate: 0.8-0.9 mm cowhide with a 40-gram lining and a snap wrist strap
• Beige Lambskin Leather Winter Gloves: 0.8-0.9 mm lambskin with a 40-gram lining and an elastic wrist

The lining takes up a little room, so the store advises the larger size if you are between sizes.

FAQ

Is Thinsulate actually warm?

Yes, for its thickness. 3M's figures put it at about 1.5 times the warmth of down at equal thickness. How warm a glove feels depends on the gram weight.

What are Thinsulate gloves best for?

Cold days when you still need to use your fingers: commuting, winter walks and outdoor work. A thin lining keeps the glove slim enough to grip.

What are the warmest gloves for winter?

Mittens are warmer than gloves, because less surface is exposed to the cold. See gloves vs. mittens. For powered warmth, see how heated gloves work.