Gloves
Choose work gloves according to their area of use
The right glove always depends on the specific work at hand. A different model is required for precision installation work than for gardening, woodwork, working in the cold, handling chemicals or rough activities on a yard or building site.
The key factors are, above all, the area of use, base material, coating, surface finish, dipping process, protective function and fit. This guide explains what to look for when choosing gloves and which type is suitable for which application.
The focus is on work gloves for gardening, installation, workshops, construction, yards, stables, forestry, cleaning, chemistry and winter use. It also provides a simple explanation of key materials and properties such as leather, chrome-free tanned leather, microfibre, cotton, polyester, recycled polyester, nylon, spandex, HPPE, steel fibre, nitrile coating, latex coating, pu coating, pvc coating, SandyFinish, MicroFinish, NanoFinish and CrinkleFinish.
Which gloves are best suited to which work?
The most important question when choosing gloves is: What will the gloves be used for? If you know the area of use, you’ll find a suitable model more quickly. Whether it’s gardening, installation work, workshop tasks, construction, yard work, stables, forestry, cleaning, chemistry or winter use – the requirements in terms of material, coating, fit and protective function vary depending on the activity.
Knitted, seamless or sewn gloves?
As well as the area of use, the manufacturing method also plays an important role. It affects the fit, flexibility and comfort of work gloves. Knitted or seamless gloves and sewn gloves are particularly common.
Knitted or seamless gloves are knitted in one piece and have no uncomfortable seams. This means they offer a good fit, high dexterity and are comfortable to wear. They are particularly suitable for installation work, light workshop tasks, gardening or any activities where a precise grip is important. Many fine-knitted gloves fall into this category and combine flexibility, tactile sensitivity and a secure handle.
Sewn gloves are made up of several pieces of fabric, leather or other materials. This allows single areas to be reinforced, such as the palm of the hand, fingers or knuckles. They are often more robust in construction and are particularly suitable for work involving higher mechanical stress, such as leather gloves, mechanic’s gloves, garden gloves with cuffs or specialist gloves.
Gardening
For gardening, it is important to wear gloves that fit well, provide a secure grip and provide protection for your hands from soil, moisture, thorns or prickles. For light planting work, flexible, breathable models that offer good tactile sensitivity are ideal. Latex foam coatings, nitrile foam coatings or surface finishes such as sandyfinish surface finishes and microfinish surface finishes can improve the handle and provide greater control whilst gardening.
For roses, hedges or heavy-duty work, robust garden gloves with reinforced areas or longer cuffs are advisable. When dealing with moist soil, wet plants or working with garden tools, you should also look for water-repellent or waterproof properties.
Installation and finishing work
Installation work relies particularly on dexterity, tactile sensitivity, a good fit and a secure handle. Lightweight, close-fitting assembly gloves are particularly suitable, as they allow for freedom of movement whilst still providing protection against abrasion.
Depending on the working environment, a pu coating, nitrile coating or nitrile foam coating may be appropriate. Pu coatings offer an excellent sensation of touch, whilst nitrile coatings are robust and often resistant to oil and grease. Touchscreen compliant models also make it easier to use smartphones, scanners or other digital devices without having to pull out the gloves.
Workshop and high performance
In workshops and mechanical engineering, gloves must combine a secure grip, dexterity and protection. Depending on the task, mechanics’ gloves with a silicone print, silicone matrix, reinforced palms, knuckle protection, padding or vibration damping may be advisable.
A robust palm ensures a secure grip on tools and components. A hook and loop fastener or elastic materials such as spandex ensure a snug fit and can prevent dirt from getting into the gloves. For precision work, it is also important to have as direct a sense of touch as possible.
Construction, store, yard and stable
When carrying out construction, warehousing, yard and stable work, the requirements often vary: materials are carried, tools are used, repairs are carried out, animals are looked after or cleaning work is performed. Many of these activities also take place outdoors, where dirt, damp and fluctuating temperatures are a factor.
Sturdy work gloves are therefore ideal – ones that are abrasion-resistant, tear-resistant, provide a good grip and are comfortable enough for prolonged use. Depending on the task, leather gloves, coated models, 3/4-dipped designs or gloves with knitted wrist cuffs and cuffs may be appropriate. In cold or damp conditions, or when carrying out cleaning work, winter gloves or specialist gloves may also be required.
