January 10 2019

Best Winter Gloves for Carpenters

Carpentry is a tough industry even under the most pleasant conditions. It involves manual labor, heavy materials and equipment, and dangerous tools. In the winter, it becomes even more difficult. Freezing hands can impede a carpenter’s ability to handle tools and assemble materials properly. The cold can also become a safety hazard – cold hands can slip and become injured. To avoid this, it’s important to have the proper winter wear, including gloves to keep hands and fingers warm. Let’s look at the qualities you should look for in winter gloves, plus the best five gloves for carpenters.

What to Look For in Winter Gloves for Carpenters

There is an abundance of winter and work gloves on the market. How do you know which product will suit your needs best? You can narrow down your choices by using four criteria: warmth, protection from hazards, dexterity, and durability. These will help you find the glove that is best for your needs.

Warmth is the most obvious consideration. If it doesn’t keep you warm, it’s not doing its job. How do you know if a glove will keep you warm? Look for features like insulation and special lining. Also determine the material it’s made out of – gloves that are made from thicker or woven materials will keep your hands warmer. A moisture-wicking ability will keep moisture away, which keeps your hands warm and dry. But beware of gloves that are too thick or “mitten-like” – while these gloves will keep you toasty, they will compromise the dexterity of your fingers and get in the way when you’re working.

There are a lot of risks involved with carpentry work. Sharp tools and objects can cut and injure you. Heavy equipment can strain your hands. Your gloves should be able to protect you from scratches, cuts, and other injuries. Some kind of traction grip will allow you to carry heavy items without slips or strains. Certain gloves might even be coated with a material to protect you from pathogens and microorganisms associated with wet weather.

Dexterity is a very important factor to consider. If you can’t move your fingers, how can you grip tools and handle building materials? The answer is, you can’t. Don’t accept a limited ability to work just because it’s wintertime. A good pair of winter gloves will keep you warm and allow you to have full range of motion in your hands.

The final consideration is durability. You want your gloves to last for a long time. Carpentry can be tough on gloves, so you will want to find a pair that can stand up to the abuse. Why buy new gloves over and over when you can just buy one pair that lasts? This will save you time, money, and frustration.

The Top 5 Winter Gloves for Carpenters:

Custom Leathercraft Handyman Flex Grip Work Glove

The Handyman Flex Grip Work Glove from Custom Leathercraft is flexible, warm, and durable. It is made of synthetic leather, which resists both shrinking and hardening, making the glove very durable. The glove is form-fitted and features stretchy spandex on the palm and Lycra side panels, all of which make it very flexible and increase dexterity. Insulation provides warmth, while a closing strap keeps wind and cold from entering the glove. This strap also keeps the glove from slipping off your hand. The inner stitching is concealed, so it won’t snag on materials like wood and metal. The fingertips are reinforced and textured for durability and grip, and three of the fingertips are enhanced for use on mobile devices. The knuckles, thumb, and palm are padded for extra comfort. The cuff features woven elastic for flexibility and comfort.

Pros:

The synthetic leather is durable and comfortable.
The glove is form-fitted, making it warm, comfortable, and flexible.
The palm features spandex, which gives it flexibility, comfy padding, and durable microfibers.
Lycra side panels help to increase flexibility and comfort.
The cuff features woven elastic and a closing strap, which keeps your hands warm and offers flexibility.
The glove won’t slip off when your hands are sweaty, thanks to the closing strap.
The glove breathes well, so you can avoid getting too hot when working.
The glove is insulated for warmth.
Concealed inner stitching prevents snags.
Textured, reinforced fingertips improve your grip.
Using mobile devices is easy in this glove – you can choose one of three fingertips that are enhanced for this purpose.
Padding on the knuckles, thumb, and palm give the glove extra comfort.

Cons:

The seams can sometimes split where the synthetic leather meets the stretch knit.
The glove can feel uncomfortable and boxy.
The knuckle padding doesn’t do much for protection.
The palm padding can wad up and fold, which makes gripping tools feel awkward.
The touchscreen capability compromises the toughness of the glove, reducing its usefulness as a work glove.

NoCry Cut Resistant Glove

The Cut Resistant Glove from NoCry is protective, durable, and comfortable. It is made from a blend of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, glass fiber, and spandex. This blend is four times stronger than leather and highly cut resistant, so it will protect you from sharp tools that slip and sharp edges of materials that fall. The glove has a level five cut protection rating, the highest on the market. This material is also very durable, so you can put the glove through tough work without worrying about buying a new pair soon. The glove is very snug and lightweight, allowing you to complete any task with complete dexterity and comfort. Elastic material allows you to keep a flexible but firm grip on tools.

Pros:

The glove is very strong and durable.
It carries a level five cut protection rating, so you can use any sharp tool without worry.
The glove fits very snug, making it comfortable and flexible.
It allows for a firm grip on tools and materials.
The glove is ambidextrous. Though it comes in a pair, you can wear either glove on either hand.
The glove protects both sides of your hand.
The glove can be washed gently to sanitize and kill bacteria.
The glove will not fray or deteriorate over time.

