How much thermal protection do you need in your winter safety gloves when it comes to Thinsulate™ liners? And is more Thinsulate™ better?
Thinsulate™ is 3M's trademarked synthetic fiber insulation known for being thin yet warm, creating an inner layer for winter gloves to efficiently trap body heat without excessive bulk – making them versatile for outdoor and/or winter work.
We’ve met extensively with 3M™ to develop standards for which Thinsulate™ levels to use at what temperatures... but too many variables create complexity that makes a definitive answer impossible. The answers are as complex as the operations being performed – especially in the cold.
There’s no official “right” answer to choosing the level of Thinsulate™ you may need, but our experience working with companies around the world has taught us a lot about thermal gloves. It’s important not to underestimate the level of protection, but understanding that TOO much protection can also cause problems like reduced dexterity and comfort.
Guidelines to using Thinsulate™ cold-weather liners
C40 Thinsulate™
C40 is a high-activity liner designed to perform well on hands that are frequently in motion, providing an exceptional level of protection against the cold elements for the majority of the United States (except in the most extreme conditions) and is what most workers need and will use in cold weather.
This liner has about 1.5 times the warmth of down and nearly twice that of high-loft fiberfill insulation. Whereas regular liners can cause hands to sweat and overheat, the thinness of C40 makes this a non-issue.
View HexArmor® gloves with a C40 Thinsulate™ liner >>
C100 Thinsulate™
C100 is the liner of choice for harsher conditions, such as those in cold to freezing climates, where additional insulation is needed. The added protection can add a little bulk and reduce dexterity, so testing the glove is imperative to ensure you need that much thermal protection.
View HexArmor® gloves with a C100 Thinsulate™ liner >>
C200 Thinsulate™
C200 is ideal for sub-zero temperatures, especially those found in parts of Canada, North Dakota, and Alaska. Built for the rigors of industrial environments, these are the best extreme-weather gloves you can find. Although they add extra bulk to the glove, they still provide durability while keeping you comfortable throughout the workday.
View HexArmor® gloves with a C200 Thinsulate™ liner >>
Not sure what you need? HexArmor® can help
When considering Thinsulate™ levels, remember that if a glove manufacturer compresses Thinsulate™ to reduce bulk, it also reduces its thermal performance. Make sure you're using a glove company you trust and ask a lot of questions.
HexArmor® always encourages testing of PPE prior to adoption, especially in cold-weather applications where several workplace variables need to be considered. Luckily, we have the cold-weather glove lineup to help.
Learn more about our cold-weather technology here.
To ensure you have the right amount of thermal protection for your environment and application, our Solution Specialists are ready to work with you. Call 1-877-MY ARMOR or send us a message.
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