When a general purpose glove is the right call
Not every task needs a cut rating. Assembly, warehousing, packing, loading, groundwork and general maintenance are grip and abrasion problems, not blade problems.
Putting a crew in cut resistant gloves they do not need costs more and gives you a stiffer glove. Save the rated gloves for the tasks with an actual cut hazard, and use these everywhere else. If you are unsure where the line sits, the PPE buying guide covers how to run a hazard assessment.
PU or nitrile
Polyurethane dip is thin and gives the best fingertip feel of any coating. Excellent dry grip, very good for small parts and precision handling. It does not cope well with oil.
Nitrile dip handles oil, fuel and grease and resists abrasion better. Foam nitrile adds micro-pockets that channel oil away from the contact surface, which is why it dominates automotive and machining work. Sandy nitrile grips harder still in wet oil.
Latex is cheap and grips well wet or dry, but the allergy risk rules it out of most large programs.
Gauge, and why 13 is the default
Gauge describes the knit density of the liner. Higher numbers mean a finer, thinner knit.
Fifteen and eighteen gauge are very thin and dexterous, suited to electronics and fine assembly. Thirteen gauge is the industrial standard and the right balance for most work. Ten gauge is heavier, warmer and more durable, but you lose feel.
Touchscreen fingertips
Any crew using scanners, tablets or phones will remove gloves dozens of times a shift without them. Every removal is an exposure, and the gloves often do not go back on.
Conductive fingertip material costs very little and removes the reason to take the glove off. On a warehouse or logistics site this is the single highest-impact spec on the page.
Buying work gloves in bulk
These are the highest-volume consumable in most PPE programs. Track cost per worker per month rather than cost per pair, because a slightly more durable glove usually lands cheaper across a quarter.
Stock a full size range and expect the distribution to skew larger than a retail curve. Send us your headcount and task mix and we will recommend a coating and quote volume breaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PU and nitrile coated gloves?
PU is thinner with better fingertip feel and excellent dry grip. Nitrile handles oil and grease and resists abrasion better. Foam nitrile is the usual choice for oily work.
What gauge work glove should I buy?
Thirteen gauge suits most industrial work. Go to 15 or 18 for fine assembly, and 10 for heavy or cold-weather work where durability matters more than feel.
Do I need cut resistant gloves instead?
Only if there is a genuine blade or sharp edge hazard. General handling, packing and assembly are grip problems, and a rated glove there is stiffer and more expensive for no benefit.
Are touchscreen work gloves worth it?
On any site using scanners or tablets, yes. Without them workers remove gloves repeatedly, and each removal is an unprotected moment.
Can I buy work gloves in bulk?
Yes. Case pricing with volume breaks across the full size range, plus single pairs with no minimum order.
