OZERO, Smartwool, Achiou, SANKUU, and SANTINIOR are my favorites when it comes to the best thin gloves for extreme cold up to -20. These pairs are thin, but they offer excellent warmth and dexterity so I can work outdoors without worrying about the temperature.
OZERO is my go-to winter gloves here in Calgary because of its excellent material that can take the beating of wear and tear. I always keep a pair of these toasty gloves before the winter comes. You will probably ask me “Jack, Ozero is not thin! Why you even consider it?” You are absolutely right! However, Ozero is the warmest pair of pretty thin gloves, no one can compare with that. All really thin gloves are fine for 30 minutes or even for one hour up to 10-15F but not below 10-15F.
I also added one more product, it’s Quanta Vici smart heated gloves. I would love to say that’s the best and the thinnest pair of gloves. However, you can just make a pre-order and that’s a reason why I put them in the last place. And when they are available on the market – they would definitely be the best pick.
Table of Contents
1. OZERO Winter Thin Gloves
If you’re looking for the best thin gloves for extreme cold -20c, I highly recommend OZERO. This is a well-insulated pair that remains thin for excellent dexterity. I also like that it suits both men and women, which comes handy for me and my spouse.
Although this is my favorite, I noticed some downsides to these thin gloves. First of all, it’s way too big, especially for women. I also wish that there’s a secondary cuff to keep the snow out when I’m shoveling snow in my yard. I also dislike the strong smell that comes off the gloves the first time I opened the package. Make sure that you wash it well before wearing.
Despite these minor niggles, OZERO works well on extreme cold. These thin gloves have thermal polar fleece paired with a cotton lining insulation. There’s also a thermal TR cotton for added warmth. I also like the deerskin suede leather as the external shell. And with the HEATLOK thermal layer, these gloves protect my hands against intense temperatures.
Moreover, these thin gloves have elastic wrist cuffs with the right cinch to keep the wind out. It’s also incredibly waterproof for the most wet and cold conditions. This keeps my hands toasty even when the temperatures plummet at -20F. If you’re not happy with these gloves for extreme cold, you can send it back for a full refund.
Overall, I’m impressed by the OZERO thin gloves. It offers value for money for extremely cold temperatures. It’s made of premium materials, which is a big plus. Although it has some minor issues, it’s a small problem that I can live with.
2. Smartwool Merino Thin Gloves
If you’re not living in the frozen tundra, the Smartwool Merino Gloves would be enough to shield your hands from the extreme cold. It has a warm lining that’s thin enough to wear as an under-layer for thicker gloves. I have this pair on my closet and I use it for gentler winter days. My kids love it too!
However, Smartwool isn’t the ideal gloves for below-freezing temperatures. Since these are super thin gloves, it can only protect my hands against mild winter temperatures. Also, I noticed that the fingers of these gloves are extremely long. And to keep the gloves intact, you should avoid Velcro from getting into it because it will snag so badly.
Nevertheless, Smartwool has some good features as a pair of thin gloves. It may not be the top option for extreme cold, but it’s a champ in comfort. It comes with a warm Merino Sport Wool lining that traps body heat within the palms. I usually use these as hiking and snowboarding gloves when the temperature is still bearable.
Aside from that, these thin gloves have a nice stretch since it’s made from a blend of Merino wool, nylon, acrylic, and a small amount of elastane. The thumb and index fingers are reinforced with added polyester and added fibers. Just make sure that you don’t tumble dry or use bleach in washing this pair to make it last longer.
In conclusion, the Smartwool Merino Gloves are ideal for mild to moderate winter temperatures. As thin gloves, it provides ample warmth even if it’s not the best choice for extreme cold. If you’re looking for low-profile winter gloves, you’ll never go wrong with Smartwool.
3. Achiou Winter Knit Thin Gloves
If you’re on a budget and looking for the best thin gloves, I recommend this pair from Achiou. It’s soft and comfortable to wear for the whole day. I actually use this as a typing glove during winter because it’s thin enough for excellent dexterity without sacrificing warmth.
Despite the good features of these thin gloves, I wish that that the rubbery material on the pads are less greasy. Also, it doesn’t hold up well on temperatures under 20F, which is reasonable for its thin construction. For those with larger hands, I recommend sizing up because these gloves run small. Lastly, the touchscreen function doesn’t work on all devices.
Looking on the positive side of these thin gloves, I love the dexterity that allows me to type and write comfortably. Its knitted material also lasts longer with proper care. The fingertips are reinforced as well to prevent snagging and ripping. Regardless if you’re traveling, working, driving, or shoveling snow, these thin gloves are very useful.
Aside from that, the palm area of these gloves has a non-slip triangular silicone design. It’s a nice addition since I can also use it as a liner for snowmobile gloves. With the extended cuffs, these thin gloves also work well on windy conditions. For its low price, there’s nothing else I would ask for.
The Achiou Thin Gloves offer comfort and warmth. Even if it can’t hold up on the extreme cold, I still swear by it for milder conditions. It’s a convenient pair that fits both men and women. The best part is it comes in different colors to match your outfit and style.
4. SANKUU Winter Thin Gloves
If you want to spend the winter in style, I highly recommend the SANKUU Leather Winter Gloves. Although thin, these gloves are a champ in warmth and water resistance. I use it as running gloves for extreme cold weather since it traps body heat well. My son loves it so much, too, that he asked me to buy him a smaller pair.
But before I discuss the features of these gloves, let me mention some disadvantages. Its size is smaller than usual and I have to get a size up for a proper fit. Aside from that, I wish that it can last for more than a year of regular use. Aside from using it as gloves for extreme cold, I also utilize this pair for events. Also, the shape of the fingertips are a bit weird but it fits well anyway so I don’t think that it’s a major issue.
