REASONS TO BUY
Super compact
Touchscreen compatible
Natural fibers
Quick drying
Breathable
REASONS TO AVOID
Not windproof
Not very grippy
Prone to snag or tear
Very basic
Smartwool Merino Review
A great addition to your ski gloves, or a lightweight stand-alone option for that quick jaunt to the parking lot
Credit: Jason Wanlass
By Jason Wanlass ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ January 30, 2026
RELATED: The Best Winter Gloves
Our Verdict
There isn't much to them, but we love these little guys. The Smartwool Merino are superb liner gloves that are thin enough to slide into nearly any winter mitten or glove with ease, adding an extra layer of warmth for those super cold winter storms. Alternatively, they can serve as a standalone glove on a brisk fall day when a thicker one would make your hands sweat. The best thing about them is their Merino wool-nylon blend knit, which makes them fairly warm for their size, quick-drying, moisture-wicking, and, thanks to the nylon, slightly more durable than pure Merino options. These gloves are thin and not super warm or weatherproof on their own, but they will quickly boost the performance of any pair of winter gloves, which is why they are our favorite liner.
Our Analysis and Test Results
We like how the Samrtwool gloves slip easily into nearly any glove, adding a great extra lining of insulation. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Likes
We like the simplicity and convenience of the Smartwool Merino. They're comfortable, lightweight, and super easy to wear.
The Smartwool gloves are super thin, so checking your phone, digging in your pocket or purse for the car keys, or swiping your credit card is effortless. However, these gloves have no grip, so be careful not to drop whatever you're holding. However, the lack of grip is also what makes them a good liner; they don't have silicone patches that get caught on other fabrics, and they slide easily in and out of larger gloves.
Flexibility and dexterity are what these gloves do the very best. Credit: Jason Wanlass
When folded inside one another, these gloves are smaller than a pair of socks, and we really liked how easy it was to shove them into a pocket, a backpack, or a car door pocket. The Smartwool are so compact that they can be carried anywhere, a really nice feature when you just need something to quickly take the edge off while you walk from the parking lot or wait for a taxi.
We loved being able to shove them in a pocket when on the go. They're super compact and lightweight. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Dislikes
There isn't much that we don't like about the Smartwool Merino, if taken at face value. They're simple, wool-based gloves that work best as a liner, but could also serve as lightweight grab-and-go gloves. That said, when we compare them to other options in our lineup, they simply don't have the brawn to compete.
Most of the gloves we tested are standalone options, and when used one their own the Smartwool Merino gloves are not warm. They are super thin and offer zilch in terms of insulation. When used as a liner, however, we found that they really boost the warmth rating of any full-bodied winter gloves, because they increase each glove's ability to trap heat and block wind.
Testing our Smartwool gloves as a liner. They fit perfectly into nearly any larger glove.
The Smartwool Merino gloves are well-made, and we love the fact that they are 88% Merino wool. However, like your favorite wool sweater, these gloves need a bit of extra TLC, as the open knit can snag easily. These are definitely not aren't chore gloves, and we would not use them for anything more abrasive than grabbing a shovel handle.
The Smartwool Merino gloves lack the bulk and protective qualities of mid-weight and heavy-weight gloves. On their own, they have practically zero wind or water resistance.
Not only are they super thin, but the knitted nature of the fine wool thread leaves thousands of holes from top to bottom, making it easy for wind and water to pass through. One upside to their design is they breathe well and quickly dry. This is a nice feature for runners or hikers who are producing a lot of body-heat and sweat.
A thin knit design comes with a double-edged sword. It breathes, dries, and wicks well; but it doesn't retain much heat, block the wind, or repel water. Credit: Jason Wanlass
The Smartwool Merino gloves are light on features. One could argue that they are, in fact, a feature to be added to other gloves. But we like that they are touchscreen compatible.
We also like the small, colorful pull-on loops, that double as anchors for clipping onto gear. We don't like that these gloves don't offer a glove clip to keep them together when not in use. They are so small that we would often lose one of them, even in our own coat pockets.
Thin and compact, almost to a fault. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Should You Buy the Smartwool Merino?
It's pretty cut and dry: the Smartwool Merino can be used as a liner for your ski gloves or any other winter glove, or it can stand alone as a very basic hand covering for walks, runs, or for that grab-and-go scenario where you just need something to take the edge off the cold for a brief amount of time. They're not a hardy winter glove by any means, but if you are in the market for very lightweight, high-quality wool gloves for winter runs, or if you need a liner to increase the performance of your heavier winter mittens, these little guys are a great option at a great price.
We loved the stretch and comfortable feel of the Smartwool's soft Merino wool fabric. Credit: Jason Wanlass
What Other Winter Gloves Should You Consider?
Other lightweight options include the Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor, REI Co-op Polartec Wind Pro 2.0, and the Achiou Touch Screen Thermal. All of these options have silicone grips that make them less suitable as a liner glove, but they are slightly warmer and are great lightweight standalone options. We also really love the The North Face Etip Recycled. It's a little heavier and still super comfortable.
Simple but classic. Credit: Jason Wanlass
—Jason Wanlass
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