HOW TO USE GLOVE LINERS

When it comes to working in the cold, hand protection should come standard. But, it’s not as simple as throwing on last year’s wool gloves and getting on your merry way.

Indoor and outdoor jobs in freezing and sub-zero temps call for varied levels of protection and features to not only shield you from potential hazards like frostbite but to keep you safe from slipping, impact and cuts. Sometimes one layer of gloves just isn’t enough to level the playing field.

Glove liners play a major role too in protecting your best tools - your hands.

What Is a Glove Liner?

Glove liners are thin work gloves that are usually worn inside other mitts or gloves. They can provide an extra layer of protection, absorb sweat and increase warmth.

When you're shopping for work gloves, if you don’t understand their function, it’s easy to use them incorrectly. But we've got a few tips to help you decide if glove liners are right for your work environment and how to choose a glove liner that gives you the best performance.

When Should I Wear Glove Liners?

Glove liners can be worn in many working conditions – indoors or outdoors, mild temps or subzero conditions. Wear them alone as thin work gloves when temps are moderate and dexterity is a priority. Wear them under your insulated gloves for even more warmth in frigid temps. If you're doing a specific kind of job, you might prefer a glove liner with special features like the ones described below.

Moisture-Wicking Glove Liners

Moisture-wicking glove liners are frequently used inside of another glove to pull moisture away from the hand.

Sweat is the enemy of keeping warm, so you want to move moisture away from your hand as quickly as possible.

Did you know the process of glove liners wicking away moisture from the hand is called capillary action? Capillary action occurs when a liquid, such as sweat, is drawn through a small space or channel due to the surface tension of the liquid and the adhesive or cohesive forces between the liquid and the surface of the channel. The liner material has small channels or fibers that can trap and hold onto moisture, drawing it away from the skin and distributing it throughout the liner material. Once the moisture is distributed throughout the liner, it is able to evaporate more easily from the surface of the material, keeping your hands dry and comfortable.

Liners Add Warmth to Grip-Coated Gloves

Certain jobs require gloves with grips or dot coatings, but those gloves are usually not insulated, leaving you with cold, numb hands. Wearing a glove liner under thin grip-coated work gloves gives you warmth without losing the gripping benefits of the coated gloves.

Any additional insulation between your hands and a glove will provide more warmth as it can more easily trap in your body heat. Glove liners that are made of wool are especially good for adding a layer of warmth since the material retains heat so well.

Glove Liners Help with Touchscreens

Glove liners with specialized tips for using touchscreen devices are designed to allow users to operate their smartphones or tablets without removing their gloves.

These gloves are becoming increasingly popular in cold weather climates, as they allow users to stay connected and use their devices while keeping their hands warm. Glove liners with specialized touchscreen tips can be made from a variety of materials, including wool, synthetic fabrics, or a combination of materials.

When choosing glove liners with specialized touchscreen tips, it's important to ensure that the tips are properly positioned and sized for your device. Some gloves may not work with certain devices or may require more pressure than usual to register touch commands.

It's also important to note that these gloves allow you to operate your device without removing your gloves. Wear your glove liner under a fingerless glove or convertible mitt to maintain your warmth when you're using touchscreen devices.

Glove Liners Add Comfort

Some jobs, like food processing and pressure washing, require waterproof gloves. Those gloves can feel sweaty and uncomfortable on a long shift. Adding a glove liner adds cushioning for your hands and helps reduce irritation from those otherwise annoying rubber gloves. Glove liners will also help wick away moisture, keeping you dry, especially in jobs that require a lot of hand movement.

What Kind of Glove Liners are Available?

RefrigiWear delivers wool glove liners and synthetic glove liners.

Wool liners are thicker and provide more insulation than something like a silk liner. They are also moisture-wicking and can keep the hands warm even when wet. Wool liners are ideal for use in colder temperatures and for activities that require moderate to high levels of dexterity, such as operating heavy machinery.

Synthetic liners are made from materials such as polyester or nylon and are designed to be lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking. They provide good insulation and are ideal for use in moderately cold temperatures and for activities that require dexterity, such as processing poultry or breaking down pallets.

How Do I Get the Right Fit?

Your glove liner should provide a snug, but not tight, fit across the back of your hand and your palm.

Refer to our size chart and remember to measure across the widest part of your hand to choose the right fit.

If your glove liner does not fit, you run the risk of reduced warmth because the space within the glove can allow cold air to seep in. Ill-fitting glove liners will not feel as comfortable as ones that fit properly. Additionally, if a glove liner is too tight or too loose, dexterity will decrease because of your inability to properly handle tools or equipment.

Is There Any Time I Shouldn’t Use a Glove Liner?

Glover liners should not be used alone in heavy work situations where there's a risk of abrasion or impact, as they'll wear out faster and they can't protect your hands on their own.

In those conditions, look for leather work gloves or impact protection gloves that you can wear alone or with your liners.

It should be noted that if you are ever working in a glove liner with no additional protection, working in wet conditions is not advised. Most glove liners are not water-repellent or waterproof and can make your hands feel colder if exposed to moisture.

Sometimes using a glove liner can make your hands feel too warm if your glove is providing adequate insulation from the cold. In this case, wearing a glove liner may feel uncomfortable.

Take a Look at Liners

Shop our collection of knit wool and acrylic glove liners to find the thin work glove that best suits your needs. If you need help selecting a glove liner, contact our Customer Service team.