12 Best Work Gloves for Handling Wood (Guide for 2024)

Published on: January 24, 2022
Written by Eric Devin / Fact-checked by David Rowan

The gloves you will wear to use a chainsaw will differ from the ones you will wear to use an orbital sander during carpentry. Besides, weather, personal taste, size, and comfort play a vital role in a person to decide which glove to buy to do some certain woodwork. I understand countless types of gloves are now available online that claim to be the best for woodworking and it puzzles you. 

Don’t worry, here we have conducted a list that will help you to get some idea about which one will serve you best. All the products on this list are the best kinds, but one product may not be the best buy for everyone.

So, take your time to study the things one needs to consider before buying woodworking gloves before you order one. Otherwise, you may spend on an overly expensive glove that you don’t need and regret afterward.

Things to Consider Before Choosing Woodworking Gloves Usage 

The quality, functionality, and resistance of the gloves will mostly depend on the usage you are going to make out of them. Different work gloves do better in different types of woodworking. Find out which one will suit you the most. 

Heavy Use

• Chainsaw/Mitre Saw

To use with a chainsaw or miter saw, kevlar gloves are the best.  A rubberized top and a secure closure make the glove non-slip and extra protected. 

• Carpentry

Rubber gloves may feel bulky and non-functional to use in carpentry. Instead, a thinner nitrile glove is a better choice. It will ensure safety and flexibility at the same time. 

• Wood Shop

In any other woodshop like a cabinet shop etc, where you are dealing with readymade wooden boards, gloves with less resistance are enough. In those shops, most of the work is done by a sander.  So, good quality cut-resistance gloves give you the mobility to work efficiently. 

Moderate

DIY enthusiasts and fanatics need gloves that are inexpensive, easy to maintain, and protective too. Kitchen gloves, latex, and nitrile gloves are wise choices for homeowners and seasonal DIYers. 

Light

When it comes to mending a piece of furniture at home or making a centerpiece by carving out a wooden piece, a comfortable yet protective glove is all you need. It ensures precise craftsmanship in your workpiece. 

Read more: Sander for Metal

Material

• Breathability

In a cold environment the thicker the glove is, the better. But that doesn’t mean it needs to seal moisture along with the body heat. Unless you want to make a pool of sweat inside of the gloves, look for a pair that is breathable. Polyethylene and spandex are breathable materials. A small patch there is enough to give your gloves the ventilation you want. 

• Allergy

Stay away from latex gloves if you are latex-allergic. Nitril, kevlar, and polyethylene are better options than latex. 

Resistance

• Water

If you are working outdoors or in a factory with gloves on, then it is better to choose waterproof gloves. For home use or DIY projects, waterproof gloves are not mandatory. 

• Cut

All the gloves we have listed here are cut and scrape-resistant to some extent. The heavy-duty ones are better at resisting cuts than the lightweight ones. But functionality and flexibility reduce as the glove material gets thicker. So, there is no need to purchase bulky gloves to do small chores. 

• Puncture

Woodworking does not always involve tools that involve the risk of stabbing yourself. That is why only a few gloves are puncture-resistant. Be sure that the review and the advertisement claim the gloves to be ‘puncture-resistant’ before purchasing it. 

Size

Most of the gloves have a size guide. Most of the gloves are available in the usual small, medium, and large sizes. For exceptionally large and extra small sizes, we have incorporated similar gloves from different manufacturers for your ease. 

Often the woven cut-resistant gloves are kept a little loose. The slightly loose fitting ensures that the knife can’t slice the material. If the material is too tight, then it won’t be able to resist knife strokes from cutting in. 

Read more: How to Choose Tools for Cutting Drywall

Weather

In snowy weather, never ever put on a glove that is not waterproof. Even a thin glove will be enough to survive in a blizzard. Contrary, bulky thick gloves can give you an ice bag if it is not waterproof and gets wet from the snow or rain. 

In the summer season and humid environments, well-ventilated gloves are mandatory. Otherwise, you won’t be able to wear it for long. 

Quick Solutions

Would It Make Sense for You to Wear Work Gloves When Splitting Wood?

When choosing gloves for woodworking, search for generic and manufactured gloves materials such as non-adulterated grain cowhide, nitrile,e, and high-performance polythene, which provide protection from scraped stains and enter enterprises that require a high degree of precision without losing the ability to chip. 

Would It Make Sense for You to Wear Work Gloves When Splitting Wood?

Kindling Wearing a decent set of gloves is significant when moving, splitting, or any event, stacking kindling. 

Why wear gloves? Dealing with Kindling is unpleasant in your hands. Gloves help protect you from splinters, cuts, and wrinkles.

View Our Selected Top 12 Woodworking Gloves-

1. Custom Leathercraft- Handyman Work Gloves with Enhanced Dexterity

• Model: 125M;
• Size: medium and XX-large;
• Touchscreen compatible;
• Shrink-resistant, waterproof.

Amazing synthetic material is used in these gloves. It gives the look of leather gloves but provides more toughness and water-resistant capability. These gloves are best to work in snow and rain. Because its hook and loop closure at the wrist stops the water from going in. 

