How to Choose the Right Leather Work Gloves

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5 Steps to Choosing a Leather Work Glove
by Karen
Grain or split leather? Clute or Gunn cut? Safety or gauntlet cuff? Lined or unlined?

The wide variety of choices in leather work gloves means that there is almost always “the perfect” one for any given application. Finding that glove, however, may not always seem so easy. By understanding the differences between available features, you can narrow the playing field and make an educated decision.

Follow the 5 steps below and you’ll be on your way to finding the perfect leather glove:

Step 1: Choose a Type of Leather

Leather is made from the tanned hides of various animals. Leather quality varies because it is a natural product. The most common types of leather used for work gloves are:

Cowhide
Pigskin
Deerskin
Goatskin
Cowhide

Cowhide is the most common and popular type of leather used for gloves. It creates a moderately priced, comfortable, durable glove with excellent abrasion resistance. It is warmer than pig or goatskin and more heat resistant.

Pigskin

Pig skin offers the greatest breathability due to the porous texture of the hide. It becomes softer with use and withstands moisture without becoming stiff. And the material can be laundered without losing its shape or function.

Deerskin

Deer skin is soft, more comfortable, longer wearing and more flexible than cowhide. It is also the warmest of leathers.

Goatskin

Goatskin is the strongest and most durable type of leather. Its natural lanolin in the skin makes the glove very supple, waterproof and abrasion resistant. The material is excellent for tasks involving fine dexterity.

You should also pay attention to what part of the animal’s body the hide comes from and what side of the skin is processed.

Full or top grain leather comes from the external side of the hide. It is typically smooth, but can be lightly sanded or processed after tanning to feel like suede or velvet. The area where the hide is cut determines durability:

Leather cut from the sides and shoulder of the animal offers the greatest durability.

Belly and neck cuts are less durable, and are often used for “economy grade” gloves and trims.

Split leather or suede comes from the underside of the hide. This leather has no natural grain and is not as strong as grain leather. The area from which the glove is cut determines durability and dexterity:

Belly split leather is the most economical, but it is not consistent in texture or appearance. It is the least durable.

Shoulder split leather is economical, but less durable than side split leather because the additional movement in the shoulder area creates less dense fibers and more visible differences in texture.

Side split comes from the rib area. It is very durable and consistent with dense fibers. Of split leathers, this is the best quality.

For greatest longevity, choose grain leather gloves. For temporary workers or sporadic, incidental jobs, split leathers will likely “do the job” and offer a greater cost savings.

Step Two: Choose a Pattern

The way a glove is cut helps determine the dexterity and comfort you’ll receive.

Gunn Cut
Clute Cut
Gunn Cut

A single-piece, seamless back with fine seams set away from the working area of the palm. The two middle fingers are sewn separately into the palm to help minimize bulk in those fingers, increasing dexterity. This design provides better wear and greater comfort. The design also minimizes stress on the glove for longer wear and provides natural gripping action for handling tools.

Clute Cut

A one-piece palm with no seam at the base of the fingers and a straight thumb. Seams are along the inside of each finger. The design gives the glove a roomier fit and makes it more economical than gloves requiring more sewn seams.

Step Three: Choose a Thumb Design

Sometimes, a seemingly small detail like thumb design can make a big difference in the comfort or functionality of a glove that is worn all day.

Straight Thumbs
Winged Thumbs
Keystone Thumbs
Straight Thumbs

Designed for non-rigorous activities. Least effective because they do not allow for natural thumb motion, but are the most economical style because they require little stitching.

Winged Thumbs

Designed with an angled construction that allows for greater flexibility and efficiency than straight thumbs. Good for pushing and pulling applications, often found on mid-priced gloves and can be worn for extended periods of time.

Keystone Thumbs

Designed for superior movement and overall comfort. Ideal for applications where there is extreme wear in the thumb webbing area, such as pulling wires or handling small pipes. Most expensive thumb option due to extensive sewing.

Step Four: Choose a Cuff Style

Application plays a large role in choosing a cuff style. Cuffs can add warmth, help prevent abrasion from particles falling into the glove, increase safety by doffing when caught in a machine and allow sleeves to be tucked.

Knit
Slip-On
Safety
Gauntlet
Shirred Wrist
Knit

Stretch-knit fabric, usually 2″ to 3″ long. Designed to protect the wrist and help prevent particles from falling into the glove.

Slip-On

Ends just at the wrist with no cuff. Easy to don and doff. Typically the most economical.

Safety

Usually about 2″ long, allowing covering for the wrist. Designed with a slit at the side to enable the wearer to throw the gloves off easily if they get caught.

Gauntlet

Same features as the safety cuff, but longer (typically 4″ vs. 2″). Protects the forearm and allows sleeves to be tucked into the glove.

