Best Work Gloves: Complete Buying Guide & Reviews

No matter what you do, you’re likely going to want a pair (or a few) of work gloves lying around your house. These gloves can be used for just about anything that you do from pulling weeds to building furniture to just moving things around your house. They protect your hands from injury, dirt, debris, and a whole lot more, which is why the best work gloves are a great addition to your toolkit.

Best Work Gloves

Ironclad General Utility Gloves

These Ironclad Gloves are available in six different sizes so there’s a perfect fit for just about anyone without having to worry about them being too tight or too loose. They’re made with a combination of synthetic leather, stretch nylon, and terry cloth, which combine to create a durable and long-lasting glove.

The synthetic leather is actually double stitched and provides reinforcement throughout the palm, saddle, and fingers. The knuckles are reinforced with a rubberized material that helps to protect against impact and the palm is padded and features a flex pattern that’s well-known for the brand.

There’s also a secure wrist closure that keeps it firmly on your hand and they’re machine washable so you don’t have to worry about staining. Useful for a range of different tasks, these gloves are made to fit comfortably and to last for a long time. They’re made to be an all-around glove and there’s no need to worry about them shrinking over time.

Things We Like

• Six sizes available
• Double stitched synthetic leather
• Very breathable
• Good for general purpose work
• Machine washable
• Wrist strap for firm grip

Things we don’t like:

• No insulation
• Run somewhat large

Mechanix Wear Tactical Gloves

These Mechanix Wear Tactical Gloves come in five different sizes so you can get what fits you the best. They are made with a variety of different materials in different parts of the hand so they provide the level of protection that you need. That includes thermoplastic rubber at the knuckle guard and finger guards, dual-layer internal fingertip reinforcement, D3O palm padding for more energy absorption and nylon webbing to allow for storage.

The machine-washable nature of these makes them great for just about any task because you can quickly clean them up again without having to worry about staining. There’s a 90-day warranty included on these gloves that says there won’t be any kind of manufacturer problems when they arrive. Not only that but these gloves are designed for abrasion resistance and are used by law enforcement and the military.

Things we like:

• 90-day warranty
• Several size options
• Enhanced material throughout
• Energy dispersion
• Grippy rubber throughout
• Tough and durable

Things we don’t like:

• Velcro wrist closure does not last
• Not ideal for sweat or wet areas

CLC Handyman Work Gloves

These CLC Handyman Work Gloves are available in five different sizes so you can get a good fit no matter what you’re doing with them. They’re made of synthetic leather to improve durability and also to resist any type of shrinking or even hardening after they get wet.

They can keep your hands insulated and warm in colder weather and have a closure strap that keeps them firmly attached. The stretchable spandex and Lycra on the sides are great for improved dexterity. Therefore, you can accomplish any task that you want without having to take them off constantly and the inner stitching means that you won’t have to worry about snags on the material while you’re working.

They even have reinforced fingertips with touch screen fingertips so you can use your devices. There is a 1-year warranty on these super lightweight gloves and they work for a variety of different tasks including carpentry, automotive, and general work around the house.

Things we like:

• Reinforced fingertips
• Texture tab easier to put on
• Extra padding in the palm
• Touchscreen fingertips
• Synthetic leather
• Closure strap for security

Things we don’t like:

• Fit snug across the palm
• The wrist can be a little short

Maxiflex Ultimate Nitrile Gloves

These Maxiflex Gloves actually come in a pack with three pairs, so you’ll get a whole lot of great wear out of them. They also come in four different sizes so you’re going to have no problem finding something that fits you well. They’re made with a nitrile coating that resists some oils and also makes sure you have plenty of grip and abrasion resistance. The wrist is knit and tight fitting so you won’t get debris or particles inside the glove while you’re using them and you don’t need to worry about Velcro or other attachments.

There is a microfoam coating over the entire glove that makes them extremely breathable so you don’t have to worry about sweating during extended use. The form fit style means that you don’t have hand fatigue but you do feel comfortable and makes it easier to grip anything you need. They’re good for a wide range of different purposes and work great as general purpose gloves.

Things we like:

• Form fit design
• Breathable exterior
• Improved dexterity
• Super lightweight
• Oil-resistant
• Excellent grip

Things we don’t like:

• Stretch too much over time
• Grip starts to wear out

G & F Seamless Work Gloves

These G & F Gloves are available in five different sizes so you can get a good overall fit. They’re designated as gardening gloves but can actually be used for a variety of different purposes as a general work glove. There are two different options for either a classic or a double coated glove to give you even more protection and durability. These have a seamless fit and also provide excellent flexibility and dexterity because they are considered a form-fitting glove.