Most waterproof gloves are not breathable. Those kinds make the hands sweat and cause slip-off of the gloves. That won’t happen with this pair. These are well-ventilated, so hands remain warm during winter, but not sweaty if worn for a long time. The added plus point is, there is a small piece of leather sewn at the thumb and forefinger. So, you don’t have to remove the glove to answer a phone call or send a message. 

In terms of usability, these gloves are good to use in a carpenter shop, sawmill, or while using a chainsaw to chop down trees. It is not tough enough to use on a construction site. Meaning, if you are using the saw to cut wood, then these are okay. If using the saw to cut debris, then look for something else. 

Pros

• Waterproof;
• Breathable;
• Secured closure.

Cons

• Not for construction workers;
• Limited size.

---

2. Ergodyne ProFlex Reinforced Thermal Waterproof Work Gloves, Touchscreen Capable

• Model: 817WP;
• Size: small, medium, large, XL and 2XL;
• Thermal and waterproof.

Does the dull look of tough gloves make you cringe? Here is a super stylish one to bring a smile to your face. Superior dexterity is combined with a cool look. Now you will feel safe and look confident even in work gloves.

They say the glove is ‘Thin-insulated. Meaning, the insulation is so thin, it is seamless. You will get toughness without the added weight or bulk. Once worn, it gets and remains warm due to body heat. Excess moisture and heat evaporated through ventilation. So, your hands will not sweat or slip. 

At the wrist, a loop and hook closure complements this glove to make a secure fit. The problem is, you have to have a bigger budget to get these gloves. I can assure you, you will never regret buying this. 

Pros

• Touchscreen compatible;
• Stylish look;
• Suitable to wear in harsh weather.

Cons

• Pricey. 

---

3. Ironclad General Utility All-Purpose Work Gloves GUG

• Model: GUG-04-L;
• Size: XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL.  
• Padded palm.

What makes it different from other heavy-duty gloves? It’s reinforcement in the ‘right places’ and rubberized knuckles. I can’t explain how the rubberized knuckle helps when you have to carry heavy loads often. On the other hand, on the first three fingertips and grippings, the reinforcement ensures a non-slippery grip on tools and wear less.

Synthetic leather and stretch Nylon are the primary material in these gloves. Terry patches are sewn in as reinforcement. Altogether it creates unmatched durability and protection against wear. The best thing is, it is available in various sizes, even an extra small. 

You can check out the other work gloves from Ironclad. All are superior quality. By far, this one is the cheapest, less bulky, and most flexible one and best for woodworking. 

Pros

• Wide range of sizes;
• Highly durable;
• Reasonable price;
• Long-lasting. 

Cons

• No cons. 

---

4. G & F Heat and Slip Resistant Gloves for Carpentry

• Model: 77100 L;
• Size: small, medium, and large;
• Style: Classic, grip, and heat/slip-resistant; 
• Cut and puncture-resistant.  

With the three styles offered by G & F, all your safety needs for protective gloves are checked. They have brought three different gloves namely classic, grip, and heat/slip-resistant gloves for different purposes. For only the kitchen and light woodworking, the classic one is enough. But if you have to chop wood and need a better grip on your weapon to avoid injury, the grip style is the best.

This heat and slip resistance we are talking about is a good option for people who have to work with a miter saw. As the glove is heat resistant, changing blades while it is still hot or dealing with freshly cut workpieces becomes easier. Its silicone block works as a barrier between the heat source and the hand. 

Most kitchen gloves are claimed to be ‘cut resistance’. Only this one is advertised as ‘puncture resistance. So, you can wear this for gardening as well. No tension about getting poked by the thorns of rose and cactus. 

Pros

• Budget-friendly;
• Puncture resistance;
• Durable.

Cons

• Not to mention.

---

5. Anself Stainless Steel Mesh Gloves

• Size: XXS, XS, S, M, L, and XL.  
• Rustproof. 

This pair of gloves is the ultimate solution for cut resistance in a sawmill, chain mill, and any operation that involves sharp tools. Literally, this glove is made of rustproof stainless steel mesh material. As there is no fabric used, it will not give you any water or weather resistance. It only gives the perfect protection against the risk of cuts and scrapes. 

There is a solution to this problem. If the weather gets cold, you can use a latex or nitrile glove on the steel glove to keep the hands warm and toasty. The steel mesh underneath will feel seamless. Also, it will provide the protection that the fabric gloves lack. 

It is available in a variety of sizes. A size guard is also included on their website to make choosing the right pair easy. The price is something that keeps people from buying it. However, it is a pair of steel gloves, it will never wear out like fabric ones. It will definitely outrun several pairs of fabric gloves. 

Pros

• No maintenance;
• Totally eliminate the risk of cuts;

Cons

• Expensive;
• Not weatherproof, not waterproof.

---

6. Dowellife Cut Resistant Gloves for Wood Carving and Kitchen Use

• Model: DCG-01-L;
• Size: small, medium, large and extra-large;
• Versatile use.

