Whether it is for a puncture, chemical, cuts, abrasion, or flame resistance, leather safety gloves offer the best possible protection against these hazards and are a widely popular choice among industrial safety experts in different fields. But, the availability of so many options regarding the material, style, and functionality, makes it both easy and challenging to find the perfect glove for any given task at hand. Furthermore, it’s also important to know that not all leather grains are formed equal. The strength of the glove depends on the animal hide and the applications it is best suited for which make the grains stronger, lighter, supple, or heavy-duty. The process carried out for each type of leather varies according to the material and has its own specific distinguishing characteristics.

By understanding the functionality and features of leather work gloves, you can save time and make an informed purchasing decision. So, how do you decide which one is worth investing in to get the job done?

To help you come up with a solution, we have compiled a list of 5 steps that you can follow to find yourself the right pair of leather gloves.

Step 1: Select the Right Type of Leather

As the leather is made by using tanned hides of different animals, it varies in terms of quality and has its own strengths and weaknesses. Commonly, the following type of hides are used in present day leather processing.

Cowhide:

It is the most popular and frequently used leather in safety gloves manufacturing. It is low-maintenance, fairly priced, abrasion, dirt, and water-resistant. Cowhide is durable, comfortable and warmer than pig or goatskin, offering higher heat resistance.

Pigskin:

It is highly supple and offers the most breathability due to its spongy texture. It becomes softer after getting in contact with moisture and maintains its shape and function even after being cleaned.

Sheepskin:

Sheepskin is extremely lightweight, comfortable, and delicate. It is exceptionally versatile and has fine dexterity which makes it suitable for a range of tasks. Lastly, sheepskin is waterproof to a certain extent and doesn’t have a slippery feel to it.

Goatskin:

It is flexible, tougher, durable, and economical with fine-grain leather. Its texture and natural oil content make it extremely soft and pliable. Goatskin has commendable tear resistance and is breathable and comfortable when worn.

Step 2: Determine a Pattern


 In this step, the way a glove is cut decides the level of dexterity and comfort while working. Generally, there are two types of patterns:

Gunn Cut:

This design typically offers better grip and comfort to the hands while handling tools. It is a single piece, smooth back with fine seams settled away from the working area of the palm. The two middle fingers are crafted one by one into the palm to help reduce pressure in those fingers, improving dexterity.


Clute Cut:

Clute cut is a type of work glove pattern that is designed to provide more comfort and dexterity. The clute cut gloves are designed to have the palm form a cone shape, with the fingers curving inwards. This type of glove pattern provides more dexterity than other gloves because there is no seam at the fingertips, which might otherwise cause discomfort.

Step 3: Opt for the Correct Thumb

It would be a mistake to overlook the thumb design in a work glove as at times, small details make such a huge difference in the way a glove fits your needs for safety and comfort. Following are the commonly found thumb styles:

Keystone Thumb:

It provides optimum movement and the greatest comfort with a reinforced inset thumb that is double sewn and offers double thickness, making it perfect for applications where there is a chance of extreme wear in the thumb webbing area like pulling wires or handling pipes. It is more expensive compared to the other thumb designs due to its substantial sewing.

Winged Thumb:

It is designed with an angled construction to enhance comfort, flexibility, and efficiency in contrast with straight thumbs. It is most frequently found in leather palm gloves and is suitable for pushing and pulling applications. This type of thumb style can be easily worn for extended periods of time.

Straight Thumb:

It is solely designed for light to moderate activities and is the least efficient as it does not allow for natural thumb movement. It is commonly found in fabric and driver’s gloves. The straight thumb style is the most affordable as it requires minimum stitching.

Step 4: Choose a Cuff Style

Functionality plays a pivotal role when choosing a cuff style. Cuffs offer warmth, prevent abrasion from particles dropping into the gloves and improve safety by peeling off when stuck in a machine and allowing sleeves to be wrapped.

Knit Cuff:

It is made with stretch-knit fabric and is provided with a snug to keep debris and particles away. It is generally 2’’ to 3’’ long and offers good protection to the wrist.

Slip Cuff:

This is basically a glove but without a cuff. It ends at the wrist for quick and easier removal and putting back on. This cuff style is also the most economical.

Gauntlet Cuff:

This cuff style offers extra forearm protection and is longer than the safety cuff and allows sleeves to be tucked.

Safety Cuff:

This cuff style usually comes in 2 ½’’  length and offers protection to the wrist with a slit at the side, enabling the wearer to remove it quickly when caught in a machine.

Step 5: Select a Lining

Did you know? Even though the linings are normally used for warmth, they provide extra comfort to the wearer for long-term use.

Cotton & Jersey:

They help prevent scraping. Cotton material is breathable and reduces hand fatigue to a considerable extent.

Wool & Pile:

These linings are more durable than cotton and jersey and offer more warmth.

Wrapping up, the quest for finding the perfect glove as per your requirements is a matter of thoughtful consideration to a lot of factors. As with all other PPE, leather work gloves also tend to wear out with time and may need to be repurchased. However, having adequate knowledge while choosing the glove most suitable for the task will not only ensure durability but also help you to cut out on unnecessary expenditure. If you’re looking for leather work gloves in Pakistan, do check out Elite Leather for quality products.