Cons:

Though it has a very high cut protection rating, the company warns that caution should still be used. It is cut-resistant, not cut-proof.
The glove should not be worn when using a band saw, as the saw’s blade could catch the glove and pull your hand in.
Sharp objects may still poke through the glove if aimed directly at it.
Some experiences have found that the glove only lasts a few weeks before sustaining cuts in the material.
The fingers can start to unravel very quickly.
The glove can slip when trying to grip certain items.

Vgo 3M Thinsulate Lined Winter Synthetic Leather Glove

The 3M Thinsulate Lined Winter Synthetic Leather Glove from Vgo is durable, flexible, insulated, and comfortable. It is made of synthetic leather, which makes it both tough and comfortable. The back of the glove features stretchable spandex, which gives it dexterity and makes it more breathable, allowing you to grip tools and materials more comfortably. This flexibility is enhanced by the neoprene knuckles, which allow you to bend your fingers more easily. An elastic band cuff and velcro adjustment give the glove a firm but flexible fit. Insulation is provided by 3M Thinsulate, keeping your hands warm and toasty without sacrificing flexibility.

Pros:

The glove is very flexible, thanks to the synthetic leather construction, spandex on the back of the glove, and neoprene knuckles.
Comfort is provided by the synthetic leather, elastic band cuff, and velcro adjustment.
3M Thinsulate provides insulation for extra warmth.
The glove is very durable.

Cons:

The glove is not waterproof and is not recommended for extended use in wet conditions.
The fingertips are not compatible with mobile devices, so you will need to take off the glove to answer your phone.
The glove can rip easily sometimes.
The glove does well in mild cold, but is not recommended for extreme winter conditions.

Handlandy Work Glove

This work glove from Handlandy is flexible, breathable, warm, and protective. It features spandex on the back of the glove for stretch and dexterity. Foam padding on the knuckles protects the top of your hand from impacts, while foam padding on the synthetic leather palm protects your hand from shocks and vibrations from hand tools. The fingertips are enhanced for mobile device use, so you can easily answer calls. The glove is lightweight, making it ideal for any type of work without weighing you down or becoming too hot. Its breathability also prevents your hand from becoming sweaty.

Pros:

The glove is lightweight and breathable.
Spandex on the back of the glove is stretchable and gives you the dexterity you need to grip tools and materials.
Foam padding on the knuckles and palm protects your hand from impacts and shocks.
The fingertips contain the ability to use a touchscreen.

Cons:

The gloves stretch out after a few days of use.
The touchscreen capability on the fingertips can stop working after a brief period, sometimes only a few days.
The glove is not very durable and doesn’t last very long.

DS Safety Nylon Knit Work Glove

The Nylon Knit Work Glove from DS Safety is breathable, comfortable, protective, and versatile. It features a polyurethane coating that includes micro foam technology and foam nitrile. This coating keeps everything dry and offers 360 degrees of breathability. The glove features an ergonomic design for a superior fit, which makes the glove very comfortable and reduces hand fatigue. Nylon knit on the wrist seals off airflow, which keeps you warm and prevents dirt and dust from entering the glove. The nylon knit is also very comfortable. The glove meets safety standards and is approved for many types of work. It provides an excellent grip for holding tools and working with materials. It is also water-resistant and rated for any type of weather condition. The glove is about 30 percent thinner than other gloves that feature the foam nitrile coating, making it lightweight and flexible.

Pros:

The coating keeps you dry and allows the glove to breathe well, so you won’t sweat inside the glove when working.
An ergonomic design allows the glove to fit well, increasing dexterity.
The nylon knit wrist keeps debris out, while the ergonomic design reduces hand fatigue.
The glove can handle any type of workshop or outdoor work safely and efficiently.
You can use the glove in any dry or wet weather condition.
The glove is very thin and lightweight.

Cons:

There is no touchscreen capability with this glove.

Which Winter Glove is Right for You?

These gloves can all help carpenters complete their tasks during winter conditions. They maintain various levels of insulation, protection, dexterity, and durability. The Handyman Flex Grip Work Glove from Custom Leathercraft seems to be the warmest option, due to its fit, insulation, and closing strap. The Handyman Flex Grip Work Glove from Custom Leathercraft and the Cut Resistant Glove from NoCry offer the most protection from impacts and cuts. The Handyman Flex Grip Work Glove from Custom Leathercraft and the 3M Thinsulate Lined Winter Synthetic Leather Glove from Vgo will give you the most dexterity while working with tools, materials, and equipment. The Handyman Flex Grip Work Glove from Custom Leathercraft and the 3M Thinsulate Lined Winter Synthetic Leather Glove from Vgo are the most durable options on this list. Custom Leathercraft’s Handyman Flex Grip Work Glove is the only winter work glove that checks all the boxes. It’s a great option for those who are looking for all-around versatility. But if you are trying to fulfill a specific need, such as protection from cuts or enhanced dexterity, you may want to take a look at the other gloves on this list. Regardless of which aspect of wintertime carpentry work you need to address, you can be sure that there is a glove on this list that will be right for you.

Best Winter Gloves for Carpenters