The 7 Best Thin Winter Gloves That Are Actually Warm

While thick gloves can be cozy, their bulkiness can inhibit the use of your fingers and hands. The best thin winter gloves are lightweight enough to allow for plenty of dexterity, yet still warm enough for low temperatures. That's why many gloves have both an outer shell and a lining for warmth. The outer shell of thin winter gloves can be made from a variety of materials, each with its own distinct benefits. Wool is the coziest and warmest option, acrylic feels similar to wool but is cheaper, nylon is super strong and durable, and polyester is breathable and moisture-wicking — a good option for outdoor recreation. In many cases, these materials are mixed with spandex, which make them stretchy and fitted. Whatever the exterior is made from, if you care about warmth, look for gloves with a cozy fleece or wool lining.

Many thin gloves boast extra features that may be of interest. Some pairs have tech-friendly fingers, which allow you to use your devices without having to take them off. If you might wear the gloves while you drive or carry wet, heavy items like sports equipment, be on the lookout for anti-slip palms and fingers. And if there’s any chance your gloves will get wet or damp, select a pair that’s water repellent — or better yet, waterproof — for full protection against the elements.

Most gloves are not one size fits all, so pay attention to the manufacturer’s sizing guide to get a sense for which pair will fit your hands best. You’ll also want to take note of how the gloves should be cared for before you commit to a purchase, since some are hand-wash only.

Searching for gloves can be seriously overwhelming, so to make it easier for you, I scoured Amazon and read tons of reviews to determine the best thin winter gloves. These gloves aren’t bulky, and will keep your fingers and hands warm.

1. A Fan-Favorite Pair Of Thin Gloves

With an $8 price tag, you may be worried that these thin gloves from TRENDOUX couldn't possibly be warm enough for cold weather. But luckily, that couldn’t be further from the truth; the gloves are made from a mix of acrylic and spandex, so they’re wool-like and cozy with a little bit of stretch both inside and out. And Amazon reviewers? Well, they're wild abut this pick, hence the solid 4.3-star rating overall they give it on the site.

The gloves feature a thick elastic wristband that hugs your skin, keeping snow and wind out. Touch-screen fingers mean you can still use your devices while wearing this pick, and silicone on the palms gives you better grip. Choose from a bunch of neutral color options.

The only downsides to this pick? Hand washing is recommended in order to keep the gloves in top shape, plus they aren't water resistant.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "The gloves are very warm, probably the warmest touch screen gloves I have ever worn. They are not very thick. The slim design keeps the warmth and comfort in but allows for a stylish look. The small grippers on the palms (similar to hospital socks) keep your device secure. Also allows for great control of the steering wheel. Very happy with my purchase!”

• Available sizes: Medium, Large, and X-Large

2. A Pair Of Stretchy Gloves That Are Water Repellent

These thin gloves from isotoner are the ultimate combination of functional and stylish. The gloves are made from nylon and spandex for both strength and stretch. The outer shell is also water repellent — a big deal when snow and sleet are in the forecast. The lining of the gloves is made entirely from fleece, which means they'll feel supremely soft, cozy, and warm on your hands. And since the gloves are on the thinner side, you’ll retain plenty of dexterity while wearing them. Palm strips provide grip, and tech-friendly fingertips mean you won’t have to remove them in order to control your devices.

The gloves feature a chevron design that’s subtle, but stylish. Choose from a handful of colors and a few patterns — though it's worth noting that not all of which are water repellant. This pick is machine washable.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "Years ago I had gloves similar to these and wore them out. I couldn't ever find another pair that fit me as well or kept my hands warm. These ones definitely do! I don't feel like they are constricting too much and cutting off my circulation, or too thin to keep my hands warm. I don't like thick chunky gloves that don't leave me with much dexterity in the winter. These are perfect.”

• Available sizes: Small/Medium and Large/X-Large

3. A Pair Of Warm Cable Knit Gloves Made From Wool

With winter comes chilly temperatures, but luckily, these thin gloves from Bruceriver will keep you warm and still allow you to have full control over your fingers and hands. The outer shell of the gloves is made from 100% wool — aka one of the absolute warmest materials available — and the interior features 40 grams of Thinsulate insulation and a fleece lining that’s super cozy. An elastic knit cuff keeps snow and wind out, while tech-friendly fingertips allow you to still access your phone or other devices while still wearing this pick.

