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Are Fleece Gloves Warm?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

For many people, fleece gloves are an essential element of winter wear. Soft and comfortable, fleece gloves provide excellent protection for the hands while still allowing the fingers to move with a great deal of freedom. At the same time, the gloves help to keep the hands warm while engaging in many every day activities.

One of the reasons that fleece gloves are so warm is that the material does not allow cold air to flow through the material. Generally constructed with a blend of polyester and cotton fibers, the gloves will even retain a significant of warmth even while playing in the snow or shoveling snow from a walkway. When coupled with the fact that the gloves do not hinder the fingers from moving naturally, it is relatively easy to see why they are the winter gloves of choice for so many people.

Fleece gloves provide excellent protection in cold weather.
Fleece gloves provide excellent protection in cold weather.

There are several different types of fleece gloves on the market today. Some are designed for wear in winter climates that are relatively mild, while other designs are intended to provide comfort and protection during extremely cold weather. A good example is known as polar fleece. This type of fleece is thicker and somewhat fluffier, and is often used as lining in winter jackets. Also used as the lining for fleece mittens and gloves, polar fleece offers the ultimate protection to cold temperatures.

Standard and microfiber fleece gloves offer suitable protection in less harsh winter climates.
Standard and microfiber fleece gloves offer suitable protection in less harsh winter climates.

Standard and microfiber fleece material works better in winter climates that are less harsh. An advantage to gloves made with microfiber or standard fleece is they offer the highest level of dexterity. This makes them ideal for driving, using tools outside, or for gripping bags or boxes when shopping. Because of the weave of the fibers, fleece gloves of this type are somewhat thin in appearance, making it easy to tuck them into a jacket pocket without creating a bulge.

Fleece gloves should be worn while participating in winter activities.
Fleece gloves should be worn while participating in winter activities.

The real trick to wearing fleece gloves is to choose a design that is proper for current weather conditions. For this reason, it is not unusual for people to own a pair of fleece-lined gloves for wear when the weather is cold, but relatively dry and has little to no wind. Thicker fleece gloves will provide additional support when there is snow on the ground, or when chill winter winds are blowing.

Thin fleece gloves can be worn under traditional wool gloves for added warmth.
Thin fleece gloves can be worn under traditional wool gloves for added warmth.

It is possible to purchase just about any type of fleece glove design at a number of retail outlets. Upscale department stores are good sources of fleece gloves suited for wear to the office, while discount retails stores will carry bulkier weaves that are ideal for more casual situations. Pricing for a pair of fleece gloves will vary depending on the type of fleece used and whatever other materials are incorporated into the overall design.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

gregg1956

Can anyone give me some advice on choosing the best fleece gloves? I almost never buy gloves, but since my last pair finally gave out, I'm having to go through the whole glove-buying process.

Now, I bought my last pair of gloves in the early 1990s, so I don't know anything about all these new brands. I've looked at several websites selling mens fleece gloves, and from what I see, it looks like the Polatec fleece gloves are pretty good, but so are the Isotoner fleece gloves and the Manzella fleece gloves.

Does anyone have any reviews or advice about these gloves, or any other good ones? I'd surely appreciate the information.

Thanks.

FirstViolin

@yournamehere -- That's such a shame -- every pair of fleece gloves I've had have been super toasty. Have you ever tried the Thinsulate fleece gloves?

I have the waterproof Thinsulate fleece gloves, and they seem to work really well -- I know that they have a "windstopper" fleece gloves line as well.

But what kind of weather are you in? I only use them during the winter in North Carolina, which is cold, but not Canada cold, if you know what I'm saying.

Maybe you could go to a store that sells sports gloves; they usually have a lot of really warm fleece gloves for skiiers. But anyway, yeah, I have to disagree with you -- my fleece gloves are my winter staple!

yournamehere

I have to say I'm not the biggest fan of fleece gloves. Maybe I've just gotten bad pairs every time I buy them, but they never seem to keep my fingers warm.

I mean, the wind just goes right through them, and if you get your hands wet, well, it's worse than not wearing gloves at all.

I've tried several kinds of fleece winter gloves, including the polar fleece gloves and just your normal run of the mill black fleece gloves, but nothing has ever really worked for me.

Just some food for thought when you're next buying gloves...

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    • Fleece gloves provide excellent protection in cold weather.
      By: Igor Sokolov
      Fleece gloves provide excellent protection in cold weather.
    • Standard and microfiber fleece gloves offer suitable protection in less harsh winter climates.
      By: olya_dn
      Standard and microfiber fleece gloves offer suitable protection in less harsh winter climates.
    • Fleece gloves should be worn while participating in winter activities.
      By: Gorilla
      Fleece gloves should be worn while participating in winter activities.
    • Thin fleece gloves can be worn under traditional wool gloves for added warmth.
      By: RTimages
      Thin fleece gloves can be worn under traditional wool gloves for added warmth.