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Buyers Guides
- HOW TO USE COMFORT RATINGS
- BUYERS GUIDE: INSULATED WORK GLOVES
- BUYERS GUIDE: COLD WEATHER WORK BOOTS
- BUYERS GUIDE TO PAC BOOTS
- BUYERS GUIDE TO BASE LAYERS
- BUYERS GUIDE: PANTS OR BIB OVERALLS?
- BUYERS GUIDE: COVERALLS OR BIB OVERALLS?
- BUYERS GUIDE TO GLOVE DIPS & COATINGS
- LATEX vs. NITRILE COATED: WHICH IS THE RIGHT GLOVE?
- WHAT KIND OF WORK GLOVES ARE RIGHT FOR MY JOB?
- HAND PROTECTION THAT KEEPS PRODUCTIVITY HIGH
- THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF HAND PROTECTION
- VITACOMFORT: A NEW LEVEL OF COMFORT & SAFETY
- WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A WINTER WORK COAT
- WHY IS SYNTHETIC INSULATION BETTER?
- AIRBLAZE INSULATION DELIVERS MORE WARMTH WITH LESS WEIGHT
- WARMPLUS GRAPHENE LINING MAKES WARMER WORK GEAR
- DON'T COMPROMISE PROTECTION FOR PERFORMANCE
- WHY SOFTSHELL JACKETS ARE PERFECT FOR WORKING IN THE COLD
- EMBRODIERY
- Case Studies
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Best Practices
- COLD TIPS
- HOW TO USE GLOVE LINERS
- THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF HAND PROTECTION
- PROPER FOOT CARE FOR WORKING IN THE COLD
- HOW TO PREVENT SLIPS, TRIPS & FALLS
- HOW TO CHOOSE HIGH-VISIBILITY WORKWEAR
- HOW TO LAYER WITHOUT OVERHEATING
- HOW OVERDRESSING HURTS PRODUCTIVITY
- HOW TO DRESS FOR WORKING IN THE COLD
- HOW TO DRESS FOR WORKING IN DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES
- HOW TO STAY SAFE & WARM WHILE WORKING OUTSIDE IN THE WINTER
- HOW TO STAY WARM WORKING WITH PRODUCE
- PREPARING FOR TEMPERATURE SWINGS
- THE SCIENCE OF STAYING WARM
- HOODS OR HATS: WHICH ONE IS SAFER?
- HOW DRIVERS & TRANSPORTATION WORKERS STAY DRY
- PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR EVERY DRIVER NEEDS
- CHALLENGES OF WORKING IN LOW TEMPERATURES AS A DRIVER
- PROTECT YOUR TRUCK DRIVERS WITH HIGH-VISIBILITY WORKWEAR
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Industry Knowledge
- TRADESHOWS & EVENTS
- KEY TERMS & DEFINITIONS
- BEST CLOTHING FOR MAINTENANCE STAFF IN FOOD PROCESSING
- HOW DO I STAY WARM WHILE WORKING IN MEAT PROCESSING?
- HOW TO STAY WARM IN A COLD STORAGE FREEZER
- 5 IMPORTANT PIECES OF CLOTHING FOR COLD STORAGE WORKERS
- GEAR THAT DRIVES PEAK PRODUCTION AS A FORKLIFT DRIVER
- CHALLENGES OF WORKING IN LOW-TEMPERATURE INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS
- PROTECTING PERISHABLES IN FOODSERVICE DISTRIBUTION
- TEMPERATURE CONTROL UNDER FSMA
- BEST HIGH-VISIBILITY JACKETS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS
- COLD WEATHER SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS
- TOWER CLIMBER'S GUIDE TO WORKING OUTSIDE IN WINTER
- UTILITY WORKER'S GUIDE TO KEEPING WARM IN WINTER
- HOW TO IMPROVE DRIVER RETENTION AND RECRUITING
- THE IMPACT OF PROPER ERGONOMICS ON DRIVER WELLNESS
- QUALITY WON'T BE COMPROMISED
- WHY IRON-TUFF IS THE MOST ICONIC COLD WEATHER CLOTHING
- WHY ALL WORKERS NEED HIGH-VISIBILITY WORKWEAR
- HOW TO SAFE IN LOW VISIBILITY & HIGH TRAFFIC CONDITIONS
- THE REAL COST OF HIGH EMPLOYEE TURNOVER
- HOW DOES PPE AFFECT YOUR BOTTOM LINE?
