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Find the Best Work Gloves for Your Project

Marc McCollough

By Marc McCollough
Updated August 17, 2023

You use your hands for every project around the home, and protecting your hands should be a priority. Whether you need heavy-duty leather work gloves, waterproof dishwashing gloves or chemical-resistant cleaning gloves, protect your hands with the best work gloves for the hazards you'll face.

A woman wearing beige and teal work gloves while using a red Craftsman hedge trimmer.

How Gloves Protect You

Water-resistant Wells Lamont leather work gloves with teal labels and teal piping around the cuffs.

Different gloves provide protection from different types of hazards, including:

  • Abrasions
  • Impacts
  • Cuts
  • Punctures
  • Vibration
  • Heat
  • Flame
  • Chemicals

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) provides standards for classifying performance against these hazards. These classifications can be used to help pros determine which gloves are right for their work. For example, on cut-resistant gloves, such as gloves for working with metal or for handling glass, you may see an ANSI A3 or A4 rating. The rating indicates cut resistance, with higher numbers indicating better cut resistance.

Look for information from the glove manufacturer indicating the type of protection the gloves provide and the type of work they’re recommended for. Use the information to make sure you buy the right work gloves for the work you’ll be doing.

What Are the Different Types of Safety Gloves?

A pair of brown and black Mechanix Wear leather gloves with impact-resistant rubber on the backs.

Safety and work gloves are effective for different projects, depending on the type and material. We’ll detail different types below, but here are some examples:

  • Leather-palm work gloves protect your palms from punctures and abrasions. Leather also dissipates heat well and is good for shock absorption. You might see leather palms on mechanics gloves or gardening gloves, and this type of glove works well for tasks ranging from lawn care to installing paving stones.
  • Nylon work gloves make good general-purpose gloves. You’ll typically see them with a coating that increases cut, puncture and abrasion protection while improving grip. They keep your hands clean and protect you from minor scrapes and cuts. Although they don’t offer the level of protection that leather does, you’ll have better dexterity with nylon gloves.
  • Waterproof work gloves keep your hands clean when you’re painting or working in wet or muddy conditions. Some gloves are fully waterproof, but some are simply water-resistant. Others only provide protection for your palms and the inner surfaces of your fingers. Some fully waterproof gloves also protect you when you’re working with chemicals such as pesticides, oil and paint thinner.
  • Winter gloves often do more than keep your hands warm when you’re working outdoors in cold weather. Insulated work gloves and gloves with a lining make the best work gloves for winter but typically provide protection from hazards such as cuts, scrapes, punctures as well, depending on the material they’re made of.

You can also find multipurpose work gloves, construction gloves and general-utility gloves, as well as gloves for specific tasks. For example, mechanics gloves allow the dexterity necessary for automotive work.

A pair of women's gardening gloves in brown leather and a blue floral pattern fabric.

Garden gloves have many of the same functions as work gloves and are constructed with the same materials. They tend to be light duty, keeping your hands free of dirt. The best gloves for gardening are also reinforced at key areas such as the palms and fingers to provide a measure of protection from cuts, punctures and abrasions or scrapes.

A light gray pair of Craftsman grain leather work gloves with split leather palms.

Beyond general-purpose leather-palm gloves, leather work gloves are often used for construction and working with lumber and masonry. There are a couple of different types of leather:

  • Grain, or top-grain, leather is soft and smooth. It’s often the best leather for work gloves if you want comfort and dexterity.
  • Split leather is denser than grain leather, so it’s the best leather for work gloves when resistance to abrasions is a priority. It also offers better water resistance. Split leather tends to be more economical than grain leather.

Good to Know

Synthetic leather is lighter than natural leather. It dries easily, offers good dexterity and grips well.

A black pair of leather Lincoln welding gloves with an extended cuff and a flame design on the back.

Leather welding gloves are a specialized variety of work gloves. The leather provides durability and heat dissipation while a fleece or thermal lining protects hands from high heat levels. These gloves have extended or gauntlet-style cuffs to protect the wrists from sparks, heat and metal fragments. Some have Kevlar stitching to help hold them together under high heat levels.

Tip

In addition to welding gloves, make sure you have the other welding safety gear you need, including a welding shirt or jacket, safety glasses and a welding helmet with a lens suited for the work you're doing.

A dark brown cotton work glove.

Fabric work gloves are often made from cotton or blends of polyester and cotton (poly/cotton). These gloves are soft and pliable and usually offer the benefits of being inexpensive and washable. They're good for painting or light landscaping as basic protection for the hands, or as a lining or extra insulation when worn with other gloves. They aren't suitable for work with chemicals or for heavy use.

A gray and black pair of fabric gloves with rubber palms, backs and fingers.

Rubber or latex garden and work gloves feature a coating or shell on the palm and fingers for grip, waterproofing or protection from vibration and abrasion. They often also have poly/cotton fabric areas to allow for comfort, breathability and flexibility.

