Black Diamond Lightweight Screentap Liners Review

Overview

The Lightweight Screentap Liners are Black Diamond’s thinnest glove liner, built around a stretch-fleece shell with a touchscreen-conductive palm and fingers so you don’t have to strip your gloves off every time your phone buzzes. They’re aimed at hikers, trail runners, and mountaineers who want a breathable inner layer that can double as a standalone glove on cool-but-not-cold mornings — think shoulder-season backpacking, high-alpine layering under a shell mitten, or chilly trail runs rather than sustained sub-freezing exposure.

Key Specs

| Spec | Detail | | ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------- | | Weight | 28.0 g (~1 oz) per pair | | Fabric | 218 g stretch-fleece, nylon face / polyester lining | | Touchscreen compatibility | U | R Powered conductive material on palm and fingers | | Fit | Unisex sizing | | Best use | Liner under shell gloves/mittens, or standalone in mild conditions | | Price (MSRP) | ~$34.95 |

Performance

Warmth and breathability. These are exactly what the name says: lightweight. This is a lightweight fleece, and it’s chosen because it weighs very little, not because it’s the warmest. One long-term user testing the similar Heavyweight version found they are not that warm, especially worn without a shell, since the wind blows right through them, and that pattern holds even more so for the Lightweight version — this fleece has no wind block, so on an exposed ridge it’s really a layering piece, not a standalone cold-weather glove. That tracks with feedback directly on Black Diamond’s product page, where one buyer noted they use them as liners with mittens on cold days in the mountains and stand alone gloves on those mornings when there is a slight chill in the air, and another reported they’re lightweight and thin, and fit well into mittens without bunching up. A separate long-term tester found the thin material wasn’t sufficient for prolonged exposure to temperatures below 40°F without generating a chill, though the gloves are meant to function as liners or for use in milder weather. In other words: manage your expectations. These are a 40°F-and-up standalone glove, or a liner for anything colder.

Dexterity and fit. This is where the Lightweight Screentap earns its keep. The thin stretch-fleece construction means you keep real finger dexterity — useful for fiddling with zippers, trekking pole straps, or a stove igniter. Multiple reviewers on Black Diamond’s site praised the solid warmth for lightweight gloves and great dexterity, and one mountaineer specifically called out loving the fit while using them on Cotopaxi. The snug, low-bulk fit is also what makes these good liner candidates — reviewers consistently mention they fit well into mittens without bunching up, which is exactly what you want from a liner: no bulk, no seams pressing uncomfortably under a shell.

Touchscreen function. The U|R Powered conductive palm/finger panels work as advertised. One reviewer summed it up simply: great dexterity, and they really do work well with screens. I didn’t find complaints about touchscreen reliability in the field — this seems to be a genuinely solid implementation, unlike some liner gloves where only the fingertip works and you end up mashing your phone screen three times to get a tap registered.

Durability. Data here is a bit thin for the Lightweight model specifically, but one long-term user of the Lightweight version reported after several weeks of regular use — trail runs, bike rides, and a backpacking trip — that the gloves have shown minimal signs of wear and tear, and despite frequent use and several washes, the fleece remains in good shape. That’s reassuring for a $35 fleece liner, though it’s a single data point rather than a broad consensus. Worth noting: Black Diamond’s heavier Screentap models have drawn some sharp complaints on redesigns changing palm coverage between versions, so if durability or exact palm construction is a dealbreaker, it’s worth double-checking current-year specs before buying.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Genuinely lightweight (28 g) — barely noticeable in a pack or pocket as a backup layer
• Touchscreen palm and fingers actually work well, not just a fingertip gimmick
• Low-bulk fit layers cleanly under mittens or shell gloves without bunching
• Good dexterity for camp chores, trekking poles, and gear fiddling
• Reasonable price point (~$35) for a liner glove

Cons

• Not wind-resistant — thin fleece lets wind straight through on exposed terrain
• Not warm enough as a standalone glove much below 40°F
• Best thought of as a layering piece, not a do-it-all winter glove
• Limited independent long-term durability data specifically on the Lightweight model

Who Should Buy This

These make the most sense for backpackers and thru-hikers who want a minimalist glove for cool mornings, drafty tent vestibules, or as an insulating liner tucked inside a shell mitten on alpine routes. If you’re chasing an ultralight sleep system upgrade or need something to keep your hands from going numb below freezing, look at a warmer standalone glove instead — this one’s job is to add just enough insulation and touchscreen access without adding weight, not to be your only glove in a storm.

Verdict

The Black Diamond Lightweight Screentap Liners do exactly what a liner glove should: add minimal weight, preserve dexterity, and let you use your phone without exposing bare skin to the cold. They’re not warm enough to stand alone in genuinely cold conditions, but that’s not really the point — as a 1-ounce layering piece for three-season backpacking or a liner under a heavier glove system, they’re a smart, affordable addition to a cold-weather kit. I’d rate them 7.5/10 for what they’re designed to do.