Shirred Wrist

Help gather the leather at the wrist providing a more comfortable fit. Commonly found on gloves with safety cuffs.

Step Five: Choose a Lining

Although they are traditionally added for warmth, linings can also help make gloves more comfortable for long-term wear.

Cotton and Jersey
Wool and Pile
Thermal
Cotton and Jersey

Helps prevent chaffing.

Wool and Pile

More durable than cotton or jersey and warmer.

Thermal

Best choice to use in low temperatures.

The Perfect Glove

Like all personal protective equipment, gloves will wear out over time and need to be replaced, but choosing the glove most appropriate for the task will help ensure the greatest longevity and help avoid unnecessary spending.
Keep your workers protected with a reliable pair of leather work gloves.

See All Leather Gloves

TAGS: Q&A About Top Products, Safety

Karen

Karen D. Hamel CSP, CET, WACH, is a regulatory compliance professional, trainer and technical writer. She has more than 25 years of experience helping EHS professionals find solutions to meet EPA, OSHA and DOT regulations and has had more than 200 articles published on a variety of EHS topics. Karen is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Environmental health and Safety Trainer (CET), Walkway Auditor Certificate Holder (WACH), OSHA-Authorized Outreach Trainer for General Industry, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trainer and hazmat technician. She serves on the Blair County, PA LEPC. Her specialties include a wide variety of environmental, safety, emergency response, risk management, DOT and NIMS topics. She conducts trainings and seminars at national conferences and webinars for several national organizations. For regulation or product information, we can be reached at 1-800-HOT-HOGS (468-4647) or by email at xtechnical@newpig.com.

9 Comments

Burt Silversays:
12/02/2016 at 2:24 pm Reply
I use leather gloves all the time when I work in my yard and on my house. My current gloves are torn to shreds, so I need a new pair that will work with me and keep my hands safe. I never realized that different parts of the animal’s body could create better leather. I will have to look for some side and shoulder cut leather gloves.
- Brittanysays:
  12/05/2016 at 10:20 am Reply
  Thanks for the feedback, Burt! Many people don’t know that leather quality can depend on what part of the body it comes from. Hope you find a dependable leather glove soon!
  
  Best,
  Brittany
Lee Badgersays:
09/20/2018 at 4:13 pm Reply
Where the fingers attach to the palm on gloves is a straight line across all 4 fingers, however the human hand’s fingers attach to the palm in a slightly curved manner. From the index finger to the little finger is (again) a curve. Gloves can be dangerous that do not fit: the index finger on a glove is usually too short; whereas the little finger is too long and most always because the leather is not cut to fit a human hand, but only a machine. Why is it so difficult to make gloves that actually fit? Expense, inability to make leather cutting dies that could make gloves that fit, something else?
- Karensays:
  09/24/2018 at 2:46 pm Reply
  Hi Lee,
  
  Cutting dies can be made in any shape, so it is doubtful that this is part of the problem. But from a construction (sewing) standpoint, it is always easier to sew a straight line than a curved line. It’s not that gloves can’t be made that way, it is just that it takes longer, which adds to the cost. Many gloves are now produced by machine, and adding a curved palm seam may not be feasible for some production lines. Heavy fabrics (such as leather and canvas) also tend to pucker when they are forced into a curved seam—which may actually make them more uncomfortable than a straight seam.
  
  It’s possible to get custom-made gloves that match actual hand size and finger lengths—but they are quite expensive because each pair requires a unique pattern and would likely need to be hand-cut and sewn.
  
  For many applications, fit is an important factor when it comes to gloves. Industrial leather gloves are a mainstay that have been around for centuries, and they are commonly used in applications where fine dexterity isn’t necessary. If dexterity is important, leather work gloves in pigskin, goatskin and many other finer grades of leather tend to be more form-fitting.
  
  It’s also important to note that glove technology has come a long way in the past decade and that many industries are switching from leather gloves to knit or synthetic gloves that are more comfortable and breathable but provide the same levels of protection as their leather predecessors.
  
  Thank you for your question, and please call on us for anything further.
Rob237says:
06/05/2020 at 1:48 pm Reply
We do a lot of forestry work, the bark on the ponderosa pines will eat a pair of inexpensive leather gloves-up in a few days to a week of handling. Your website has taken pretty much all of the trial and error out of understanding what works best.
Thanks
- Isabella Andersensays:
  06/08/2020 at 10:23 am Reply
  Thanks for the feedback! I’m glad this article has been helpful for you.
Paul Wsays:
09/13/2020 at 2:38 pm Reply
Excellent information! Helped me narrow my decision after my last pair gave out. Thank you
- Isabella Andersensays:
  09/14/2020 at 12:02 pm Reply
  Thanks for your comment! I’m glad you found the info helpful.
Eliseo Bonapartsays:
09/16/2020 at 3:12 pm Reply
Terrific article