Keeping your hands safe while working is key in any environment, especially one where you are in contact with potentially harmful chemicals. The skin is a delicate organ responsible for much of our body’s thermoregulation and protection; needless to say, it is pretty important to keep it safe. Fortunately, there are tons of products that can assist in keeping you covered and protected while working in potentially dangerous areas. Let’s take a look at some of the best chemical resistant gloves on the market and see which ones best suit your work environment and stylistic preferences.
#1 Chemical Resistant Gloves
ThxToms Heavy Duty Latex Chemical Resistant Gloves
ThxToms Heavy Duty Latex Gloves Made of high-grade natural latex, these ThxToms gloves are a great, high-coverage option that will keep you safe from fingertip to elbow. With their tear-resistant and chemical resistant nature, these gloves provide an excellent protective experience while still giving you a good grip due to their tactile textured palm and finger area. With these gloves, you never have to worry about dropping your tools or materials while working, keeping you even safer, and preventing waste or job site damage.
There are three lengths available, eighteen-inch, twelve-inch, and fourteen-inch, allowing you to customize the sizing to fit your arms and coverage needs. This is amazing since many gloves are too long for those who are shorter or smaller in stature in general. Due to their durable nature, the brand notes that these are suitable for machine repair, yard work, aquarium maintenance, chemical processing, laboratory work, and more, making them suitable for a massive array of jobs and rather inclusive from an industrial standpoint. These are also a favorite among craftsmen who work with chemicals, like jewelry markers and textile manufacturers since they prevent dye or chemical contact with the skin during coloration and processing timelines. All in all, these are a fantastic bang for your buck product that will keep you safe, comfortable, and functional on the job!
Pros:
- Three lengths
- Tactile grip
- Wide usage range
Cons:
- Seam cracking if not stored properly
- Reports of the arm opening being too large
The Best Chemical Resistant Gloves
The top best product [hide]
ThxToms Heavy Duty Latex Chemical Resistant Gloves
There are three lengths available, eighteen-inch, twelve-inch, and fourteen-inch, allowing you to customize the sizing to fit your arms and coverage needs. This is amazing since many gloves are too long for those who are shorter or smaller in stature in general. Due to their durable nature, the brand notes that these are suitable for machine repair, yard work, aquarium maintenance, chemical processing, laboratory work, and more, making them suitable for a massive array of jobs and rather inclusive from an industrial standpoint. These are also a favorite among craftsmen who work with chemicals, like jewelry markers and textile manufacturers since they prevent dye or chemical contact with the skin during coloration and processing timelines. All in all, these are a fantastic bang for your buck product that will keep you safe, comfortable, and functional on the job!
DEX FIT Level 5 Cut Chemical Resistant Gloves
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SHOWA 892 Unlined Viton Over Butyl Chemical Resistant Gloves
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LANON 26 Inch Reusable Oil Resistant Work Gloves
Superior Glove FB230 FB Series Double-Dip PVC Fleece Lined Glove
Chemical Resistant Gloves: Buyer’s Guide
When purchasing chemical resistant gloves, there are several things you should keep in mind to ensure you are getting the right product for your needs and desires. Safety is the primary concern on any job site so keeping yourself in good-standing with your safety products and personal protective equipment is key in ensuring you are not going to potentially be injured and in reducing the risk of exposure to potentially harmful materials. Let’s take a look at what goes into a pair of gloves being high-quality and suitable for work with chemicals and potentially hazardous materials and figure out which is right for you!
The Material of Chemical Resistant Gloves
When looking at gloves, the material can tell you a lot about what the gloves can actually withstand. The material also factors into the price. Let’s explore each of the top five most common materials and see which is best suitable for your own exposure level.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
As one of the most common materials in affordable gloves, this is considered a low-end option that works well in mild chemical environments. PVC gloves are a great option for low-cost chemical resistant work gloves and are often regarded as a disposable option since they are cheaper than most others.
