Best Builder's Gloves 2024
If you work in construction, you'll know that a quality pair of gloves can go a long way – not only in protecting your hands and fingers, but boosting performance in certain tasks and applications. Here at SafetyGloves.co.uk, we've been around long enough to know a thing or two about what makes a decent pair of safety gloves. If you're looking to get your hands dirty, read on for our Best Builder's Gloves.
Choose the Right Pair For The Task At Hand
We pride ourselves on our careful selection of only the most trusted brands and glove manufacturers. In this article, we're going to examine the gloves construction workers need most. The choice of each product is based on a combination of expert opinion, customer feedback, and value for money.
If you're looking for something in particular, here's what we're going to cover:
- Best General Builder's Gloves
- Best Builder's Grip Gloves
- Best Hi-Vis Work Gloves
- Best Thermal Builder's Gloves
- Best Heavy Duty Builders Gloves
- Best Waterproof Builder's Gloves
- Best Cut-Resistant Builder's Gloves
- Best Concrete Handling Gloves
- Best Summer Builder's Gloves
- Best Power Tool Gloves
- Best Water Resistant Gloves
Best General Builder's Gloves
Winner: Portwest Black PU Palm Gloves A120BK
The Pros...
✔ Polyurethane coating allows for high levels of grip
✔ Provide touch sensitivity thanks to a thin pylon liner
✔ Bargain price makes these gloves a perfect bulk buy for larger companies
Good For...
✔ General usage, handling materials and tools
✔ Handling oily or wet components
✔ Money-saving in low risk environments
The Cons...
✘ Not suitable for use with power tools (See Our Solution)
✘ Lightweight design is not suited for risky environments (See Our Solution)
Editor's Review: We've seen a lot of gloves come and go, but the Portwest Black PU Palm Gloves A120BK are definitely one for the books. Simple and effective, with an excellent value for money. If you're looking for a reliable pair of builder's gloves with a strong grip, and a stretchy lightweight fit, you've found them.
Best Builder's Grip Gloves
Winner: Polyco Matrix F Grip Work Gloves
The Pros...
✔ Coarse nitrile palm increases gripping power with great security
✔ Highly dextrous – feels like you're wearing only a thin layer
✔ Light resistance to water, grease and oil
Good For...
✔ Lightweight precision tasks requiring sensitivity
✔ All-hands-on-deck work, from scaffolding to pipeline work
✔ Careful handling of greasy bolts, tools, materials and more
The Cons...
✘ Snug and comfortable, but not great for hot weather (See Our Solution)
✘ Low cost glove, but may not last more than a couple of washes
Editor's Review: For the price of the Matrix F Grip Gloves, it's hard to argue with how effective they are not just for builders but for a range of construction tasks. Lightweight and comfortable, these gloves won't protect you in risky environments but for pretty much low-risk situation, you can't go wrong with them.
Best Hi-Vis Work Gloves
Winner: Skytec Neon Nitrile-Coated Hi-Vis Work Gloves
The Pros...
✔ Bright yellow colour is extremely easy to see, even in poor light
✔ Nitrile coating provides fantastic grip, as well as strong abrasion resistance
✔ Cotton liner and elasticated knit ensure lasting comfort and stop debris getting in
Good For...
✔ Working in low light conditions and roadside
✔ Handling oily or wet components
✔ Dirty, muddy and damp jobs
The Cons...
✘ Jobs with cut risks (See Our Solution)
✘ Handling heavy equipment or materials (See Our Solution)
Editor's Review: For jobs at night or in low-light conditions, being seen as early as possible by other workers and members of the public is vital, particularly if you're working roadside. Even when dirty or muddy, the bright yellow colour of these Skytec Neon Work Gloves will shine through to keep your hands visible. But they're more than just colourful and the thick nitrile coating provides a robust grip in slippery conditions as well as a high level of abrasion resistance when handling course materials. Lined with soft cotton, they're comfortable enough for all-day wear as well.
Best Thermal Builder's Gloves
Winner: Honeywell Cold Grip Plus 5 Cut Resistant Thermal Gloves NFD11HD
The Pros...
