Every winter the same question reaches our workshop in Târgu Mureș: which glove is the warmest? The short answer is that the leather matters less than most people think. Warmth comes from what is inside the glove and from how well the cuff closes. The leather's job is to stop the wind, and every leather we use does that. Here are the three linings we work with, compared plainly.

Which lining is the warmest?

Shearling, then rabbit fur, then cashmere. In shearling the wool grows from the hide itself, so the whole glove is one insulating layer with no seam and no gap. Rabbit fur is the warmest of the sewn-in linings; cashmere is the thinnest and lightest.

What exactly is shearling?

Shearling is a sheepskin tanned with the wool left on: leather on the outside, wool on the inside, in one piece. Because nothing is sewn in, nothing can shift or bunch inside the glove. It also breathes, so a shearling glove stays comfortable when you step indoors, where a fur-lined glove can quickly feel too warm.

Our men's shearling winter gloves in cognac and dark brown are made for real cold rather than mild winters, in sizes 7.5 to 9.5. They are the warmest gloves we make.

When is rabbit fur the better choice?

When you want serious warmth but prefer the smooth face of a classic leather glove. Rabbit fur is sewn in as a lining, so the outside can be Finnish deerskin or Italian lambskin in any colour we cut.

It is thicker than cashmere, and the glove feels fuller in the hand. Our men's deerskin winter gloves with rabbit fur lining are still cut close enough to hold a steering wheel, but for long walks, cold commutes and outdoor work they are where rabbit fur earns its place.

Is cashmere warm enough for winter?

For most European winters, yes. Cashmere is lighter than fur and much slimmer, so the glove fits under a coat sleeve and keeps its feel for keys, a phone or a steering wheel.

Pair it with a closed cuff and it goes further than its thickness suggests. Our black deerskin winter gloves with strap closure and cashmere lining are the pair we point most people to first.

Does the leather make a difference to warmth?

A little, but less than the lining. Choose the leather for feel and wear, and the lining for warmth.

Our deerskin comes from Finland: soft, breathable and the hardest-wearing leather we use. Peccary, from Peru, is the softest in the hand and stays supple as the temperature drops. Lambskin and nappa, both from Italy, are finer and thinner — the leathers for a dress glove. Our leather guide compares them side by side.

Why does the cuff matter as much as the lining?

Because most cold gets in at the wrist, not through the leather. A loose cuff lets cold air run up the sleeve however warm the lining is.

A strap or button closure draws the cuff in against the coat. A longer cuff helps too: our semi-long gloves measure 16–20 cm or 28–30 cm from the base of the thumb and close the gap between glove and sleeve completely.

Can you drive in a warm winter glove?

In cashmere, yes — that is what the close cut is for. Rabbit fur works, with a fuller feel on the wheel. Shearling is too thick for a fine grip; keep it for walking.

If you mostly drive, an unlined or cashmere-lined glove with a close fit will serve you better than the warmest lining.

What size should I take for a lined glove?

The same size.

Men's sizes run from 7.5 to 10 and women's from 6.5 to 8.5. Measure around the knuckles, excluding the thumb, and compare with our sizing chart. If no standard size fits, we make to measure: up to five days in the workshop and 8–12 days to your door within the EU.

How we make them

Târgu Mureș has made gloves since 1925. Today more than thirty people cut, sew and finish every pair by hand in our workshop in Târgu Mureș, Transylvania, and hand-sewn models take up to eight hours per pair. You will find every lined model in our winter gloves collection.

Frequently asked questions

Is shearling warmer than rabbit fur?

Yes. Shearling is one continuous layer of wool on the hide, with no seam between glove and lining. Rabbit fur is a sewn-in lining, warm but not as warm.

Which lining is the slimmest?

Cashmere. It is the lining to choose if you want a glove that fits under a coat sleeve and still lets you feel the wheel.

Can I wear shearling gloves indoors?

Yes, for a while. Shearling breathes, so it stays more comfortable indoors than a fur-lined glove, though it is made for the cold outside.

How do I dry winter gloves that got wet?

Let them dry slowly at room temperature, never on a radiator or next to a fire. Brush off dirt once they are dry.

Can I order a lined glove made to measure?

Yes, in any of our leathers and linings. The workshop needs up to five days, and delivery within the EU takes 8–12 days in total. Made-to-measure pairs cannot be returned; standard sizes can be returned within 30 days.

Free shipping across the European Union, delivered in 3–7 days with tracking included. Outside the EU: €30, free over €200 — €50 to Australia, New Zealand, India and Vietnam. Customs duties may apply outside the EU.