How we pick our products
Work gloves have become an integral part of everyday working life. Statutory occupational health and safety regulations and the requirements of the employers’ liability insurance association prescribe the appropriate protective gloves for every field of activity. Even in our free time, we like to do handicrafts and need appropriate work gloves for the numerous jobs.
We have summarised what makes a good work glove and what you should definitely look out for when buying them in our following guide. We have evaluated six work gloves for different applications. We then inform you about the most important purchase criteria and answer the most frequently asked questions about work gloves.
Contents
Summary
- Work gloves should be standardised and classified according to the EN 388 scale. The scale properties are divided into puncture, tear, cut and abrasion resistance.
- Work gloves with different properties are offered for the different areas of application.
- To get the best possible protection, the material of the work gloves is a very important criterion.
The Best Work Gloves: Our Picks
Buying and rating criteria for work gloves
There are suitable work gloves for every task and activity. For cleaning up the cellar, simple gloves are usually enough to protect against dust and dirt.
For more demanding work, however, it is important that the work gloves fit properly and protect against hazards. To ensure that buying gloves is not a big challenge, we have compiled the most important buying criteria for you here:
Here we explain in detail how important the individual criteria are and which possible areas of application result from them.
Material
Work gloves are mainly made of cotton, leather or synthetic materials. For special applications such as cut protection, the gloves are additionally provided with special fibres. The different types of material can therefore be used for different purposes due to their special properties.
Cotton work gloves are used for cleaning surfaces that are sensitive to scratches, such as glass or porcelain. For rough work such as chopping wood, construction and gardening, the material must be very robust and hard-wearing. Therefore, leather
is mostly used here.
Synthetic work gloves are made of latex, nylon, nitrile, polyurethane or vinyl foam. Due to their different properties, they are often used in combination.
Latex and nitrile are particularly elastic, flexible, waterproof and offer a very good grip. In addition, nitrile does not cause allergic reactions. Vinyl foam and polyurethane are breathable and are particularly suitable for handling greasy and oily objects.
Quality
According to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, work gloves must be approved according to the EN 388 standard. The standard assesses the mechanical risks of the material used.
The standard is divided into four areas, each with five classes. The areas are divided into puncture-proof, cut-proof, abrasion-proof and tear-proof. The classes range from zero (lowest level) to five (highest level). The higher the class number, the safer the work glove.
Size
The right size is enormously important for safe work with work gloves. If the gloves are too big or too small, this will affect the wearing comfort and the grip safety.
To determine the right size, you should ideally try on the gloves. When ordering online, manufacturers usually offer a table with size information in cm.
Other functions
Work gloves differ not only because of the different areas of use. Many manufacturers offer useful additional functions. For example, a crepe fastener guarantees that the glove cannot slip off the wrist during high tensile stress.
A seamless finish on work gloves has a liquid-repellent effect. If the inner lining is made of cotton or a breathable material, sweaty hands are avoided and longer working hours are possible. Some work gloves are offered with reflectors, which can be a useful criterion for outdoor work.
Guide: Frequently asked questions about work gloves answered in detail
During our research on the topic of work gloves, we came across some frequently asked questions. We have compiled the most important questions for you and will answer them below.
What types of work gloves are there?
- Gardening
- Construction work
- Assembly work
- Handicraft
For more specific requirements, there are also suitable work gloves, for example welding and cut protection gloves.
Where are which work gloves used?
| Material | Field of application |
|---|---|
| Leather | for rough work in the garden, on construction sites and forest or road work |
| Synthetic materials (latex, nylon, nitrile, polyurethane or vinyl foam) | for precision mechanical work when working with liquids when working with chemical substances when working with smooth and angular objects |
| cotton | when working with particularly scratch-sensitive materials such as glass or porcelain |
The manufacturer’s product descriptions list the various possible uses. These should always be observed.
Are there work gloves for children?
How much do work gloves cost?
| Price class | Available products |
|---|---|
| Low-priced (0 – 10€) | for simple activities and requirements |
| Medium-priced (10 – 20€) | for increased requirements and more need for protection |
| High-priced (20€ and more) | for special requirements and special protection needs |
Many manufacturers also offer their work gloves in so-called economy packs. These are available as a set of two up to a pack of 12. For frequent use of work gloves, it is therefore worth buying these offers.
Can work gloves be washed?
However, work gloves made of leather or with a high leather content should not be washed in the washing machine. We recommend cleaning them with lukewarm water or a soft brush.
How often do you have to change work gloves?
Excessive use can cause the work gloves to wear out more quickly. Therefore, the gloves should be checked accordingly before each use. If there is visible damage such as open seams or holes, you should definitely use new work gloves.
Conclusion
There are suitable work gloves for every field of activity and every job. The thicker the material of the gloves, the greater the protection provided. At the same time, however, the sense of touch and sensitivity at work is reduced.
Therefore, a balance should be struck between safety and comfort. For allergy sufferers, the material used is an important factor. The manufacturer’s specifications will help you here.
Work gloves that are worn over a longer period of time should be made of breathable material. Sweaty hands reduce comfort and grip. Ultimately, the chosen work glove must of course meet the requirements to offer the best possible protection.
(Cover photo: Jonathan Kemper / unsplash)
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