✔ Insulates your hands against temperatures as low as -26°C
✔ Level 5 cut resistance is ideal for handling hazardous items
✔ Great grip in sub-zero temperatures
Good For...
✔ Winter work, especially night shifts when weather is at it's most frosty
✔ Handling very sharp tools and materials, including metals and plastics
✔ Railway maintenance work where shifts often extend long into the night
The Cons...
✘ Not suitable for handling wet items (See Our Solution)
✘ Not very practical for work in hot and humid weather (See Our Solution)
Editor's Review: Winter construction work can be an absolute slog – but with the toasty Honeywell Cold Grip Plus 5 Gloves, the hours pass a little easier. That's because the Cold Grip Plus 5 combine polyamide with a brushed thermal liner to protect against harsh temperatures as low as -26°C. Their utility doesn't end there though – the gloves have a fantastic level of protection against cuts and lacerations.
Best Heavy-Duty Builder's Gloves
Winner: Skytec Torq Twister Heavy Duty Oil Grip Impact Gloves
Why We Love Them...
✔ Moulded TPR padding provides robust mechanical protection and impact resistance
✔ Double-dipped, sandy nitrile coating ensures a secure grip in oily and wet conditions
✔ Thick 13-gauge liner adds to the protection and increases safety
Perfect For...
✔ The highest risk construction work
✔ Working with heavy machinery in oily conditions
Not the Best For...
✗ Wet weather work (See our solution)
✗ Warm weather (See our solution)
Editor's Verdict: The Skytec Torq Gloves boast extremely high level E cut resistance, as well as resistance to impacts, abrasions and tears. This well-rounded, robust protection will keep your hands safe, even when handling the heaviest equipment, tools and machinery. Despite providing heavy-duty shielding, the ergonomic placement of the TPR padding combined with the flexible lining help maintain your dexterity. The palms are also double-dipped in nitrile with a bumpy 'sandy' texture, making them extremely grippy, even in oily, muddy and damp conditions.
Best Waterproof Builder's Gloves
Winner: Polyco Polyflex Hydro KC PHYKC Safety Gloves
The Pros...
✔ Hydrophobic solution ensures a high level of water-resistance
✔ Nitrile foam across the palms boosts both comfort and grip
✔ Very lightweight and breathable, with touch-screen compatible fingers
Good For...
✔ Those grim soggy days on-site
✔ Scaffolding and other groundwork applications
✔ Foremen looking for all-weather touch-screen compatible gloves
The Cons...
✘ Not suitable for work with sharp edges (See Our Solution)
✘ Won't protect against very cold weather (See Our Solution)
Editor's Review: Waking up early, only to look outside and see rain pelting the streets – we've all been there, but not all of us were prepared. For situations like these, we recommend the Polyco Polyflex Hydro KC PHYKC Gloves. They're treated with a quality hydrophobic solution to repel the worst of wet weather, and keep your digits nice and dry – and they're touchscreen compatible.
Best Cut-Resistant Builder's Gloves
Winner: Predator Emerald Cut Level C Safety Gloves PUUH
The Pros...
✔ Cut Level C protection is ideal for higher-risk environments
✔ High flexibility doesn't compromise on your dexterity
✔ Coating adds a good level of grip to the gloves
Good For...
✔ Dry stone walling and masonry
✔ Handling rough and coarse materials
✔ Working with bladed tools and machinery
The Cons...
✘ Some might find the Predators a little close-fitting (See Our Solution)
✘ Not well-suited for intricate and precise work (See Our Solution)
Editor's Review: The Predator Emerald Cut Level C Safety Gloves are my number one recommendation for workers out there handling dangerous tools and materials with a bit of an edge to them. Not only will the Predators protect your hands and digits from lacerations, but their excellent polyurethane dip repels water, oil and minor bumps and bruises.
Best Concrete Handling Gloves
Winner: Ejendals Tegera 10PG Chemical Resistant Gloves
The Pros...
✔ Excellent price for the dual protection you receive
✔ Treated PVC material resists corrosive chemicals including cement
✔ Very durable, ready to beat back the scuffs and bruises of a day's work
Good For...
✔ Concrete handling, especially wet concrete
✔ Handling other potentially dangerous liquids and materials
✔ HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) installation
The Cons...
