5 Advances in Protective Arm Sleeves
We talk a lot about new options in hand protection for our workers, but sleeve technology has made tremendous strides in recent years as well. Here are 5 new improvements in sleeves that you might have missed!
1. High Performing Cut-Resistant Materials
Advances in sleeve materials are making sleeves stronger, cooler, and lighter weight than ever before. So single-ply sleeves can now give you all the protection of double-ply at half the weight, along with added features like flame resistance and moisture-wicking properties.
- Ultra-Lightweight, Cut-Resistant Material | The newest innovation in engineered yarn is over 50% lighter than traditional HPPE of the same cut level, creating a cool, comfortable, ultra-lightweight sleeve that provides A6 cut-resistance.
- Coreless Material | Coreless cut protection uses non-irritating strength enhancing microparticles to achieve higher cut protection without the discomfort that fiberglass or steel can cause. This results in extreme comfort that’s cool-to-the-touch and 20% lighter than traditional HPPE of the same cut level.
- HPPE | Pound-for-pound, this premium cut-resistant technology is up to 15 times stronger than steel, yet it keeps your workers cool and comfortable and resists water, chemicals, and UV light better than similar sleeves made of para-aramid.
- Aramax® XT | Delivers up to twice the cut protection and two-and-a-half times the abrasion resistance of similar weight yarns made of 100% para-aramid with moisture-wicking comfort and flame resistance.
2. Choose Your Own Adventure
Now you can choose sleeves to match your unique environment and even individual worker needs with an incredible variety of options. Whether you’re looking for blousy or snug fit sleeves, hook and loop or elastic closures, sleeves with a thumb slot, sleeves that end at the wrist, longer sleeves, shorter sleeves, or even sleeves with impact protection – sleeve choices are more comfortable and varied than ever.
3. Improvements in PPE Standardization
If you don’t want the hassle of stocking multiple sleeve choices, you can pick a universal-fit, gusseted sleeve with a hook & loop closure. This one-sleeve option comfortably fits even very large or small workers and means you can buy in bulk, which can also save money.
4. Reduced Bulk Under Gloves
A gap between glove and sleeve can leave workers vulnerable to injury. A common solution is a sleeve with a thumb slot to keep sleeves down and workers protected. But the overlap of sleeve material and glove material can leave an uncomfortably bulky wad of cloth at the palm. New sleeve designs provide both thinner material at the palm and a thumb slot that’s closer to the cuff so it’s easier and more comfortable to keep gloves on.
5. Industry-Specific Arm Protection
Manufacturers are getting creative and crafting custom arm protection solutions that are both tailored to your industry-specific needs and inspired by your workers’ feedback.
Multi-hazard Protection
Ensures that workers are protected from a multitude of hazards like cut and flame with just one item of PPE.
Low-Linting Properties
Limit contamination and help protect the integrity of finished products.
Antimicrobial Properties
Inhibit the growth of bacteria on the sleeves themselves through the use of fabric treatments.
Hi-Viz Colors
Allow you to see that workers are wearing required PPE, especially in low-light environments. For food processing, sleeves also come in blue to help prevent contamination.
Get cut protection that's 50% lighter with a cooler feel.
