What you need to know about glove liners for safety gloves

Colder weather is just around the corner. Workers need more than just mechanical protection for their hands—they need their hands to stay warm and dry in freezing temperatures to be able to do their jobs.

Glove liners serve as an additional layer in safety gloves to enhance comfort, warmth, or protection for the wearer, depending on the task and work conditions. In this article we will take a closer look at glove liners used for insulation and waterproofing gloves.

Lining for insulation

Glove insulation prevents the external temperature from interfering with the hand’s temperature—also known as thermal control. The two most common glove liners used to keep workers’ hands warm in the winter seasons include:

1. Thinsulate™ – Thinsulate™ is a breathable and moisture-resistant insulator that offers optimum warmth in cold environments. It is effective at trapping air and keeping hands warm while allowing moisture to scape. Thinsulate™ liners are better for warmth when compared to fleece. The level of Thinsulate™ used for lining is measured in GSM (grams per square meter). This describes how much insulation is added to the gloves (the thickness of the liner).

2. Acrylic/fleece liners – Acrylic or fleece liners are sufficient as the temperatures are just starting to drop. It is one of the most common lightweight options that are warmer than cotton or foam lining and less bulky than other insulations. Gloves with fleece liners are also good for indoor workspaces that are kept at cooler temperatures.

Lining for waterproofing

Membrane liners, also known as impermeable liners, are used for waterproofing safety gloves. A layer of waterproof membrane is inserted into the gloves to create a barrier that prohibits the water drops from passing through. This helps keep the hands comfortable and dry in wet working conditions.

There are two commonly used construction methods to achieve waterproofing gloves:

1. Double-layer construction:

These safety gloves feature a waterproof outer membrane and an inner layer for comfort, which results in a lightweight and less bulky feel. This inner layer also offers breathability and helps wick moisture away from the wearer’s hands.

2. Triple-layer construction:

In the triple-layer construction method, the membrane is sandwiched between an outer protective layer and an inner liner. The outer layer is usually made of materials that offer mechanical protection required for the task like cut, puncture, abrasion, etc., whereas the inner layer (nylon or cotton) is intended for comfort and breathability.

This triple-layer design is considered the most durable and breathable. The way the membrane is fastened in between the two layers differs for different types of safety gloves.

• For leather and mechanics, the waterproofing membrane is inserted in between two layers
• For string knit gloves, the waterproofing membrane is laminated in between the outer and inner layers

Learn more

As mentioned earlier, glove liners offer more than just insulation for warmth and comfort, they play a significant role in enhancing mechanical protection against hazards like cut, puncture, and heat etc. To learn more about this, we’ve created a comprehensive guide called Glove 101 to teach you everything you need to know about safety gloves, including glove liners, so you can choose the best protection for your workers. Click here to read more.