Forestry, wood and firewood
When carrying out woodwork and forestry work, sturdy gloves with a secure handle are essential. For simple woodwork, carrying firewood or rough activities outdoors, hard-wearing leather gloves or sturdy work gloves may be suitable.
If there is a risk of cuts from sharp edges, blades or metal parts, cut-resistant gloves are advisable. Models featuring HPPE or steel fibre offer additional protection here, combining cut resistance with flexibility and a secure grip.
When working with hand-held chainsaws, special, approved chainsaw gloves are required. These are designed specifically for the area of use and must not be replaced by standard cut-resistant or work gloves.
As much forestry and timber work takes place outdoors, protection against the cold and moisture protection may also play a role, depending on the weather. High-visibility colours also help you to find your gloves more quickly in the workplace.
Cleaning, chemistry and pesticides
When carrying out cleaning work or handling chemicals or plant protection products, special gloves are required that are suitable for the specific application. The key factors are, above all, the substance being used, its concentration and the duration of contact.
Waterproof gloves prevent moisture, cleaning agents or other liquids from coming into direct contact with the skin. Fully dipped models offer larger protection zones than models coated only on the palms. Long cuffs can provide additional protection for the wrist and forearm.
Depending on the area of use, a pvc coating, nitrile coating or latex coating may be appropriate. It is also important to ensure the correct material thickness, a secure handle in wet conditions, and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and information on resistance.
Winter and outdoor
When working in winter or outdoors, gloves must provide protection against the cold and damp without restricting mobility too much. It is therefore important to choose gloves made from warm materials, with a secure fit and sufficient freedom of movement.
Lined gloves – such as those with acrylic lining, fleece, Thinsulate lining or a membrane – are suitable for cold working conditions. When working with tools, the gloves should offer sufficient tactile sensitivity and a secure grip, even when lined.
Water-repellent or waterproof designs provide additional protection in snow, rain or on moist surfaces. A knitted wrist band, long cuffs or an extra long band can prevent snow, dirt or cold from getting into the gloves.
Children
Children’s gloves should fit comfortably and be suitable for the activity in question. Large gloves make it difficult to grip things, whilst small gloves are tight and can restrict movement.
For gardening, small tasks in the yard, in the stable or on the farm, flexible models with a non-slip inner surface and comfortable material are ideal. They help children grip safely and provide protection when working outdoors. On cold days, lined children’s gloves are a good choice, as they keep hands warm whilst still allowing sufficient freedom of movement.
Materials, coatings and surface finishes
It is not just the base material that determines a glove’s output. The coating material, coating method and surface finish are just as important. The base material influences the comfort, flexibility, breathability and durability of a work glove. Coatings made from nitrile, latex, PU or PVC affect abrasion resistance, grip, tactile sensitivity and protection against oil, grease, moisture or liquids. The surface texture also plays an important role: it can be smooth, foamed or equipped with nubs. Surface finishes such as sandyfinish surface finish, microfinish surface finish, nanofinish surface finish or crinklefinish surface finish improve the handle depending on the surface, working environment and area of use.
Basic materials
Leather
Leather is robust, hard-wearing and naturally breathable. It is particularly suitable for heavy-duty work, woodwork, construction, yard work, forestry and winter use. Goat leather is often used when flexibility and a good sense of touch are required. Cowhide is particularly resilient and is suitable for sturdy work gloves.
Leather (chrome-free)
Chrome-free tanned leather can be an important feature in leather gloves. This tanning process does not use chrome salts, which may be linked to potential skin irritation or allergic reactions in leather products. In product descriptions, chrome-free tanned leather is therefore often described as suitable for allergy sufferers. Products are labelled: ‘Chrome-free tanning’.
Microfibre
Microfibre is soft, lightweight, flexible and breathable. The material keeps its shape and, depending on the design, can offer wind- and water-repellent properties. It is frequently used in comfortable garden gloves, mechanics’ gloves and work gloves that offer a snug fit and functional features.
