Can you imagine working without using your hands? For many people, hands are arguably the most important tools they use at their jobs. This might ring true for you too. Anyone who works with their hands understands the importance of protection. And one way to protect your hands is by wearing work gloves. Aside from the fact that good work gloves prevent you from getting blisters and calluses, they also serve as padding to protect the hands from shocks. They can keep your hands warm in winter, protect them from thorns while gardening, deflect sharp objects, and protect your hands from a host of other dangers. Therefore, these gloves are vital. We have compiled and reviewed ten of the best work gloves on the market today.
This will help you narrow your choice when choosing work gloves. We have also provided a buying guide that will help you see the factors to consider when choosing work gloves.
- Features to Consider in Good Work Gloves
- Top 10 Best Work Gloves 2024
- 1. NoCry Cut Resistant Gloves
- 2. Pine Tree Tools Bamboo Working Gloves
- 3. CLC Custom Leathercraft 125M Handyman Flex Grip
- 4. Ironclad General Utility Work Gloves GUG
- 5. Mechanix Wear - Material4X Original Gloves
- 6. G & F 15196XL Nitrile Coated Work Gloves
- 7. Maxiflex 34-874 Ultimate
- 8. Bionic Rose Gardening Gloves
- 9. Wells 174L Lamont Work Gloves
- 10. Mechanix Wear M-Pact Gloves
- Guide to Buying the Best Work Gloves
- Conclusion
Features to Consider in Good Work Gloves
The importance of using protective gear for the hands while on a job cannot be overemphasized. Whether you are a professional or you have a hobby, or you are a DIYer, work gloves can literally save your hands. As there are loads of work gloves on the market, it is possible to purchase a work glove that not only fails to protect your hands, but that can also be harmful to your skin. Therefore, you have to consider some factors before you buy a work glove. In this section, we will briefly discuss some of these factors. More about them will be discussed in the Main Buying Guide section.
Use of work gloves
One factor that affects the choice of work glove is the use to which you will put these gloves and why you are wearing them in the first place.
There are some major reasons and dangers that cause people to wear work gloves.
Gardening & Landscaping
While working in a garden, our hands might be in danger. The garden might be home to beautiful flowers and fresh air, but it is also home to thorns, sharp branches, and stinging insects and so on. Having a pair of gardening work gloves can protect your hands from such dangers.
Chemical related jobs
Dangerous chemicals can quickly destroy skin and even bone. Therefore, while working with chemicals or on chemical-related jobs, you need to get a pair of chemical resistant gloves. These gloves come with special features and materials to keep your hands safe.
Indoor Activities
Working indoors can be dangerous to your hands. For example, working in the kitchen exposes you to different hazards. From sharp knives that can cut through flesh and bone to other implements that can easily detach your fingers, the dangers are numerous. Wearing cut resistant gloves indoors can save you from such dangers.
Adverse Temperatures
Some tasks require that your hands are placed in areas of extreme heat or cold. Using your bare hands in such situations is dumb and dangerous. Therefore, you need to buy gloves that insulate your hands from cold and heat.
There are other tasks that require that you wear adequate protection. In our main buying guide, we will consider the tasks above and other factors in more detail.
Aside from the nature of the task, other factors that affect your choice of work gloves include:
- Material of the gloves
- Flexibility, Fit, and Comfort
- Dexterity
- Overall padding & protection
- Durability
- Price
Now, let us see the ten best work gloves on the market.
Top 10 Best Work Gloves 2024
1. NoCry Cut Resistant Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Material and design
The gloves have an elastic structure. The materials that make up these gloves include Spandex, polyethylene, and glass fiber. As a result, they are very tough, and even the sharpest objects will find a hard time cutting through them.
The gloves come in different sizes. The small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes ensure that everyone has something for them. Despite the tough exterior of these gloves, they feel very snug and nice to the skin.
In Use
It should be noted that these gloves are not made for industrial uses. Unlike the majority of gloves on this list, they are not multi-purpose gloves. As a result, electricians, handymen, or other professionals will not find them suitable. However, if the plan is to work from home, perhaps in the kitchen, or picking up shards of broken glass, you won’t find better gloves than these.
During use, we found these gloves to be the ideal companion. They are stronger, at least four times stronger, than leather. With these gloves, it was pretty easy for us to cut up stuff in the kitchen without being afraid of injury.
They do not get in the way of handling stuff because they fit snugly in the hands. With level 5 grade of cut resistance, you will find no better gloves to protect you from cuts.