These gloves are generally good for protecting against contact with solvents, glues, resins, aqueous solutions, and other low-risk fluids and compounds. It also helps to prevent abrasions and damage directly to the skin.
Neoprene (Chloroprene)
As a highly flexible material, neoprene is a great choice if you want the ease of movement and good use of your fingers while working. This work amazingly against a wide range of acidic compounds, caustic chemicals, organic solvents, and oils that could otherwise stick to the skin. They also protect against ozone, UV, and oxidation damage, too, and are a more durable option. These are excellent acid-proof gloves.
Butyl
Another synthetic rubber material similar to neoprene, butyl is a high flexibility material that is resistant to ketones, esters, alkalis, acids, and mineral acids. These gloves are extremely durable and airtight, making them nearly entirely protective against gases and vapor exposure, too. This is a great product if you need acid-proof work gloves, especially some that are battery acid protective. They are also amazing as an acetone resistant product, too.
Latex (Natural Rubber)
Latex is perhaps one of the best options out there, especially for reusable gloves. As a great option for heavy-duty chemical gloves, this natural material is widely used and makes for a great high-quality product to have on hand for almost all of your chemical exposure needs on a routine level. It is important to note that latex allergies are very common, making these not suitable for some people.
Nitrile
Similar to latex, nitrile works as a great alternative that makes for an excellent solvent resistant product to keep your hands safe from a wide range of chemicals. Nitrile is flexible and works similarly to latex without the risk of an allergic reaction.
The Finish
When looking for gloves, you need to consider how often you need to grip things. While basic, smooth gloves might be more affordable, it can hinder your ability to use tools and other things while wearing them, elevating the risk of dropping things and creating a bigger hazard. There are a few different basic styles of finish available, making for a very personalized gripping experience.
According to Magid Glove, a leading manufacturer of work safety products, you can choose between smooth gloves or five different types of grip texture: rough, embossed diamond, embossed pebble, embossed z-pattern, or sandy texturization. All of these are viable options that provide different levels of grip. Which works best for you will depend entirely on what you need to grip and what your own glove preferences are. Some people work fine with smooth gloves in most conditions and others need z-pattern grip capabilities to ensure they do not drop or spill items. Either is fine, and it depends on your own needs entirely so if one does not work for you, consider trying another.
Support Construction
This is another highly personal design attribute. Some people like a more rigid construction since it gives additional support and stability to the glove. Others like the flexibility of being able to move how they wish and the increased grip. Either way, you can use the glove that feels best for your own hands.
Supported gloves have a polymer coating over a knit liner for added stability and support on the job. A middle-support level alternative, unsupported, has the same polymer compound coating without the additional support knit liner to allow for more flexibility. Flock lined gloves are lined with sprayed cotton to promote dryness and ease of wearing, making them flexible but also not as supported. Which you choose is entirely your own preferences given your needs and job requirements.
The Tools to Get the Job Done Right
Regardless of which you pick, your safety is very important. Without proper safety equipment, you are putting yourself at risk and decreasing your work efficiency. All of these key points should be considered when selecting the right pair of gloves for your needs and work preferences. If you take the time to research your options and understand which best works for what you need, you are setting yourself up for a much more positive and productive work experience where you will be safe, protected, and secure from any hazardous or caustic chemicals you may come in contact with.
Now that we have an understanding of what makes a pair of gloves good for using in a work setting, let’s take a look at some of the amazing options you can find online right now that will keep you protected and comfortable while working!
How to handle chemical resistant gloves is in this video:
Chemical Resistant Gloves: FAQs
Are all work gloves acid resistant?
Are long length gloves always necessary?
Are work gloves reusable?
Conclusion
The key to doing your job well is being safe. Your safety is the number one concern and plays a massive role in your effectivness and efficiency. These gloves can do wonders for helping keep you comfortable, safe, and secure while on the job site!