The three-layer system adapted to gloves

Heat loss, discomfort, numb fingers, reduced dexterity and decreased safety: this is the ordeal our hands go through in cold weather, and the consequences can sometimes be disastrous. To solve this problem, at Therm-ic – thanks to our long-standing expertise and capacity for innovation in body thermoregulation – we have developed a multi-layer glove system inspired by the famous 3-layer principle used in technical outdoor equipment. This simple method – the “Techno Layering System” – helps you find the right combination of gloves to keep your hands warm and dry in all cold and wet conditions.

Why do hands get cold more quickly? What is the right combination of gloves to keep your hands warm and dry all winter long? What is the “layering system” and what are its benefits?

After reading this article, you'll know everything there is to know about the multi-layer glove system! And no matter what outdoor sport you do – from mountaineering to trail running, cycling, skiing, hiking or even ski touring – you'll never have cold hands again...

‘Find the right combination of gloves to keep your hands warm and dry in all cold and wet conditions.’

WHY DO HANDS GET COLD FASTER?

To answer this question, you need to understand how thermoregulation works in your extremities. In fact, your body temperature is not uniform – at 37°C – throughout your entire body. There is the central area, which contains the vital organs necessary for your survival – including the brain, respiratory and digestive systems – and the peripheral envelope, which includes your ears, hands and feet. When it is cold, the human body naturally reduces blood flow to your extremities and invests all its energy in ensuring the survival of your vital organs (brain, heart and lungs). This is why your hands get cold more quickly.

Two other phenomena increase the sensitivity of your hands to the cold: their skin, which is very thin and rich in nerve endings; and aggravating factors such as wind, humidity and perspiration (sweaty hands), which accelerate heat conduction and therefore heat loss, as water conducts cold much better than air.

"This is why your hands get cold more quickly. "

WHAT MAKES A GOOD OUTDOOR GLOVE FOR COLD WEATHER?

No matter what sport you do, the definition of a good glove remains the same. Here are the qualities required to protect your hands from the cold, whether you're into mountaineering, trail running, cycling, hiking or ski touring:

1. A perfect fit, to ensure maximum dexterity and precision.
2. Impeccable waterproofing combined with maximum breathability. A waterproof glove blocks water from the outside, while a breathable glove wicks away moisture from the inside. A good glove must combine both.
3. High insulation, so that your hands are enveloped in a halo of warmth.

We're going to prove it now: to best combine all these features, you don't need a glove, you need a multi-layer glove system.

WHAT IS A MULTI-LAYER GLOVE SYSTEM? AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Should you choose thin or thick gloves in cold weather? This is a question we hear very often, and our answer is: ‘Neither. Because a single glove cannot meet all your needs. The ideal solution is to switch to a multi-layer glove system!’

What does this mean in practical terms? Our TLS (Techno Layering System) is a variation on the famous ‘three layers’ that have proven their worth in basic technical outdoor equipment. Every hiker, skier or mountaineer is familiar with this method, which consists of effectively combating the cold with a breathable base layer, an insulating mid layer and a protective, waterproof outer layer. Well, at Therm-ic, we have applied this principle to our gloves! TLS is more than just a layering system. It is a founding concept on which we base the design of all our products: rather than treating comfort, protection and insulation as separate parameters, we favour a complementary, 360° approach.

So, which gloves should you choose to keep your hands warm? The ideal solution is to combine breathable undergloves, insulated gloves and a protective shell. This solution offers true modularity, allowing you to adapt the layers to suit your activity, the intensity of your effort and the weather conditions. Thanks to our TLS (Techno Layering System), you can better adjust the insulation to the outside temperature and better wick away perspiration, while remaining protected from the wind, rain and snow.

‘No single glove can meet all your needs. The ideal solution is to switch to a multi-layer glove system, combining breathable undergloves, insulating gloves and a protective shell.’