At Edmonton Fasteners, we’re big fans of keeping hands healthy and protected. While we’re not exactly a beauty salon, we do stock an impressive range of products designed to safeguard your hands during tough tasks. Gloves are one of the simplest yet most effective ways to shield your hands from burns, cuts, abrasions, chemicals, and more. Whether you're a mechanic, landscaper, or chef, we’ve got you covered with trusted brands like Ansell, Bob Dale, Mechanix, Impacto, Milwaukee, Rigid, Superior, and many others. In this post, we'll explore different types of gloves, their materials, and how each serves specific purposes.

Material Matters

If you've ever browsed safety gloves, you might have noticed the wide variety available—some are thin, some are thick, some stretchy, and some are rigid. Let’s dive into some of the most common glove materials and their applications:

Leather

Leather gloves can be crafted from cowhide, pigskin, or goat skin. People often prefer leather because it’s breathable, soft, flexible, and highly durable. Among these, cowhide is the most popular due to its excellent abrasion resistance. Leather gloves are ideal for woodworking, landscaping, and outdoor activities where durability is key.

Canvas

Canvas, the sturdy material used for heavy-duty backpacks, is thick, robust, and resistant to sharp objects. Canvas gloves provide excellent protection against cuts and even blisters caused by strenuous work. Additionally, canvas can be made water-resistant for added functionality.

Latex

Latex gloves are versatile and used across multiple industries, including food service, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, automotive, and cleaning. With the ongoing pandemic, latex gloves have become increasingly popular for everyday use like grocery shopping because they effectively guard against bacteria, viruses, and bodily fluids. Made from natural rubber tree sap, latex gloves are strong, thin, flexible, and grip-friendly, though they shouldn’t be used by individuals with latex allergies.

Nitrile

Nitrile gloves are often compared to latex gloves due to their similar appearance and purpose. Like latex, they are thin, stretchy, and disposable but differ in composition—they are a synthetic rubber compound. Nitrile gloves are stronger than latex when it comes to punctures and offer superior resistance to oils and chemicals, making them a go-to choice in industrial settings.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane gloves excel in protecting against oils, chemicals, solvents, cuts, and abrasions while providing exceptional grip. These gloves are often coated onto fabrics to enhance their protective capabilities. Despite being more durable than latex and nitrile, polyurethane remains flexible and comfortable to wear.

PVC

PVC, or Polyvinyl Chloride, is one of the world’s most widely produced synthetic plastics. PVC gloves deliver unmatched grip, even in wet or greasy conditions, making them ideal for environments where precision handling is crucial.

Cuffs: A Key Consideration

Ever thought about cuffs and their role in hand protection? While not always top-of-mind, the right cuff can significantly reduce the risk of injury. Here are some common cuff styles and their benefits:

Knit Wrist Cuff

This cuff is made by knitting and fits snugly around the wrist. Its tight fit prevents dirt and debris from entering the glove, making it suitable for various types of gloves, including leather, cotton, winter gloves, and dipped gloves.

Ranch Cuff or Safety Cuff

Commonly seen, this cuff offers a looser fit and better ventilation, preventing hands from overheating. It’s perfect for jobs requiring frequent glove removal since it strikes a balance between comfort and functionality.

Slip-On Cuff

As the name suggests, this cuff allows for easy glove entry without any seams between the cuff and glove. Ideal for jobs requiring frequent glove removal, such as assembly line work or kitchen prep.

Long Cuff (Gauntlet)

The gauntlet cuff is longer and looser, offering extended wrist and forearm protection. While it covers more area than other cuffs, its less snug fit and lack of fasteners make it just as easy to remove as the slip-on cuff.

And there you have it—a quick guide to choosing the right gloves based on material and cuff style. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for more handy tips. Stay safe out there!