Cotton
Cotton is a plant-based fibre that is gentle on the skin, soft and comfortable to wear. It is breathable, absorbs sweat well and is therefore particularly suitable for applications where comfort is important. Cotton is used, amongst other things, in work gloves, jersey gloves and glove liners.
Polyester
Polyester is hard-wearing and easy to care for and very versatile. The material can be processed into elastic fibres and is frequently used in work gloves where fit, flexibility and comfortable wearing are important.
Recycled polyester
Recycled polyester is made from recycled plastic fibres, such as those from plastic bottles. At Kerbl, such products can often be identified by the suffix ‘recycled’ in their names. The material combines the typical properties of polyester with a more resource-efficient approach to materials.
Nylon
Nylon is a synthetic fibre that is air permeable, elastic and durable. It is particularly suitable for fine-knitted gloves and models that require a high degree of dexterity, a good fit and a pleasant wearing sensation.
Elastane
Elastane, Lycra and spandex are lightweight, elastic and keep their shape materials. They improve the fit, ensure a close-fitting cut and allow for greater freedom of movement, for example on the back of the hand or between the fingers.
Acrylic
Acrylic is a synthetic fibre that is primarily used as a warm inner lining in work gloves. The material is lightweight, keeps its shape and is soft to the touch, enhancing comfort without unnecessarily restricting movement.
What does ‘gauge’ mean in relation to work gloves?
With fine-knitted gloves, the gauge number describes the fineness of the knit. The higher the gauge number, the finer and tighter the knit. Lower gauge numbers therefore tend to indicate warmer or more robust knits. Higher gauge numbers usually allow for greater dexterity and a more sensitive sense of touch.
7-gauge (chunky knit)
13-gauge
18-gauge (fine knit)
Coating materials
Nitrile (NBR)
Nitrile coating, also known as NBR, is a synthetic material that is almost as elastic as latex whilst also being very durable. It is wear-resistant and oil-resistant, and is regarded as a suitable alternative for allergy sufferers compared to latex. Nitrile foam coating also provides a good handle when carrying out precision work with tools or components.
Latex
Latex coating is made from natural rubber. It is very elastic, provides a good grip and offers excellent slip resistance. Latex remains flexible even in cold temperatures. This makes the material a popular choice for garden gloves, construction gloves and heavy-duty work gloves. However, latex is generally less suitable for work involving oil or grease.
PU (polyurethane)
Pu coating stands for polyurethane and can be applied very thin. This allows for good tactile sensitivity and makes it particularly suitable for finishing work, installation, sorting work and warehouse work.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
PVC coating is made of polyvinyl chloride. The material is abrasion-resistant, tough and, depending on the design, can be waterproof. PVC coatings are frequently used in specialist gloves designed for work in wet conditions, or involving oil, grease or certain chemicals.
Synthetic rubber
Synthetic rubber is a robust material with good resistance to UV radiation. It is primarily used in specialist gloves, such as chemical-resistant gloves, where durability and protective performance are particularly important.
Type of coating and protected surface
With coated gloves, it is not only the material that matters, but also which parts of the glove are coated. Models with a coated palm tend to remain more breathable on the back of the hand and are well suited to works where dexterity and comfort are important. 3/4-dipped, fully-dipped or double-dipped gloves offer a large area of protection. Depending on the design, they provide better protection against moisture, dirt or liquids and are suitable for work where the hands come into more frequent contact with wet conditions, contaminants or rough surfaces.
Surface finishes and grip textures
It is not just the coating material that determines how secure a glove’s grip is. The structure of the surface also plays an important role. Depending on the finish, a glove can offer better grip on dry, moist, wet or smooth surfaces, thereby improving control when working with tools, materials or equipment.
Standard, smooth coating
A standard, smooth coating has an even surface. Depending on the coating material, it can provide protection against abrasion, moisture, oil or grease, and is suitable for works where clean, direct contact with the surface is important.
Foamed coating
A foamed coating has a softer surface with fine microbubbles. This makes the glove feel more flexible, more comfortable to wear and provides a good grip, particularly for work where dexterity and tactile sensitivity are important.
