Safety Work Gloves - Cut Resistant, Leather & Chemical Protection (ANSI/ISEA 105)

ANSI/ISEA 105 cut levels run from A1 (lowest) to A9 (highest), measured by the grams of cutting force a glove can withstand:

When in doubt, check your employer's hazard assessment or PPE program documentation — the correct cut level is task-specific. Underrating cut protection (e.g., using A2 gloves for sheet metal work) is a leading cause of preventable hand injuries.

No — a higher cut level only means better resistance to cuts. ANSI/ISEA 105 separately rates gloves for puncture resistance, abrasion resistance, and chemical permeation/degradation. A glove with an A9 cut rating may have poor chemical resistance, and a glove rated for excellent chemical protection may have a low cut rating. Always check all ratings relevant to your hazards, not cut level alone.

Higher cut levels also generally mean reduced flexibility and dexterity. A7–A9 gloves are stiffer due to denser fiber construction (HPPE, Kevlar®, or steel fiber blends). Choose the lowest cut level that adequately protects against your specific hazard to maintain dexterity for the task.

Leather work gloves (cowhide, goatskin, deerskin, or pigskin) provide good general abrasion resistance, durability, and a comfortable break-in fit. They typically carry low to moderate ANSI cut ratings (A1–A3) unless reinforced with synthetic cut-resistant materials at the palm. Leather is preferred for general handling, rigging, and tasks requiring grip feel and durability over specific cut protection.

Cut-resistant synthetic gloves use engineered fibers — HPPE (high-performance polyethylene), Kevlar®, Dyneema®, or steel-fiber blends — knitted into a seamless shell, often with a nitrile, polyurethane, or sandy-finish coating on the palm for grip. These achieve much higher ANSI cut ratings (A4–A9) while maintaining better dexterity than reinforced leather at equivalent protection levels. Many modern work environments combine both: leather palms reinforced with cut-resistant liners or synthetic fibers blended with leather for the best of both properties.

Chemical resistance is rated separately from cut resistance under ANSI/ISEA 105, using two metrics: permeation resistance (how long it takes a chemical to pass through the glove material) and degradation (how the material's physical properties change after exposure). Common chemical-resistant glove materials include:

• Nitrile — excellent resistance to oils, fuels, and many solvents; good puncture resistance; widely used for general industrial and automotive work
• Neoprene — good resistance to acids, caustics, and oils; flexible across a range of temperatures
• PVC — economical option for water-based chemicals, acids, and alkalis; less flexible than nitrile or neoprene

No single glove material resists all chemicals — always check the manufacturer's chemical resistance chart for the specific substance you'll be handling, including breakthrough time.

Anti-vibration gloves use gel, foam, or air-cell padding integrated into the palm and fingers to absorb and dampen vibration transmitted from power tools — jackhammers, grinders, impact wrenches, chainsaws, and similar equipment. Prolonged exposure to tool vibration without protection can lead to Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), a cumulative condition causing numbness, tingling, and reduced grip strength over time.

Anti-vibration gloves are tested under ANSI/ISO 10819, which measures how much vibration is transmitted through the glove compared to a bare hand at different frequency ranges. Workers regularly using high-vibration tools should select gloves specifically rated for vibration dampening rather than relying on general padding alone.

Glove sizing is generally based on hand circumference measured around the palm (excluding the thumb), in inches, and corresponds to standard sizes: Small (7–8"), Medium (8–9"), Large (9–10"), X-Large (10–11"), and XX-Large (11"+). A properly fitted work glove should be snug enough to maintain dexterity and tactile feedback without restricting movement or causing the glove to bunch at the fingertips. Gloves that are too loose reduce grip and can get caught in machinery; gloves that are too tight reduce circulation and cause fatigue over a shift. Check the manufacturer's size chart on the individual product page, as sizing can vary between brands and glove styles.