Last Updated on May 1, 2023 by Barry Gray
Having a quality pair of woodworking gloves is essential for any individual. You undoubtedly need that protection to prevent cuts, scrapes, and general skin wear and tear.
Wood can be rough, and it has no hesitation in causing some damage to your hands. So I never do anything without my trusty pair of woodworking gloves.
But even though I know most of you will be in the same boat where you wear them all of the time, it does get to the point where your gloves no longer look as good as they once did. That in itself causes a problem since it means they need replacing.
So, that’s what I intend to focus on here by looking at the 10 best woodworking gloves you can buy right now on the market. You see, I want you to have the ability to enjoy your woodworking projects without worrying about what’s going on with your hands. I want you to know your hands are protected while also getting the correct amount of grip to ensure you can hold your tools or wood without worrying about slippage.
That’s why I’ve taken time to examine the different woodworking gloves on the market, and I’ve created this list of my top 10.
- Best Overall Woodworking Gloves – Ironclad General Utility Work Gloves GUG
- Best Woodworking Gloves for Precision Tasks – Youngstown Carpenter Plus Gloves
- Best Heavy-Duty Woodworking Gloves – Mechanix M-Pact Framer Gloves
- Best Weather-Resistant Woodworking Gloves – Custom Leathercraft 125M Handyman Gloves
- Best Light-Duty Woodworking Gloves – SHOWA Atlas 300 Rubber-Coated Gloves
- Best High Performance Woodworking Gloves – Mechanix M-Pact Coyote Tactical Work Gloves
- Best Woodworking Gloves for Comfort – Superior Glove Open-Finger Framer Gloves
- Best Woodworking Gloves for Grip – Maxiflex Ultimate Nitrile Work Gloves
- Best Long-Lasting Woodworking Gloves – KAYGO KG15P Polyurethane Work Gloves
- Best Value Woodworking Gloves – SHOWA 370B Nitrile Gloves
How I Made My List
I’ve lost count of the number of different woodworking gloves I’ve gone through over the last 20 years. I admit I’ve had some that proved more resilient than others, while others appeared to fall apart at the seams instantly.
So, I’ve taken all of my own personal experience and put it to good use to create this list.
But that’s not all.
I wanted to only include gloves that felt comfortable to wear. You don’t want them to feel too tight or restrictive, making it harder to continue your projects.
Also, there was the issue of protection. Do the gloves actually do that or is the material used to create them too thin to be worthwhile?
Finally, my other main concern was the level of grip the gloves offered you. I only wanted to include gloves that helped you to hold on and certainly not make it easier for wood to slip through your grasp as soon as you wore the gloves.
Oh, and I also paid attention to what other people had to say about their experiences with the gloves. That helped me understand which manufacturer or brand was able to produce gloves that did indeed do all of the things I’ve mentioned above.
After all that research, I was left with these 10 different woodworking gloves that I feel represent the best on the market.
Best Overall Woodworking Gloves – Ironclad General Utility Work Gloves GUG
I must admit that I was immediately impressed by these woodworking gloves, and it was thanks to the level of protection they provide to your hands. I love how they have managed to not ignore the knuckles, as they come with some thermoplastic rubber to just toughen up that area.
Also, they use a simple hook-and-loop system for closing the gloves, so you will have no problem making them feel nice and secure. This is excellent because I hate when I feel gloves can move around, and it bolsters your confidence in getting on with your projects.
But these gloves do also feel pretty flexible. Gripping is easy thanks to the style of design over the thumb area, and I also appreciate they have added a sweat wipe section, which is another excellent addition.
Made from a faux leather and nylon mix, you can even throw them in your washing machine if you wish to do so. Overall, they feel robust, are comfortable to wear, and just represent a fabulous pair of woodworking gloves.
Pros
- It’s easy to close them off to keep them feeling snug on your hands
- You can wash them
- The knuckle protection is a welcome addition
- You feel you have flexibility in the gloves
- The sweat wipe is a great addition
Cons
- They feel as if they take a little bit of time to become more comfortable
Best Woodworking Gloves for Precision Tasks – Youngstown Carpenter Plus Gloves
If you want to wear gloves for protection but still deal with precision tasks, these Youngstown carpenter gloves could fit the bill.
They leave the tip of the thumb, index, and middle finger open to ensure you still get to achieve that intricate touch that’s sometimes required. However, they then offer more than adequate protection for the rest of your hand.
These gloves are made from a blend of materials, but they are certainly tough enough to cope with a lot of punishment. The materials are also designed to ensure they wick away moisture, so you should find it easy to maintain grip even with prolonged wearing.
The gloves lack some protection on the back of the hand, but they come with some reinforcements on the palm, so that’s a bonus. It does mean you feel you won’t get splinters coming through, which is always a risk.
Overall, these gloves are lightweight and provide you with that extra degree of touch and control when working on more precise tasks.
