How do smart touch gloves work?

Smart touch gloves work by using conductive material on the fingertips, allowing you to use a touchscreen without removing the gloves. Capacitive screens rely on your skin to act as an electrical conductor. Touchscreen compatible gloves achieve the same effect by using special fabrics, maintaining functionality without sacrificing warmth.

There are two main types of touch screen technology. Resistive screens work on pressure and can usually be used with gloves if the finger padding is not too thick. These screens are often used on cash machines and point of sale terminals. 

Capacitive touchscreens use two layers of conducting glass. When touched by an electrical conductor, such as your finger, the electrical field is altered at the point of touch. These screens are more common for smartphones and tablets due to high sensitivity and multi-touch capability.

In low temperatures, gloves keep your hands warm but act as a barrier between your finger and the screen. Most winter gloves are made from electrical insulators materials and can not complete the circuit on the capacitive screen.

What are smart touch gloves?

Smart touch gloves are designed to work with touchscreens. Standard gloves often need to be removed to use your finger on your tablet or phone. By using conductive coatings or fabrics, touchscreen gloves solve this problem. New developments such as Etip technology aim to combine warmth and performance.

Touchscreen friendly gloves are engineered to allow electrical conduction at the point you touch the screen. This can be achieved in two ways: a conductive coating on the finger tips of your gloves or the use of conducting fabrics and threads.

The North Face Etip technology is designed to combine high levels of thermal insulation with touch compatibility. The Men’s Etip Gloves are made from stretchy fleece for comfortable warmth. They utilise a conductive polymer coating on all the fingers for multi-touch capability. Combined with a grippy silicone palm, these are the ideal gloves for functional use in cold weather.

For intense outdoor adventures in harsh conditions, Etip technology has also been included in our II Solo Futurelight Gloves. These double-layered gloves combine a durable, soft, goat leather outer layer with a sherpa fleece lining. Breathable, waterproof construction with touchscreen compatibility means you won’t have to remove your gloves on the slopes.

How to make your gloves touchscreen capable 

Gloves can be made touchscreen compatible by adding a conductive coating or thread. Sewing electrical thread into the fingers or applying a conductive paste will allow them to register a touch on your device. This DIY project can update an existing pair of gloves to work with your technology.

If you have a pair of gloves that do not work with touch screens, there are two solutions. Both rely on adding a substance to the fingers of the gloves that will replicate the conducting properties of your skin.

Conductive thread can be sewn into the fingertips of your gloves, allowing the conduction of electricity on the screen. This is a quick and easy solution if you can sew, although the thread can be wiry and difficult to work with. Try to use a colour that matches the gloves, and remember that piercing the surface will compromise any waterproofing properties.

The alternative is to apply a conductive paste or coating on the finger of your gloves. Choose one that is easy to apply and is transparent when dry.

How to make leather gloves touchscreen compatible 

Leather gloves can be made touchscreen compatible using a conductive coating. The drying process used to make leather eliminates the conducting effect of your touch on the screen. Sewing conductive thread is not recommended, as it will damage leather gloves. Transparent, conducting coatings will achieve compatibility without affecting appearance.

The North Face Etip Leather Gloves combine the comfort and style of leather with Etip technology. Made from premium goat leather and four-way stretch fleece, these gloves achieve high levels of warmth, mobility and grip.

When you wear gloves, you can achieve warmth without sacrificing functionality, allowing you to  access your devices quickly and easily.