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Showing up to a jobsite with the right gear can make the difference between a great and terrible day. Besides the risk of injury, workers should keep their hands cool, avoid unnecessary fatigue and be able to trust their grip.
In this report, we show 10 work gloves that caught our eyes.
But first, here are some things to consider when choosing a pair of work gloves:
Safety Rating: Always ensure the pair you bring to the jobsite has the necessary safety ratings, including for abrasion, impact, puncture and cut.
Water & Cold Resistance: Depending on the job, weather and time of year, consider gloves with stronger protection from the wind and cold.
Grip: Many of the gloves listed below feature different materials on the fingers and palms designed to maintain tool grip even in difficult conditions.
Padding and Comfort: For long days in tough conditions, consider gloves that provide additional padding and flexible materials to make long-term use less strenuous on the hands.
Color and Style: While it is definitely the least important factor on this list, it can’t hurt to choose a pair of gloves that, after all the necessary factors are checked, look cool. Who wouldn’t want to hear, “Hey, sick gloves!” when they show up to work in the morning? There’s nothing wrong with being a little fashionable once in a while.
Powered byWhether your current pair is wearing out or you’re just looking to change things up, here are some options to consider when picking out a new pair of work gloves:
10 Work Gloves for Construction
Youngtown
Youngtown Waterproof Winter Plus
For those needing protective from cold and wet conditions, Youngtown offers the Waterproof Winter Plus, which the company says features 100% water and wind protection.
A micro-fleece liner, waterproof membrane and form-fit outer shell create “triple-layer technology,” while 40 grams per square meter 3M Thinsulatea microfiber insulates the top of the hand. Youngtown markets the Waterproof Winter Plus for active work done in temperatures ranging from 0 to 45 degrees.
The Waterproof Winter Plus gloves are 45% nylon, 20% polyurethane, 15% polyester, 10% PVC, 7% neoprene, 2% cotton and 1% Velcro. They include non-slip reinforcement on the palm, fingers and saddle.
Price: $30.19
Kinco
Kinco Medium Lined HD Grain & Suede Pigskin Driver Gloves
These driver gloves from Kinco offer durability and protection from the cold and are designed for outdoor work, cold storage and winter recreation, the company says.
They feature full-grain pigskin on the palm and suede pigskin on the back for durability and water resistance. On the palm, thumb and fingers, Kinco also added suede pigskin patches for boosted durability on high-wear areas.
The Kinco Medium Lined HD Drivers Gloes can be worn inside or outside of shirt sleeves thanks to the Omni-Cuff System, and a polyester knit wrist with shirred elastic provides a snug fit for blocking debris, the company says.
The Kinco Medium Lined HD Driver Gloves are manufactured with extra-strength Draylon thread stitching to resist abrasion and insulate the wearer thanks to heavyweight Heatkeep thermal lining, which is laminated with TR2 inner material for moisture control and heat retention, according to Kinco. Nikwax Waterproofing Wax also boosts the gloves’ water resistance.
Price: $42.99
Ironclad
For protection in more hazardous environments, Ironclad offers the EXO Impact Glove.
Designed for automotive, construction, maintenance and general jobsite tasks, wearers get thermoplastic rubber back-of-hand impact protection that also protects from abrasions. The gloves also feature reinforced palm and fingertip wear points and are made with synthetic leather and performance fabric.
For improved comfort, Ironclad incorporates anti-vibration palm padding, a breathable design for better airflow, terry cloth swipes on the thumbs and a hook-and-loop wrist closure.
Price: $13.20
Mechanix
Mechanix Wear The Original Gloves
A more tactical-aimed option are the Mechanix Wear The Original Gloves, which offer cool and comfortable wear for military, law enforcement and shooting sports enthusiasts specifically.
Mechanix Wear says it accomplishes this thanks to a seamless single-layer palm and Thermal Plastic Rubber closure with a hook and loop system. For a cooler and more comfortable fit, the gloves also get form-fitting TrekDry material.
Price: $23.12
Milwaukee
Milwaukee Impact Cut Level 5 Goatskin Leather Gloves
Another option for protection from accidents are the Milwaukee Impact Cut Level 4 Goatskin Leather gloves, which are rated ANSI/ISEA Impact Level 2 and ANSI Cut Level 5. Wearers will get enhanced Thermal Plastic Rubber for added protection and an extra layer of soft top goatskin leather on the palm.
Milwaukee says it has also added a keystone thumb for mobility, additional comfort with the gloves’ Gunn cut, and a webbing pull loop.
In addition to its impact and cut ratings, the Goatskin Leather Gloves carry the following ratings: EN388 Abrasion 3, EN388 Cut X, EN388 Tear 4, EN388 Puncture 3, and EN388 (TDM test) Cut E.
Price: $39.97
Lift
Lift Genuine Leather Vibration Absorbing Tacker Gloves
One option for operators working long days is the Lift Genuine Leather Vibration Absorbing Tacker Gloves, which offer an EVA padded palm for impact and vibration absorption.
Wearers will also have leather reinforcements on the palm, saddle, fourchettes and fingertips for additional absorption, and TPR knuckle impact protection. An embossed airprene cuff improves comfort, and a touchscreen fingertip makes using a phone or touchscreen monitor more convenient during a long day in the cab, the company says.
Price: $35.39
Ohio Power Tool
PIP West Chester Extreme Work Strike ProteX ToughX Gloves
Best suited for those in road construction, traffic safety, highway maintenance, manufacturing and fleet maintenance, the West Chester Extreme Work Strike gloves are another option for working long days.
These Hi-Vis gloves feature engineered microfiber Tough-X suede palms for boosted grip in dry and light oil applications. This material is also fast drying, and according to PIP, will last five times longer than traditional synthetic leathers.
Other features on these gloves include an S-patch on the palm for durability and grip, Thermo Plastic Rubber molded fingers, thumbs and back hand guards, and a terry clothing sweat wipe on the back thumb.
Price: $18.09
Home Depot
John Deere Multi-Purpose Utility Gloves
One equipment manufacturer with a solid work glove offering is John Deere, specifically the company’s Multi-Purpose Utility Gloves.
These all-purpose synthetic leather gloves feature a foam-padded palm, adjustable hook and loop cuffs, a breathable spandex back and reinforced polyurethane thumb saddle for improved protection.
Price: $24.48
DeWalt
DeWalt DPG781 Indoor/Outdoor Mechanic Gloves
Another pair of work gloves from a power tool manufacturer are the DeWalt DPG781 Mechanic Gloves, which offer thermos plastic rubber backs for impact protections and anti-slip PVC on the fingertips, thumb saddle and palm.
A padded palm gives the wearer an improved cushion on the hand to reduce stress and fatigue, while the hook-and-loop closure helps with getting a secure fit on the hand. Built with synthetic leather and nylon fourchettes, these DeWalt gloves offer both flexibility and breathability.
$25.99
Caterpillar
Caterpillar’s Padded Palm Utility Gloves offer water-resistant synthetic leather and adjustable neoprene wrists.
Aimed at wearers working on wet and abrasive jobs, the Padded Palm Utility Gloves are ideal, according to Caterpillar, for automotive, carpentry, construction, mining, equipment operations and power tool related applications.
These gloves feature a back made of spandex, nylon and neoprene for flexibility, dexterity and, along with textured neoprene knuckle straps, improved air flow.
Price: $35.99
