Select the Best Work Gloves for Cold Weather

Whether you’re in Yukon or at the North Pole, wearing proper personal protective equipment is nothing short of vital when you’re working outside. Finding reliable hand protection to wear on cold days is especially important, since nearly all jobs heavily involve using one’s hands to complete the tasks. Because of this, choosing the type of hand protection you should wear isn’t just a matter of comfort—it’s also a crucial safety concern. That’s why it’s important to select equipment that will not only keep you warm in even the harshest of weather conditions, but also protect your hands from frostbite and other ailments you can develop after being exposed to extreme temperatures. Crafted with impressive engineering, the right materials can create cold-weather gloves that will provide you with long-lasting protection, warmth and durability.

Let’s take a closer look at two different types of winter work gloves (gloves with high-functioning fabrics, and gloves with removable liners) and discover which style works best under different conditions.

Nothing but the best: Choose gloves with high-functioning fabrics

No matter where you work, it’s essential to find gloves that fuse together the very best materials with industry-leading construction. You’ll want to choose gloves that were made with fabrics that are specifically designed to protect you from cold temperatures and windy conditions, yet will remain extremely flexible so that you can effectively get your work done. The best choices for cold-weather work gloves are the ones that incorporate tough, durable fabrics, such as Thinsulate™ and Kevlar®. Gloves made with these materials are perfect choices for a wide range of outdoor activities, including construction, maintenance, agriculture and cold storage, among others.

• Kevlar® Integration: Kevlar® is another high-end material that you’ll often see in winter work gloves. Kevlar® is a uniquely durable material; it works well to protect your hands against the threat of cuts, and it offers an excellent level of protection from the cold. Kevlar® can be integrated into the fabric and is also used in glove stitching, as well as in glove linings.

• Thinsulate™ for Warmth: When it comes to winter work gloves, another fantastic choice of material is Thinsulate™. Thinsulate is known for being lightweight while still offering nearly two times the insulation value of down. Even when it’s wet, it’s effective. Because of this, those working in outdoor construction, cold warehouses and even in cryogenic labs will find that Thinsulate™ deserves its great reputation.

I choose you! Select gloves with removable liners

In addition to selecting a pair of gloves that were designed using one of the reliable materials we just learned about, choosing a pair of winter work gloves with a removable liner is also a good option. Liners that have multiple layers and that are made with the best materials are ideal for maintaining glove warmth. A key tip when selecting these kinds of liners is to look for those that include Thinsulate™ in them. Gloves with removable liners are an additional bonus, since the liners can be dried much more quickly and easily when they become wet.

• Calfskin: Calfskin gloves, especially ones with sidewall construction, are a great choice for winter work gloves, as they work extremely well with liners—as long as the gloves are roomy enough to offer a good fit. Look for gloves with welded seams and elasticized wrists as well. These will help entrap the heat within the glove even more and provide your hands with additional coverage. Durable calfskin gloves are great, since they can be used for virtually any outdoor activity, ranging from ranching and wildfire management to hunting, law enforcement and even military applications.

Part of what makes cold-weather work gloves so unique is that they must simultaneously protect your hands against various threats while still being flexible and providing warmth. While choosing the best pair of cold-weather work gloves may seem like a daunting task, you can’t go wrong if you look for the most durable and warm materials available on the market.

Finding the best gloves for long Canadian winters can be a tall order, so when making your selection, it is important to look for the very best and most durable materials available to you.

Julie McFater is the marketing and communications manager of Superior Glove in Acton, Ontario.