Smartwool Liner Gloves Review

Overview

The Smartwool Liner Gloves are a thin, knit merino-blend glove that works as a standalone layer on cool mornings or as a base under mittens when the temperature falls. At 34 g, they ride in a hip-belt pocket without being noticed, and they turn up regularly in thru-hiker kits as the “just in case” hand layer. The trade-off is the usual one for thin knits: good dexterity and breathability, but little wind protection and a construction that doesn’t love abuse.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	34 g
Body	46% acrylic, 44% merino wool, 9% polyester, 1% elastane
Thumb and fingertip	70% acrylic, 18% polyester, 10% nylon, 2% elastane
Cuff	41% acrylic, 41% merino wool, 15% polyester, 3% rubber/elastodiene
Touchscreen	Yes, thumb and index finger
Cuff style	Rib knit
Construction	Knit in Taiwan
Care	Machine wash cold, gentle cycle; dry flat; do not bleach
Typical price	About $24

Performance

Warmth. Warmth is moderate, and it’s honest for the weight. CleverHiker’s testers described the glove as providing moderate warmth while staying lightweight and breathable, and reached for it on nearly every winter outing. Owners tell a similar story: a hiker on the Appalachian Trail wore them in the 40s and damp over a two-day, 20-mile weekend and found them sufficient on their own. An AT thru-hiker who carried them for roughly the last 1,000 miles reported that they kept hands warm even when conditions were wet. Cold-sensitive users, including one reviewer with Raynaud’s, pair them with Gore-Tex mittens and describe the combination as a winner.

Dexterity. This is the glove’s strongest suit. The slim cut lets wearers handle laces, zippers and trekking-pole straps without peeling anything off. CleverHiker’s testers called the dexterity superb. For hikers who want something between bare hands and a real glove, owners say the thin knit hits the sweet spot: hands stay warm without the sweat that heavier gloves produce on a climb.

Touchscreen. The thumb and index finger use a synthetic knit-in fingertip. It works for most owners, including the AT hiker who confirmed the feature does function. The catch is fit: CleverHiker found the fingers long, which hurt touchscreen accuracy, and other owners report excess material at the fingertips when sizing up. Sizing down to a snugger fit is the common fix. Even so, expect it to be a little less precise than bare skin, and sometimes unreliable for typing.

Weather resistance. There isn’t any. The thin knit gives limited wind protection, and the gloves have no meaningful resistance to rain or snow. They wick and dry quickly, which helps, but in sustained wet weather they need a shell over them. As a liner under a waterproof mitten, they do their job well. Grip is low on slick surfaces such as wet pole handles.

Durability. This is the weak point. CleverHiker’s testers noted the material lacks durability for heavy-duty use. A buyer at Dick’s Sporting Goods reported seams coming apart after a few months of hiking and driving, along with oddly rotated little fingers that spoiled the fit. Long-time Smartwool buyers also note that the polyester added to the blend has made the current glove stiffer and a little less warm than the older all-wool liners, though perhaps more durable. Light-use hikers get several seasons. Anyone scrambling or climbing will find holes sooner.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 34 g and compact enough to forget in a pocket
• Slim cut keeps dexterity high for laces, zips and camp chores
• Merino-blend knit stays comfortable across a wide temperature range and dries quickly
• Touchscreen thumb and index finger work for most users
• Rib-knit cuff sits bulk-free under jacket sleeves
• Priced around $24

Cons

• Little wind resistance and no water resistance
• Long fingers can compromise touchscreen accuracy and fit
• Some owners report seam and fingertip wear within months
• Low grip
• Polyester and acrylic content (only about 44% merino in the body) means less warmth and stretch than older all-wool versions

Who Should Buy This

Three-season and shoulder-season backpackers who want one light hand layer for cold mornings and camp will get good value here. It also suits anyone who wants a liner for a pair of waterproof mitts on a winter trip. Hikers who need genuine wind or rain protection should look at a shell glove or fleece-and-shell system. Scramblers, climbers and pole-heavy hikers who wear through gloves quickly should consider a sturdier synthetic or leather-palm option. Those who want pure merino softness and stretch won’t find it in this blend.

Verdict

The Liner Gloves do one job well: they add useful warmth and keep your fingers nimble for 34 g and about $24. Their limits are wind, wet weather and long-term durability, so treat them as a light, replaceable layer rather than a glove you’ll keep for a decade. For most three-season hikers, that’s an easy trade.