Winter Gloves: A few tips to keep your hands warm

Body temperature is vital:

A persons average body heat generally sits around 37°C or around 98.5°F.

If working in conditions lower than your body temperature you will need to retain your body heat by either increasing physical activity and/or increasing the insulation you have on your body – especially with gloves due to hands not having great blood circulation.

 

If you don’t use appropriate protection you increase the risk of getting the following:

 

Hypothermia:

Normal body temperature drops to  36.3°C or less.

Mild symptoms: Alert but shivering.

Moderate to severe: Shivering stops but confusion, slurred speech, heart rate decrease, loss of consciousness, death.

 

Frostbite:

  • Body tissue freeze, eg. hands and feet. Can occur at temperatures above freezing.
  • Symptoms: Numbness, reddend skin, which develops discoloration patches, may feel hard and blister.

 

Trenchfoot:

  • Non-freezing injury to the foot, caused by lengthy exposure to wet and cold environment.
  • Symptoms: Redness, swelling, numbness and blisters.

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Material Choices Help Achieve Warmth in a Winter Glove:

For optimal warmth, winter hand protection should have three layers:

  1. The Outer Layer: This layer should be a material with high abrasion resistance, water and wind repellence, cut resistance, etc. based on the tasks you are performing and the protection that you need.
  2. The Middle Layer: This is the insulating layer, which should be made of a material that can trap a lot of air to provide warmth.
  3. The Inner Layer: This layer will be closest to the skin and has moisture-wicking properties to remove sweat from the skin.

 

The Battle of Dexterity Vs. Warmth:

Unfortunately, there is no perfect glove that will allow you to stay warm in -50°F and easily be able to pick up nuts and bolts. There will have to be a trade off.

Thicker, more layers = less dexterity

More dexterity = less insulation

The individual needs to decide what is more important to complete the job in a timely and safe manner.

 

What to Look for in Winter Hand Protection:

Insulation like Lynn Rivers Double insulated Fleece lining.

Palm coating for grip.

Full palm coating if immersed in water.

Good fit — tight gloves reduce circulation and make your hands colder.

Appropriate cuffs — be sure the cuff fits over your jacket or parka sleeves.

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