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Glove Options

HAND PROTECTION OPTIONS

SIZING INFO

From manufacturer to manufacturer and across different types and materials of gloves, sizing is not always consistent. A "large" from one manufacturer may be considered an "extra large" by another. Even gloves from the same manufacturer may be different, due to changes in the machines used for production, the effects of natural materials, or simply how a glove of a particular type is supposed to fit (e.g., disposable gloves generally have a very tight fit, but ski gloves may feel more comfortable with looser fit.) Leather gloves will tend to stretch and conform to the shape of the hand with use.

Gloves are generally sized by measuring the circumference around the dominant hand just below the knuckles, and excluding the thumb. The number of inches corresponds to a size. Of course, the problem with this system is that someone may have fat hands and short fingers or skinny hands and long fingers. However, unlike manufacturers of pants (which produce pants of various waist sizes and inseam length combinations), glove manufacturers more or less target each size for the "average" hand. Fortunately, pants manufacturers are not so limited or there would be lots of men with 34 inch waists walking around with pants legs that greatly overlap their shoes to drag on the floor... or which cut-off well above their ankles! The simple sizing structure for gloves has an exception: a "cadet small". This size of gloves has shorter fingers than is typical for a small sized hand. Complicating things a bit more, men's and ladies sizes vary from 1 to 2 1/2 sizes apart, depending on the specific size. For example, a men's extra small is generally equivalent to a women's medium, a men's small is a women's large, and a men's medium is a women's 3XL.

Industrial color classifications, and sizes for men's gloves:

  • 6.25 - 7 inches = Size 7 = Extra small = Yellow trim
  • 7.25 - 8 inches = Size 8 = Small = Red trim
  • 8.25 - 9 inches = Size 9 = Medium = Green trim
  • 9.25 - 10 inches = Size 10 = Large = Brown trim
  • 10.25 - 11 inches = Size 11 = Extra Large = Blue trim
  • 11.25 - 12 inches = Size 12 = XX Large = Black trim
  • 12.25 - 13 inches = Size 13 = XXX Large = Orange trim

LEATHERS

  • COWHIDE - Most commonly used leather in the safety industry due to good abrasion resistance and attractive appearance. Grain leather is smooth. Split leather is the rough side of the leather.
  • GOATSKIN - Excellent abrasion and cut resistance, with strong tensile strength. Thinner leather provides better dexterity. High lanolin content keeps the leather soft.
  • DEERSKIN - Highest tensile strength of all leathers. Excellent dexterity and softness.
  • PIGSKIN - Pigskin has larger pores and is therefore more breathable and supple than cowhide. Pigskin offers the best abrasion resistance for longer wear. The naturally high lanolin content in pigskin allows it to return to softness, even after repeated contact with water.

LEATHER LAYERS - Grain cowhide leather is smooth as it comes from the exterior layer of the animal. Grain leather is soft, flexible and very durable. Split leather is the rough side of the leather, and is the layer beneath the surface of the cow.

CUTS OF LEATHER - Side split covers the rib area, and is premium leather. Shoulder split is the portion of the hide on the neck and shoulder of the animal. Belly split is from the belly and is generally used for economy grade gloves.

GLOVE THICKNESS

Disposable gloves have a material thickness attribute. This thickness unit of measurement is commonly referred to as "mil". However, "mil" is sometimes confused with "mm". These are totally different measurement systems. 1 mil equals 1/1000th of an inch. 1mm equals 1 milimeter. 1 mil = 0.0254 millimeters. A glove that is 5mil thick is quite different than one that is 5mm thick (a thickness which is quite unlikely for a disposable glove)

When measuring gloves for thickness, different parts of the glove may be found to have different thicknesses. The material in the palm and fingertips is often thicker than other parts of the glove.

GLOVE STYLES / FEATURES

  • KNIT WRIST -
  • SAFETY CUFF -
  • BAND TOP -
  • OPEN CUFF -
  • GAUNTLET CUFF -
  • GUNN PATTERN -
  • CLUTE PATTERN -
  • WING THUMB -
  • STRAIGHT THUMB -
  • KNUCKLE STRAP -
  • BOX FINGER STRUCTURE -
  • ROUND FINGER STRUCTURE -
  • POWDERED / POWDER-FREE -

LINING COMPARISON

  • FLEECE - Most commonly used glove liner, made of napped brushed cotton.
  • 3M THINSULATE - Warmest thin insulation on the market. Works well even in damp conditions.
  • PILE - Popular synthetic wool lining with a relatively low cost and a similarity to wool.
  • FOAM - With the comfort of a fleece layer and an additional 2 layers of polyester and polyurethane foam, this lining offers the most value for warmth insulation.

Department of Energy glove selection and technical reference info can be found here.