Work and Garden Glove Features

A blue fabric work glove with black rubber impact-protection moulding on the back and fingers.

Look for features that improve a glove’s protection, comfort and usefulness:

  • Vibration-dampening pads sewn to the palms and fingers
  • Impact-absorbing pads on the palms for use with impact tools
  • Rubber or plastic layers and studs that protect the back of the hand and fingers from impacts and pinches
  • Breathable fabric that helps keep hands cool
  • Insulation or lining that helps keep hands warm or that provides heat resistance
  • Flame-resistant materials
  • Touch-screen-compatible fingers
  • Machine-washable material that lets you easily clean them

Glove Construction

A brown leather work glove with a gunn cut and a keystone thumb.
  • Work gloves usually have a gunn cut as in the glove to the right, which is a seam under the two middle fingers, in a natural crease at the palm, improving comfort.
  • A straight thumb design is good for tasks that involve gripping. A seam runs around the thumb and doesn't interfere with this type of use. However, it won't be as comfortable for other tasks.
  • A wing thumb design has an angled thumb and doesn't have a seam between the thumb and palm. It provides good comfort for continuous use.
  • A keystone thumb, as in the image to the right, is an ergonomic design that provides comfort and dexterity.

Cleaning and Finishing Gloves

A blue and yellow pair of rubber cleaning gloves.

Gloves for cleaning and finishing offer a measure of chemical protection, and some can also function as waterproof work gloves. They're available in reusable and disposable versions.

Reusable gloves are thicker and typically have a flocked lining that improves comfort and makes the gloves easier to put on and take off. They're more durable, but they offer less dexterity and don't give you as much touch sensitivity as thinner gloves. While they're reusable, they require care and maintenance.

Disposable gloves are for single use only. They're intended for incidental, rather than direct, chemical contact. Once they come into contact with chemicals, you should replace them. While they don't offer the same level of protection as thicker, reusable gloves, they allow more dexterity and a better sense of touch.

Caution

The chemical resistance of a glove depends on several factors, including quality, thickness and material. Different materials are effective for different chemicals, so make sure the glove you choose provides protection for the work you’ll be doing.

A person putting on a pair of white latex cleaning gloves.

Latex rubber gloves are made from a natural material. Latex gloves offer a good grip and provide more dexterity and sensitivity since they fit more tightly to the hand than other types. They're more puncture resistant than vinyl and neoprene, but punctures can be difficult to see. Latex isn't effective against all chemicals, and it tends to degrade due to contact with turpentine or petroleum-based materials such as gasoline, kerosene, acetone and mineral spirits. A natural latex rubber allergy is a concern for some, so this type of glove is not suitable for everyone.

A person putting on a pair of blue nitrile cleaning gloves.

Nitrile gloves are made from a synthetic rubber and are an alternative for those with latex allergies. In general, nitrile is resistant to more chemicals than latex but isn't effective against all, such as solvents that are nonpetroleum based. Nitrile gloves have better resistance to abrasions and punctures than latex, and punctures are easier to spot. These gloves offer very good dexterity, but they may not fit as tightly as latex and don't have the same level of dexterity and sense of touch.

A pair of gray neoprene cleaning gloves with textured palms and fingers.

Neoprene is another latex-free artificial rubber. Neoprene gloves fit snugly and offer good dexterity and a good sense of touch. The material stretches but doesn't prevent punctures and abrasions as well as latex or nitrile.

Vinyl or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cleaning gloves are made with a type of plastic. They offer an economical alternative for those with latex allergies. However, while vinyl cleaning gloves hold up well to abrasions, they are not as resistant to snags, cuts and punctures as other glove types. Vinyl gloves are great for quick, low-risk jobs with nonhazardous materials where you're not concerned about durability. These gloves tend to fit more loosely than latex, nitrile and neoprene, so they don't offer the same level of dexterity. However, vinyl gloves resist adhering to many types of glue, so they can be useful in woodworking assembly.

A pair of pink latex-dipped work gloves with a breathable fabric back.

Coated or dipped gloves combine a coating, such as nitrile, polyurethane or latex, with fabric gloves. The fabric improves comfort and strengthens the glove. The coating, in addition to being water resistant, improves your grip in both wet and dry situations. It also creates a durable glove, with resistance to punctures, cuts and abrasions. Pay attention to how much of the glove is coated. Portions of gloves are often left uncoated to allow your hands to breathe. The uncoated areas are not water resistant and provide less protection from other hazards.

Good to Know

Cleaning gloves that have a texture make it easier to grip objects when the gloves or objects are wet. A more pronounced, raised texture means the gloves channel more liquid away, allowing better contact with whatever you're handling. You'll see this feature on some kitchen and dishwashing gloves. The best dishwashing gloves will also have long cuffs to keep your forearms dry and protected from chapping.

