Gloves

Nitrile

Nitrile is a multi-purpose dipped material that provides superior puncture and tear resistance as well as better durability. Nitrile offers good grip for oily and wet conditions and can perform in a wider range of temperatures than Polyurethane.

• Foam Nitrile
  • Foam nitrile coating absorbs excess liquid from surfaces to keep gloves dry and provides a better grip. The coating offers a lighter feel and better dexterity compared to traditional nitrile.
  • Milwaukee® Cut Level 3 Nitrile Dipped Gloves feature a foam nitrile coating for better grip.
   
• Sandy Nitrile
  • Sandy Nitrile has a lower soak through rate than foam nitrile, keeping hands dry. It provides longer life and has lower particulate shed for manufacturing, service work and remodeling applications.
  • Milwaukee® Cut Level 1 Nitrile Dipped Gloves feature a sandy nitrile coating.
 

Polyurethane

Polyurethane is lighter weight and is more breathable giving it a barehand feel. The dipped material offers superior dexterity and improved grip without the sticky feeling often associated with nitrile. Polyurethane has a low particulate shed which is important for manufacturing, service work and remodeling applications. It also resists oils and solvents, but it does not perform well in wet or hot conditions.

Milwaukee® offers cut level 2, 3 and 4 Polyurethane Dipped Gloves that provide better fit and better protection.

Latex

Latex is ideal for providing grip in wet conditions and will stay flexible in a wide range of temperatures. It does not perform as well with oily or abrasive materials.

Milwaukee® Cut Level 1 and 3 Winter Insulated Gloves use latex for their performance in wet and cold temperatures.

There were 74,940 hand injuries in 2018 from being stuck by or against an object reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In response to the large number of back of hand injuries, ANSI/ISEA provided a standard test method for impact resistance announced in 2019. The test classifies three levels of impact protection with 3 being the highest. This is different from the EN 388 test that notes impact as a pass/fail and only test knuckle location versus the full back of hand. The test is done by dropping a falling mass or “drop striker” on both the knuckles and the fingers/thumb. The anvil is dropped with a force of 5 joules. The knuckles are tested 4 times and the fingers/thumbs are tested 5 times. A higher impact rating is important for back of hand protection but often reduces dexterity and mobility. Understanding your intended applications and their potential associated risks is important when you are choosing a glove.

Milwaukee® offers a line of impact dipped, leather and demolition gloves that are all rated at a level 2 for back of hand protection while still maintaining dexterity and mobility.

In 2018 the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 63,830 injuries from cuts, lacerations or punctures and found that the median days away from work from a hand injury was 6. ANSI/ISEA 105 is the American National Standard for hand protection classifications that regulates how gloves are tested and rated for different levels of cut resistance. Updated in 2016 from 1-5 to A1-A9 the higher number indicates greater cut resistance or more technically that it can withstand more grams of force.

Milwaukee® offers gloves in a range of A1-A9 to handle a wide range of applications.

EN 388 is the European standard for hand protection and includes cut resistance, abrasion resistance, tear strength, puncture resistance and impact protection.

The gauge of a glove refers to the number of stitches per inch of knit material. A lower gauge uses thicker yarn and creates a looser knit whereas a higher gauge uses thinner yarn that provides a tighter knit. Generally, a higher gauge provides better dexterity and more comfort. However, the type of yarn, dipped materials, and dip coverage all factor into the final fit and comfort of the glove.

Milwaukee® gloves prioritize high dexterity and comfort in their materials to help users perform on the jobsite and are offered in various knits ranging from 13 to 18-gauge.

Milwaukee® High-Dexterity gloves are specifically designed with an 18-gauge knit to provide total hand mobility while still providing the same cut resistance as lower-gauge gloves of the same cut level rating.

EN 511 is the European test standard for evaluating protection from low temperatures. The standard applies to all gloves that provide hand protection from the cold down to -50 degrees Celsius. The test measures how well the glove can withstand convective cold, contact cold and water permeation. Milwaukee® Cut Rated Winter Insulated Gloves are EN511 rated to keep users protected even in cold environments.