Types of Safety Gloves: How to Choose the Right Pair
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO
WORK GLOVES
Everything you need to know about disposable gloves, cut-resistant gloves, leather gloves, and more so you can find the right protection for your task and environment.
WHY THE RIGHT GLOVE MATTERS
Gloves are one of the most frequently used pieces of personal protective equipment in industrial and warehouse settings, and one of the most frequently chosen incorrectly. Using the wrong glove for a task can mean inadequate protection, reduced grip and dexterity, or unnecessary cost from over-specifying when a simpler option would do.The right glove depends on the hazard, the environment, the duration of use, and the level of dexterity the task demands. This guide walks through the main glove types Benchmark carries, when to use each one, and what to consider before making a selection. Trust Benchmark, your safety glove expert since 1946, to help you find the right fit for your needs.
Nitrile or Vinyl Disposable
GENERAL WAREHOUSE / HANDLING
String Knit or Palm Dip
CUTS AND SHARP EDGES
Cut-Resistant (ANSI A2 to A6)
HEAT / WELDING / SPARKS
Heat-Resistant or Leather
FREEZER / COLD STORAGE
Insulated Gloves
WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE CHOOSING A GLOVE
No single glove works for every task. By keeping the following factors in mind before purchasing, you can confidently select the right material and design for your application.HAZARD TYPE
Identify the primary risk: chemicals, cuts, punctures, heat, cold, or general abrasion. The hazard determines which glove category you need before anything else.
ENVIRONMENT
Evaluate the conditions the task is performed in. Is there high moisture, potential contamination, or extreme temperatures to consider? Cold storage, wet conditions, and heat sources all change what you need.
GRIP AND DEXTERITY
For smooth or slippery objects, a high-grip glove like a palm dip is ideal. For precision work, a thinner glove with better touch sensitivity matters more than bulk. Never sacrifice grip for comfort alone.
COMPLIANCE
For high-risk tasks, ANSI and OSHA standards define minimum protection levels. Cut-resistant gloves in particular have ANSI ratings that must match the application.
FIT AND THICKNESS
A glove that fits correctly is essential, especially for detailed tasks. Benchmark offers a wide range of sizes across all glove types. Thinner gloves may cost less but may not provide adequate protection for high-risk tasks.
MATERIAL
The material of the glove is one of the most critical factors. Benchmark offers materials from cotton and vinyl to nitrile and leather, each with different properties for chemical resistance, heat tolerance, grip, and durability.
DISPOSABLE GLOVES: NITRILE, VINYL, AND LATEX
Disposable gloves are single-use or short-duration gloves designed for chemical handling, food prep, healthcare, lab work, and janitorial tasks. The three main materials are nitrile, vinyl, and latex. Each has a different cost profile, chemical resistance, and suitability for latex-sensitive workers.
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NITRILE VS. VINYL: WHICH SHOULD YOU STOCK?
For most industrial operations, nitrile is the better default: it offers superior chemical resistance, better durability, and is latex-free. Vinyl is a reasonable choice for light-duty food service or janitorial tasks where cost per glove is the main driver and chemical exposure is minimal. Not sure which fits your operation?
Ask a Benchmark rep.
GENERAL-PURPOSE GLOVES: STRING KNIT AND PALM DIP
General-purpose gloves cover the widest range of everyday warehouse, construction, and material handling tasks. Two types are most common: string knit gloves and palm dip gloves. Both are reusable, breathable, and significantly more comfortable for extended wear than disposable options.
STRING KNIT / COTTON GLOVES
KEY BENEFITS: Breathable and comfortable for long shifts; high grip available in dotted versions; versatile protection from minor cuts, abrasions, and dirt; cotton versions are biodegradable
BEST FOR: Light assembly, picking and packing, landscaping, general handling, and use as a liner under other gloves.
PALM DIP GLOVES
KEY BENEFITS: Enhanced grip on smooth or slippery items; abrasion resistance against minor cuts and dirt; breathable string knit base; flexible with good tactile sensitivity
BEST FOR: Warehousing, construction, manufacturing, and any task involving frequent gripping of parts, tools, or cartons.
