Absorbency: The ability of a fabric to take in moisture. Absorbency is a very important property, which affects many other characteristics such as skin comfort, static build-up, shrinkage, stain removal, water repellency and wrinkle recovery.

Abrasion Resistance: The ability to resist wear from the continuous rubbing of the fabric against another surface. Garments made from fabrics that possess both high breaking strength and abrasion resistance can be worn often and for a long period of time before signs of wear appear.

Armor-Tan™: A leather treatment by the world famous Pittards® tannery in England. Armor-Tan™ involves encasing the leather fibril bundles in microscopic ceramic "armor plates" which are more resistant to abrasion, thus increasing the durability of the leather by preventing wear on contact surfaces and materials. Armor-Tan™ treated leather is 25% more resistant to abrasion than untreated leather. For more information, visit the Pittards website at www.pittards.com.

Cabretta: Thin, fine leather made from the skin of hair sheep. It is used in gloves needing superior tactility and dexterity.

Chamude: A soft and flexible synthetic leather with a suede surface texture which breaths like genuine leather. It is machine washable. Similar to Clarino™.

Clarino™: A soft and flexible synthetic leather with a suede surface texture which breathes like genuine leather. It is machine washable.
For more information on Clarino™, visit the Kuraray Co. website at www.kuraray.co.jp.

Cowhide: One of the most durable garment leathers, providing the best value. This leather type can be made in all weights and textures. New ways of finishing cowhide produce a sensual softness and suppleness. Cowhide is available in a wide range of shades and textures.

Cuff: The cuff is the part of the glove extending beyond the palm that covers the wrist and part of the forearm.

Dynamic (dynamic extreme): A versatile, breathable, permanently elastic fabric made mainly for the outdoor and adventure sports market by Schoeller® of Switzerland. It offers good wear resistance, durability and flexibility. Dynamic fabric is water and soil repellent. It is composed of Cordura®, Lycra® and Polyamide.
For more information on Schoeller® dynamic extreme visit the Schoeller Textiles website at www.schoeller-textiles.com.

Elasticity: The ability to increase in length under tension and then return to the original length when released.

Fourchette: The piece of leather sewn between the fingers on some kinds of gloves. (also known as the sidewall or gusset)

Gauntlet Cuff: A glove cuff designed for extra protection for the forearm. Usually a 4 and one half" cuff. Slides on and off easily and allows for maximum movement of forearm.

Grain: The side of the leather that had the hair, i.e. the outside. Full grain has the original surface, whereas corrected grain has been abraded to make the leather smoother and more uniform. It is regarded for its soft, grainy texture and appearance.

Gusset: The piece of leather sewn between the fingers on some kinds of gloves. Also known as the sidewall or fourchette.

HIPORA®: A waterproof film with polyurethane coating. Numerous micro pores are placed all over the polyurethane coating which shut out water from the outside, yet allow the moisture or warm steam from the body to exit. Glove liners made with HIPORA® are waterproof, windproof and breathable all at the same time and will keep hands dry and comfortable.

KEVLAR® by DuPont™: Aromic polyamide fibers, consisting of synthetic polyamides, commonly woven into fabric for cut and heat resistant gloves, aprons, etc. KEVLAR® provides protection against cuts without diminishing manual dexterity or flexibility. It is 4 times more cut resistant than leather, almost 2 times more cut resistant than equal weight cotton and 40% more cut resistant than NOMEX®. The cut resistant properties of KEVLAR® will not diminish or wear out, even after repeated laundering. KEVLAR® has outstanding high-temperature resistance and low thermal conductivity. It will not burn, melt, or support combustion. It will not decompose until exposed to temperatures exceeding 800°-900°F. For more information, please visit DuPont’s KEVLAR® website at www.dupont.com/kevlar.

Leather: A hide or skin that has been preserved by a chemical process called tanning. Leather is the most ancient form of clothing known to man and only certain types are adaptable for gloves.

NOMEX® by DuPont™: This is an extraordinary fiber with a combination of high-performance heat and flame resistant properties and moderate cut resistance. NOMEX® has outstanding high-temperature resistance and low thermal conductivity. It will not burn, melt, or support combustion. It will not decompose until exposed to temperatures exceeding 800°-900°F. When exposed to intense heat, the fibers carbonize and thicken, increasing the protective barrier between the skin and heat source to minimize burn injury. This protective barrier stays supple and flexible until it cools, giving the wearer valuable extra seconds of protection to escape. While KEVLAR® is about 40% more cut resistant, NOMEX® is more cut resistant than leather and equal weight cotton. NOMEX® is more commonly used in heat/flame resistant garments than KEVLAR® because of its superior textile characteristics. NOMEX® garments are more comfortable to wear than those made of Kevlar® or other heat/flame resistant fabrics and have superior feel and dexterity. For more information please visit DuPont’s NOMEX® website at www.dupont.com/nomex.

Nylon: Generic name for all polymers having recurring amide groups in the molecular backbone. Various types of nylon are described by numbers that relate to the number of carbon atoms in the various reactants. Effect of heat: Sticks at 445°F, Melts at 480°F, Yellows slightly at 300°F when held for 5 hours. The most extensively used type of nylon in gloves is Nylon 6/6.

Polyethylene (PE): A family of resins prepared from the polymerization of ethylene gas using a variety of catalysts. Cured during or after molding they become true thermosets with good tensile strength, electrical properties and impact strength over a wide range of temperatures. Glass fiber reinforced polyethylene can be processed by injection molding, rotational molding, and blow moldings.

Polypropylene (PP): A thermoplastic resin used as fiber reinforcement made by polymerizing propylene. Its density (approximately 0.90) is among the lowest of all plastics. Polypropylenes can be modified to gain improved properties by compounding with fillers, e.g. glass fibers, by blending with synthetic elastomers, and by copolymerizing with small amounts of other monomers. Glass reinforced polypropylene can be processed by injection molding, continuous lamination and rotational molding. Also known as POLYPROPENE.

Polyurethane (PU) Resins: A family of resins produced by reacting a diisocyanate with an organic compound containing two or more active hydrogen atoms to form polymers having free isocyanate groups. These groups, under the influence of heat or certain catalysts, will in turn react with each other, or with a compound containing active hydrogen, such as water or a glycol, to form a thermosetting material. Thermoplastic polyurethanes are also available as elastomeric or rigid materials readily accepting a variety of reinforcements such as glass or carbon fiber. The terms urethane and polyurethane are used interchangeably.

Resiliency: The ability of a material to spring back to shape after being creased, twisted or distorted. It is closely connected with wrinkle recovery. An example of good resiliency is polyester.

Sheepskin: Under the classifications of cabretta, capeskin and suede is taken from the hardy animal's native cold and high altitude climates.

Sidewall: Narrow panel running down index finger and/or small finger side of glove for fuller fit and rugged look.

Spectra®: An ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fiber made by Allied Signal®. It is the strongest manmade fiber available. Spectra® is 8-10 times stronger than steel, 40% stronger than aramid fiber (i.e. KEVLAR®) and stronger and lighter than virtually every other commercial high-modulus fiber. Spectra® offers almost twice the cut resistance of KEVLAR® of the same weight. For more information on Spectra®, please visit Honeywell/Allied Signal's website at http://www.performancefibers.com/products/spectra.html.

Suede: The hair side of the leather that has been buffed by an abrading machine to give a soft, burnished effect.

Tactility: The ability to feel and sense touch while wearing gloves.

Wickability: The ability of a fiber to transport moisture away from the skin.