DeWalt 2-in-1 CWS Thermal Work Glove

Why I reached for these gloves

Cold mornings have a way of exposing the weak spots in your kit. Over the past month I put the DeWalt thermal glove through snow blowing before dawn, loading wet lumber off a truck, and long stretches of wind-chilled ladder work. It’s a 2-in-1 system: a brushed acrylic thermal liner inside a knit outer shell with a micro-foam dip over the palm and up across the knuckles. That construction ends up striking a useful balance between warmth, protection, and control.

Design and build

This glove is essentially a glove inside a glove. The outer shell is a 15-gauge nylon knit that’s tougher than it looks and resists abrasion. It’s dipped three-quarters of the way up the back of the hand in a micro-foam coating, so the palm, fingers, and knuckles are protected and grippy. The undipped back breathes a bit and flexes.

Inside, the 7-gauge brushed acrylic liner is the star for comfort. It’s plush in a way that traps warm air without feeling bulky or scratchy. The liner is removable, which makes drying and washing easy and also lets you tune warmth if the day warms up. An elastic cuff helps seal out debris and drafts without the scratchy bite some tight cuffs have.

Fit is true to size in my experience. I typically wear a Large, and the Large here fit snug without squeezing. If you’re between sizes or plan to wear thin glove liners underneath, consider going up one size.

Comfort and dexterity

The first thing I noticed is the “cozy but nimble” feel. That brushed liner is genuinely comfortable, and because it’s paired with a relatively thin outer shell for a winter glove, you don’t lose as much dexterity as you might expect. I could operate tool triggers, flick tiny latches, and handle bucket screws without a lot of fumbling. Threading small nuts or tying cord is still a take-the-glove-off task, but for everyday on-site and yard tasks, control is very good for the warmth on offer.

One detail I appreciate is the 3/4 dip over the knuckles. When you’re pushing a shovel, kneeling into snow, or dragging wet hose, that extra coverage keeps the most exposed part of your hand drier and takes the brunt of abrasion. The back of the hand stays flexible enough that making a fist doesn’t feel like you’re fighting the coating.

Warmth and weather performance

These shine in true cold. In steady wind with temperatures around freezing, my hands stayed warm without the clammy feeling that some fully coated gloves give you. The nylon shell cuts wind more than a typical bare knit, and the brushed acrylic traps heat well.

The micro-foam coating does a good job shedding water on the palm side. Snow, wet lumber, and slushy handles didn’t soak through quickly. That said, they’re not waterproof. The undipped back will wet out in heavy, persistent moisture, and if water runs down your sleeve it can wick in at the cuff. If you’re plunging hands into water or working in sustained rain, a fully coated rain glove is the better choice. Used as intended—cold, windy conditions with intermittent moisture—these are solid performers.

There’s a temperature ceiling. On warmer days (mid 50s and up) they get too warm and sweaty for comfort, which is consistent with the insulation level. Think of them as a late fall to deep winter glove, not a shoulder-season all-rounder.

Grip and control

The micro-foam palm is tacky without being gummy. On cold metal rails, pipe, shovel handles, and wet lumber, grip stays confident. I noticed I could relax my squeeze more than with a plain knit or smooth rubber dip, which reduces hand fatigue across a long day. The foam texture also holds up well when dusty; you don’t lose traction the moment drywall dust or sawdust gets involved.

Durability

I was rough with these: snow blower handles, cinder blocks, trex decking, and a pile of concrete pavers. After weeks of use, the dip on the fingertips and across the knuckles showed no peeling, and the nylon knit had only minor fuzzing in high-wear areas. The liner didn’t compress into a thin mat the way some cheap acrylic knits do, and the elastic cuff kept its stretch.

One practical note: because the liner is removable, it can want to turn inside-out as you pull the gloves off, especially if your hands are a bit damp. Pinching the fingertips as you doff them helps keep everything in place.

Maintenance and care

Being able to separate the liner from the shell is a win. After a wet day, I pull the liners and hang both pieces to dry; by morning they’re good to go. For washing, a cold gentle cycle and air dry preserved the liner loft and the elasticity of the cuff. Avoid high heat in the dryer; it’s hard on elastics and foam dips.

Where they make the most sense

• Snow removal and winter yardwork where you need warmth plus control
• Outdoor carpentry and framing in cold, windy conditions
• Delivery, warehouse, or loading tasks with cold metal, wet cardboard, and plastic wrap
• Mechanic and shop work in unheated spaces where you still need tool feel

What could be better

• Not waterproof: the back-of-hand knit will eventually wet through in sustained moisture
• Too warm above about 50°F: you’ll want a lighter glove as temps rise
• Touchscreen use is a no; plan to pull a glove off for phones and tablets
• The removable liner can tug out with damp hands; a quick pinch at the fingertips solves it, but it’s a quirk

Value and alternatives

Compared to a typical thin nitrile-dipped glove, the DeWalt thermal glove is warmer, more wind-resistant, and more protective across the knuckles, with a small penalty in fine dexterity. Compared to a bulky ski-style work glove, it offers far better control, easier drying, and a trimmer fit that’s nicer for tool work. Versus a fully coated waterproof glove, it breathes better and stays more comfortable during high-output tasks, but gives up immersion-proofing.

That mix makes sense for a lot of trades and homeowners who need a grab-and-go cold-weather glove they won’t mind wearing all day.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt thermal glove for cold, windy work where you want real warmth without giving up much control. The 2-in-1 construction, grippy 3/4 micro-foam dip, and comfortable brushed liner make it a dependable choice for winter chores, outdoor trades, and shop work in unheated spaces. It’s not the right tool for heavy rain or temperatures much above the low 50s, and you’ll be pulling a glove off to use a phone. But within its lane—dry to damp cold-weather work—it’s comfortable, durable, and thoughtfully designed. If your winter lineup needs a warm, grippy, low-fuss glove you won’t baby, this one earns a spot.