Mechanix Wear · Mid-range
The ColdWork M-Pact (CWKMP-58) is Mechanix Wear's insulated winter work glove with 60 gram 3M Thinsulate Eco insulation, a water-resistant E-Suede back of hand, a wind barrier and a molded thermoplastic rubber exoskeleton that Mechanix says meets the ANSI 138 Level 2 impact standard.
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We have not tested it ourselves: strengths and weaknesses below come from the tests cited.
Waiting on a station platform in winter means standing still in the wind. Mechanix Wear's page gives this glove a 60 gram layer of 3M Thinsulate Eco insulation that it says traps warm air to help regulate body temperature, and a laminated wind barrier that it describes as providing critical wind resistance. The palm is a synthetic leather the maker describes as touchscreen capable, which means a phone can be used without taking a glove off. The back of the hand is E-Suede, which the page calls water-resistant. The maker lists the glove for maintenance and repair, construction, carpentry and woodwork, towing and transportation, oil and gas, and mining. It is a work glove, not an item made for railfans, and it is a hand-warming and hand-protection product only: nothing on the page makes it equipment for being on or near a railway.
Beyond the insulation, Mechanix lists an anatomical Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) exoskeleton over the back of the hand that meets the ANSI 138 Level 2 impact standard, TPR closure at the wrist for a secure fit, and D3O palm padding that the page says absorbs and dissipates high-impact energy. Reinforcement is layered: an Armortex thumb saddle, an Armortex palm reinforcement and a dual-layer internal fingertip that reinforces the index finger and thumb. The page's feature list adds machine washable, so platform grime can be laundered, and a removable spring clip keeps a pair together for storage or to hang on a bag. The listed certifications are 2121XP and 11X, and the page links a Declaration of Conformity and spec sheets. Sizes run from Small to XX Large, and the maker's site links a size chart. The Grey/Black colorway is the only one on the page.
Strengths
Weaknesses
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Care | Machine washable |
| Palm | Touchscreen-capable synthetic leather, D3O padding |
| Model | CWKMP-58 |
| Sizes | Small to XX Large |
| Closure | Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) |
| Insulation | 60 gram 3M Thinsulate Eco |
| Back of hand | Water-resistant E-Suede with laminated wind barrier |
| Reinforcement | Armortex thumb saddle and palm, dual-layer fingertip |
| Certifications | 2121XP, 11X |
| Impact protection | TPR exoskeleton, ANSI 138 Level 2 |
An adult who stands in cold weather for long stretches and wants an insulated glove with an impact-protection shell, buying a work-grade glove and accepting its water-resistant rather than waterproof back of hand. A buyer who wants a lighter winter glove without the exoskeleton can look at the separate ColdWork Original.
The Mechanix Wear ColdWork Original, a separate model that Mechanix lists beside this glove, is the insulated winter glove without this model's TPR exoskeleton and D3O palm padding. The ColdWork Waterproof Leather M-Pact Driver (F9-360) is the maker's step up when waterproofing matters. The uninsulated M-Pact already in this catalog is a different glove and is not a winter glove.
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