What I love the most about these thin gloves is its stylish PU leather. It’s made of faux leather that looks good for almost all uses. Beyond aesthetics, these gloves can hold up on the extreme cold, thanks to its inner fleece lining. It feels soft and comfortable to the skin, which is a big plus for me who gets rashes easily.
The outer leather shell is water-resistant and works well on wet conditions. Just avoid dry cleaning or exposing it to high temperatures to keep the leather intact. Another thing that I like about these thin gloves is its wrist cinch that keeps the gloves intact even if I’m busy with tasks.
Overall, the SANKUU Thin Leather Gloves offer both style and comfort. For just a low price, you can get this pair to keep you warm. It’s not a perfect glove, but I still love its overall quality. It’s also a great gift item for friends and family.
5. SATINIOR Half Finger Thin Gloves
For milder temperatures, I love wearing the SATINIOR Half Finger Gloves. Although my fingertips are exposed, it still offers excellent warmth. This design is a great option if you need to check and use your phone. For colder days, I wear this as a liner for my thicker gloves.
The design of SATINIOR is a double-edged sword. It’s comfy and convenient, but you have to sacrifice some level of insulation due to the open fingers. I also noticed that there are loose threads all over, which I have to cut carefully to prevent pulling. Also, I wish that the cuffs are less tight so it’s easier to put on and off.
Despite these issues, SATINIOR still has a room on my glove collection. It’s thin and very useful when I have to use my phone because I no longer have to take it off. Although it can’t protect fully on the extreme cold, I still love the acrylic material that feels soft and stretchy. The cuffs are thick, too, which feels like the gloves are hugging my wrists.
Moreover, I take this to the office as an alternative to my gloves with removable fingers. I also like the fact that I’ll get two pairs for a very low price. Despite the low cost, these gloves really last long and ideal if you’re handling cardboard boxes.
Overall, you’ll never go wrong with SATINIOR Thin Gloves. It’s comfortable and has the right warmth. You’ll also get two pairs in a single purchase, which, for me, is something you can’t beat. For milder temperatures and busy days, this is my best bet.
6. Quanta Vici Smart Heated Gloves – The Thinnest Heated Gloves
Quanta Vici is the thinnest pair of heated gloves on the market today! The only issue with it is that you will need to wait a few weeks to enjoy the true warmth, dexterity and comfort in any weather condition. This is a new product and it will be ready for shipment in March 2021. These gloves were introduced at INDIEGOGO (a Kickstart platform for new innovative products).
Quanta Vici smart heated gloves were designed by Adrien Beyk in Canada. I didn’t test this product however they have a lot of videos where people are driving, performing many outdoor activities, using computers and even playing the piano and guitar! So these gloves have outstanding sensitivity and provide great comfort and warmth for up to 6.5 hours.
You can use them for anything. They are definitely very thin and there is no alternative to them if you are looking for thin heated gloves. All other heated gloves are far from them because most of them are bulky and heavy. I made many heated gloves reviews for various activities (including heated ski gloves, heated gloves for cross-country ski, heated gloves for Raynaud’s syndrome, and even heated typing gloves) and I promise you – these are the thinnest and the warmest heated gloves.
There only two cons – waiting time (you will most likely not get to enjoy them during the winter of 2020-2021 unless you live somewhere cold like Alaska and Yukon) and lastly they are a bit pricy. The cost is almost two times higher than most common heated gloves on the market, however, if you compare them with known brands – they cost the same or even a bit less. And the seller has a discount right now due to the end of the season.
Buying Guide for Thin Gloves in Extreme Cold
Check the material. The most important consideration in choosing thin gloves for winter is its material. You should look for lightweight yet warm fabric that will trap body heat. The like of PU leather, nylon, Merino, and other fibers are ideal options.
Full finger vs. fingerless. Another consideration is whether you’ll get a full finger or fingerless glove. For extreme cold, a full finger pair is an ideal choice. Meanwhile, fingerless gloves are good choices for milder temperatures since the fingertips are exposed.
Proper insulation. The winter weather can be pretty harsh so I can recommend that you get thin gloves with enough insulation. Fleece is the most common option since it’s soft and lightweight.
Ideal size. Above all, you should get a pair of thin gloves with the proper fit. Always measure your hands against the sizing chart of each brand. For China-made gloves, I recommend sizing up since they use Asian sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the thinnest warmest gloves?
A: The thinnest and warmest gloves you can find in the market are Smartwool and Achiou. All of these gloves have a thin yet warm material that protects against cold temperatures.
Q: What are the warmest gloves you can buy?
A: The best gloves for cold hands are OZERO. It’s made with a very warm insulation as well as Deerskin suede that traps body heat really well. It’s made to withstand extreme cold during the winter season.
Q: What are the warmest waterproof gloves?
A: One of the warmest and waterproof gloves are SANKUU Leather Gloves. It’s made of PU leather that resists moisture and snow. It also has a fleece lining to keep your hands warm on extremely cold days.
Q: What gloves are warmest in the winter?
A: For winter, I swear by the OZERO Thin Gloves. It has the best insulation without being too bulky. It also has the HEATLOK Thermal Layer for added warmth on extremely cold temperatures.
Conclusion
The best thin gloves for extreme cold protect our hands from very low temperatures. But aside from the bulky pairs, you can find thinner options that offer better dexterity, comfort, and convenience. For this, I always swear by OZERO, Smartwool, Achiou, SANKUU, and SATINIOR. All these gloves offer warmth for mild to harsh winter temperatures.