SandyFinish
SandyFinish describes a rough, sand-like surface texture. It provides a secure handle, particularly on moist, wet or slippery surfaces, and can offer greater control during gardening, installation work or more demanding tasks.
MicroFinish®
MicroFinish® is TOWA’s patented coating technology, designed to provide a secure grip in dry, moist and oily conditions. The soft, flexible coating, featuring microscopic air pockets, repels liquids on contact and ensures a reliable grip, high precision and a comfortable to wear fit.
NanoFinish®
NanoFinish® is the next generation of MicroFinish® technology. An optimised surface structure provides exceptionally high grip – particularly in dry conditions, but also in moist conditions. At the same time, the flexible nitrile coating retains its grip even when exposed to dirt and fine particulates, ensuring consistently high output.
CrinkleFinish
CrinkleFinish describes a coarser, crinkled surface texture. This finish provides excellent grip and is frequently used on robust, sturdier work gloves where tools, materials or objects need to be held securely.
Nubs and silicone prints
In this design, the surface features small raised dots or textured silicone prints. These improve the handle and ensure that tools, equipment or materials lie more securely in the hand to improve safety.
Protection classes, standards and pse categories
Gloves are classified as personal protective equipment (PPE) if they protect the hands from mechanical, chemical, thermal or biological dangers whilst at work. They are subject to the PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and are therefore an important part of health and safety at work.
Depending on the type and severity of the hazard, protective gloves are classified into three PPE categories.
Category I comprises basic PPE designed to protect against low-level risks, such as superficial mechanical injuries.
Category II covers medium-level risks that do not fall under Category I or III.
Category III applies to high-level risks where there is a potential for fatal dangers or irreversible damage to health, for example due to chemical exposure, contamination or the risk of infection.
Standards and pictograms indicate the risks for which a protective glove has been approved. The power levels help users to compare different models more effectively and to narrow down the appropriate scope of protection:
EN ISO 21420 – General requirements
Basic standard for protective gloves, e.g. regarding safety, ergonomics, sizes, labelling and manufacturer information, and applies to all gloves (formerly EN 420).
EN 388 – Mechanical risks
Describes protection against abrasion, cuts, tearing and punctures and, depending on the glove, protection against cuts in accordance with TDM and impact loads. Important for many work gloves and cut-resistant gloves.
EN 511 – Protection against the cold
Evaluation of protection zones against convective cold, contact cold and water penetration. Relevant for winter gloves and cold-weather areas of use.
EN ISO 18889 – Pesticides
Applies to protective gloves when using pesticide products.
EN 407 – Protection against heat and fire
Describes protection against thermal hazards such as heat, flames or hot surfaces.
EN ISO 11393-4 – Chainsaw work
Applies to protective gloves when working with hand-held chainsaws.
EN ISO 374-1 – Chemistry
Describes protection against chemical contamination.
EN ISO 374-5 – Micro-organisms
Describes protection against microbiological contamination.
All information, classifications, power levels and pictograms are provided for guidance only. When selecting the appropriate protective glove, the specific application, the manufacturer’s instructions, the safety regulations at the relevant workplace and a suitable risk assessment are always decisive. Further specialist information is available, amongst other sources, in the PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and from the DGUV/IFA.
Fit, size and comfort
Work gloves only provide proper protection and support if they fit well. If they are too large, they can slip and make gripping difficult. If they are too small, they will be too tight and restrict movement.
To determine the correct glove size, the circumference and length of the hand are usually measured. Depending on the model, this determines the correct size, for example from XS to XXXL. A size chart or diagram helps to correctly interpret the measurements taken.
As gloves can vary depending on the material, cut and area of use, it is important to consider not only the size but also the specific fit and the manufacturer’s specifications.
FAQ
Which work gloves are the right ones?
There is no single glove suitable for all tasks. The right work gloves always depend on the area of use. For installation work, flexible gloves offering good dexterity and a high level of tactile sensitivity are recommended. For heavy-duty work, sturdy leather or work gloves are suitable. Special protective gloves are required when dealing with chemicals, the risk of cuts, cold, heat or when working with a chainsaw.
Which gloves are best for gardening?
