A complete guide to gloves types: Finding the perfect pair for every task

The hands are the most precious tools that we have in regard to all professions and all our activities of day-to-day life and we need to save the hands. Our hands provide everything, the hard stuff, or the delicate work of the laboratory, food, or fine art. They are however the most vulnerable body parts as well. That’s where gloves come in.

All gloves are not the same though. There are many gloves types and each of them is intended with some material, properties, and purposes. Others focus on power and defense, others reassure and agility and others give the appropriate mix of the two. The hard chemicals, the sharp edges, the high heat, or even an illustrious smear of dust and dirt, there is a gloves types which to your particular need will suit.

As a construction worker, healthcare professional, a mechanic, gardener, or craftsperson, you can always wear gloves, and the knowledge of the available gloves types may help you in getting the appropriate pair of gloves that will not only keep you safe but also comfortable, productive, and healthy in terms of your hands.

It is possible to take a closer look at the most common and widespread types of gloves that are widespread in industries.

1. Work gloves

Work gloves are, probably, the most universal and the most used of all gloves types. Protecting the hands against abrasions, splintering, blisters and cuts, they are an inherent element of industrial and home toolkits. There are numerous gloves types that are adapted to specific gloves types or environment.

They do not only offer protection but also, increase grip, improve control and sometimes even alleviate fatigue when one is performing repetitive work. Good pair of work gloves, whether in construction, warehousing, maintenance or farming enables the workers to work with confidence and comfort.

Common materials include:

• Leather work gloves: A perennial favorite when it comes to tough work. These gloves are made out of cowhide, goatskin or pigskin and are far more durable, heat resistant, and gripped. They are appropriate to the construction workers, welders, mechanics and utility personnel. Leather gloves can also be shaped to the form of your hands, by use of time, making it a unique fit.
• Cotton work gloves: Cotton work gloves are lightweight, breathable, and inexpensive; they are ideal in light work, inspection work, assembly, gardening, or any other form of work. They shield against dirt, dust and other minor abrasions and do not lead to excessive heating. Besides, they can be washed and reused, and this trait makes them an ecologically friendly solution in terms of gloves types.
• Rubber-coated gloves: These kinds of gloves shine when you need to have grip and protection against wet or smooth substances. Its rubber coating, commonly latex, nitrile, or PVC, increases the level of grip and abrasion resistance. They can be used in landscaping, plumbing, and warehouse and maintenance jobs; these are highly flexible, and have a protective shield against liquid.
• Synthetic or hybrid work gloves: Nowadays there are gloves that are made with a combination of gloves (such as a mixture of nylon with a nitrile palm coating) that is the best of dexterity, strength and comfort. They are particularly used in the field of logistics, packaging, and assembly-line.

Whatever industry you may be in, work gloves will reduce injuries, enhance performance and also make sure that your hands are prepared to take on anything that will come your way.

2. Disposable gloves

Disposable gloves are the preferred ones when hygiene, cleanliness, and contamination are the main concerns. The gloves are disposable and offer quick and efficient protection of your skin and dangerous substances. They are critical in sectors where sanitation, accuracy and safety intersect like in healthcare, food service, cleaning, and laboratory work.

Their compactness and tightness in fit enable high dexterity and therefore these are best suited to the work that needs precision and sensitivity. There is a variety of materials used as disposable gloves, and they possess different properties depending on their use.

Typical disposable glove materials are:

• Nitrile gloves: Nitrile gloves are popular in the medical, automotive and industrial world due to their high puncture and chemical protection. They are hypersensitive to oils, solvents and chemicals, unlike the other disposable materials, and they are not latex hence suitable to those who are allergic to them.
• Latex gloves: This is a gloves types that is manufactured using natural rubber, these gloves are unmatched in terms of comfort, flexibility and sensations. They are common in the medical field, dentistry, cosmetic services, and laboratory services where accuracy of touch and responsiveness is an issue. Nevertheless, they can cause allergic reactions in certain people, so, such substitutes as nitrile or vinyl can be used.
• Vinyl gloves: Vinyl gloves are low priced, not latex and smooth, perfect in handling food, cleaning and other applications that are at low risk. They are not as strong as nitrile or latex, but they are also cheap because of short-term use when a person has to change gloves regularly.
• Polyethylene (PE) gloves: PE gloves are very light and affordable items that can be found in the food service or preparation setting. They offer a basic shield of protection against dirt and moisture, and are great in simple low-hazard jobs.