CUT-RESISTANT GLOVES AND THE ANSI RATING SYSTEM
Cut-resistant gloves protect against lacerations from sharp edges, blades, glass, and metal. They are rated on the ANSI/ISEA 105 scale from A1 to A9, where a higher number means greater cut resistance. Most cut-resistant gloves are palm dipped or have a textured coating that improves grip, reducing the risk of accidental slips when handling sharp tools or materials. They are also built to withstand wear and tear, requiring fewer replacements than lighter gloves used in the same environments. Choosing the right ANSI level is critical: too low and the worker is under-protected; too high and the glove may be stiffer and more expensive than the task requires.- Best for: general assembly, light manufacturing, packaging tasks with some cut exposure, but no sharp metal or glass edges
- Glove construction: thin, flexible string knit base with a cut-resistant fiber blend
- Key benefit: good dexterity builds worker confidence handling items, improving task efficiency
- Best for: metal fabrication, automotive parts handling, glass cutting, sheet metal work — environments with consistent contact with sharp edges
- Glove construction: thicker fiber build, often with a palm coating for grip
- Key trade-off: slightly reduced dexterity vs. A1–A3, offset by longer durability and fewer replacements
- Best for: heavy metal processing, demolition, wire handling, and tasks involving constant contact with extremely sharp or serrated edges
- Glove construction: heaviest, maximum cut-protection build; stiffness increases at higher ratings
- Key rule: match the ANSI level to the actual hazard — don't default to the highest rating available
CUT RESISTANCE IS NOT PUNCTURE RESISTANCE
ANSI cut ratings measure resistance to slicing, not puncture or needle stick. If your application involves pointed objects like wire ends or staples, look for gloves that specifically call out puncture resistance.
HEAT AND COLD PROTECTION GLOVES
Temperature extremes require specialized gloves. A standard general-purpose glove provides no meaningful protection against burns, sparks, or frostbite. These two glove types address opposite ends of the temperature spectrum.HEAT-RESISTANT GLOVES
Heat-resistant gloves are built from durable heat-protective materials to ensure the user does not get burned or scalded while handling hot items or machinery. They are commonly used in welding, foundry work, food processing, and construction. Many are made with moisture-wicking and breathable materials to keep hands from becoming fatigued during long shifts. Many heat-resistant gloves also provide protection against extreme cold, making them a versatile option for environments where temperatures vary.
KEY BENEFITS: Protection from burns and scalding; moisture-wicking materials reduce fatigue; grip maintained in high-heat conditions; many models also provide cold protection
BEST FOR: Welding, furnace and foundry work, food processing, construction tasks involving heat exposure, and handling hot materials or equipment.
INSULATED GLOVES
Insulated gloves are designed to keep hands warm in cold environments without sacrificing flexibility. By trapping body heat with insulating materials, they help prevent frostbite and hypothermia in extreme conditions. Most include moisture-wicking liners since sweat increases heat loss; keeping hands dry in cold environments is essential. Outer layers typically provide water and wind resistance, and textured surfaces improve grip on icy or wet objects. They offer significantly more dexterity than traditional mittens.
KEY BENEFITS: Retains body heat to prevent frostbite and hypothermia; moisture-wicking liners keep hands dry; wind and water resistant outer layers; textured grip in wet and icy conditions; more flexible than mittens
BEST FOR: Freezer and cold storage work, outdoor winter tasks, truck drivers, and any environment consistently below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
LEATHER GLOVES
Leather gloves are highly durable and comfortable, making them a go-to for truck driving, warehousing, construction, welding, and more. All leather types share core advantages: abrasion, puncture, and impact protection; natural heat and fire resistance; and durability that improves over time as the glove forms to the wearer's hand. Leather also offers high breathability that reduces sweat, and can absorb moisture to help maintain grip. Extra heat protection can be added for high-heat applications.
The most common leather type. Thick, durable, and abrasion resistant. Good for general heavy-duty use, construction, and warehousing. Conforms to the hand over time for a more custom fit.
Thinner and more supple than cowhide. Better dexterity while still offering strong abrasion resistance. A popular choice for welding and precision work where hand feel matters.
Highly breathable and moisture-wicking. Remains soft even when wet, which helps maintain grip and reduce slippage. Popular in hot work environments where sweat buildup is a concern.
Made from the lower layers of the hide. More affordable than full-grain leather with good abrasion resistance. Commonly used in welding and heavy general-purpose applications.
RELATED SAFETY PRODUCTS
Gloves are just one part of workplace safety. Pairing them with other PPE provides more complete protection for common industrial and warehouse hazards.
SAFETY GOGGLES
Eye protection for tasks involving chemical splash, debris, sparks, or grinding. Pair with cut-resistant or heat-resistant gloves for tasks that put both hands and eyes at risk.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
Coveralls, aprons, and sleeves for tasks with chemical, heat, or cut hazards that extend beyond the hands. Often paired with cut-resistant or heat-resistant gloves for full coverage.
