Mechanix Wear · Mid-range
The ColdWork Original is a winter work glove from Mechanix Wear that combines 60 gram 3M Thinsulate Eco insulation, a water-resistant softshell back of hand and a touchscreen-capable synthetic leather palm.
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We have not tested it ourselves: strengths and weaknesses below come from the tests cited.
Cold platform mornings and long waits in the wind are where a glove has to keep hands warm and still let you work a phone. The manufacturer builds the palm from touchscreen-capable synthetic leather, so a timetable, a map or a train-tracking app can be used without taking a glove off. The back of the hand is water-resistant softshell, which the manufacturer says stops cold air from sneaking in, a useful trait when you stand still on a windy platform. Mechanix Wear lists the glove for maintenance and repair, equipment operation and home improvement, so it is made as a working glove rather than a fashion item. It is a hand-warming glove and nothing more: it is not protective equipment for being near a railway.
The thumb has an Armortex saddle reinforcement, and a thermoplastic rubber closure at the wrist creates what the maker calls a secure fit. The insulation is a 60 gram layer of 3M Thinsulate Eco, which the manufacturer says traps warm air to help regulate body temperature. The palm is synthetic leather infused with touchscreen technology, and the maker describes it as a blend of dexterity and durability. The gloves are machine washable, so platform grime is not a reason to retire them. They are offered in five sizes from Small to XX Large, and the maker publishes a size chart that is worth checking before ordering because a glove meant to stay dexterous should not be loose.
Strengths
Weaknesses
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Care | Machine washable |
| Palm | Touchscreen-capable synthetic leather |
| Brand | Mechanix Wear |
| Sizes | Small to XX Large |
| Thumb | Armortex thumb saddle reinforcement |
| Closure | Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) wrist closure |
| Product | ColdWork Original |
| Insulation | 60 gram 3M Thinsulate Eco |
| Back of hand | Water-resistant SoftShell |
| Certifications | 2111X, 22X |
Adults who stand outside in winter and want an insulated glove that still lets them use a phone screen, and who prefer a work-style glove with a reinforced thumb. It suits someone who values dexterity, since the maker highlights the palm material for its blend of dexterity and durability, over a bulky mitt.
Mechanix Wear ColdWork Waterproof Leather M-Pact Driver (F9-360), which the maker lists as a winter work glove and which is the step to take if waterproofing matters more than a softshell back. The Mechanix Wear M-Pact gloves already covered on this site are a separate model and are not described here as insulated winter gloves.
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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How we pick our gear
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