They’re made with a 100% nylon shell that works even when it’s wet. Even better, they have a nitrile coating that is highly breathable so you don’t need to worry about sweating during use. You’ll get six pairs of these gloves in a pack so there’s always another pair ready to go or for anyone else who wants to help out in your garden. They can be washed easily enough when you’re done working and they are inexpensive.

Things we like:

• Six in a pack
• 100% nylon shell
• Breathable material
• Work well even when wet
• Easy to wash when dirty
• Sturdy and long lasting

Things we don’t like:

• Can be thin for some purposes
• Not as breathable as expected

Features to Consider

It may not seem like work gloves are something you really need to think about, but they actually have a number of different features and depending on just what you’re going to do with them you may want to consider different styles or types. We’ll look at several of the different options that are available for work gloves and just why you might want a certain type over another. That way you can choose the gloves that are going to work for your needs.

Glove Types

There are a lot of different types of work gloves out there, which means you need to think about just what you’re going to be doing before you can purchase any. Think about whether you need them to be only single purpose or multi-purpose.

Do you need them to work for something specialized or just for general types of work? That’s all going to impact the specific material that you’re going to want. For more specialized tasks you’re not going to want generic gloves that you’ll find cheap at any store. You’re going to want something specially designed, for example.

Aluminized: These types of gloves are designed especially for those performing welding or furnace work. The material is designed to keep the level of heat lower for the person working, keeping them safer and protecting against burns.

Canvas: Canvas gloves are one of the most common and are generally used for yard work, HVAC or concrete, and roofing. They are made to protect from blisters while you’re working with tools.

Cotton/Jersey: These gloves are another of the more common options and they’re also used for different types of yard work. They are lightweight and can also be used for gardening, insulation or even painting. In general, they’re going to have a little breathability and they’ll have some grip to them. They may even have raised bumps on the inside to increase grip and they’re generally durable.

Full Leather: With these leather work gloves, you’ll be able to do more intense yard work, landscaping, woodworking, electrical work, and construction. They’re considered more tough and durable than other options and can protect your hands against more types of injury. They’re also a little better about protecting against cuts or sparks. If you add an insulated liner they can also work better to protect against electrical pulses.

Latex: If you want something that’s simple to use but also able to just throw away when you’re done with it then latex might be the answer. Latex gloves are generally used for painting or food processing and may be used with some lighter chemicals. They provide more dexterity than other types and also keep out more mild irritants.

Leather Palm: If you don’t want full leather but you need a little more durability through the center of the hand these gloves can be used for yard work, carpentry, lumber, construction and anyone who works with power tools. They increase your flexibility and they can also protect against injury and cuts that occur over the palm.

Metal Mesh: This is another one of those more specialized options but it actually works for anywhere that you might be around sharp tools or cutting tools. They’re designed to protect you from getting cut or injured while working with these.

Rubber/Neoprene: Very similar to latex gloves, rubber, and neoprene gloves can allow you to work with pesticides, chemicals and in your garden. They provide you with a lot more flexibility and still protect your hands from irritants.

Fit

You need a good fit for your gloves. Something that slips or slides around on your hand could come off or something could slip down around them. If they’re too tight they could rip or break and you could end up injured by whatever you were trying to keep away from.

You want to get gloves that fit all over your hand and that allows you the freedom that you need to get the job done (after all, if you take them off they aren’t going to help anything). Seams on the back or palm of the hand actually seem to increase the longevity of the gloves.

Wrap Up

If you’re looking for a pair of gloves that is going to help you get just about any task done then the Ironclad Gloves are a great choice. They have reinforced leather throughout, which helps them to be more durable and long-lasting. They also have a tight fit design that still allows you enough flexibility and room to breathe while letting you get all of your normal tasks done.

When they get dirty you can just throw them in the washing machine and they’ll be ready to go again in no time at all. If you’re looking for something more geared toward gardening or smaller tasks there are several different options that are great for this, including the G & F gloves we just mentioned.

They can provide you with a form fit design that is comfortable and flexible for the kind of tasks you will generally have when you’re working in a garden. They also don’t have loose wrists, which means you’ll be able to keep them tight on your hands without having to worry about Velcro or anything else.