Pros
- Cut resistant
- Machine washable
- Complete dexterity
Cons
- The fingers might be too long
2. Pine Tree Tools Bamboo Working Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Design and Material
These gloves from Pine Tree Tools are bamboo gloves. The design makes them fit comfortably in your hands. The appearance might not show it, but these gloves are very durable. They are built to last.
During Use
These gloves are arguably the most comfortable, yet safe gloves you will use. They are very breathable and do not feel stuffy. For as long as you work, the gloves absorb any sweat or perspiration from your hands and keep them cool. We found these gloves to have amazing finger sensitivity.
Furthermore, unlike other gloves that make it almost impossible to use your cellphone while you got them on, these gloves are very touch-screen friendly. While wearing them, it is possible for you to operate your smartphone without any hassles.
Just like the No Cut gloves above, these gloves are not made for industrial or heavy-duty applications. If you want to work around the home, for instance, gardening or similar activities, these gloves are simply perfect. They are durable and will offer protection to your hands. In fact, they prevent dust and dirt from building up in your fingernails and hands while you do your work.
We found these gloves to be very flexible and overall great.
Pros
- They are breathable
- They are touch-screen sensitive
- Durable build
- Hypo-allergenic bamboo material
Cons
- It requires frequent cleaning
3. CLC Custom Leathercraft 125M Handyman Flex Grip
Editor’s Rating:
Material and design
The glove comes with a spandex material and Lycra side panels. This means that while the glove is tough and strong, it also moves along as you move. It is very flexible. The material is washable and does not shrink even after a rigorous wash.
It features synthetic leather around the body that ensures water-resistance.
Performance when in use
We found these gloves to deliver a safe yet efficient performance. For example, during use, we observed that the gloves offer more than enough insulation to protect them. It is easy to slip on, and the hook and loop-off closure system of the gloves ensure that even when you are engaged in vigorous activity, the gloves stay on. We also like the strong grip these gloves deliver.
CLC made 3 fingers of these gloves to be touch-screen friendly. Hence, you can operate your smartphone even while you have the gloves on. The material on the glove ensures that there is no snag. Furthermore, they can be washed without fear of shrinkage.
The synthetic leather that features on the gloves ensures that they are usable even in wet conditions. Wintertime does not stop the efficacy of the performance from these gloves.
The gloves provide adequate protection. During use, we observed that the synthetic leather, which is far harder than normal leather, shielded our hands from danger despite the wide variety of jobs we used them for.
Pros
- They are very comfortable
- The synthetic leather is resistant to shrinkage
- They provide adequate insulation in cold weather
- Synthetic leather makes them water-resistant
Cons
- They are not as durable as other gloves, especially under heavy use.
4. Ironclad General Utility Work Gloves GUG
Editor’s Rating:
Material and design
There is not much to say concerning the design of this glove. It looks much like every other glove out there, but it offers more protection than the majority of them. It comes with synthetic leather around the palm and other parts. This ensures that users are kept safe during work.
The design is tough and very durable. If you are going to use your gloves every day, you need gloves that can withstand heavy use. These gloves are some of the best gloves in this regard. A design feature we loved is the presence of a terry cloth thumb backing on the glove. This innovative feature that allows you to wipe away sweat is something we didn’t know we needed.
Performance during use
The gloves offered impressive protection while we tested them. The blend of design and materials makes them very durable. If you are a carpenter, heavy equipment operator or a worker that wears gloves every day, the durability of these gloves will be a massive draw.
The gloves feature a Velcro wrist closure that ensured that while we used them, they didn’t somehow slip out of our hands. Furthermore, the synthetic leather that exists around the palm area ensures that whenever you handle stuff, your palm remains protected.
We observed that the General Utility Work Glove lacks sufficient knuckle protection compared to most of the other best work gloves, and this flaw is one reason why it isn’t higher on this list.
Like many of the best work gloves, these gloves are touch-screen friendly.
Pros
- The gloves are very durable
- The terry cloth thumb backing is a great feature
- Synthetic leather palms provide extra protection
Cons
- Knuckle protection is low compared to other gloves
5. Mechanix Wear - Material4X Original Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Material and design
These gloves are made of strong, durable materials. The dense core fiber, laced with polyester and spandex fibers make this quite formidable. The Material4X microfiber is claimed to be stronger and more durable than real leather.
The gloves also come with a thermoplastic rubber closure with in-built hooks and loops to ensure that your hand does not at any point, slip out of the gloves.
