The Best Work Gloves

When it comes to getting down and dirty, the one accessory you never want to go without is a pair of sturdy work gloves. The conventional work glove is made of thick, reinforced material that will protect against abrasions, burns, impacts, and more. Carpenters, mechanics, and landscapers rely on work gloves to protect their greatest assets, and it's easy to see why. A pair of quality work gloves can mean the difference between a mellow afternoon and an emergency room visit. Below we've assembled a list of our favorite work gloves suitable for a variety of tasks to help you find the perfect pick.

Ironclad General Utility Work Gloves

Give Your Hands A Hand

When the task calls for an added layer of safety, Ironclad will heed the call. A combination of composite materials reinforced near vulnerable soft-spots makes this the model glove for manual labor.
Best Overall

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With the world’s resources becoming increasingly scarce, purchasing shoddy work gloves with a limited life expectancy is doing a disservice to both the planet and your wallet. The Ironclad General Utility Work Gloves are some of the most popular reusable gloves on the market and with good reason. This snug pair of gloves are reinforced with thermoplastic around the knuckles and synthetic leather on the palms and fingertips. The primary material, a synthetic cotton blend, is extremely breathable, machine-washable, and slash-resistant.  If you need a fair amount of protection for your hands without cutting into your dexterity and maneuverability, Ironclad is engineered to get the job done.

Pros:

  • Boasts a terrycloth wipe on the top of the thumb for wiping sweat
  • The gloves come in six sizes
  • Velcro cuff for easy adjustment
  • Expert customer service available

Cons:

  • Cannot be machine dried

G & F Products Rubber Latex Double Coated Work Gloves

Get A Grip

G & F's Rubber Latex Glove is the quintessential shop glove and a top-class display in dependable design. The double coating stops splinters, punctures, and scratches in their tracks at an incredible price.
Best Latex Coating

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If you’ve ever spent time in a woodshop, warehouse, or construction site, there is no doubt that you saw a latex coated glove on someone’s hands. G&F’s products are synonymous with manual labor worldwide because of the singular security provided for an astounding price. While the cotton blend on the top of the glove is not particularly durable, the latex-coated palm and fingers fare magnificently against abrasions and punctures. This build makes G&F’s Double Coated Gloves ideal for warding off pesky thorns and splinters while gardening or woodworking. While we wouldn’t recommend these gloves for specialized work in extreme temperatures, G&F will keep your hands dry and laceration-free in various scenarios without breaking the bank.

Pros:

  • The gloves are sold in packs of twelve
  • Variations can be purchased for precision handling, cold weather, and light duty
  • Latex palm is water-resistant and offers the outstanding gripping capability
  • Machine washable at low temperatures

Cons:

  • They have a strong smell right out of the package, so you’ll have to let them air out a bit

Custom Leathercraft 125S Handyman Flex Grip Work Gloves

Protective Padding For The People

When working manual labor in adverse conditions, all too often our hands bear the brunt of the weather. With CLC's Flex Grip Work Gloves, your hands are protected from cold and dampness with synthetic leather and superior engineering.
Most Flexible

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CLC, or Custom Leathercraft, is a US-based company offering one of the most pliable work gloves on the market today. The 125S Handyman Flex Grip is a formidable barrier for your hands that happens to double as a high-end fashion statement. This design offers a sure grip every time, and the fingertips have enough texture to register your touch on a smartphone screen. The attributes which really stand out on this glove, however, are the spandex and lycra augmentations. Lycra is a synthetic fiber traditionally woven with polyester that provides top-of-the-line insulation where you need it most. When the situation calls for protection against extreme temperatures and abrasive surfaces simultaneously, reach for CLC.

Pros:

  • The synthetic leather means no shrinkage due to dampness
  • Surprisingly lightweight at less than three ounces
  • Convenient wrist tab to equip quickly

Cons:

  • The touchscreen compatibility will wear out with daily, heavy-duty use

Wells Lamont Leather Work Gloves

Life-Long Leather

If you find yourself questioning why your grandparent's work gloves put most modern models to shame, pick up a pair of Wells Lamont Work Gloves. Cowhide is breathable, highly puncture-resistant, and forms a firm grip that lasts a lifetime.
Best Leather Work Gloves

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When your hands face an all-out assault from cuts, piercings, or debris and fine-motor skills are a secondary priority, Wells Lamont is your best bet. A favorite in the demolition and ranching professions, leather work gloves are superior in every way to synthetics when it comes down to durability. To be specific, Wells Lamont uses only the highest-quality full-grain cowhide, meaning the leather is directly below the hair and has not been sanded for enhanced toughness. This glove is not filled with the bells and whistles of a more modern work glove, which is actually one of its biggest appeals. This straightforward design is guaranteed to keep your hands in one piece, no matter the job.

Pros:

  • Extra space in the thumb for improved flexibility
  • High-end stitching for longer working life
  • Wells Lamont sizes are accurate and fit snugly
  • Highly visible and easy to find

Cons:

  • Cowhide leather is not designed for a consistently damp environment

Vgo High Dexterity Mechanic Glove

Touch Your Tech and Tools

There used to be a time where constant connectivity could be severed with 100-odd decibels and a power saw. Vgo recognizes this is now a distant memory and embraces touchscreen-accessible tech with open arms.
Best Touchscreen-Compatible

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Deciding on the right balance between price and durability is always a difficult choice when purchasing work gloves. Vgo’s Mechanic Glove may have the price of a disposable glove, but nothing about these fortified finger guards is disposable.

Vgo’s fingertips are all from the same cut of synthetic leather, eliminating unnecessary stitches and structural weakness that will literally make or break your product. In addition to superior sewing, the top of Vgo’s Mechanic Glove is made of rigid PVC, giving it one of the highest impact ratings around. The pair is rounded out thoughtfully with three layers of breathable fabric beneath the PVC knuckle guard and three polymer layers on the palm side, including PVC, EVA, and synthetic leather.

Pros:

  • The polymer-based palm excels at abrasion resistance
  • Includes both text-enabled fingertips and terry cloth on the thumb backing
  • Vibration reductive design lengthens working life
  • Machine dryer-safe

Cons:

  • Grease and grime can bleed into the fabric fairly easily

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors should I consider before purchasing a pair of work gloves?

Generally, work gloves can be broken up into light-duty, heavy-duty, and outdoor heavy duty. Light duty gloves are made primarily of synthetic fibers and are used mostly for abrasion and dirt protection. These would be used mostly for gardening, painting, or landscaping. Heavy-duty gloves, featured more frequently in warehouse work, woodshop, and garages, are reinforced with synthetic leather and tend to offer superior protection from cuts, punctures, impact, and heat. Lastly, outdoor heavy-duty gloves are most commonly made of leather because of its toughness and flexibility. If your work involves construction or welding, these will be your go-to choice.

How do I pick the right size?

Manufacturers seldom use a standard measurement when establishing glove sizes, but some measurements are useful to have handy. One of the most common ways to determine glove size is determining the hand’s width at its widest point, directly beneath the knuckles. Additionally, measuring your middle finger to the base of the knuckle is crucial for a snug fit. Aside from taking the proper measurements, having a cuff appropriate for your line of work is just as essential. Ball-and-tape, hook-and-loop, and velcro cuffs are great added features that should be taken into consideration when sizings are less than perfect and you need extra security.

About the Author

Before becoming a writer, Evan worked as a senior data analyst in advertising and consumer retail. His goal is to help tech experts and amateurs alike make informed decisions about a wide range of electronics. Evan's hobbies include gaming, building computers, coding, and enjoying the great outdoors.

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