GLOVE TESTING AND CERTIFICATION
What really matters?
Let’s be honest - most people never look past the size on a label. But in the world of military gloves, those small strings of letters and numbers - EN 388, EN 407, EN 511 - can be the difference between kit that works under pressure and kit that lets you down when you need it most.
At Westram Gloves, we take testing seriously. Not because it looks good on a tender document (although it does play an important part), but because your hands deserve protection that’s been proven in the lab and in the field.
Why Testing and Certification Matter
When you’re selecting materials and gloves for operational use, there’s no room for guesswork. Military procurement teams have a duty of care and need evidence that a glove will protect and perform to the same standard every time - whether it’s the first unit off the production line or the thousandth.
Testing and certification are about trust:
Trust that the glove meets an internationally recognised safety standard.
Trust that the performance claims have been independently verified.
Trust that the product will perform in the real world, not just in marketing copy.
The Big Three in Tactical Glove Testing
1. EN 388 - Mechanical Risk Protection
The EN 388 standard is the workhorse of glove testing. It rates performance against four mechanical hazards:
Abrasion Resistance - how well the glove stands up to friction and wear.
Cut Resistance - its ability to resist blade penetration.
Tear Resistance - the force required to rip the glove.
Puncture Resistance - how well it resists sharp points.
Each is rated from 1 (low) to 4 or 5 (high). The higher the number, the tougher the glove – but remember as highlighted in the four pillars of design, toughness can affect dexterity. The art is in balancing both and meeting the real use case for the glove.
2. EN 511 - Cold Protection
Cold weather operations aren’t just uncomfortable, they can be mission-ending and do long-term damage without proper protection. EN 511 measures:
Convective Cold Resistance - insulation from cold air and wind.
Contact Cold Resistance - protection when touching cold surfaces or metal.
Water Penetration - whether the glove resists water ingress.
For Arctic, mountain, or winter operations, these numbers matter as much as zeroing your weapon.
3. ISO & EN Flame Resistance Testing
For roles with fire risk - vehicle crews, EOD, breachers - ISO 15025 or EN 407 testing is essential. These tests measure:
How quickly a glove ignites.
How long it continues to burn after ignition.
How much heat is transferred to your skin.
In short: how well it protects you when things go up in flames.
Why It’s Critical for Military Procurement
In defence supply, testing isn’t optional, it’s often a tender and contractual requirement. But beyond compliance, it ensures:
Consistency - gloves perform the same way across batches.
Accountability - manufacturers can prove their performance claims and it keeps pretenders out of the mix.
Operational Readiness - kit can be trusted without second-guessing.
That’s why Westram Gloves are tested to these standards before they ever get near an operator’s hands.
Our Commitment
Every Westram glove is:
✅ EN 388 tested for mechanical protection.
✅ EN 511 tested for cold weather models.
✅ FR tested for flame-resistant variants.
✅ Verified in an Accredited Independent Laboratory so you know the results are real.
Because your protection starts long before the gloves hit the field - it starts in the test lab.