During Use
While testing these gloves, we found the gloves to be superior to most of the other work gloves on the market. They fit seamlessly with the hands and the TrekDry material, which the manufacturer claims keeps your hands properly insulated, does its job well. The gloves easily and promptly absorb sweat and moisture from the hands and keep the hands feeling cool.
We enjoyed the control and dexterity from using these gloves. Furthermore, the water-resistant nature of the gloves ensures that they can be used in wet conditions. The Material4X from Mechanic is claimed to be stronger than even synthetic leather. We cannot put a number on how much stronger it is, but we felt the toughness of the material and can testify to the durability, even under heavy use.
Lastly, these gloves are machine washable, which makes cleaning a breeze.
Pros
- Tear and Water-resistant gloves
- Machine washable
- High-quality construction
Cons
- Doesn’t offer much protection against sharp objects
6. G & F 15196XL Nitrile Coated Work Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Material and design
The glove is made from durable materials that make it safe for use. It is arguably the best-looking glove on this list. It comes in a variety of colors. Nevertheless, do not let the colorful and fancy appearance fool you. This glove provides impressive protection and durability to rival the ugliest and most clunky gloves on the market.
The glove comes in a 6-pair pack. Thus, you should not fear running out anytime soon. Furthermore, by coming in 6 pairs, you save money and get more value for what you purchased.
In Use
These gloves are not meant for heavy-duty work. They are more suited to gardening, home renovations, and domestic use. It can even be used for landscaping. As summer approaches, get ready to don these gloves as you work. We found them very breathable and flexible.
While working, we didn’t feel any pinch or discomfort in our hands. The flexibility that these gloves afford is something we found really impressive. The gloves have a shell made of 100% nylon. This coating makes them both very flexible and breathable.
Despite the nitrile coating, the glove still ensures safety during use. It protects your hands from accidents. It is also quite durable. The design ensures that despite doing hard work, there is no appearance of holes or tears.
Pros
- The design of the gloves makes them fit seamlessly
- They are very comfortable to wear
- They come in 6-pair packs and offer value for money
Cons
- Susceptible to collecting dirt quickly
7. Maxiflex 34-874 Ultimate
Editor’s Rating:
Design
These gloves are the second to feature a nitrile coating after the G & F 15196XL Nitrile Coated Work Gloves. They come with a microfoam coating. This design feature, according to ATG, makes them the “most breathable glove on the market.” The black Microfoam material works well, even with light oils. If you are allergic to Latex, do not fret about wearing these gloves; the Nitrile coating is very safe for you.
Performance in Use
While testing these gloves, we found them supremely comfortable. They do not feel too tight, neither are they loose. The Nitrile coating on them makes them very breathable, and we can confirm the veracity of ATG’s claim. The gloves ensure that no dexterity is lost. How? Well, the palm has a thickness of 1 mm, which makes it feel like a second skin without feeling vulnerable. The thickness is less than those of other gloves in this class but doesn’t negate the safety of these gloves.
It comes with knitted wrists that prevent any dust or debris from sticking in the glove.
For folks that have sensitive skin, the softness of the insides of these gloves makes them a great fit. Furthermore, the Oeko-Tex Association certification qualifies these gloves as being safe for your skin.
The gloves are abrasion-resistant and provide excellent value for money. As they come in 12 packs, they are quite economical.
Pros
- They provide excellent value for money
- The design is both durable and good-looking
- They offer a high level of dexterity
- Breathable and lightweight gloves
Cons
- They are small
- They lack flexibility, especially for detailed jobs.
- They are not waterproof
8. Bionic Rose Gardening Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Design
These gloves are made from thick Cabretta leather. The leather isn’t synthetic; therefore, it easily stretches to fit your hand’s size.
The glove features pads that are placed at strategic locations. Therefore, they act to reduce the chances of injury, calluses, or blisters all too common when engaging in gardening and related activities. The wrists are supported by Bionic’s LightPrene wrist closure. This design not only protects the wrists and makes them firm, but also serves as a gate to prevent the entry of dirt or debris.
The interior of the glove houses terry cloth towels. These serve the purpose of absorbing perspiration and moisture, thus keeping the hands cool. Furthermore, the glove has web zones embedded in it that add another layer of flexibility.
Performance in Use
These gloves provide a satisfactory level of protection. Their main attraction is the comfort they offer, and during testing, we observed that they are supremely comfortable. It is interesting to note that an orthopedic hand specialist designed these gloves. Therefore, much care and attention were directed at making them safe and comfortable. In fact, even folks that suffer from arthritis can wear these gloves and feel comfortable in them.
If you want extra protection, for example, from thorns and similar obstacles, these gloves have an extra-long gauntlet cuff. They are machine washable and are very durable gloves.
Pros
- They offer a strong grip
- They are durable and machine washable
- They can be worn by people with arthritis
- Impressive comfort
Cons
- They are not meant for heavy-duty applications.
9. Wells 174L Lamont Work Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Material and design
These gloves are from synthetic rubber. The synthetic rubber they are made from is very tough, yet flexible. Furthermore, the overall body is coated with PVC. To what effect? The heavy-duty PVC coating on the synthetic rubber adds a layer of protection. It makes these gloves resistant to harsh chemicals, abrasions, and tears.
Furthermore, the gloves have a completely seamless cotton lining. They are very easy to slip on. They come in one size and measure 12” from cuff to the fingertip. The gauntlet cuff is an extension that is of the same materials as the main gloves; synthetic rubber with a PVC coating.
During Use
The cotton fleece lining in the gloves makes them a very comfortable fit. Unlike generic rubber gloves that are lined with rubber internally too, these gloves feel snug and premium.
The glove has a textured grip that makes it easy to handle things whilst wearing the gloves. We observed that these gloves are very practical and comfortable.
The rubber material they are made of make these gloves great for use even in wet conditions. The gauntlet cuffs offer all these comforts and protection too. If you are working with chemicals like gasoline, fertilizers, and so on, these gloves offer protection that others cannot.
Pros
- They feel very comfortable
- They have a practical and durable build
- They are great for working with chemicals
- These gloves are waterproof
- The 12” gauntlet cuffs provide extra protection
Cons
- They are not ideal for cold conditions
- They come in just one size
10. Mechanix Wear M-Pact Gloves
Editor’s Rating:
Design
These gloves eschew a simple look for something that looks more sophisticated. A major design feature that these gloves are popular for are the rubberized grips.
They come with thermoplastic rubber guards at many points. For example, the knuckles, the entire length of the fingers, and some other parts feature the thermoplastic rubber guards. To keep debris and dirt away from your hands during use, the gloves have a Velcro closure at the wrist.
During Use
We liked the extra layers on these gloves. They feel sturdy and safe. Although all these extra guards meant we lost out on tactile sensitivity, we still loved them.
If your work involves oils and slippery lubricants, the rubberized grips on these gloves will help you work better. They are also very durable and are built to last. The thick rubberized grips will take a long time to wear off.
They offer satisfactory protection with the knuckles and the fingers enjoying dedicated thermoplastic guards.
Pros
- Thermoplastic guards offer excellent protection
- They are machine washable
- They have a durable build
Cons
- The extra rubberized grips mean a loss of tactile sensitivity
Guide to Buying the Best Work Gloves
You have been provided with a rundown of the ten best work gloves you can buy right now. Through this list, it becomes easier for you to choose the best work gloves. In this section, we will consider the important factors that should affect your choice of work gloves. Features to Look Out For:
1. Material
Work gloves are created from a number of natural and artificial materials. In this section, you will discover the different types of materials these important means of protection come in and determine which is best suited for your needs.
Leather
Leatherwork gloves are some of the popular work gloves on the market. It is made from the hide of different animals. There are different types of leather gloves, with each one having unique advantages.
- Cowhide leather gloves are the most common type of leather gloves. They are tough, strong, and durable. Even after heavy-duty and extended use, cowhide leather retains its strength.
- Pigskin leather is another type of leather used in making gloves. The leather is very resistant to abrasions, tough, and flexible.
- Buffalo leather is the best leather for resisting punctures from sharp objects.
Other types of leather used in making gloves include goatskin leather and deerskin leather.
Some types of leather gloves come with a dense core fiber that provides extra protection while retaining the suppleness of real leather.
Leather gloves are very good and versatile. You can use them for a variety of jobs, from household chores to gardening, and even mechanical jobs. The only problem with many leather gloves is the loss of dexterity due to their thickness.
Rubber
Also referred to as PVC, these gloves are made of rubber. PVC gloves are renowned for their moisture proof nature. Thus, if you are working a job that requires you to handle dangerous chemicals and solvents, PVC gloves are ideal for you.
Aside from their resistance to chemical attacks, these gloves are also known for being tough and resistant against scratches, abrasions, and similar hazards. If you work in cold conditions or have to dip your hands in sub-zero environments, these gloves can keep your hands warm.
Fabric
Fabric gloves are not as strong or as durable as the other types of gloves. However, they keep your hands clean and safe from abrasions. Like rubber gloves, these gloves are great when working in an environment that requires protection from chemicals.
Fabric also comes in different forms. There are cotton and knit fabric, which is like the low-level type of fabric. Then you have a high-grade fabric like Kevlar or Nomex. These high-grade fabric gloves provide excellent protection and are the number one choice for professionals like firefighters.
Nitrile
Nitrile gloves are protective gloves that are a great alternative to conventional rubber gloves. Some folks have sensitive skin and react negatively to latex materials like rubber gloves. If you have such a condition, Nitrile gloves will be ideal for you.
These gloves are completely free of Silicon and provide protection against abrasion and chemicals. Nitrile gloves often come with extra features that make them a desirable choice. For example, they might come with smooth and rounded fingertips that improve finger sensitivity. They are very versatile and are used in a variety of applications.
Hybrid gloves
These gloves are made from a combination of different materials. They feature polyethylene, glass fibers, and Spandex. Therefore, cuts and similar injuries are guarded against. They usually have a high safety rating too.
After deciding on the type of material you want your gloves to come with, it is important also to consider the tasks you will use the gloves for.
2. Purpose of the Gloves
The wide variety of tasks gloves are used for means that some gloves are more suited to certain tasks than others. In this section, we will examine some of these tasks and the best gloves for them.
Gardening
If the gloves are meant for gardening, you do not need to purchase heavy-duty gloves. Gloves that offer protection from thorns, sharp branches, and insect bites are what you need. Furthermore, gloves for gardening tasks need to be flexible.
Chemical-related jobs
If your task involves you handling dangerous chemicals, you need gloves that won’t react with the chemicals or get eaten through. A PVC or rubber glove is highly recommended for such purposes. It won’t react with harsh chemicals, and it will protect your hands.
Furthermore, the best work gloves usually have breathable liners to keep your skin feeling cool despite hot working environments.
3. Dexterity
Dexterity is an important factor when choosing the kind of gloves to buy. It refers to the ability of the wearer to maneuver their fingers easily. With a glove that offers good dexterity, it is easier to grip surfaces.
Furthermore, if a job requires motor skills to accomplish, if your glove doesn’t offer dexterity, you might have to take them off before doing the job. Gloves that have a thinner material will allow you to move much easier.
The more padded your gloves are, the less the dexterity it offers.
Nevertheless, the most important thing to consider with regards to dexterity isn’t the padding on the gloves, but the comfort the gloves give. If the glove is too big or too small, no matter the type of material used, or the amount of padding, dexterity will be affected.
4. Protection
The protection offered is the most important factor when it comes to your choice. If the glove doesn’t offer adequate protection, there is no use wearing or buying them. The right gloves can save you from a lot of damage. From cut resistance to protection from heat, gloves offer different types of protection.
Some gloves are dedicated to protecting your hands from cuts and sharp objects. Other gloves are meant to protect your hands from heat. The Bionic Gloves on our list of the best work gloves are meant to offer protection, but more specifically, offer comfort.
Along with protection, some gloves are touch-screen capable. This means that you do not have to remove your gloves before you can operate your phone. Touch-screen phones are made to work whenever the finger’s electrical field disrupts the screen’s electrostatic field. If you wear normal gloves, these insulate the fingers and prevent the body’s electricity from disrupting the screen’s electrostatic field.
However, touch-screen capable screens are specially made to conduct the body’s electricity and disrupt the electrostatic field on the phone’s screen.
How to Care For Your Work Gloves
No matter how great and durable your work gloves are, if they are not properly maintained, they will lose their durability sooner rather than later. In this section, we provide you with tips on how to care for your gloves.
- Some gloves are machine-washable. Therefore, washing them in a machine with warm water. You can choose to tumble dry or air dry them.
- As for leather gloves, you can wash them in cold water. You must take note not to wring the water out because it can change the shape of the gloves. The best way to dry them is by air-drying.
- As for gloves that you use to protect from chemicals, washing them with soap and water, and hanging them to dry in a dry place will help maintain them.
Conclusion
With the different types of work gloves with their different accessories and features, you have to think carefully before buying. The sheer number of products on the market can make it hard to make the right choice.
By considering the 10 best work gloves on this list, it narrows down the options for you. Each of these gloves is the best you can buy and will deliver great performance for a long time. Carefully consider this review and guide to make the right choice!
