Weather impacts comfort and safety for many, most likely, for most outdoor professionals who work outdoors and outdoor enthusiasts. Cold weather is responsible for causing more discomfort than danger, and we experience a loss of comfort when exposed to the elements. The first signs of discomfort from extreme weather are usually found in our hands, as well as the potential for danger if not taken care of. Heated Gloves are an innovative way to keep our hands warm, and by using Heated Gloves at ActionHeat, people can enhance their level of comfort and overall quality of life significantly. Skiing/Snowboarding and people working outdoors, especially in the winter months, are examples of individuals who spend time outside, and they can significantly improve their comfort level while engaged in outdoor activities, such as skiing and/or snowboarding.
Heated Gloves offer a way for users to keep their hands warm while they work and have the ability to customize the heating feature by utilizing advanced materials and technologies that allow for the ability to customize heating options through modern technology. By using heated gloves, people can keep their hands warm and maintain dexterity and comfort as they perform outdoor activities in cold weather. There is an emphasis within the industry for providing additional warmth and performance for people participating in cold-weather activities, as one of the greatest limitations of cold-weather activities is having cold hands.
As the technology has advanced, manufacturers of heated gloves have developed heated gloves that have been designed to meet the rapidly growing need for high-performance winter apparel
In addition to the benefits discussed above, the information provided in this article will assist in answering all of your questions regarding heated gloves, including the features that you should consider when purchasing heated gloves and how to incorporate heated gloves into your active outdoor lifestyle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will provide more information on winter safety tips during extreme cold weather.
What Are Heated Gloves?
Heated gloves typically incorporate thin, flexible heating elements within the glove and generally contain heating elements throughout the fingers and on the back of the hand. allow the use of lightweight heating elements to heat the glove for extended periods of time. This means that heated gloves will remain warm for several hours and will keep the user’s hands warm all day long without interruption. In addition, most modern heated gloves also have adjustable temperature settings, which allow the user to adjust the amount of heating according to their own personal preferences and the environmental conditions around them. Unlike traditional insulated gloves, heated gloves actually prevent heat loss, which eliminates one of the main reasons for cold hands (i.e., the fact that a man’s hand cools off before his body does).
For those who suffer from certain types of health issues, such as Raynaud’s disease (which causes numbness and loss of circulation to the fingers when exposed to cold weather), heated gloves are particularly important because they help reduce the risk of rapid onset of numbness. People with cold-sensitive fingers or poor circulation will also benefit from the addition of heated gloves to their arsenal of cold-weather protection.
Heated Glove Benefits
- Consistent Heat: Heated gloves offer a more consistent and comfortable source of heat, whereas regular gloves, which provide only passive insulation, may not do as well in extremely cold conditions and subzero temperatures.
- Better Dexterity: Numbness caused by the cold can hinder your ability to hold, grip, or perform fine motor movements. With heated gloves, your hands remain warm, supple, and responsive, preserving dexterity for skiing, cycling, and any other technical applications.
- Increased Comfort: The use of adjustable heating elements and ergonomically designed fabrics makes it easy to customize the amount of warmth provided by heated gloves, allowing you to have less irritated skin and enjoy longer periods spent outdoors.
Features to Consider
When looking for heated gloves, there are many things to consider:
- Battery Life: You do not want your gloves to run out of power while you are using them. It is best to select gloves with batteries that will last at least 6 – 8 hours from a single charge and are also rechargeable.
- Adjustable Heat Settings: Adjustable heat allows you to adjust to changing temperatures during your activities, while keeping at an appropriate level of comfort and not overheating.
- Materials: Choosing the right materials is crucial to keeping the internal heat inside your gloves. You will want to choose gloves made from high-quality water and wind-resistant materials (i.e., GoreTex, Thinsulate) that do not allow moisture or wind to penetrate.
- Touch Screen Compatibility: In the present day, it is essential to have gloves that you can use without removing them in order to check your phone. Some heated gloves are equipped with touch screen-responsive fingertips for convenience and speed.
The latest gloves have all of these features while still providing excellent grip and tactile feedback for your hands. You can find out more about glove technology advancements in the Outside Magazine guide to winter gloves.
How They Are Used in Different Activities
The primary difference between heated and non-heated gloves is the number of potential uses. Skiers and snowboarders can benefit from heated gloves during long rides up on lifts and whenever they are cold while on their high-speed descents, whereas cyclists and motorcycle riders must rely on their ability to grip and maintain control of their bikes and to be able to react quickly during icy and windy conditions for safety reasons. In addition to these outdoor enthusiasts, others who rely on the ability to use their hands without pain such as construction workers, delivery drivers and utility workers are able to use heated gloves to accomplish their job tasks much more successfully and comfortably.
- Skiing or Snowboarding. When your hands are warm, you can stay on the mountain longer, reduce your chances of getting a cold-weather-related injury, and concentrate on your performance.
- Cycling and Motorcycling. When you have heated gloves, it keeps your fingers warm when riding for long distances in cold, fast-moving air, which helps you maintain safe control of the handlebars or the bike/equipment.
- Outdoor Work. For individuals that spend time working outdoors during winter months, whether it is on a construction site, as a postal carrier or providing service to emergency situations, heated gloves are an absolute necessity in protecting the user’s hands from heat loss due to cold.
Safety Considerations
Even though heated gloves are considered safe and reliable, to get the full benefit and longevity out of Heated Gloves due diligence is necessary to ensure this occurs. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before using the heated gloves. Take note of how long the gloves should be charged and how to care for heated gloves. Carefully and often check for damages to the gloves such as wires connecting to the batteries that could become exposed over time, malfunctioning batteries and if you detect a strange smell or when the gloves begin to heat inconsistently you should not use the gloves.
- Use Manufacturer’s Instructions. Following the recommended distribution/care guidelines can prevent overheating and prevent the manufacturer from producing faulty/broken batteries that may be beyond repair.
- Regular Care and Maintenance. Keep heated gloves dry, clean and maintained to eliminate any chance of the gloves malfunctioning. Store heated gloves in a cool, dry area when not in use to help extend the glove’s life.
- Monitor the Battery Life. Be aware of how long the activity will last and reference the glove you will be using before using the glove. Be sure you don’t run out of battery while you are outside.
Conclusion
With heated gloves, you can get comfortable, consistent warmth and an ideal amount of dexterity while you perform your outdoor activities in extreme weather. Investing in high-quality heated gloves will provide you with the flexibility and protection you need to work comfortably and safely outdoors in very cold conditions while reducing the risk of hypothermia or frostbite.