- MEDICAL COSTS OF PREVENTABLE INJURIES
- Use & Care
KEY TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
Get simple answers and explanations of frequently used terms for insulated workwear and industrial safety gear.
ANSI
Formally known as the American National Standards Institute, ANSI oversees the development of voluntary national standards for products, services, processes and systems in the US. ANSI also coordinates US standards with International standards so US products meet requirements around the world. This term is Found in descriptions for high-visibility safety workwear and cut resistant gloves.
Antimicrobial
This is a treatment applied to the liners of certain products that naturally eliminates any bacteria from sweat. This kind of fabric is usually found in thermal masks, balaclavas and headwear.
ASTM
ASTM International is an organization that develops voluntary standards to be used for materials, products, systems and services across the world. These standards are voluntary because ASTM does not mandate their use. However, they can be given the force of law by the government when they are cited in laws, regulations and codes. ASTM standards are frequently used in safety shoes and work boots with safety toes.
Bound Seams
This is one RefrigiWear method of reinforcing stitching and seams to increase durability and garment life. Bound seams are used primarily on our Iron-Tuff® garments.
CE
The CE mark means that the product is in compliance with EU legislation and it can be sold in the European market.
Comfort Ratings
A comfort rating is a temperature or ranges of temperatures in which a particular piece of insulated clothing, boot or glove would protect you. Comfort ratings on RefrigiWear insulated clothes, boots and gloves range from extreme subzero temperatures, to freezing temperatures to mild temperatures. See our Comfort Rating Guide for more information.
Composite Safety Toe
These safety toes are made of composite materials and are usually a combination of plastic, Kevlar® aramid fiber and carbon fiber. They are lighter than steel toes in weight but protect just as well and they have the added benefit of not conducting cold as well as metal, so your toes stay warmer.
CSA
The Canadian Standards Association develops standards in the US and Canada to be used for materials, products systems and services. CSA works to make sure Canadian standards align with global standards, as well.
Ergo/Ergonomic Glove
This describes how the glove is pre-curved to fit and form to your hand’s natural shape, decreasing hand fatigue.
Welted Construction
When the outsole of a boot is sewn rather than glued to the upper section, it has welted construction.
Heel Reinforcement Patch
This is a heavy-duty patch on the inside of the leg cuffs of certain garments. The cuff protects your garment from tears when pulling bibs over boots, and from abrasion when cuffs drag on floors. The patch is sewn on the inside bottom of the leg.
HiVis/High-Visibility
This term refers to garments, gloves and headwear that are available in bright colors such as lime and orange, and are designed to improve visibility to meet safety standards. RefrigiWear high-visibility workwear generally meets ANSI and CSA standards.
Induradex®
Induradex® classifications indicate insulation, durability and dexterity ratings for gloves. The scale is from 1-10, with higher numbers indicating better ratings.
InduraSafe®
InduraSafe® classifications indicate insulation, durability and slip resistance ratings for footwear. The scale is from 1-10, with higher numbers indicating better ratings.
Moisture Wicking
This is a type of fabric designed to pull moisture away from the skin. This material draws moisture, such as sweat, off of skin and out to the exterior of the fabric. Moisture can then easily evaporate from the surface of the fabric, rather than when is it trapped between the garment and the skin.
Pac Boots
Pac boots are typically the warmest boots you can find. Originally designed for workers in wet and icy conditions, pac boots have a waterproof bottom bonded to a leather or durable fabric top. Some pac boots have a removeable insulated liner, while others have the insulation built directly into the boot.
Raglan Sleeves
These are sleeves that start at the neck (rather than the shoulder) with a diagonal stitch that extends to the armpit.
Reflective Lining/Heat Reflective Lining
Combined with insulation to keep you warm, reflective linings trap the heat that is created inside the jacket and provides more warmth.
RefrigiFill™
RefrigiFill™ is a proprietary blend of RefrigiWear insulation that is used in our Iron-Tuff® Collection of insulated garments. It has been perfected over 70 years of insulating garments and hundreds of thousands of satisfied users.
Rubber Toe Guard
This is a rubber, protective section over the toe of boots that protects from scuffs and damage, leading to more toe durability.
Softshell
This term describes our line of water-resistant garments that have a comfort stretch microfiber shell, breathable polyurethane membrane and microfleece inner-shell. Softshell garments have a softer, less bulky, form-fitting structure and are available in men’s and women’s options.