1. Mechanix Wear Material4X Original
Why do you need the Best Work Gloves?
The leather becomes softer as you use it more and tends to mold to the shape of your hands. It is relatively resistant to heat and cold weather and comfortable to wear. There are also some pitfalls associated with using leather work gloves. Natural leather products always have a sort of inconsistency and it is not always uniformly thick because it is limited to the size of the animal where the leather comes from.
Leather can also have holes and other small imperfections that lead to deteriorating work performance down the line. Dexterity and tactility are also compromised depending on the thickness of the hide. This is where synthetic materials come into play. Microfibers and other synthetic materials have begun to emerge in the work glove world. They try to emulate the soft feel of leather and eliminate some of these inconsistencies found in natural leather.
Synthetic materials are also usually machine washable and provide great abrasion and tear/puncture resistance. Additionally, synthetic leather does not harden, become dysfunctional, or change shape when exposed to the elements like water, oils, and harsh chemicals. All in all, we recommend using leather work gloves if you are used to wearing them, feel nostalgic, or are doing some basic work that doesn’t expose you to harsh conditions. If you are doing some heavy-duty work that will test the strength and durability of your hands and gloves, we recommend you go with a synthetic glove.
Best Work Gloves Review
- Mechanix Wear Material4X Original (Top Pick)
- Custom Leathercraft 125L Handyman Flex Grip Work Gloves
- Wells Lamont Full Leather Work Gloves
1. Mechanix Wear Material4X Original
What makes Material4x so good? It really is the best of both worlds and the perfect leather alternative. It is 0.8mm thin, so basically pretty thin material. Yet, it offers higher durability and dexterity while still maintaining its softness and flexibility. It can even be machine washed. The triple helix polyester wrap allows you to handle objects without the fear of damaging your gloves. You are allowed to lift cement and concrete blocks, handle jagged edges, and cut up wood and steel. Compared to a standard microfiber glove, the Material4x microfiber last 4x longer and is much more flexible.
In a real-world testing scenario involving abrasive concrete blocks, the Material 4x outperformed both synthetic and real leather work gloves. There is also TrekDry material in the fingers that helps keep your hands cool, dry, and comfortable. The only thing we can really complain about these gloves is that it costs a bit more than standard microfiber gloves. But hey, you are paying only a slight premium for the best work gloves on the market today.
2. Custom Leathercraft Handyman Flex Grip Work Gloves
Also with the proprietary Stretch-Fit thumb feature and spandex back, hands of all shapes and sizes can comfortably fit into these gloves. The fingertips are also reinforced with texture so that it is easier to grab slippery objects. These gloves tend to run small, so get a size up to what you are normally used to. These gloves are machine washable but do tend to shrink a bit after a few washes.
Despite all of the padding around the Custom Leathercraft work gloves, we do not feel that it makes the glove heavy or cumbersome. We really like the fact that you feel confident working with these gloves because of the armor around your fingers and palms. Compared to the Mechanix Material4x, these work gloves are obviously not as comfortable. However, the trade-off is you get added protection. All in all, we think these are the best work gloves if you are concerned about additional finger protection. Also, we think the added protection doesn’t make the gloves feel weird or incredibly uncomfortable.
3. Wells Lamont Full Leather Work Gloves
Best of all, these gloves feel extra comfortable and feel natural. We always felt synthetic gloves, while great for durability and resistance, lacks a bit of genuine comfort. With real cowhide gloves, you sacrifice a bit of durability, but the result is a personalized glove that will feel extra soft and flexible.
The leather will eventually mold to fit the shape of your hands and it will have a personalized feel. We also really like the thumb of this glove as it has a Keystone Thumb design that makes it extra flexible. Overall, these are a great set of work gloves and a superb feel. They may not be the most durable, but they are so cheap anyways that you can afford to buy a spare pair.
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