For gardening, it’s a good idea to wear gloves that combine a good grip, flexibility and comfort. Flexible, breathable models are ideal for light planting or maintenance work. For work involving thorns, spines or coarse cuttings, reinforced garden gloves or models with long cuffs are more suitable. When dealing with moist soil, wet plants or working outdoors, you should also look for water-repellent or waterproof properties.
Which is better: a nitrile coating, a latex coating or a pu coating?
A nitrile coating is often useful when working with oil, grease or rough surfaces. A latex coating is elastic and offers excellent grip, remaining very flexible even in cold temperatures, but is generally less suitable for work involving oil or grease. A pu coating offers an excellent sensation of touch and is particularly suitable for precision work, installation or sorting work. The coating chosen should always be appropriate for the task at hand.
Which gloves offer good sensitivity?
Thin assembly gloves, fine-knitted gloves and gloves with a pu coating offer particularly good tactile sensitivity. Nitrile foam coatings can also help to ensure a good grip and enable precise work. Generally speaking, gloves for finishing work should not be too thick, as this can restrict tactile sensitivity and dexterity.
Which gloves are best for winter?
For winter work, lined work gloves, leather winter gloves or gloves with an acrylic lining, fleece, Thinsulate lining or membrane are suitable. For moist or wet conditions, water-repellent or waterproof models are advisable. It is important that the gloves keep your hands warm whilst still allowing sufficient freedom of movement.
What does ‘gauge’ mean in relation to work gloves?
In the case of fine-knitted gloves, ‘gauge’ refers to the fineness of the knitted fabric. The higher the gauge number, the finer and denser the knit. Lower gauge numbers tend to indicate thicker, warmer or more robust gloves, whilst higher gauge numbers allow for greater dexterity and more precise work.
What do the terms ‘SandyFinish’, ‘MicroFinish’, ‘NanoFinish’ and ‘CrinkleFinish’ mean when referring to gloves?
SandyFinish, MicroFinish, NanoFinish and CrinkleFinish describe different surface finishes of the coating. They affect how securely a glove grips dry, moist, wet or smooth surfaces.
What does ‘3/4-dipped’ or ‘fully dipped’ mean in relation to work gloves?
The type of coating describes which areas of the glove are coated. Gloves with a palm-only coating are breathable on the back of the hand, which reduces perspiration and improves comfort. 3/4-dipped gloves offer a larger protected area than palm-only coatings. Fully dipped gloves have a large protective surface area and are suitable when the hands come into frequent contact with moisture, contaminants or rough surfaces.
Which gloves provide protection against cuts?
Cut-resistant gloves should be used where there is a risk of cuts. They are often made from cut-resistant materials such as HPPE or steel fibre. When selecting gloves, care should be taken to ensure they meet an adequate performance level in accordance with EN 388 regarding cut resistance. For example, cut resistance class F offers the highest level of cut protection under this standard. Special chainsaw gloves are required for working with hand-held chainsaws. Standard work gloves or simple cut-resistant gloves are no substitute for approved chainsaw gloves.
Which gloves are suitable for use when handling chemicals?
Chemicals gloves or chemical-protective gloves with the appropriate certification are required for use with chemicals. The choice depends on the specific chemical, its concentration, the duration of contact and the glove material. Being waterproof does not automatically mean that a glove is resistant to chemicals. Therefore, manufacturers’ specifications, certifications, resistance information and the requirements of the specific workplace should always be taken into account.
Finding your glove size: Which size is the right one?
To determine the correct glove size, the circumference and length of the hand are usually measured. Based on these measurements, the appropriate size can be determined – depending on the glove model – for example, from XS to XXXL. A size chart or a corresponding diagram makes it easier to match the measured values to the correct size. On many work gloves, coloured cuffs provide labelling for the respective size. This makes it quick and simple to distinguish between different glove sizes in everyday working life.
Making the right choice
The right glove always depends on the area of use. By taking into account the intended use, material, coating, fit and protective function, you can narrow down the range more effectively and avoid making the wrong choice. Size also plays an important role: a work glove only provides proper protection and support if it fits well. Gloves that are too large can slip and make gripping difficult, whilst those that are too small can be uncomfortable and restrict movement. To determine the correct size, the circumference and length of the hand are usually measured.