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Keep Your Hands Protected With The Best Work Gloves For DIY At-Home Repairs

Have you ever found yourself doing a job only to have your hands sweaty, slippery, dirty, cut, scratched, or injured? This is where work gloves come in. But which gloves are the best for the task at hand?

work gloves

And what different types might be more suitable for you? Check out this comprehensive guide which includes the best work glove recommendations.

Wearing the Right Work Gloves for the Right Job

Gloves for different duties and occupations come in different materials. With some being suitable for certain jobs and others better for different jobs.  If you’re going to do a lot of labor around the house, it’s worth investing in a few different pairs of gloves.

Don’t underestimate the importance of the material used. But it’s also a matter of choosing the right glove size. If you purchase work gloves that are too tight they can be uncomfortable and restrict your range of motion. This can lead to injury.

In addition to being inconvenient, gloves that are excessively loose are prone to slipping. Which can be quite annoying. To achieve the best results, your gloves should fit tightly over your fingers and palm without pressing or pinching them in any way.

Types of Work Gloves

Types of Work Gloves

Since we talked about the importance of choosing the right work gloves for the task at hand, we’re going to take a look at the different types available. Just to help you pick something that’s suitable for you.

Cotton Gloves – Best for light jobs

It is possible to utilize cotton work gloves for a variety of tasks. These gloves are often overlooked in favor of more expensive fabrics. Because they are less thick compared to gloves made from other materials, you should use them for light jobs, where not much protection is needed.

Go ahead and wear them all day long because they are comfy, cool, and absorbent. Cotton is also a natural biodegradable material, so if you’re fond of the environment, they are a good buy. Plus, they’re cheap compared to “sophisticated” fiber alternatives.

Best Cotton Gloves: G & F Products 14431L-Dz Natural Cotton Work Gloves

G & F Products 14431L-Dz Natural Cotton Work Gloves

Available in multiple size options and bundles that lead to a very good price per pair, these cotton gloves have quite a lot of features that are worth mentioning. Even if they are made entirely out of cotton, they also feature PVC dots on both sides, to offer better grips on your gardening tools and help prevent stuff from slipping from your hands.

You can only buy 12 pair packs or more, but the price is extremely convenient, so you’ll always have replacements around the house whenever needed. The material makes them pretty breathable, but we do wish they were available in smaller sizes as well.

Leather Gloves – Best for ultimate hand protection

Your hands will need protection when doing heavy-duty operations like metalworking, chopping lumber, handling extremely hot or cold goods, or performing electrical repairs or installations. This is where all-leather gloves come into play.

This material can provide excellent insulation, keeps paint and chemicals away from your skin, will protect your palms against abrasive surfaces, and they can also absorb minor electrical shocks. These gloves are usually made with split leather (water-resistant and heavy-duty) and grain leather (smooth, soft, allows for more dexterity).

Best Leather Gloves: Ironclad Ranchworx Work Gloves

Ironclad Ranchworx Work Gloves

Available in all sizes from S to XXXL, these work gloves offer amazing value for the money. They are not the cheapest leather work gloves you can find, but every feature makes it worth those extra pennies spent. They feature a thermoplastic cuff fuller (for proper hand fitting) and knuckle protection (to absorb impact).

The glove’s durability is improved by Kevlar reinforcing in key locations. The unique Rolltop fingertips allow maximum dexterity while still providing double-layer protection. The Ranchworx is made of the softest leather that molds to the shape of the hand.

Coated Fabric Gloves – Best for slippery situations

These gloves are typically composed of polyester, nylon, cotton, or another high-performance fabric. Fabric gloves that have been coated provide general-purpose hand protection with slip resistance. They are designed to protect against abrasions, chafing, and dirt.

Some moderately concentrated substances can be protected using this style of glove. They can be used in laboratories as long as they are powerful enough to guard against the chemical in question.

Best Coated Fabric Gloves: Vgo 15-Pairs Safety Work Gloves

Vgo 15-Pairs Safety Work Gloves

This particular set features no less than 15 pairs of coated fabric gloves that are suitable for a variety of different tasks. Whether you have to get a good grip on slippery items or cut the hedges on the front lawn, they are bound to offer a non-slip grip and abrasion resistance to protect your hands.

