REI Fleece Gloves Assessment | CleverHiker

Bottom Line

The REI Fleece Glove (men’s / women’s) is a standout amongst our best winter gloves for its breathability and versatility for winter sports and activities. Its mid-weight fleece insulation provides enough warmth for moderately cold temperatures and is perfect for aerobic outings. We loved backcountry ice skating, cross-country skiing, and winter hiking in this glove in temperatures in the twenties.

While not waterproof, the REI Fleece is excellent for outings where you need to prioritize breathability over weather resistance. The fleece can withhold light snow and ice, but quickly becomes wetted through in rain. We used these most on active outings where we were not planning to be in inclement weather or having our hands in the snow often.

At an attainable price point, the REI Fleece is a great option for those new to winter outings, or for someone who needs a casual insulating layer to keep in their glove box. Its simple yet well-thought-out design is dextrous and comfortable for all-day use, and we love the touchscreen pads for their durability and ease of use.

How We Tested

Out in Alaska’s front range, our resident CleverHiker gear guru, Miles Knotek, put the Smartwool Liner through its paces in controlled lab tests and on the trails. He dunked these fleece gloves underwater for four solid minutes to see how long they’d keep moisture at bay. But the real proving ground was taking these gloves on adventures in variable winter conditions.

Comfort & Dexterity

We loved the REI Fleece glove’s combination of warmth and flexibility. We often grabbed them during shoulder seasons when we weren’t sure if the temperatures were going to zap our fingers of their natural warmth. 

Crafted from soft, midweight fleece, the fabric feels plush against the skin, enhancing comfort during extended wear. 

A snug, ergonomic design provides a close fit, so we didn’t feel much reduction in our ability to use our digits. We used these gloves to grip trekking poles, adjust zippers, and use touchscreens and they never felt overly bulky or cumbersome. Reinforced palm patches add durability and improve grip. Overall, these are a pair worth packing on most outings.

The gloves also feature stretchy cuffs, which seal out drafts while ensuring easy on-and-off wear. Lightweight and compact, they fit seamlessly into your pack when not in use. With their balance of comfort, warmth, and mobility, the REI fleece gloves are a reliable choice for anyone who values practicality and performance.

Warmth

The Polartec fleece material provides excellent thermal insulation while remaining breathable, preventing overheating during activity. We found that these gloves work best down to twenty degrees. They excel as a cooler weather glove to wear during aerobic activity.

While not designed for extreme cold, these gloves work well on their own for everyday use or as liners beneath heavier gloves in colder temperatures. They also are a great option for a three-season glove for cooler spring or fall days. 

Lightweight and portable, they are easy to throw in a pack as a lighter option or emergency layer.

Moisture Control

The REI fleece gloves have excellent breathability, making them ideal for active pursuits in cooler weather. The midweight fleece allows air to circulate, preventing hands from feeling overly warm or clammy during exertion. 

The Polartec fabric wicks sweat away from the skin and allows moisture to evaporate rapidly. As you probably know, gear that gets warm and wet quickly becomes cold and frozen during winter activities, so it’s nice that these will dry while you’re wearing them if you do get sweaty.

Weather Resistance

The REI fleece gloves are not the ones to take out for long outings in the rain or snow. The fleece material repels light moisture, such as drizzle or frost, and keeps our hands dry in mildly damp weather. 

However, they are not fully waterproof and will absorb water quickly in heavy rain or snow. On a day spent backcountry ice skating in Alaska, the fleece material attracted frost and snow to the outer fibers. While this did not immediately cause the gloves to wet through, they eventually did when body warmth caused the ice to melt. During our immersion test, they wetted through immediately.

These gloves perform best in mild weather or as a liner under more robust gloves for harsher conditions. Lightweight and versatile, they adapt well to various activities without sacrificing comfort. While they won’t replace heavy-duty gear for extreme weather, the REI fleece gloves provide reliable protection against everyday elements.

Durability

The REI Fleece Gloves are moderately durable. They are strong enough for everyday wear and outdoor activities but are not our first choice for working in or for activities with heavy contact with vegetation or rocks. The Polartec fleece has resisted piling but shows signs of matting and packing out in the fingers. 

Reinforced synthetic suede palm patches enhance strength in high-contact areas, preventing premature fraying or tearing. The debossed leather pull tabs on the cuff are a great feature for hassle-free pull-on/off and add an element of durability to the gloves. 

While not designed for heavy-duty use, these gloves handle regular wear and light abuse effectively.

Should You Buy the REI Fleece Gloves?

We think everyone should have a packable, lightweight glove like the REI Fleece Gloves. They’ll be the “just in case” pair to keep your hands warm during cool weather stints, whether on a trail or running around town. 

Their high level of breathability makes them an excellent choice for high-output winter activities like running or cross-country skiing. While they lack any kind of resistance to rain and wet weather, they are most suited for dry winter environments. 

Their midweight Polartec fleece is warm for moderately cold temperatures down to about twenty degrees. Reasonably priced and lightweight, the REI Fleece Gloves are a great one to throw in the bottom of your pack or your glove box as a backpack-up pair of gloves that will excel in a variety of conditions and settings.

What Other Winter Gloves Should You Consider?

Check out our full guide to winter gloves.

Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Review: With a similar construction and feel to the Fleece, the Flurry is another great mid-weight option.

Smartwool Liner Review: A true liner, the Smartwool offers lightweight warmth for under shells or as a stand-alone layer on mild days.

REI Guide Insulated Review: If you’re looking for a slightly warmer glove with the performance of leather, the Guide is a great option while remaining affordable.