Thinsulate™ gloves are winter gloves made using 3M's trademark Thinsulate™ insulation. This product was developed in the 1978. It is a synthetic fiber that provides insulation without the bulk of traditional polyester fibers. The development of this material lead to an increase in the sales and availability of insulated leather gloves for men and woman.
Using Thinsulate™, the glove designers were able to combine elegant, simple lines with warm gloves. The leather protects the hands from wet snow, and the lining traps heat. The fibers used to create Thinsulate™ gloves are approximately 0.00059 inches (15 micrometers) thick, which is five times thinner than traditional polyester fibers.
Thinsulate™ gloves are available in a wide range of weights. The weight of the insulation is measured in grams, with 40 gram weight for cool conditions and 150 grams for extremely cold conditions. The heavier the weight, the warmer the gloves will be, as the weight is an indicator of the thickness of material per square meter. Thinsulate™ gloves can be found in any major department store in locations where winter is cold.
When you are in the store, look at Thinsulate™ gloves that are leather-covered, vinyl-covered and cloth-covered. Locate leather gloves in your size and try them on. Although Thinsulate™ is significantly less bulky than other insulation materials, it does take up space. If the glove is uncomfortable, move up by half size increments until you find glove that fits comfortably.
A great test of a gloves fit is to make a closed fist. If you are unable to close your fist properly, the gloves are too small. Ill-fitting gloves affect your finger mobility as well as the efficiency of the insulation. Gloves that are too big or too small don’t retain the heat correctly and may result in cold hands.
Vinyl gloves have the same benefits as leather gloves, but are less expensive. These types of gloves are ideal to keep in the car in case of emergency. They allow enough finger mobility to open a car door, but will keep your fingers warm while waiting for a tow truck.
Cloth covered Thinsulate™ gloves are popular for ski and snowboarders. The layers of material are very effective at keeping the warmth in. It is very important that these types of gloves have a nylon or synthetic fiber layer to keep moisture out. No insulation can keep you warm if it is wet.