One thing to note is that these gloves don’t have any sort of grip on the palms or fingers, so you may find them a bit slippery if you need to carry things when you wear them. They also aren't treated for water resistance.

Choose from seven color options including red, grey, green, and black. The gloves are hand-wash only.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "These gloves are exactly what I wanted. I walk our dog in every season, and in winter I need something WARM! I ordered both a size medium and a size large; I’m wearing the medium and my husband, the large. Great gloves at a reasonable price!”

• Available sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large

4. A Pair Of Breathable & Moisture-Wicking Gloves

For outdoor adventuring, these gloves from Aegend are your best bet. The gloves are made from a combination of polyester and spandex (with a polyester fleece lining, too), so they’re breathable, moisture-wicking, and stretchy, albeit not water-resistant. Anti-slip silicone on the palms provides grip, which is ideal for holding ski poles, riding a bike, or simply just driving a car. And tech-friendly fingertips mean you can operate your devices without having to take your gloves on and off.

This pick is machine washable, and available in six different colors. Since the gloves are so thin, they’d also make great liner gloves to wear under bulkier ski mittens or half-finger biking gloves.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "Took me a while to find what I wanted for "glover liners" - thinner gloves I could wear under my big ones, that I could use with my phone while keeping my hands protected from frigid temps. I've tried a lot of terrible ones and finally these work. They keep my hands warm enough I can take my big gloves off to use my phone briefly without having to expose my skin to the cold. Used them up in the NM mountains at single digit temps several times now and they're still holding up.”

• Available sizes: Small, Medium, and Large

5. A Pair Of Waterproof Gloves

If you’re in need of a fully waterproof pair of gloves, this pick from Unigear will certainly deliver. The gloves feature leather, inner layers of TPU material, and a membrane, all of which combine to ensure that your hands stay dry in wet and snowy conditions. The velvet lining is a game changer when it comes to warmth and softness, and tech-friendly fingers are always a plus, allowing you to control your devices with ease.

These gloves are available in five sizes, and they have a zipper — a unique feature for gloves — so you can adjust them as needed for a perfect fit.

While these gloves aren’t the thinnest option on this list, the additional layers of fabric are a must to ensure they're actually waterproof. Plus, they’re much thinner than most other waterproof gloves available on Amazon. Plus, this pick is machine washable.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: "Absolutely love these gloves. They are very sleek and comfortable. Not big and bulky. The size chart is accurate, they fit perfectly. They are fleece lined, so they are very warm. Perfect for winter! And with touch screen capability what more do you need?!”

• Available sizes: 5 — 11

6. Editor’s Pick: A Pair Of Luxe Gloves That Are Also Tech-Friendly

If you’re looking for a pair of leather gloves that aren’t bulky, these are an excellent choice. The shell is made from 100% leather that comes in four richly-hued colors, and the lining is made from super soft cashmere wool that will keep your hands warm, no matter how cold it gets. The index fingers and thumbs have tech-friendly tips that are designed to match the rest of the glove, so you can use your devices in the cold and still look stylish.

These gloves come in five sizes, and the brand notes that they’re designed to have a snug fit, which is one of the reasons why they don’t add too much bulk to your hands. They hit a little below the wrist, and are the perfect blend of practicality and elegance.

Editor’s note: “I bought these gloves a few years ago and they still look brand-new, despite almost daily wear in the winter. I was looking for a pair of thin leather gloves with a super warm lining, and these are it! I love that the tech tips are color-matched with the rest of the exterior, so I can actually use my phone when it’s cold outside. I love these gloves so much, I’ve even gifted them to friends.” — Carina Finn

• Available sizes: Small — X-Large

7. Some Hi-Vis Gloves That Are Perfect For Running

If you run or bike in cold weather, you’ll want to grab a pair of these lightweight gloves, which were designed with runners in mind. The outer shells are made from durable polyester with a bit of spandex for added stretch, while the interior lining is made from soft, warm 240 GSM fleece. They feature silicone grips on the palms, and touchscreen tips on the thumbs and index fingers, so you can use your devices without exposing your skin to the elements. They come in two high-visibility colors as well as well as black and heather gray, and the sizing is ambidextrous and unisex.

Enthusiastic Amazon review: “Love these gloves for morning runs. Nice material, not bulky at all, and very responsive for touchscreen when using my phone. They're on the lighter side but I've been using them in about 40 degree weather and I'm very satisfied.”

• Available sizes: Small — Large