EAR PLUGS
Hearing protection for high-noise environments such as manufacturing floors, construction sites, and warehouse operations with heavy machinery.
SAFETY VESTS
High-visibility vests for warehouse floors and outdoor job sites. Combining cut-resistant gloves with a safety vest improves both hand protection and worker visibility when handling tools in busy environments.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT GLOVE
Use this table as a starting point. For high-risk applications, always verify that the glove meets the relevant ANSI or OSHA standard for your task. This guide does not cover every glove type available. If you need something specific, browse our full gloves collection or contact us and we can source it for you.| SITUATION | GLOVE TYPE | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical handling / lab | Nitrile disposable | Latex-free; check chemical compatibility chart for strong solvents |
| Food prep / food service | Nitrile or vinyl disposable | Nitrile for durability; vinyl where cost per glove is the main driver |
| General warehouse / picking | String knit or palm dip | Palm dip for better grip on smooth or slippery items |
| Sheet metal / glass handling | Cut-resistant ANSI A4 to A6 | Match the ANSI level to the sharpness of the materials involved |
| Light assembly / packaging | Cut-resistant ANSI A1 to A3 | Thin and flexible; preserves dexterity for detailed work |
| Welding / sparks / heat | Heat-resistant or leather (split/goatskin) | Leather naturally resists heat and sparks; add heat lining for high temps |
| Freezer / cold storage | Insulated gloves | Look for moisture-wicking liner and textured grip for cold surfaces |
| Construction / heavy handling | Leather (cowhide) or heavy palm dip | Cowhide for durability; conforms to the hand over time |
| Precision / medical / high sensitivity | Latex or nitrile disposable | Latex for maximum sensitivity; nitrile for latex-allergic workers |
| Extended wear / comfort liner | String knit liner under a work glove | Adds warmth, absorbs sweat, and reduces chafing from heavier outer gloves |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Answers to the questions we hear most about work gloves.
What is the difference between nitrile and vinyl gloves?
Nitrile is more durable, puncture resistant, and chemically resistant than vinyl. Vinyl is less expensive and works well for light-duty food service or janitorial tasks. For industrial chemical handling or extended wear, nitrile is the better choice in most cases.
What do the ANSI cut ratings mean?
ANSI ratings from A1 to A9 measure how much force is required to cut through the glove material. A1 is the lowest protection; A9 is the highest. For most sheet metal and glass handling tasks, A4 to A6 is the appropriate range.
Can I use disposable nitrile gloves for chemical work?
Nitrile resists many common chemicals, solvents, and oils. However, not all chemicals are compatible with nitrile. For highly aggressive solvents or unknown chemical mixtures, consult the glove manufacturer's chemical resistance chart before use.
Are leather gloves good for welding?
Yes. Leather is naturally heat and spark resistant, making it one of the most common glove materials for welding. Split leather and goatskin are frequently used in welding applications. For high-heat environments, choose a leather glove with an added heat-resistant lining.
What gloves are best for freezer or cold storage work?
Insulated gloves designed for cold environments are the correct choice. Look for a moisture-wicking liner to prevent heat loss from sweat, and a textured outer surface for grip on cold or icy surfaces. Do not rely on standard leather or palm dip gloves for sustained cold exposure.
How do I know if my gloves comply with OSHA requirements?
OSHA's general industry standard (29 CFR 1910.138) requires employers to select gloves based on a hazard assessment. The ANSI/ISEA 105 standard provides the specific performance ratings. For high-risk applications, consult your safety officer or contact Benchmark for product guidance.
What is a palm dip glove?
A palm dip glove is a string knit glove with a rubber, latex, or nitrile coating applied to the palm and fingertips. The coating improves grip on smooth or slippery items and adds abrasion resistance. It is one of the most common general-purpose gloves in warehouse and manufacturing environments.
Can I buy gloves in bulk from Benchmark?
Yes. Benchmark carries gloves in case quantities across all types. If you need a specific size range, color, or material not listed online, contact us and we can source it or recommend the closest available option.
KEEP LEARNING
Explore more safety and packaging guides from Benchmark Industrial.Cut-Resistant Gloves and Sleeves
A closer look at ANSI ratings and when to pair gloves with cut-resistant sleeves for full arm protection.
Warehouse Safety Products
An overview of essential safety products for industrial and warehouse environments.
Ice Melt and Insulated Gloves Guide
Cold-weather protection for outdoor and cold storage operations.
Eye Wash Stations Guide
When eye wash stations are required and how to select and maintain them.
Shop Benchmark's full selection of work gloves,
or contact us for product recommendations and bulk pricing.