Caving Canyon PU Gloves Aventure Verticale XXL EN 388

These PU coated gloves address a practical problem familiar to cavers from the Yorkshire Dales to the Pyrenees. Rope and rock surfaces progressively abrade unprotected palms during SRT ascending and descending. Bulky gloves provide protection but eliminate the tactile sensitivity needed for ascenders, descenders and carabiners. The PU coating on the palm and fingertips solves this trade-off directly. Size XXL (size 11) fits larger hands without restricting blood flow or movement during technical manoeuvres.

Technical specifications

• Manufacturer reference: AVCA61-11-XXL
• EAN13: 3760142638024
• Net weight (pair): 200 g
• Packaging dimensions: 22 × 30 × 2 cm
• Material: knit with polyurethane (PU) coating, speckled grey colour
• PU coating on palm and fingertip return
• Aerated back panel for hand ventilation
• Elasticated wrist for secure fit
• Size of this reference: 11 (XXL) — size guide: 6 (XS) — 7 (S) — 8 (M) — 9 (L) — 10 (XL) — 11 (XXL)
• Customs code CN8: 3926 20 00

Applications

Primary applications include caving: single rope technique (SRT), pitch rigging and derigging, pitch head management. These caving gloves also suit canyoning: waterfall abseils, wet rock traverses, rope retrieval in gorges. They are used in vertical rope rescue operations: underground rescue, canyon extraction. Low weight and compact profile make them easy to carry in a caving bag without adding bulk.

Key features

• PU coating on palm and fingertips: targeted protection over the highest-friction contact zones. Tactile feedback is fully retained for connectors, knot tying and rope manipulation.
• Aerated back panel: open-knit structure dissipates heat and moisture during extended pitches. Thermal discomfort is reduced in stable-temperature cave environments.
• Elasticated wrist: secure fit during large-amplitude movements on ascenders and descenders. No mid-manoeuvre slipping at pitch heads or re-belays.
• PU vs neoprene: neoprene swells and overheats in humid cave and canyon environments. PU stays lightweight, dries fast and preserves full tactile sensitivity for ascenders, carabiners and knots.
• CE EN 388 certification: independently tested for abrasion, cut, tear and puncture resistance. Compliant with EU PPE Regulation 2016/425, Category II.
• Full size range XS to XXL: size XXL ensures a proper fit without compression. Circulation and precision are maintained during long underground trips.

Certifications and compliance

These gloves are personal protective equipment (PPE) Category II under EU Regulation 2016/425. They bear CE EN 388:2016+A1:2018 marking, the current European standard for protection against mechanical risks. The EN 388 standard evaluates four criteria. Abrasion resistance (levels 1–4), blade cut resistance (1–5), tear resistance (1–4) and puncture resistance (1–4). Gloves showing PU delamination or excessive palm wear must be replaced before further use. For caving PPE guidance: British Cave Research Association (BCRA).