They come with an elastic knitted cuff which makes it easier to put them on and have them offer a tight fit. The material is machine washable, which makes them easy to clean time and time again. They have flexible polyester liner and polyurethane coating that doesn’t impede your ability to work with different items.

Latex or Rubber Gloves – Best for lab work

Latex and its synthetic equivalent, nitrile (ideal for people with latex allergy) are both highly light and allow for simple finger and palm mobility. Both materials have a small tackiness to them that makes it easier to catch a good grip on a smooth surface.

Whether discussing latex or rubber, it’s important to mention that neither of these materials does a very good job in protecting your hands against burns because they are not heat or puncture-resistant. Instead, they are suitable for lab applications, as their tight fit makes it super easy to use your hands without feeling movement restriction.

Best Nitrile Gloves: GLOVEWORKS Industrial Black Nitrile Gloves

GLOVEWORKS Industrial Black Nitrile Gloves

Latex allergies are quite common, so we thought about including a set of 100 gloves that are made from a synthetic version of latex, known as nitrile. The black nitrile gloves from Gloveworks offer a texture and micro-roughened surface for increased gripping capability. They’re the ideal balance of durability, comfort, and dexterity.

These premium industrial-grade gloves provide outstanding puncture and chemical resistance, a fantastic fit without compromising tactile sensitivity.  They’re powder-free and latex-free, and they’re available in a range of sizes from S to XXL.

Kevlar Gloves – Best for protection against cuts

Kevlar gloves are a sort of personal protection equipment that is constructed of Kevlar. This is a strong synthetic fiber that is used to protect your hands against heats, cuts, and abrasion. In addition, the gloves are flexible, lightweight, and comfy.

Kevlar gloves have replaced polyester gloves, nylon gloves, and poly-ethylene gloves in a variety of sectors. Kevlar gloves are used by employees in the automotive industry, but also by those that work with glass or metal.

Best Kevlar Gloves: G & F Products Store Kevlar Gloves

G & F Products Store Kevlar Gloves

Available in medium, large, and extra-large size, these Kevlar gloves come at a very good price and can deliver the protection you would expect to get from such a product. They offer great resistance against scratches and cuts, which would make them good for use in the kitchen.

They could be a great buy for people who work with knives and glass, as the cut-resistance also applies against shards.

Butyl Gloves – Best for working with chemicals

Butyl gloves are constructed of synthetic rubber and are resistant to a wide range of chemicals including peroxide, rocket fuels, and very corrosive acids. Due to their rubber-like surface, they can’t absorb the chemicals and solution they come in contact with, and that helps protect your skin.

Best Butyl Gloves: Honeywell B131/10 Butyl Gloves

Honeywell B131/10 Butyl Gloves

Honeywell makes a really good pair of butyl gloves. These 11-inch gloves are available for purchase as a single pair and, due to the high level of protection they offer, they are more expensive compared to some of the other types of gloves out there.

The rolled cuff prevents the glove from being too tight and allows for proper arm blood circulation, while their design makes them highly chemical-resistant.

Puncture Resistant Work Gloves – Best for working with sharp tools

The capacity to endure puncture is referred to as piercing resistance. However, not all puncture protection is equal, as certain delicate items can penetrate through gloves. Given this, it is risky to presume that a glove with a high puncture level is likewise rated for needle resistance.

Best Puncture Resistant Gloves: DEX FIT Level 5 Cut Resistant Gloves

DEX FIT Level 5 Cut Resistant Gloves

When it comes to the best puncture resistant work gloves, the people have spoken. Not only so these gloves have good features, but they are also a customer favorite. They are made from a combination of materials, including spandex, nylon, PE, fiberglass, and nitrile rubber.

These are slip-resistant, making them safe to use even when operating with wet utensils. Also, they’re safe to use with food, which makes them good for restaurant kitchens or wherever they might be needed. With a lightweight construction they don’t feel cumbersome in any way.

Aluminized Work Gloves – Best for high temperatures

Aluminized work gloves are designed to be heat-resistant, and they do the job very well. Created with a coating on the back of the hand, as well as the thumbs. They reflect molten splash, sparks, and radiant heat away from the hands.

