Coated, not disposable
Two very different products share the word nitrile. Disposable nitrile is a thin single-use glove for medical, food and cleaning work. Nitrile coated gloves are reusable work gloves: a knit liner with a nitrile dip on the palm and fingers.
Everything on this page is the second kind. If you need disposable exam gloves, we do not stock them.
Why nitrile beats PU in oil
Polyurethane gives excellent dry grip and better fingertip feel, and it is the right choice for clean precision work. In oil it slips.
Nitrile holds grip in the presence of oil, fuel and grease, and it resists abrasion better. That is why it dominates automotive, machining, engineering and any outdoor work where hands get wet.
Foam, sandy and smooth
Smooth nitrile is the basic dip. Good abrasion resistance, adequate grip, cheapest of the three.
Foam nitrile is aerated during dipping, creating micro-pockets across the surface. Those pockets channel oil away from the contact point, so the glove grips where a smooth dip would slide. It is the standard for automotive and machining.
Sandy or micro-foam nitrile has a coarser textured finish that grips harder still in wet oil. Slightly less comfortable, noticeably better on slick parts.
Coverage: palm, three-quarter or full dip
Palm dip leaves the back of the hand as bare knit. Most breathable, coolest, and the usual choice for general handling.
Three-quarter dip extends up the sides and knuckles, protecting against splash from below when reaching into a bay or a bin.
Full dip coats the whole glove. Best liquid protection, no breathability at all. Use it for wet work and expect hands to sweat.
Buying nitrile coated gloves in bulk
Highest-turnover item in most workshops after safety glasses. A foam nitrile glove at 13 gauge covers the widest range of tasks and is the sensible single SKU if you are only stocking one.
Add a cut rated version for anyone handling sheet metal or glass. Send us your task mix and headcount for case pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these disposable nitrile gloves?
No. These are reusable nitrile coated work gloves, a knit liner with a nitrile dip. We do not stock disposable exam gloves.
What is the difference between foam and sandy nitrile?
Foam has micro-pockets that channel oil away from the contact surface. Sandy has a coarser texture that grips harder in wet oil and is slightly less comfortable.
Is nitrile better than PU for work gloves?
In oil and grease, yes, and it resists abrasion better. PU is thinner and gives better fingertip feel for clean precision work.
What does three-quarter dip mean?
The coating extends up the sides and over the knuckles rather than covering the palm only. It protects against splash from below while keeping some breathability.
Are nitrile coated gloves cut resistant?
Only if the liner carries an ANSI/ISEA 105 cut level. The coating provides grip and abrasion resistance, not cut protection.