Powdered and Powder-Free Cleaning Gloves

Disposable gloves are often available in powdered and powder-free versions. Powdered gloves use a coating on the inside of the gloves to absorb moisture and make them easier to put on. Avoid using powdered gloves when painting, sealing or finishing; the powder can mar the finish. Powder-free gloves work better for these tasks. Powder-free gloves are also a better option if you're concerned about an allergic reaction to the powder.

Glove Cuff Types

Beyond the construction and glove material, the cuff on a glove also plays a part in protecting you. You'll see several common cuff and wrist styles. Some cuffs are designed to fit tightly against the wrist for a secure fit, while some have a loose fit to allow you to remove the glove quickly in an emergency.

A gray and blue pair of leather and fabric gloves with band top cuffs.

Safety/Band-Top Cuff

  • Large, loose cuff that allows quick removal
  • Provides wrist protection
  • Improves airflow into the glove
A gray pair of leather rose pruning gloves with gauntlet cuffs.

Gauntlet/Extended Cuff

  • Long, loose cuff allows for easy removal
  • Provides wrist and some forearm protection
  • Improves airflow into the glove
A blue and gray pair of fabric and latex gloves with knit cuffs.

Knit Cuff

  • Fits tightly to the wrist
  • Helps keep the glove in place
  • Keeps out dirt and debris
  • Slows removal slightly
A pair of brown leather and black fabric Mechanix Wear work gloves with open cuffs.

Open/Elastic Cuff

  • Short length makes putting the glove on and removing it easier
  • May also have a closure at the wrist
A pair of black and gray Mechanix Wear synthetic leather work gloves with a hook and loop cuff.

Hook-and-Loop Cuff

  • Closes tightly to your wrist
  • Helps keep the glove in place
  • Keeps out dirt and debris
  • Slows removal
Light gray Wells Lamont leather work gloves with a ball and tape cuff.

Ball-and-Tape Cuff

  • Cinches tightly to your wrist
  • Helps keep the glove in place
  • Keeps out dirt and debris
  • Slows removal
A pair of green nitrile cleaning gloves with extended, straight cuffs.

Straight Cuff

  • Protects wrists and part of your forearm
  • Fits loosely, allowing for faster removal
  • Allows you to fold up the edges to catch drips and runoff
A pair of yellow latex cleaning gloves with extended rolled cuffs.

Rolled/Beaded Cuff

  • Has a lip to protect the wrist and forearm from drips
  • Often fits loosely, allowing for faster removal
A blue P V C-dipped glove with an extended zigzag or pinked cuff.

Pinked Cuff

  • A zigzag pattern cut into the cuff helps catch drips
  • Fits loosely, allowing for faster removal

How Do I Find the Right-Size Gloves?

A close up of the palm and fingers of a brown leather Mechanix Wear work glove.

Gloves must fit properly to provide protection. You’re more likely to use gloves that are easy to put on and take off, are comfortable, give you the dexterity you need and allow you to perform work efficiently. Methods for sizing gloves differ by manufacturer, but you can often find a sizing chart on the packaging. You'll need to know some key measurements from your dominant hand:

  • The width of your palm at the base of your knuckles
  • The circumference of your hand at the base of your knuckles
  • The length of the middle finger measuring from the knuckle to the tip
  • The length from the tip of your middle finger to the base of the knuckle

Using Gloves Safely

You need to use gloves properly for them to protect your hands. Here are some general tips to make sure you're getting the most out of your gloves. Follow any recommendations from the glove manufacturer for use and care.

  • When working with chemicals, make sure your gloves are effective for the chemical.
  • Follow the material or tool manufacturer's recommendations for hand protection. For example, some gloves are not appropriate for working with chemicals, as the chemical can soak into the glove and contact the skin for prolonged periods. Some machinery or power tool manufacturers may recommend against using gloves due to the risk of the glove (and hand) becoming entangled in moving parts.
  • Inspect your gloves regularly. Replace any that show signs of damage or chemical permeation.
  • Some cleaning gloves have expiration dates. Do not use them beyond the listed dates.
  • Pay attention to any stinging sensation or skin irritation in your hands. These symptoms may indicate that you're using the wrong type of glove or that a hazardous substance has made its way through the glove.

Other Safety Gear for Your Projects

A man dressed in workwear and an orange safety helmet using a chainsaw to cut a log.

Work gloves, gardening gloves and cleaning gloves are only part of the protection you need to safely manage jobs around the workshop, jobsite, landscape or home. You can find all of the necessary workwear for any situation with footwear, work pants, shirts, and hats. We also carry jackets and coats for working in cold-weather conditions.

Depending on the project, you'll need other safety equipment such as eye protection, work boots, hearing protection and a respirator or safety mask. To find out how to match safety equipment to different work, take a look at our other guides: