Materials guide · Gloves
Glove materials explained
A work glove has two parts: a knitted liner and a coating. Or it is leather.
Read this ifNitrile or latex? Foam or sandy? 13g or 18g? Grain or split leather?
Coatings compared
Glove coatings compared
●●●●● = best. Typical behaviour of each coating type.
Good Better Best
| Type | Dry grip | Wet grip | Oil grip | Dexterity | Durability | Best for | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrile, smooth | Dry or lightly oily parts, wipe-clean | Slippery when very oily | |||||
| Nitrile, foam | Assembly, light oil, breathable | Oil can soak through foam | |||||
| Nitrile, micro-foam | Fine work with light oil | Thin - wears faster | |||||
| Nitrile, sandy | Oily, greasy parts | Rougher feel | |||||
| Latex, crinkle | Wet bricks, glass, building | Poor with oils; latex allergy | |||||
| Latex, foam | Wet handling, comfort | Latex allergy | |||||
| PU | Fine dry assembly, electronics | Low heat and chemical resistance | |||||
| PVC | Liquids, fish, farm, chemicals (check chart) | Stiff in cold, not for heat | |||||
| Neoprene | Acids, alkalis, oils, solvents (check chart) | Costly | |||||
| Butyl | Ketones, esters (check chart) | Poor with fuels and oils |
Typical behaviour, not test results. Always check the product data sheet.
What the coatings look like
Smooth
Tough, wipe clean.
Foam
Breathable, grips light oil.
Sandy
Best grip on oily parts.
Crinkle
Best wet grip.
Nitrile
- Smooth - tough, wipe clean. Dry or lightly oily work.
- Foam - breathable, good grip in light oil.
- Micro-foam - very thin. Best feel, grips light oil.
- Sandy - rough finish. Best grip on oily parts.
- No latex proteins. Good choice for latex allergy.
Latex (natural rubber)
- Crinkle - best wet grip. Bricklaying, glass.
- Foam - soft, comfortable, good wet grip.
- Latex allergy: natural rubber latex can cause serious allergic reactions. Offer non-latex options (HSE guidance on latex).
- Poor with oils and solvents.
Others
- PU - thin and light. Fine dry assembly, electronics.
- PVC - good for liquids and some chemicals. Stiff in cold.
- Neoprene - wide chemical range, flexible.
- Butyl - for ketones and esters. Poor with fuels.
- For any chemical: check the manufacturer's permeation chart, not the material name.
How much is coated?
More coating = more liquid protection, less breathability.
| Style | Covers | Good for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palm | Palm and fingertips | Dry handling, breathable | Back of hand exposed |
| 3/4 (knuckle) | Palm + knuckles | Knocks, splashes on back of fingers | Warmer |
| Full | Whole hand | Wet and oily work, liquids | Hottest, least breathable |
Liner gauge: thinner = more feel
Gauge = stitches per inch. Higher number = finer, thinner knit.
- Very thickWarmth, heavy work
- ThickGeneral handling
- StandardMost coated work gloves
- ThinGood feel, precision
- Very thinBest touch, fine assembly
- 13g - standard.
- 15g / 18g - thinner, better touch.
- Cut level comes from the fibre, not the gauge.
Liner fibres
What the knitted shell is made of.
| Fibre | Good at | Watch out |
|---|---|---|
| Nylon | Soft, stretchy, good dexterity | No cut resistance on its own |
| Polyester | Cheap, hard-wearing base | No cut resistance on its own |
| HPPE | Cut resistance, cool feel, light | Low heat resistance (melts) |
| Aramid (e.g. Kevlar) | Cut and heat resistance | Weakened by UV and bleach; yellow colour |
| Glass fibre | Boosts cut level in blends | Mixed into other yarns; can irritate if exposed |
| Steel fibre | Boosts cut level in blends | Conducts heat and electricity |
| Cotton | Comfort, liners, absorbs sweat | Holds water, low strength |
Leather
Grain = outer side of the hide. Split = inner layer.
| Leather | Feels | Best for | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grain | Smooth, supple | Dexterity, drivers gloves | Less abrasion resistance than thick split |
| Split | Rough, suede-like | Rigger, heavy handling, welding | Stiffer, less dexterous |
| Cow | Tough, thick | General heavy duty | Stiffens after getting wet |
| Goat | Soft, thin, strong | Fine work, fitting | Usually more expensive |
| Pig | Breathable, porous | Stays soft after wet/dry cycles | Less water resistant |
- Grain - smooth, more feel. Split - rough, tougher, cheaper.
- Cow - tough. Goat - soft and strong. Pig - breathable, stays soft.
Which do I need?
| Job | Try |
|---|---|
| Oily engine parts | Sandy or micro-foam nitrile |
| Wet bricks, blocks | Crinkle latex (or nitrile if allergy) |
| Fine electronics | PU on 15-18g liner |
| Glass or sheet metal | Nitrile or PU on HPPE/glass-fibre liner, cut D+ |
| Heavy lifting, rigging | Split leather rigger |
| Liquids | Fully dipped nitrile or PVC |
Shop Gloves
Frequently asked questions
Nitrile or latex gloves - which grip is better?
Crinkle latex has the best wet grip. Sandy nitrile has the best grip on oily parts. Latex is poor with oils and solvents.
Does a higher gauge mean less cut protection?
No. Cut level comes from the fibre, not the gauge. 15g / 18g is thinner with better touch.
What is the difference between grain and split leather?
Grain is smooth with more feel. Split is rough, tougher and cheaper.
