Protective gloves certified to the EN 511 standard protect the wearer against the cold. The risks that this standard covers are limited to cold conditions with temperatures as low as -50°C. The protective properties that are tested are protection against convective cold, insulation against contact cold and water penetration. The standard also sets requirements for the outer shell of the glove with regard to abrasion resistance and flexibility in cold weather.

The protective properties of gloves designed to protect against the cold are classified by performance levels as shown in the table below.

The gloves thermal insulation properties depend on the surrounding air temperature, humidity, wind speed and exposure time. Protection from cold is also affected by the wearer’s level of activity, health and other clothing. Gloves always lose their thermal properties when they get wet. In the worst case scenario, this can increase the risk of hypothermia.

The performance levels are shown with the pictogram below;