Suede gloves are very durable, which makes them popular for work, but how do they compare to other types of winter gloves? Are suede glove warm enough for the coldest winter weather?
Suede gloves on their own don’t provide quite as much warmth as other types of gloves. However, many companies will add insulation to suede gloves to make the gloves capable of withstanding more extreme temperatures. In most cases, synthetic insulation (like 3M Thinsulate) is used to insulate suede gloves.
It’s also worth noting that suede gloves are not waterproof and won’t be great for wet conditions. Suede waterproofing spray can be added to suede gloves which will increase the amount of water protection the gloves offer (but they still won’t be completely waterproof).
The main takeaway is if you prefer suede gloves, and need protection from extreme temperatures, make sure you choose a pair of suede gloves that have added insulation for increased warmth.
In this article let’s take a closer look at the warmth of suede gloves. We will also discuss what other types of gloves offer more warmth than suede.
How Warm are Suede Gloves?
The warmth of suede gloves is dependent on many things, but in general, suede gloves on their own provide only moderate warmth. They won’t be able to handle the coldest conditions.
As we discussed above, many companies will add insulation to suede gloves to help improve the warmth. Synthetic insulation (like 3M Thinsulate or PrimaLoft) is the most common type of insulation used. Suede gloves that have synthetic insulation can handle much colder conditions.
Other types of material, like wool, fleece, or cotton, may also be used to line suede gloves.
Are Suede Gloves Breathable?
Warmth is a good thing until you are soaking in sweat. No one likes work gloves that trap in all body vapor and make our hands slippery and clammy. How breathable are suede gloves?
Because suede is a natural, high-quality type of leather made from the innermost layer of animal hide, it is porous. This means suede is quite breathable compared to other types of material. Sweaty hands shouldn’t be a major problem with suede gloves.
Are Suede Gloves Waterproof?
Suede gloves are not waterproof. Again, suede is a type of leather made from animal skin, and because of that, it is porous. If suede gloves are exposed to significant amounts of water, they will become soaked.
In fact, suede may get ruined if it gets wet and then dries without proper treatment. The color can fade, and the texture of your suede gloves may become brittle if this happens.
Helpful Tip – You can apply suede waterproofing spray to your gloves to help improve protection. However, don’t expect you suede gloves to be completely waterproof even with this type of spray added.
In order to prevent damage when your suede gloves get wet, use a microfiber towel to absorb as much water as you can. For faster drying, you may use a hairdryer on low heat.
Pros and Cons of Suede Gloves
Advantages of Suede Gloves for Winter
- Suede is very durable and withstands wear and tear. With proper care, your suede gloves can last many seasons.
- It’s light and comfortable to wear. Natural suede is porous, so your skin can breathe inside the gloves. It’s also easy to move your hands in suede gloves.
- Soft and smooth. Suede is smooth and velvety to the touch, making it a good material for clothing.
Disadvantages of Suede Gloves for Winter
- It’s not waterproof. Natural suede is, unfortunately, not waterproof. It easily absorbs water and does not dry quickly. That’s why suede is better to wear when precipitation is low.
- It’s less durable than leather, and in some cases, not as warm as leather gloves.
- It needs meticulous care. Suede gloves cannot be cleaned using the usual hand washing or machine washing. They also can’t be just wiped down the way you can sometimes do with leather. To keep suede gloves for a long time, they’ll need regular cleaning using a suede detergent.
What Types of Gloves Are Warmer Than Suede Gloves?
Wool
Wool gloves are made of natural fibers obtained from the fur of animals. There are different types of wool on the market, and warmth can vary.
Some types of wool fibers are soft to touch, while others feel itchy. However, manufacturers can add other natural and synthetic fibers to improve the qualities of the wool, making wool gloves more comfortable to wear or softer.
For example, silk fibers are added to wool fibers to make them smoother and softer, while synthetic fibers can increase the waterproof properties of wool and make it more durable.
Wool itself is naturally water-resistant and very good at insulating even when damp. Wool is also good at wicking away sweat while keeping heat trapped. There are several types of wool gloves on the market today.
- Angora wool is fluffy, cozy, and highly delicate. This is why it’s often mixed with other types of natural and synthetic fibers to increase its durability.
- Alpaca wool is durable, lightweight, warm, and comfortable to wear. It’s one of the most widely used types of wool and is popularly used to make winter gloves.
- Merino wool is rather soft and feels comfortable to wear. In addition, it provides good dexterity and grip in extreme weather. It is also less bulky than regular wool.
Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex is a synthetic fabric made of polytetrafluoroethylene. It’s lightweight, waterproof, well-insulated, and comfortable to wear.
The material is quite thin compared to the warmth it provides, so Gore-Tex gloves provide amazing dexterity in all weather conditions. Also, unlike suede, Gore-Tex doesn’t get affected by being exposed to different temperatures or getting submerged in water.
Suede gloves, however, are much more durable.
Fleece
Fleece is an artificial fabric made of polyester. It’s light, soft, easy to wash, and comes in different colors.
Polyester fleece gloves are usually water-resistant and almost waterproof, so they can be a good alternative to wool and suede gloves. However, polar fleece doesn’t tolerate high temperatures and is prone to pilling.
Synthetic Insulation
We discussed 3M Thinsulate a bit earlier in the article. 3M Thinsulate is not a glove shell material – it is synthetic insulation that is very good at trapping heat while also being non-bulky.
The point is, many types of glove materials can be used in combination with 3M Thinsulate. Yes, you can find warm suede gloves that have 3M Thinsulate, but you can also find wool and fleece gloves that use 3M Thinsulate.
If you are shopping for warm winter gloves, and want to explore options, searching for gloves that use 3M Thinsulate as insulation is a good idea.