How should work gloves fit? We often use the phrase, “it fits like a glove” when we describe the way a piece of clothing fits us perfectly. Whether it’s a glove or a shoe, you know it’s the right fit when it does not feel tight or loose.
Besides the length of your hands, you need to factor in the diameter of your fingers and the type of glove that you intend to use. Read on to learn how to tell whether the glove is a good fit.
Table of Contents
4 Ways to Determine That Gloves Fit Your Hands Well
1. The fabric hugs your fingers
You have probably worn a pair of full-finger gloves that are a little baggy before and noticed that it was difficult to hold anything.
When you’re carrying a heavy box, you would feel it slipping through your hands no matter how hard you squeeze and grip. If you’re working with machines or any equipment, you run the risk of getting the gloves caught in protruding parts.
A good-fitting glove should barely have any space between the fabric and your fingers. Likewise, there should be no excess fabric around the fingertips.
2. Your hands can move naturally
Whether you are wearing gloves fingers or framer gloves, a snug fit is ideal. But keep in mind that the gloves should also not feel tight. Apart from compressing your digits to an uncomfortable degree, they restrict blood flow and movement.
This article from Dirty Rigger explains that you need to be able to close your fist and stretch your fingers without any trouble.
3. There is not much gap between the glove material and your wrist
Gloves come in different lengths. Some barely cover your wrist while others go up to your forearms. Regardless of the type of gloves you choose, it is important to consider the kind of protection you need without sacrificing comfort and limiting the movement of your wrist.
However, any wide opening between your wrist and the glove can allow harmful chemicals, debris, sparks, or heat to get inside. As pointed out in the Construction Informer’s article on how work gloves should fit, you can avoid these things by choosing a pair that promotes good blood flow and gives room for your wrists without leaving too much space.
4. Consider the material
The pointers I shared above apply to most types of gloves. However, it is also critical to choose the right gloves for the specific task you need to do.
When you go to a hardware store, you will find several gloves made of materials with varying degrees of stretchability. Rubber gloves, for instance, are more figure-hugging even if you are wearing the correct size. Yet, it does not restrict your hand’s movement.
In contrast, leather gloves fit differently depending on the animal skin used to make them. For instance, elk is soft, making it a good choice for dress gloves. Yet, it meets the needs for certain tasks like driving or operating machines wherein you want to feel your fingers pushing buttons.
Meanwhile, buffalo skin is tougher and abrasion-resistant so you won’t probably feel the small thorns when you grab on the plant. The catch is that it takes time before it softens up.
In any case, some leather glove designs have seams in places that can rub your skin raw as you work. Even if you got the right size, your hands won’t feel comfy. Thus, make sure that you check the interiors and select a pair with fewer seams.
If you want to check out different options for gloves, I suggest checking out this article on EHS Insight.
Conclusion
The answer to the question “How should work gloves fit?” may sound simple. They should be neither tight nor loose. Yet, finding the correct size is not a straightforward process. Let me share some tips:
- Use your dominant hand to measure the length and width of your hand.
- Manufacturers provide size charts and a guide on how to measure hands for gloves. If you want to buy from a specific brand, follow the instructions on its website.
- For in-between sizes, round up to the nearest size.
Veronica is our content editor. She is a talent in delivery. Her main work is editing and writing articles that are both informative and simple to follow. She is in charge of synthesizing our understanding of what personal protection equipment (PPE) is needed in each job, how to best apply it, and how to visualize that equipment.