The benefit of disposable gloves types is that the design of the gloves is hygienic and they are designed to be used once, and thus there is no possibility of cross-contamination. These gloves can provide you with the safety you require be it in a hospital or in a kitchen where they offer sanitary conditions.

3. Safety gloves

Safety gloves play an important role in the industrial setting by avoiding severe injuries. The gloves types are designed with the purpose to defend an individual against certain dangers - cuts and chemicals, heat and electricity.

Key varieties include:

• Cut-resistant gloves: These gloves are created to resist cuts when working with metals or glass. They are made of such materials as Kevlar or HPPE.
• Chemical-resistant gloves: are made of nitrile, neoprene or PVC to prevent corrosive substances and solvents.
• Heat-resistant gloves: These are gloves worn in foundries, kitchens and welding work and are intended to be able to endure high temperatures.
• Electrical insulating gloves: These are gloves used to protect electricians in live circuits.

The safety gloves types to use is a matter of choice based on the risk that is entailed in your particular activity.

4. Gardening gloves

Gardening gloves are necessities to people who enjoy spending time in the garden. They shield thorns, blisters, dirt and bites of insects and are also flexible in planting or pruning.

Ordinary gardening gloves:

• Cotton gloves: Light weight and breathable- ideal in light weeding or potting.
• Leather gloves: They are strong and hard and can be used to deal with spiny plants or equipment.
• Rubber-coated gloves: These have a grip and are water resistant when dealing with wet soil.

These are the best gloves types as they have a good balance between working in the field and protection.

5. Winter and thermal gloves

Cold climate requires the use of special forms of gloves, which will be insulated and warm, yet will not lose movement. Winter gloves are made of such fabrics as fleece, wool, or Thinsulate 3.

Thermal gloves are useful when you are out in the field, skiing, or driving in sub-zero weather conditions: your hands will be warm and functional. There are even models which have touchscreen compatibility so that you can use your devices without taking off your gloves.

6. Medical and examination gloves

Medical gloves cannot be compromised in any healthcare and laboratory setups. They have a sterile barrier which avoids cross-contamination and infection.

The key gloves types in this category are:

• Surgical gloves: sterile gloves which are accurate-fitting gloves used in surgical procedures.
• Examination gloves: Non sterile gloves put on during patient examination or when performing diagnostic tests on patients.
• These are gloves that are generally prepared using latex, nitrile or vinyl and are combined to offer comfort, sensitivity and protection in critical working environments.

7. Specialty and fashion gloves

Not every glove is a mere utilitarian glove, others are meant to be stylish or to suit the purpose of a specialty.

• Driving gloves: Improve the handling and the feel of the steering wheel and also add some class.
• Cycling gloves: Lessen the vibration and avoid callus on a long ride.
• Dress gloves: These are not only of fine leather or cloth material, frequently worn at functions, or as uniforms.
• Touchscreen gloves: These gloves are a combination of both technology and fashion; they will enable one to use smartphones easily.

Even clothing, such as gloves, extends the wearer and the audit of different tgloves types.

How to choose the right gloves types

The choice of the gloves types may seem to be rather easy but it could be a big difference between the comfort, safety, and performance. Various chores need different amounts of protection, flexibility, and grip, and learning to recognize these differences will also make working more effective, as well as keeping your hands in the best state.

The following are the most critical areas to look into when deciding on the most suitable gloves types to use:

1. Purpose: Match the gloves to the task

The initial and most significant one is the reason why you require the gloves. Do you work with chemicals, outside, assemble machinery, or do sensitive inspections? There is a gloves types required when doing each job.