Pros
- The open tips on three fingers do help with control
- The gloves wick away moisture
- They are lightweight and comfortable to wear
- You get reinforcements on the palms
- The materials are durable
Cons
- There is a lack of padding on the rear
Best Heavy-Duty Woodworking Gloves – Mechanix M-Pact Framer Gloves
I know there are times when more of a heavy-duty approach is required, so you want gloves that match up to that. This is where the Mechanix M-Pact framer gloves will prove to be highly useful.
The key thing here with these gloves is the inclusion of their TPR guards. This added protection is placed in vital areas to ensure you don’t damage your hands at those inopportune moments.
I also love that these gloves are highly durable, and they will last for years before starting to look past their best. However, thanks to those guards, it can make them feel quite bulky, so they do utilize a semi-fingerless design to allow you to still work on those smaller projects.
Overall, I’ve included these gloves because they are perfect for those larger, heavier projects. They are seriously tough and offer your hands some added protection when they may need them the most.
Pros
- Their durability is obvious
- They provide excellent protection for your hands
- They are perfect for heavy-duty use
- The semi-fingerless design does help with smaller projects
- They have palm pads to give you some added protection
Cons
- They do feel slightly bulky to wear
Best Weather-Resistant Woodworking Gloves – Custom Leathercraft 125M Handyman Gloves
Even though I think most of us prefer to work on our projects in perfect weather conditions, that’s not always going to happen. So, you may need to consider a pair of weather-resistant gloves.
These Custom Leathercraft 125M gloves are an excellent example, and the rain or snow won’t diminish their ability to provide you with fantastic grip and protection.
First, the gloves have an inner lining, which will keep your hands warmer in the colder months. They are also made from a combination of faux leather, lycra, and spandex. While this sounds strange, it means the gloves don’t react or shrink when exposed to poor weather.
They also include covered stitching, which means some added protection to the notoriously weak points of gloves, the stitches holding it all together.
In addition, I also love how they have incorporated the ability to still operate a touchscreen even when wearing these gloves. I love small additions such as that, as it increases the gloves’ versatility.
Overall, thanks to the design of these gloves, you should not run into any issues when wearing them, no matter the weather conditions.
Pros
- The inner lining does keep your hands warmer
- The materials used lead to no shrinkage in wet conditions
- They allow you to still work a touchscreen while wearing them
- They cover the stitching to increase durability
- They feel very comfortable to wear
Cons
- The material for using touchscreens can come off over time
Best Light-Duty Woodworking Gloves – SHOWA Atlas 300 Rubber-Coated Gloves
If you are looking for gloves suitable for more light usage, I recommend these SHOWA Atlas 300 gloves. I love them as these gloves are very light to wear, and yet they still feel durable enough at the same time.
This is thanks to them being crafted from a cotton and polyester blend, and the palm side is then coated in rubber to ensure they will last for some time. Also, you can simply throw them in the washing machine when they get too dirty.
I find the rubber offers enough grip for you to hold onto things, but I’m also aware that the material on the rear doesn’t provide much protection. However, they are still perfect for light usage.
Pros
- These gloves really don’t weigh much
- They have a good grip on the palm
- You can wash them in the washing machine
- They are perfect for light projects
- They fit quite comfortably
Cons
- They don’t offer much in the way of protection to the back of your hands
Best High Performance Woodworking Gloves – Mechanix M-Pact Coyote Tactical Work Gloves
If performance is your main issue, then these Mechanix M-Pact gloves could prove to be a worthwhile investment. Yes, they look pretty bulky, but they do not doubt the level of protection and grip they can offer.
This pair of gloves come with the brand’s thermoplastic rubber guards, which appear on all fingers and over the knuckles. That does mean nothing will get through these gloves, and that’s why I’ve added them as the best high performance gloves.
I know that the gloves can be restrictive, and the protection is everywhere. Even the palms have added padding to stop anything from getting through, so you feel these gloves are indestructible.
Overall, if you intend to work with rough materials where you don’t have to worry about carrying out more delicate tasks, then these gloves will put up with any sort of punishment you throw at them.
Pros
- They offer absolute protection to your hands
- They are highly durable and robust
- They cope with any punishment
- They still feel comfortable to wear
- Palm pads absorb vibration for added comfort
Cons
- They are bulky and restrictive for more refined work
Best Woodworking Gloves for Comfort – Superior Glove Open-Finger Framer Gloves
If you tend to wear your woodworking gloves for an extended period, then knowing they are comfortable to wear is one thing you need to consider. These gloves by Superior Glove certainly fit the bill, in my opinion.
This is mainly due to the rear of the gloves being manufactured from spandex. The cool thing about spandex is the way it stretches, so you never feel as if you are being restricted.
They also ensure your thumb, index, and middle finger remain free to allow you to use these gloves with more intricate jobs. While this is commonplace, it still adds the overall sense of comfort you tend to get with these gloves.
I also appreciate the inclusion of some PVC pads on the palms of the gloves. This adds grip and a degree of protection without adding too much bulk to the gloves.
Overall, these gloves stretch so easily, making them some of the most comfortable gloves on the market. So, if that’s what you want, this may be the perfect pair for you.
