Protective textiles in cold–wet extreme environments: a narrative review of materials, testing, and glove performance in commercial fishing

Protective gloves are critical in commercial fishing, where workers face hazardous and variable environments. Unlike other high-risk industries, there are no formal standards or guidelines in place to ensure adequate hand protection for this workforce. This narrative review investigates literature on current glove use and research, injury risks, hazards, relevant standards, and available testing methods. While research on commercial fishing injuries is well established, evidence specific to hand protection is limited, and few standards reflect the environmental and task-based demands of fishing work. Gaps exist between available glove technology, laboratory testing methods, and real-world fishing conditions, leaving workers vulnerable to preventable injury. Findings indicate that commercial fishing remains significantly underrepresented in protective glove research. A coordinated, interdisciplinary effort is needed to develop testing protocols, inform standards, and guide product development tailored to the unique risks of commercial fishing to improve long-term safety and worker wellbeing.