• In construction or carpentry, heavy or coated cotton gloves with leather protection against abrasions and splinters are useful.
• In the medical or laboratory context, single-use, hygienic barriers in the form of disposable nitrile or latex gloves are used.
• Breathable cotton gloves or rubber coated versions can be used in association with gardening or landscaping to ensure that your hands do not get dirty in the dirt or thorns.
• When it is cold outside and you have to work, it is important to keep your hands warm and mobile; therefore, insulated or thermal gloves.

You can match the glove with the job making sure there is efficiency and safety regardless of the environment.

2. Material: Balance comfort and protection

The performance of the glove is determined by the material. All the fabrics or compounds provide distinctive advantages which address the various conditions and industries.

• Cotton gloves: These are lightweight and breathable and can be used to handle or inspect something in general.
• Leather gloves: Provide a good grip, resistance to abrasion and very durable in harsh and outdoor or heavy duty applications.
• Nitrile gloves: These are chemical and puncture resistant gloves that are suitable in the healthcare, automotive and cleaning sectors.
• Rubber or PVC gloves: These offer protection against water and high grip during wet weather conditions.
• Kevlar or HPPE gloves: Provide extreme cut protection in manufacturing/metalworking.
  

The selection of the appropriate material would make sure that your gloves types would provide you with the best balance between flexibility, protection, and durability.

3. Fit and comfort: Don’t compromise dexterity

A glove which does not fit correctly can impair your performance or even bring on accidents. The most ideal gloves types are the ones that fit well, not so tight as to be restrictive in movement, and not too loose to fall off.

A properly-fitting glove lets you work with tools, equipment, and small components without any difficulty. Look for features such as:

• Elastics or straps that can be adjusted to fit.
• Natural ergonomic design that resembles the natural shape of your hand.
• Holes to allow air in to cool down and avoid sweating.

Note the important one, comfort; particularly in cases where you wear gloves most of the time. The correct fit makes sure that your gloves fit your fingers and not the other way round.

4. Durability: Invest in long-lasting protection

Your gloves life will be subject to the kind of work you do and the materials that they were made of. When you are doing repetitive or high friction work then durability is necessary.

• Leather and reinforced cotton gloves have a long life and rough construction.
• The nitrile, PVC or latex coated gloves provide additional protection against wear and tear.
• Disposable gloves can be most conveniently used in short term or sanitary use where there is no necessity to be reused.

By deciding on durable gloves types, it is possible to reduce the number of replacements, improve the working process, and save in the long-term perspective.

5. Maintenance: Reusable or disposable?

Maintenance is another aspect that is mostly ignored but is very crucial in the selection of gloves. There are gloves that can be reused and those gloves which can be used only once.

• Washable gloves (such as cotton, leather or coated ones) can be washed and re-used several times, are economical and environmentally friendly.
• Disposable gloves (such as nitrile, vinyl, or latex) are convenient and clean, suitable in the field of medicine, food service or cleaning.

When you are concerned about the environment, reusable cotton or leather gloves will be more in line with sustainable values. Nevertheless, when hygiene and turnover are of priority, then the way to go is disposable.

Read more: The guide to every type of gloves: Uses, materials, and benefits

Final thoughts

At EvridWear, we believe that, the world of gloves types, ranging between industrial safety gloves to fine delicate cotton inspection gloves, also guarantees the world a perfect fit with their hands, jobs, and environments. The right pair does not only safeguard but increases confidence, control and overall performance also.

Whether it is in a construction site when you are working hard in the field, in a hospital when you are attending patients, in the kitchen when you are dealing with food, and when you are doing your chores at home; when you invest in the right gloves types, you always have your hands safe, comfortable and ready to take any problem.

Since in any occupation or hobby, it is a fact that you need the hands to be the most well-protected. And having the understanding of how to select the correct gloves types is the first step in achieving smarter, safer, and more efficient work.