✘ Heavy gauntlet design can cause fatigue during long shifts
✘ Great for wet concrete work, they aren't the best for dry work (See Our Solution)
Editor's Review: Wet concrete can cause chemical burns, third degree burns, and even cause blindness if it gets in your eyes. That's why the Ejendals Tegera 10PG Chemical Gloves are our most trusted gear for concrete handling. These red PVC gauntlets are hard-wearing, durable, and most importantly, they'll protect your digits from wet concrete and other corrosive chemicals.
Best Summer Builder's Gloves
Winner: MaxiFlex Ultimate Palm Coated Handling Gloves 42-874
The Pros...
✔ Nothing comes close to their anti-sweat cooling technology
✔ Coarse nitrile palms for a secure grip, courtesy of MaxiFlex's GRIPtech
✔ Good level of padding across the digits, with pre-curved fingers for comfort
Good For...
✔ Hot days on site when your sweaty palms are getting in the way
✔ Scaffolding, lightweight construction work
✔ Mechanical work, handling oily components
The Cons...
✘ Not suitable for tasks requiring high levels of protection (See Our Solution)
✘ These are actually okay for cold, but not extreme cold (See Our Solution)
Editor's Review: The MaxiFlex Ultimate Gloves are what some might call "gloves of the future". That's because they make use of a couple of technologies that we didn't have a decade or two ago. We definitely noticed their GRIPtech palms boost our gripping ability through a micro-cup suction finish – but what really caught our eye is their AD-APT tech, where a natural cooling agent is released based on changes in hand temperature. If you're sweating through summer, we couldn't recommend MaxiFlex enough.
Best Power Tool Gloves
Winner: Ejendals Tegera 9180 Anti-Vibration Work Gloves
The Pros...
✔ Designed to distribute and absorb vibration to protect your hands
✔ Reinforced across the index finger, fingertips and palms for lasting durability
✔ Comfortable padding reduces hand fatigue when handling tools
Good For...
✔ Handling power tools, from drills to jackhammers
✔ Mining, excavation and other construction work
✔ MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations)
The Cons...
✘ Not a great level of resistance to abrasions (See Our Solution)
✘ Aren't suitable for use with wet cement (See Our Solution)
Editor's Review: The Ejendals Tegera 9180 Gloves really do dampen down vibrations and stop post-work tingling. Ergonomically shaped with splayed digits, and reinforced seams across the bits that matter – once you try the Tegera 9180, we think you won't need anything else.
Best Water Resistant Gloves
Winner: Uvex 60060 Phynomic Wet Grip Gloves
The Pros...
✔ Provide superb levels of grip in wet weather
✔ Aqua-polymer coating offers good levels of water resistance
✔ Combines good dexterity with high abrasion protection
Good For...
✔ For use in wet weather work
✔ Ideal for handling tasks on a building site
✔ Suitable for protecting against irritable skin
The Cons...
✘ Not great for submerging hands in water (See Our Solution)
✘ Aren't suitable for cold weather (See Our Solution)
Editor's Review: Working outdoors or in wet conditions can reduce your grip on objects. The Uvex 60060 Phynomic Wet Grip Gloves feature a water-repellent aqua-polymer foam coating. This improves your grip in damp, wet and outdoor environments, making them ideal for tough conditions.
Looking for A Way to Safely Store Your Gloves?
Try our selection of Ergodyne Squids Grabber Clips. They allow you to store your gloves on-the-go and have an excellent breaking strength of 11.8kg.
Our Conclusion
Construction is a hard job at the best of times, and that's why workers deserve quality and effective gear. We hope that our blog on the Best Builder's Gloves has been useful and informative, and that you've found the right pair for the job. If you can't decide on the right pair, I'd recommend going for the MaxiFlex Ultimate Palm Coated Handling Gloves 42-874. They're well-rounded and they make use of some innovative technology to provide a good grip and a cool head.
If you're looking for more builder's gloves, why not check out our Builders, Bricklaying and Construction categories? For more expert opinions, check out our Top 5 Lists, only at SafetyGloves.co.uk.
Have any questions, or anything to add? Tell us in the comments below, or find us on Facebook and Twitter!
