Insulated and waterproof winter gloves rated under EN 511 for convective cold, contact cold and water penetration, built for Canadian outdoor work and for cold storage and freezer handling.
EN 511 uses three digits and each one answers a different question. The first is convective cold, resistance to cold air passing through the glove, scored 0 to 4. The second is contact cold, resistance to heat loss when the hand touches a cold object, also scored 0 to 4. The third is water penetration and it is only 0 or 1, where 1 means no water entered the glove within 30 minutes of the test and 0 means water got in or the property was not tested. A glove can be strongly insulated against air and still score 0 for water, which matters more than most buyers expect.
A freezer room at minus 20 degrees Celsius is a still, dry, predictable environment. There is no wind, the temperature does not swing, and the dominant loss is contact cold from picking up frozen product and cold steel racking. The second digit is the one to read, along with palm insulation and a liner that keeps loft after repeated compression.
Outdoor winter work in Alberta, the Prairies, Quebec or the northern states is a different problem. Wind drives convective loss, so the first digit matters. Conditions change through the shift, snow melts on contact with a warm glove, and hands go from dry to soaked without the temperature rising. Once a liner is wet its insulation collapses and the glove becomes a heat sink. For outdoor work the third digit and a genuine waterproof breathable membrane usually do more for the wearer than adding insulation thickness.
There is no way around the trade off, so it is better to plan for it. Insulation works by trapping still air, and trapping more air means more bulk between the hand and the object. Beyond a certain thickness the wearer loses the ability to operate a latch, a hand tool or a tablet, and the glove comes off. Time spent bare handed at minus 25 is far more dangerous than a slightly thinner glove.
Two approaches work better than one thick glove. Where the cold exposure is intermittent, choose a moderately insulated glove with good feel and give the crew a warm up rotation. Where exposure is continuous and the hands are mostly gripping rather than manipulating, go heavier. Fit is also insulation. A tight winter glove compresses the liner and restricts circulation, which makes the hand colder than a correctly sized glove one step up. Sizing up half a size for winter work is usually right, and a longer knitted or elasticated cuff keeps snow and cold air out of the wrist gap.
The first digit is convective cold, meaning resistance to cold air, scored 0 to 4. The second is contact cold, meaning resistance to heat loss when touching cold surfaces, also 0 to 4. The third is water penetration and is either 0 or 1, where 1 means no water entered the glove during the 30 minute test.
Usually not for the freezer itself, since a cold room is dry and the main issue is contact cold from frozen product and steel racking. Waterproofing matters where product is wet before freezing, where staff move between chilled and ambient areas, or where condensation forms on warm gloves returning to a cold room.
Most often because the glove is too tight or the liner is damp. Insulation works by trapping still air, so compressing the liner against the hand removes most of its value and also restricts circulation. A damp liner conducts heat away rapidly. Size up slightly for winter work and dry gloves fully between shifts.
Yes. Several insulated models carry an EN 388 mechanical code alongside their EN 511 rating, which suits outdoor work involving steel edges, banding or glass. Check both codes on the individual product page, since a high EN 511 score says nothing about cut performance.
Carton pricing is shown on every product page and our team can quote mixed orders across the range for sites in Canada and the United States. Request a bulk quote or check the glove sizing guide before ordering.
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