Pros
- They stretch thanks to spandex
- They don’t leave your hands feeling restricted
- You have PVC pads on the palms for grip and protection
- They are lightweight and not bulky
- They use the three open fingers approach for precision jobs
Cons
- The backs have little in the way of protection
Best Woodworking Gloves for Grip – Maxiflex Ultimate Nitrile Work Gloves
Grip remains an essential point to consider, so I’ve added this pair of Maxiflex Ultimate gloves to my list. For me, they offer fantastic grip and will do so no matter what you do.
The grip comes from the nitrile rubber that covers both the palms and fingers. You just feel nothing can slip through them, so imagine how that boosts your confidence with your projects.
In addition, as the grip comes from a rubber covering, it does mean they work well, no matter the conditions. So, these gloves have your back if you find yourself outside and in wet conditions.
But this isn’t just any old rubber. They include what the company refers to as ‘micro-foam,’ and even though they don’t divulge exactly what it is, this does seem to give the gloves some added stickiness.
Overall, after trying these gloves, I doubt you will find another pair where the grip can compare.
Pros
- The grip is astonishing
- Made from rubber, the grip will also last for some time
- You feel confident in your grip even in poor conditions
- They give you a secure fit
- The coating is also breathable
Cons
- The back of the glove is open to the potential for some damage
Best Long-Lasting Woodworking Gloves – KAYGO KG15P Polyurethane Work Gloves
If you have had problems with gloves just not lasting, I suggest checking out this pair by KAYGO. Made from polyurethane, they are designed to last, and that’s precisely what they achieve.
However, I admit that these gloves were not initially designed for woodworking, but the grip and protection they offer are why I’ve still included them in my list. I love that these gloves are thin, yet they still provide so much grip that it’s incredible to experience.
The fabric knit of these gloves is done so that you don’t even feel like you are wearing a pair. That’s also astonishing, and it takes some getting used to as a result.
Also, you won’t find a single seam to increase their durability. They know this becomes a weak point, so they have sought to eliminate that as a potential problem.
Overall, they feel tough and lightweight with a fantastic grip on the palms, so what’s not to love about these gloves?
Pros
- They are very light to wear
- They offer excellent grip
- They are made to last
- They have no weak points in their manufacturing
- They don’t even feel like gloves when wearing them
Cons
- They aren’t too good at dealing with impacts
Best Value Woodworking Gloves – SHOWA 370B Nitrile Gloves
I’ve included these gloves because you can purchase them in packs of 12, and they are still not expensive. That’s amazing, but don’t think it means they will fall apart instantly because that’s not the case.
Instead, these gloves come with nitrile rubber coating on the palms and fingers, offering protection and an extraordinary grip. This coating performs well in all conditions, so these gloves won’t let you down, even if wet.
I do also like the knit wrist cuff that comes with these gloves. I feel it makes the gloves sit more snugly against your skin, and you don’t feel as if they could simply fall off.
But the pack of gloves makes this option stand out, and if you want value for money, then it’s hard to look past them.
Pros
- You get a pack of 12
- The knit wrist cuff makes the gloves feel more secure
- The rubber coating offers real protection
- You get excellent grip with these gloves
- They feel light when wearing them
Cons
- The back of the gloves is a bit of a weak point
How to Choose the Right Woodworking Gloves
So checking out all these different gloves is one thing, but how do you select the right ones for your needs? Well, I have a few tips that could help.
Your Projects
First, think of your projects. Are you looking at heavy-duty tasks or more light-duty? This is important as it determines the type of gloves you need to protect your hands.
It stands to reason that heavy-duty tasks require gloves that offer more protection, so don’t expect to wear a pair of lightweight gloves in that instance.
Grip
The grip the gloves offer also needs to be taken into consideration. However, I would go one extra step and consider how the potential grip changes depending on the conditions.
If you know you could be working outside or in wet conditions, you need gloves that still perform exceptionally well even in those times.
Fit
You also need to think about the fit. Do you have small, medium, or large hands? Also, do the gloves offer anything that helps make them more secure when wearing them?
Some gloves use a knit cuff system to make them tighter, while others use effectively velcro straps that you can adjust accordingly. You certainly want to know the fit perfectly, or it does cause problems when it comes to comfort.
Small Projects?
If you know you will be working on small projects mixed in with some finer details, then you need gloves that can help you out. This is where gloves that expose your thumb, index, and middle finger come into their own.
This means you still get all that sense of feel and touch while the glove protects the rest of your hand. This type of glove is very popular, and it’s a version I tend to use a lot as well.
As you can see, the main issue surrounding your project and what you intend to do. That alone can help you to determine the best type of glove for your needs.
Overall Conclusion
So that’s my list of the best woodworking gloves available to buy right now, and I feel very confident in recommending every single pair to you. I know they meet all the criteria mentioned when discussing how I made my list, and they will not let you down.
Woodworking gloves are just another essential piece of kit you cannot do without. I also think you just cannot have enough pairs of gloves since how often do you mislay one anyway? So, I have no doubt you will have no problem finding more than one set of gloves that will last you longer than anticipated.
