Cold-weather glove liners do far more than add an extra layer between your hands and harsh winter conditions – the right liner delivers targeted thermal protection to help improve dexterity, productivity, and overall worker morale for demanding jobsite conditions. Not to mention better grip, flexibility, and control without bulkiness or hand fatigue.

Working outdoors or in cold environments is challenging enough. That’s why we created this cold-weather glove liner guide to help safety managers understand the cold-weather hand protection they need to keep workers protected, efficient, and productive through winter conditions in 2026 and beyond.

Different liners offer different functions

Insulated glove liners are designed to minimize heat loss by trapping warm air while reflecting body heat back toward the skin. But not all liners perform the same. Material type, insulation weight, and fit all play a role in how well a winter work glove system performs in real-world applications.

Fleece liner

What is a fleece liner? Fleece-lined means a glove has an extra, soft layer of fleece fabric sewn to the inside, making it much warmer and cozier by trapping air for insulation, perfect for cold weather without adding bulk.

Fleece is a good starting point as a cold-weather liner in fall, when temperatures are just starting to drop. Gloves with a fleece lining could also be sufficient for indoor workspaces that are kept at cooler temperatures.

View HexArmor® gloves with a light thermal liner >>

Waterproof liner

What is a waterproof liner? A waterproof liner is a lightweight, impermeable membrane added between an inner lining and an outer shell, designed to keep hands dry in wet, cold conditions while also offering protection from wind. Often combined with other cold-weather liners, water-resistant glove liners also add warmth and dexterity, often functioning alone in mild wet weather or as a layer under heavier gloves for superior protection.

Gloves with waterproof liners only are ideal for slightly cooler temperatures when you need more dexterity and work in an application where your hands may get wet.

The best thing to remember about waterproof liners is that dry hands maintain their heat up to 25 times better than wet hands.

View HexArmor® gloves with our H2X ®  waterproof liner >> 

Thinsulate™ liners - C40, C100, and C200

What is a Thinsulate liner? A Thinsulate liner is a synthetic fiber insulation known for being thin yet warm, creating an inner glove layer to efficiently trap body heat for added warmth in cold conditions without excessive bulk.

Depending on your activity level, each Thinsulate™ level offers breathable, moisture-resistant qualities while delivering optimum warmth without overdoing it – making them versatile for cold-temperature and winter work.

C40 Thinsualte™ is a high-activity liner designed to perform well on hands frequently in motion. This liner has about 1.5 times the warmth of down and nearly twice that of high-loft fiberfill insulation. It’s what most workers need and will use in cold weather. Normal liners can cause hands to sweat and overheat, but because of C40's thinness, this is a non-issue.

View HexArmor® gloves with a C40 Thinsulate™ liner >>

C100 Thinsulate™ is a liner designed to perform well in cold to freezing conditions where more warmth is needed, depending on the activity level on the job. The added protection does add a little bulk and reduces dexterity, so testing the glove is imperative to make sure you need that much thermal protection.

View HexArmor® gloves with a C100 Thinsulate™ liner >>

C200 Thinsulate™ is a liner ideal for sub-zero temperatures, especially in parts of Canada, North Dakota, and Alaska. Built for the rigors of industrial environments, these are the best extreme weather gloves you can find. Although they add additional bulk to the glove, they still provide durability while keeping you comfortable throughout the workday.

    View HexArmor® gloves with a C200 Thinsulate™ liner >>

Picking the right cold-weather glove

Remember, to correctly identify the type of glove and liner necessary for your environment, you need to analyze the temperatures in which you will be working, the application you’ll be performing, and the amount of activity necessary. These factors have a direct impact on what type of liner may be best for you.

Being aware of environmental factors like humidity, altitude, wind speed, and duration of exposure is crucial to staying safe when temperatures drop.

Keep in mind that your body may be different than your coworker's, and may react differently to cold temperatures. Gender, metabolism, activity level, and size can impact your resistance to the cold, so a glove that may be sufficient for your coworker may not work for you.

Also, note that wearing a tight glove can cut off circulation, particularly in the fingers - so find a glove size that offers a little more room. The more blood that flows to the fingers, the warmer you will be.

HexArmor® can help

Have questions about what cold-weather PPE may be right for you? Understanding the PPE you need for your workplace environment is imperative to any cold-weather or cold-stress safety program.

Download our cold-weather work glove solutions and see which product may be the best for you and your application, or learn more about our cold-weather technology.

Let us know if you need help or if you're ready to start a trial - our Solution Specialists are ready to work with you. Call 1.877.MY ARMOR or send us a message.

Browse all HexArmor® cold-weather hand protection