These particular gloves are often used in conjunction with other heat-resistant pieces of clothing by people that have to work with molten metal, kilns, around industrial ovens, or by anyone who needs protection against injuries that could be caused by very hot ovens.

Best Aluminized Gloves: Holulo High Temperature Kevlar Aluminized Glove

Holulo High Temperature Kevlar Aluminized Glove

The Holulo gloves keeps your hands safe in spite of the really high temperature you are exposed to as part of your work. They are good for welders, as they are made with Kevlar aluminized fabric with a high resistance to heat.

They resist temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees Celsius and have the ability to radiate heat of 500 degrees as long as they are not exposed to open flames. The manufacturer claims they should resist for about three to five years until they require replacing. 

Project Ideas That Require Proper Work Gloves

How to Remove and Install Carpet on the Stairs

Best Way to Remove Concrete Slabs on a Patio

This project teaches you how to replace that nasty old carpet you’ve been using on your stairs for the past years and how to install a brand new and good-looking one. When you’re removing the old carpet from the stairs, a good pair of work gloves is going to come in handy, especially if you opt for a pair that can protect you against scratches (since you’ll most likely come across staples).

DIY Raised Planter Box

Best Way to Remove Concrete Slabs on a Patio

A DIY elevated planter box is great for anyone who doesn’t have enough space in their garden to plant all the stuff they’d like to. To make a planted box, you are going to need a bunch of different cedar planks, a few tools, but also wire mesh. As you’re cutting the wire mesh, you definitely want to use a solid pair of work gloves, especially since mesh wire can easily cut your hands.

Step-by-Step Guide to Planting a Window Box

Best Way to Remove Concrete Slabs on a Patio

Planted boxes placed right underneath the window are a must-have for a lot of different reasons. Who doesn’t love the smell of flowers when opening up the window in the morning or who doesn’t like to look at a home decorated with flowers?

This tutorial will teach you how to plant flowers for the upcoming season, what potting mix to choose, and even what fertilizer to opt for. Naturally, a pair of working gloves can protect your hands from dirt. An ordinary pair of gardening gloves should work just fine here.

How to Build a Redwood Deck

Best Way to Remove Concrete Slabs on a Patio

This particular guide will show you how to create your own slice of Heaven in the shape of a redwood deck that can serve as a relaxation oasis from here to eternity. A pair or working gloves will keep your hands protected from scratches, splinters, puncturing, and even the chemicals in the sealant. Because the project involves doing things like removing concrete, making a concrete-mounted frame, and installing deck footings.

How to Refinish Wooden Dining Chairs

Best Way to Remove Concrete Slabs on a Patio

Wood dining chairs are a success in many different room setups. So if you have ones that need refinishing, this tutorial is for you. This project requires you to remove the old finish of your chairs. And, since you’ll be working with chemicals, you need a pair of working gloves to keep your hands protected. Plus, they shield you from potential splinters.

How to Lay a Flagstone Walkway in an Existing Lawn

Best Way to Remove Concrete Slabs on a Patio

If you want to spruce up your yard by adding a flagstone walkway, you’ll to read this tutorial. It’s quite a simple DIY project. It requires just some flagstone slabs, some sand, a regular shovel and a hand shovel. Plus, a good pair of working gloves, and some time. The project implies working with dirt and moving flagstone slabs around. Therefore, you definitely want your hands to stay protected. That’s where some good working gloves can come in. You won’t need anything too fancy; a good pair of gardening gloves should suffice.

Best Way to Remove Concrete Slabs on a Patio

Best Way to Remove Concrete Slabs on a Patio

If you’re looking to upgrade your patio, you’ll have to remove concrete slabs. To do this, you’re going to have to work with tools. Like a high lift jack, a heavy-duty sledge hammer, and a pry bar. None of these tools are exactly soft on your hands. As a result, we recommend pairing them with work gloves. And even some other protective gear, like boots and safety glasses.

In the End

As you can see, different types of work gloves can shield your hands in a variety of situations. Things like protecting from high temperatures, cuts, scratches, chemical burns, and others. If you have any questions, shoot them in the comment section below. And check out our guide to the best jobsite radio for more awesome recommendations.