Selecting The Proper Leather Gloves For The Job

Leather gloves come in many forms and fashions. You can get specialized leather gloves for basically any application. In a world of synthetic polymers and cut resistant kevlar, leather still remains a favorite amongst those that need long lasting durable gloves for protection from the elements or other hazards.

I will be discussing primarily leather work gloves in this article and listing a couple of considerations than must be taken into account for anyone using work gloves on a regular basis.

There are a couple primary functions for work gloves. They are:

They should fit properly

They should be fully intact and durable

They should be comfortable

They should be the right glove for the particular job

There are numerous types of work gloves for all applications of labor. As far as leather gloves go there are numerous different types and grades available. You can find gloves made from cow hide, pigskin, deer leather. There are insulated varieties of both or just plain leather.

The quality of the leather gloves is highly dependent on the type of leather as well as the grade. There is top gain, split, and synthetic leather. Top grain is the highest quality and will also be the most durable. It is actually the outside of the hide, thus more weather resistant. It also tends to show more variation in the grain.

The Mechanix leather gloves are popular for all applications of work. They are a hybrid glove with extra padding and reinforcement, as well as synthetics and plastic. The palm and fingers are leather. This model cost in the neighborhood of $50 and will be very long lasting and durable.

The Dewalt premium cowhide leather work glove comes with a reinforced palm and thumb. These leather gloves are ideal for people engaged in light duty work that need dexterity with protection. The cowhide is split grain leather with reinforcements. This model is made for comfort and can be worn for long periods of time with no discomfort.

A wing thumb gives added flexibility and dexterity. They also offer knuckle reinforcement to protect against bangs and bruises.

2) Westchester Leather Palm Work Gloves - Large: These gloves are suitable for people engaged in heavy duty work. The material at the palm, finger tips and knuckles is made from leather for added safety. The cuffs are made from heavy duty material, and the close knit construction of the gloves make them very, very durable. The gloves are made from cowhide leather, and are lined with cotton fabric inside. The interior material helps absorb sweat and keep your hands dry. So if you need to clear thorns or are engaged in some heavy duty work, wear these gloves and protect your hands.

Carhartts are always a favorite and trusted by many a hard worker. Their leather utility gloves are designed to be worn for long periods of time. They are pig skin suede which makes them soft and comfortable. In addition they also have padded inserts to protect from bangs and other impacts. These gloves also have an improved grip system that allows you to keep the gloves on when you need a good solid grip. Taking gloves off leads to many accidents, so eliminating the need to remove gloves will reduce accidents.

Stanley Hand Helpers, this is another trusted brand. These are made from grain leather providing an excellent durability factor. These gloves also come with an elastic band that closes around the wrist to avoid getting debris in the gloves during work. These gloves are designed with flexibility in mind and are also made to be worn for long durations.

Petzl Rappel Gloves. These gloves are not as common in the work world but are gaining popularity. They have heavy reinforcement in the palm areas to eliminate rope burns. They are made to fit snuggly and promote dexterity. This is an excellent leather glove for someone looking for something versatile and attractive. A carabiner hole is added for transport. You can obtain these for around $35 per pair.

When selecting gloves it is highly important to consider what you will be using them for. There are such a large number of highly specialized gloves that it is important to make sure that you get the right ones. What works well for one job may not work well for another. We must remember that the gloves are being worn to protect us and not be a nuisance. If the gloves do not feel good or promote safety you should probably find something different.


Make sure that you understand how to properly care for your leather gloves if you want to get a good long life out of them. They can make the difference between a good days work and a painful days work. Leather gloves are some of the most important pieces of safety equipment that we put on everyday at work. Hand related injuries are by far the most common work related injuries. Take care of your hands with a good pair of leather gloves and you will thank yourself latter.