REI Flash Power Wool Gloves Review

Bottom Line

The REI Flash Power Wool gloves are an extremely lightweight and breathable pair of gloves perfect for high-output adventures or moderate temperatures. We love that they are highly breathable and have the moisture-wicking properties of wool. The stretchiness and warmth when wet performance from the wool/synthetic blend is really nice to have in your winter glove quiver. We use them in moderate temperatures or times when we can count on exertion to keep ourselves warm. Overall, thin liner gloves like these are always good to have for your next winter adventure (or summer alpine backpacking trip).

Our first round of testing these gloves took place during a three-day late-season backpacking trip in California’s Sierra range. When temperatures dipped into the twenties at night, we were glad to have these gloves to keep us warm around camp. We’ve gone on to use these in the deep winter of Alaska, including in temperatures in the single digits. While most comfortable for more moderate temperatures, the Flash Power Wools are also great for running and high-output adventures where we are breaking a sweat and breathability is key.

Lacking the weather resistance found in some of our other favorite winter gloves, the Flash Power Wool is an excellent liner, whether worn on its own or layered under a bigger glove. So, for shoulder season temperatures or winter activities where you never want your digits exposed, should you have to remove a mitten, the Flash Power Wool delivers excellent breathability and dexterity while being lightweight and comfortable.

How We Tested

The REI Flash Power Wool gloves were tested over the course of three months in a variety of conditions. From a chilly late-season backpacking trip in the Sierra range to cross-country skiing and winter hikes in Alaska, these gloves have been thoroughly evaluated in multiple conditions to test every aspect of their performance.

Comfort & Dexterity

The REI Flash Power Wool gloves are one of the lightest and thinnest in our lineup. This gives them excellent dexterity, making fine tasks like zipping a jacket or tying shoes easy while wearing them. The thin fingers help enhance their dexterity, and they are a favorite for when we need to use our hands while still staying warm. 

The brushed wool interior is soft and comfortable on the skin, and the glove is built without overly bulky seams getting in the way. We found that the touchscreen fingers on this glove were among the best, and we were able to easily text and use our phone while wearing them. The Flash Power Wools earn top marks for their excellent comfort and dexterity.

Warmth

Tested in temperatures ranging from single digits to above freezing, we can confidently say that these gloves are most at home between twenty and forty degrees. As liners, they lack the warmth of heavier-weight gloves. These make a great shoulder season option for milder temperatures or even a summer glove for the high mountains in cooler climates. 

We quickly became cold in these for more than a few minutes in single-digit temperatures, but they are great for active adventures in colder temperatures, where excess body heat can help keep your digits warm. Throw these in your pocket to keep you warm in a pinch, or layer them under your favorite winter glove to boost the warmth or limit bare skin exposure.

Moisture Control

When it comes to keeping your hands dry and sweat-free, the REI Flash Power Wools excel. The Polartec Power Wool fleece wicks moisture quickly and efficiently. While cross-country skiing in Alaska, they are commonly seen steaming as they quickly release heat and sweat. They quickly became a favorite of ours for high-output adventures where breathability was the number one priority. 

After getting wet, whether from sweat or snow, they dry quickly, even while being worn. In the balance between weather resistance and breathability, the Flower Power Wool strongly favors breathability, perfect for your next winter hike or run, where you need to manage sweaty hands while on the go.

Weather Resistance

While featuring excellent moisture control, the Flash Power Wool Gloves lack much, if any, weather resistance. It really is a two-way street with these gloves. They became wet instantly when exposed to water and are not the ones to choose when going out in heavy precipitation. 

While not designed to be the most weather-resistant, these liner gloves dry extremely quickly when wet. They don’t stay dry in wet snow but dry quickly and bead just enough moisture to get us through if caught out in the elements.

Durability

While liner gloves are not designed to be the first line of defense against winter elements, the REI Flash Power Wool Gloves have held up well to extended use. We’ve been grabbing branches while bushwhacking, handling logs while splitting firewood, or grabbing rocks while clambering through boulder fields, and they have yet to show any serious failures.  

The only sign of wear is in the diamond-shaped gripped pads, which have started to thin and lose their grip over time. For a glove designed to be layered, or not to come in much contact with abrasions, the Flash Power Wool has stood up over the course of our testing.

Should You Buy the REI Flash Power Wool Gloves?

If you’re looking for a solid pair of liner gloves that can be layered or used on their own in milder temperatures, the Flash Power Wool gloves are hard to beat. Their wool-synthetic blend is highly breathable, making them perfect for running or other adventures where breathability is key. 

While lacking any substantial weather resistance and not being warm enough for full winter temperatures, these are a great three-season glove with the versatility to be used in many temperatures and seasons. Slightly more expensive than other liners out there, the Flash Power Wool is the best liner glove in our lineup and a worthwhile option for anyone looking for a versatile glove this winter.

What Other Winter Gloves Should You Consider?

Check out our complete guide to the best winter gloves to pair a liner glove with a bigger and badder mitten. Winter won’t stand a chance.

Smartwool Liner Review: Another great wool and synthetic glove that is perfect for layering to add extra warmth.

REI Fleece Glove Review: Slightly thicker than the Flash Power Wools, these gloves work better for colder temperatures.

Show Atlas 282-02 Review: If the weather resistance of the Flash Power Wool left you wanting more, then it’s hard to beat the 282-02 for wet weather performance.