Last updated on : January 17th, 2023 at 01:40 pm
OZERO, Smartwool, Achiou, SANKUU, and SANTINIOR are my favorites for the best thin gloves for the 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 do you even consider it?” You are right! However, Ozero is the warmest pair of pretty thin gloves. No one can compare with that. All thin gloves are acceptable for 30 minutes or even for one hour up to 10-15F but not below 10-15F.
I also added one more product. Quanta Vici smart heated gloves – the thinnest heated gloves on the market today. I love them! Sometimes, I even use them in the office because they are very thin, sensitive, and stylish and can keep the warmth for up to 50 hours (at the low heat level).
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 in handy for my spouse and me.
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 there was a secondary cuff to keep the snow out when I’m shoveling snow in my yard. Also, I wouldn’t say I like the strong smell that comes off the gloves the first time I opened the package. Make sure that you wash it well before wearing it.
Despite these minor niggles, OZERO works well on extreme cold. These thin gloves have thermal polar fleece paired with 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. Kindly read here the best kayaking gloves.
Moreover, these thin gloves have elastic wrist cuffs with the right cinch to keep the wind out. It’s also incredibly waterproof for the wettest 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 them 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 in 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, they can only protect my hands against mild winter temperatures. Also, I noticed that the fingers of these gloves are incredibly long. And to keep the gloves intact, you should avoid Velcro from getting into them because it will snag so severely.
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 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 the rubbery material on the pads is less greasy. Also, it doesn’t hold up well at temperatures under 20F, which is reasonable for its thin construction. Additionally, I recommend sizing up for those with larger hands 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. These thin gloves are very useful whether you’re traveling, working, driving, or shoveling snow.
Aside from that, the palm area of these gloves has a non-slip triangular silicone design. It’s an excellent addition since I can use it as a liner for snowmobile gloves. These thin gloves also work well in windy conditions with extended cuffs. 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 recommend the SANKUU Leather Winter Gloves. Although thin, these gloves are a champ in warmth and water resistance. I use them as running gloves for extreme cold weather since it traps body heat well. My son loves it so much that he asked me to buy him a smaller pair. Please read my article about running gloves.
But before I discuss the features of these gloves, let me mention some disadvantages. First, its size is smaller than usual, and I have to get a size up for a proper fit. Aside from that, I wish it could last for more than a year of regular use. Aside from using it like gloves for extreme cold, I also utilize this pair for events. Also, the shape of the fingertips is a bit weird, but it fits well anyway, so I don’t think that it’s a significant issue.
I love these thin gloves most because of their 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 their inner fleece lining. In addition, 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 in wet conditions. Avoid dry cleaning or exposing it to high temperatures to keep the leather intact. Another thing that I like about these thin gloves is their 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. You can get this pair for just a low price 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. In addition, this design is an excellent option if you need to check and use your phone. Finally, I wear this as a liner for my thicker gloves for colder days.
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 loose threads all over, which I have to cut carefully to prevent pulling. Also, I wish the cuffs are less tight, so it’s easier to put on and off.
Despite these issues, SATINIOR still has room on my glove collection. It’s thin and beneficial when I use my phone because I no longer have to take it off. Although it can’t protect fully from the extreme cold, I still love the acrylic material that feels soft and stretchy. The cuffs are thick, 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 that I’ll get two pairs for a meager price. Despite the low cost, these gloves last long and are 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. So 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 today (please use a special promo code WKG30 at checkout to get a special 30% discount for Weknowgloves readers)! Adrien Beyk in Canada designed quanta Vici smart heated gloves. I purchased them last spring for my husband and me. We enjoy them, and I noticed people use them to drive, perform many outdoor activities, use computers, and even play the piano and guitar! We use them even for outdoor shooting and hunting because of their outstanding sensitivity and warmth. So these gloves have outstanding sensitivity and provide excellent comfort and warmth for up to 6.5 hours at high heat and up to 50 hours at the lowest heating level.
You can use them for anything. They are 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 they 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.
Buying Guide for Thin Gloves in Extreme Cold
Check the material. The most important consideration in choosing thin gloves for winter is their material. It would help if you looked for lightweight yet warm fabric that will trap body heat. 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 suitable for milder temperatures since the fingertips are exposed.
Proper insulation. The winter weather can be pretty harsh, so I recommend getting 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
What are the thinnest warmest gloves?
The thinnest and warmest gloves you can find in the market are Smartwool and Achiou. These gloves have a thin yet warm material that protects against cold temperatures.
What are the warmest gloves you can buy?
The best gloves for cold hands are OZERO. It’s made with very warm insulation and Deerskin suede that traps body heat well. In addition, it’s made to withstand extreme cold during the winter season.
What are the warmest waterproof gloves?
One of the warmest and most waterproof gloves is 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.
What gloves are warmest in the winter?
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 in freezing 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.