Cool environments - EN 14058:2004

Clothing to protect against cool environments (T°>-5°C)

Clothing must provide a certain level of protection against the effects of cool environments at temperatures above -5°C. The primary considerations include situations, determined by the activity of the wearer and their environment, which involve a combination of humidity and the wind cooling effect. Protective clothing often comes in sets. The standard specifies the requirements and testing methods for clothing performance.

The icon must be accompanied by the relevant performance levels:

• Thermal resistance classification: Class 1 to 4 (Class 4 being the highest)
• Air permeability classification: Class 1 to 3 (Class 3 being the highest), if the garment is intended for outdoor use then the air permeability must be specified
• Effective resultant thermal insulation value (thermal insulation between the skin and outer surface of the garment; this is optional if the thermal resistance is lower than Class 4) 
• Water penetration resistance (optional)

For optimal comfort, clothes designed for cool environments must be wind resistant, breathable and light. However, above all, they must be adapted to the ambient air temperature and activity level, to ensure that the user is in a thermally neutral state.

Having thermal insulation that is too high can cause perspiration, which increases the humidity in clothes and reduces how effective the thermal insulation is.