What Are Insulated Gloves for?

From the firefighter battling flames, to children on their way to school, people wear gloves in a variety of situations. Insulated gloves run the spectrum from standard cold weather garments to protect the hands from the elements to high tech safety gear for people working with hazardous materials.

  1. Weather Related

    • Cold weather calls for wearing insulated gloves to keep the hands warm and protected. When the weather is cold a standard pair of insulated gloves or mittens warms and protects the hands while outdoors. Children going to school, adults on the way to work or anyone with hands exposed to the cold will benefit from insulated gloves. In extreme conditions, traveling even short distances outside requires protection from the elements. Temperatures that dip below certain levels can quickly cause frostbite or skin damage.

    Recreation

    • Hunting, fishing, motorcycle riding, shooting, horseback riding and many other recreational activities require the use of insulated gloves for safety purposes. Motocross and BMX riders, for example, need to protect their hands in case they crash. Heavy Kevlar insulated gloves can protect them. Fishing or hunting and using fire arms, knives, hooks and other such implements require gloves to protect the hands from cuts or damage.

    Work Protection

    • Those working in a clean environment such as a computer manufacturer or lab situation wear insulated gloves to protect themselves as well as the products. Workers in these situations wear gloves to keep secretion from their skin from contaminating the substances or equipment they work with. Instead, the secretion is absorbed into the insulated gloves. People who handle toxic substances must also wear insulated gloves to protect their hands. The need for dexterity means thin rubber gloves with a cotton liner are often employed for this use as they provide adequate protection but are thin enough to allow maneuverability.

    Hazard Gear

    • Insulated gloves provide protection when working with chemicals or in situations where safety is a concern. Chemicals in a lab that can burn or be absorbed into the skin are blocked by specially treated gloves that have liners treated with layers of rubber. Welding or cutting metal for work or art is a hazardous activity, making it necessary to wear heavy leather gloves lined with insulation that resists burns or cutting. Electricians use special gloves designed to protect them from shocks.