Many of you probably use cold condition work gloves when working outdoors in the winter or in industries where large storage freezer facilities are used. Over the years you’ve probably found some winter or freezer work gloves that keep your hands nice and warm, but also don’t make them sweaty inside the glove. Take a deeper look at what makes a great winter work glove and be sure to look for these three qualities when you pick out a new pair for the upcoming season.
Water Wicking
Just like any house, you have to begin building with the foundation, or in this case the base layer of a glove. In this base layer is where the warmth factor rules. A good base layer in your glove means that your hands will remain warm in winter and freezer environments. But the best base layers are also water wicking. When a base layer is engineered to move moisture away from the skin, that helps to keep your
hands dryer and warmer for a longer period of time.
Insulated
Just like the times your camping or hiking in colder weather, you want to make sure you’re able to conserve the heat you need. In glove context, the longer you can conserve heat, the more comfortable you’ll be and the more effectively you’ll be able to complete your task. Insulation is the second layer following the base layer. Insulation is key, because it traps the warmth generated from the base layer, without letting this warmth escape, the insulation layer keeps you nice and toasty. There are many different types of insulation layers on the market, but its best to find one that is engineered to be lightweight (thin) and quick drying.
Common Misconceptions of Winter/Freezer Work Gloves
Cold condition gloves are primarily designed to provide the user with a glove that provides great grip, warmth and dexterity in handling materials in harsh environments. Will they keep you hands as warm as a ski type glove? The answer is no. They do not have the thickness of a ski glove or the high level of insulation associated with a ski type glove. They also don't have the bulkiness found in most ski gloves which allows the user greater dexterity. In addition they have a nitrile or latex coating that increase gripping in cold conditions wear as ski gloves do not. When working in these cold conditions prolonged exposure can eventually make your hands cold. This is a good time to take a break warm yourself up, and then have another go at it.
Waterproof or Water Resistant Exterior
Just as you would put a raincoat on top of a sweater on a cold and wet day, so a glove needs its waterproof exterior, or shell, to be complete and ready to take on winter and freezer environments. Depending on your environment, will determine how much waterproofing you’ll need. The waterproof shell comes in many different forms, from fully coated, to palm coating and breathable back. Depending on your needs and your preference, you’ll want to decide how much breathability you want from a glove. Work gloves that are entirely waterproofed tend to be less breathable, but that level of waterproofing is necessary for jobs that require your hands to be in water, snow, or ice for prolonged periods of time. Some gloves are able to combine breathability and waterproofing pretty well, but this is left up to opinion mostly.
When picking your next pair of winter work gloves, be sure to keep an eye out for these features, so that you know you’re picking the best option available for you and your employees.