The 5 best work gloves for contractors

I hate work gloves. It is frustrating buying a new pair only to have them torn, ripped, or ruined in the first few hours. BUT, I work with my hands every day so I understand they need some sort of protection. My loss is hopefully your gain- these are what I believe to be the best work gloves on the market.

Work gloves help prevent against blisters, slivers, cuts and scrapes, and some can even help keep your hands warm. Studies show that up to 60% of hand injuries could be eliminated with proper hand protection.

There is a huge array of work gloves on today’s market, all claiming to protect you from this, that, and the other, all while being comfortable, flexible, breathable, stretchable, and ever other ‘able’ the manufacturers can come up with.

I have used dozens of varieties over the last few years and have come up with this list of the best work gloves (according to…well me). Whether you are ripping down drywall, framing a house, or planting a garden, one of these work gloves will suit your needs.

If you want to save yourself the reading, here are the best work gloves for the different challenges I face everyday. If you have ever felt utterly frustrated trying to hold a nail or screw with work gloves, the Duluth Trading carpenter work gloves are AMAZING.

Work gloves buying guide

There are a couple questions to ask yourself ahead of time. What type of work will you be doing? Do you need insulation for cold weather work? How much dexterity do you require? How much protection do you need?

What material is best?

In our list below, you will find several different types of materials including 100% leather, synthetic leather, nylon, and nitrile. This only skims the list of materials included in production today.

Lighter jobs such as basic gardening can be accomplished with thin nitrile, easily washable gloves. Tougher jobs like demolition and construction require more protection, found in leather and synthetic leathers.

I have found that synthetic leather maintains it’s shape longer, nearly eliminating stretching and shrinking. However, they don’t always have the same durability afforded by 100% natural leather gloves.

How much dexterity do I actually need?

This is something that only you can answer. As you will see below, I find dexterity to be one of the most important factors for building. I want to comfortably hold a screw or nail when needed without having to remove a glove.

Thinner gloves allow for an increase in dexterity. However, this typically comes at the downside of durability. Naturally, thicker gloves are often more durable with less perceived dexterity.

I have learnt over the years that just like tools, no single work glove is best for all scenarios. Whatever your niche, consider several different pairs of gloves to cover the various tasks you need to tackle within your profession.

The 5 best work gloves

1) Duluth Trading Carpenter work gloves

These are hands down the best work gloves I have ever used. One of the reasons I have always hated work gloves is because of the loss of dexterity. That is no longer a problem with the Duluth Trading carpenter work gloves.

These work gloves are a result of a partnership with Ironclad, providing tough abrasion resistance while maintaining flexibility and dexterity.

They have Duluth’s patented Rolltop fingertips and exposed thumb, middle, and pointer fingertips. The palm and fingers are reinforced for durability, and the adjustable cuff with hook-and-loop closure allows for maximum comfort.

Synthetic leather on the palm, finger sidewalls, and knuckles adds much needed protection in the places it matters most. The carpenter work gloves also have a 95% nylon/5% spandex rib on the back of the hand to help fight fatigue.

The key features:

• maximum dexterity
• snug design
• fantastic protection with synthetic leather additions
• Duraclad reinforcements for durability

These work gloves do fit snug and because of the synthetic leather, there isn’t any stretch. However, I found sizing up lead to a decreased functionality and dexterity due to the excess material. Stick it out with your normal size and after a few uses, you will appreciate the snug nature.

2) CLC Custom Leathercraft 125S

I’ll start this off with the admission that I have only used 1 set of the CLC 125S work gloves. That being said, it was right before I found the DT carpenter work gloves, so the lack of a re-purchase wasn’t due to quality.

These gloves were fantastic for two reasons- snug and comfortable fit, and flexibility. The CLC 125S work gloves are made from synthetic leather to help prevent shrinking when wet or sweaty, while the hook-and-loop closure keeps the work gloves snug and comfortable.

The CLC 125S maintain flexibility thanks to the addition of spandex and lycra side panels. Extra padding on the knuckles was also appreciated.

However, don’t expect these gloves to keep your hands warm. Their claim of added insulation is only present on the palms of these work gloves.

The key features:

• flexibility
• comfort
• tear resistant palms (this was seriously good!)
• touchscreen enabled finger tips (hit or miss)

3) Olson Deepak Leather work gloves

I have had a pair of these work gloves in my trailer going on 2 years. And, it’s my original pair. When it comes to general work around the shop or yard, the Olson Deepak leather work gloves are my go to. They are fantastic for any job that does not require fine dexterity, which is the only downside to these work gloves.

The Olson Deepak work gloves are 100% cowhide with a thickness of 1.2mm. This provides durability while maintaining a soft and flexible nature. The palms are reinforced for superior grip and an added layer of protection. I also like the addition of the adjustable elastic wrist to help keep dirt and debris out of the work glove.

The key features:

• superior durability
• 100% genuine grain leather
• adjustable elastic wrist
• extremely comfortable

4) G&F Seamless nylon knit nitrile gloves

You might be wondering why I included an ultra affordable pair of nitrile gloves. Well to be honest, the G&F nitrile gloves serve two important purposes for me: grouting and cement work. These gloves protect my hands from the grout and are easily washed off when the job is done. That minimizes the need for throwing out single use gloves. This was enough for me to give them the best value overall.

There is nothing fancy about these gloves. They are ergonomic with a snug fit that maintains comfort. The seamless nature allows for maximum flexibility with a high degree of dexterity in wet or dry conditions, which is appreciated for jobs such as tiling and grouting. In addition, the backside nylon knit helps maintain a breathable nature.

The key features:

• flexibility and dexterity
• nitrile coating provides grip when wet or dry
• ultra afforadable (about a buck a pair)
• easily washable

5) Euphoria Garden thornproof gloves

I’ll admit I don’t own a pair of these personally, but a good landscaping friend of mine does and I have worn them on several occasions. It was under his recommendation that I included these gardening gloves on this list.

The Euphoria Garden thornproof leather gloves are meant for those with a green thumb. They are designed particularly for protection when pruning and shaping thorny plants and shrubs.

These gloves are made from solid leather and contain a light fleece lining for added comfort. They provide excellent puncture resistance from thorns, brambles, bristles, thistles, and anything else that might want to stab you. The extra long cuff provides protection all the way to the elbow, which is perfect when tackling barberry shrubs or roses. The major downside is they aren’t very breathable and do tend to run a bit warm.

The key features:

• extra long cuff for protection
• 100% real cowhide leather
• puncture resistant

Bonus: Ironclad General utility work gloves

I figured I would add a sixth glove to this list because number five isn’t technically a work glove for contractors.

I have had numerous pairs of Ironclad gloves over the years. These were the best of the bunch.

Ironclad’s general utility gloves are made from a synthetic leather/nylon/terry mix which helps prevent shrinking and stretching. The thermoplastic pad on the knuckles helps prevent abrasions (great for demo work), and the hook-and-loop closure allows for a secure, snug fit.

Parts of the palm and fingers contain synthetic leather reinforcement for durability in high wear areas, while maintaining dexterity. My biggest gripe with these work gloves always came down to the stitching on the index finger. I always seemed to tear the joint at the first knuckle.

The key features:

• breathable
• snug and comfortable
• machine washable (on cold)
• thermoplastic knuckle protection

I have worn out hundreds of pairs of work gloves over the years. Hopefully I can save you some time and money by narrowing down your list. Be sure to comment below if you have a recommendation or experience with what you believe to be the best work gloves on market.

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