What’s the point of using separate gloves in the kitchen and at the garage? When you have the freedom to use the same gloves in both places. Just make sure you wash and sanitize them before using them in the kitchen again. Or better, you can order a pack of 2 pairs of gloves to use during slicing vegetables or carving wood. In either situation, it will provide you with the best protection you are looking for!

The size guide really helps to find the best match depending on the palm size. There is less chance of being confused about ordering the right size. The good thing about using a kitchen glove during woodworking is, the small particles and wood chips won’t stick. Because kitchen gloves are made in a manner that, nothing gets stuck in the fabric. 

So, get the protection you need in the comfort you want. Order these gloves and your hands will be safe around sharp tools, whether kitchen knives or chisel knives. 

Pros

• Helpful size guide;
• Provides level-5 protection;
• Made of food-grade material.

Cons

• No cons.  

---

7. WISLIFE Safety Gloves for Woodworking and Kitchen

• Size: small and large;
• Material: high elastic polyethylene;
• Machine washable.

While working on DIY crafting projects, we can’t trace how the variety of materials we have to use. Starting from cardboard, and plywood to glass or plastic, nothing can’t escape from a DIY enthusiast’s hands. So, keeping the hands intact while dealing with those materials with deadly tools becomes challenging. These all-rounder gloves are good at dealing with sharp objects like blades and knives and edgy materials like glass. 

Another thing I want to mention about these buddies is, they are the cheapest of their kind. It will be hard to find cut-resistant gloves cheaper than these. For newbies and beginners, it is definitely a plus. Let me warn you that you still have to be careful even while wearing these gloves. Because we get what we pay for. 

Pros

• Cheap price;
• Lightweight and comfortable. 
• Easy to maintain.

Cons

• Poor resistance against cuts. 

---

8. Stark Safe Cut Resistant Gloves for Metal and Wood Carving/Crafting

• Model: LG-GLOV-BLUE;
• Size: small, medium, large and extra large.  

Surprisingly, these gloves are backed by a warranty. Warranty does not only assure the safe investment of your money, but it also proves how the manufacturers are confident about their products. The quality of these gloves is surely somewhat different from other cut-resistance gloves in terms of solid and safe feel. 

There is a thin line of blue at the hemline of the grey gloves. This makes this glove eye-catchy. There is a label with it as well which I didn’t like because it sticks out. However, the material used in these gloves is 4 times stronger than leather. Like all other gloves in this list, this pair is also claimed to be level 5 protected. 

I don’t recommend using these for tough jobs like using a chainsaw or miter saw. Neither the advertisement suggests that. In a word, I can say, it is just what the advertisement claims to be. 

Pros

• Backed by a warranty;
• Superior quality;
• Suitable for multipurpose use. 

Cons

• Not for tough jobs. 

---

9. Kitchen Things -Cut Gloves with Level 5 Protection

• Material: Polyethylene, glass fiber, and spandex;
• Size: small, medium, large and extra-large.  

In summer, when bulky and heavy protection gloves become impossible to wear. Kitchen gloves are the best option for this unbearable weather to provide some defense and comfort simultaneously. Needless to say, they are inexpensive too. 

This kitchen glove is made mostly of spandex. This material gives it flexibility and stretchability. Polyethylene and glass fiber gives it a cut resistance capacity. It is available in the four most used sizes. People with extra small hands like kids may have a problem fitting in this. 

The only problem with this glove is, it gets stuck with rough surfaces and materials. It is a big disappointment for woodworkers and carpenters. Despite that, I choose to place this on my list because it will help beginners to master their skills in wood crafting.  

Pros

• Warranty offered;
• All-purpose use;
• It can be used all year round. 

Cons

• Material snugs on tiny particles.

---

10. DEX FIT Stretch Fit and Smart Touch Gloves

• Model: Cru553;
• Size: XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL.  
• Color: black, grey, blue, green, and red. 

I am amazed by the huge collection of colors and sizes. You can order for each one of your family in their size and preferred color. Because why not? These are multi-purpose gloves. So, everyone will make it useful in one way or another. 

There is a nitrile rubber coating on the palm and fingertips which makes it convenient to use touchscreen devices. These gloves are cut as well as puncture-resistant. Besides, a satisfaction guarantee is also offered by the makers. So, you get the idea of how safe to purchase these. More importantly, how safe these are to wear during risky jobs. 

These gloves are waterproof and oil resistant. I can’t understand how it stays put in contact with oil, but yes, they don’t slip in light oil. So, slipping off wood carving knives is out of the question. For regular woodworking, these gloves will definitely win the test of time. 

Pros

• Cut and puncture resistant;
• Lightweight;
• Convenient to operate touch screens. 

Cons

• May sweat a little bit. 

---

11. JORESTECH Nitrile Coated Blade Cut Resistant Gloves

• Size: M, L, and XL.  
• Pack of 12 pairs. 

For cabinet shops or carpentry business owners, ensuring the safety of all workers is a must. This pack of 12 pairs of nitrite-coated gloves is the best deal to find protection for all workers. These are excellent gloves that resist cut, puncture, tear, and abrasion altogether. The nitrile rubber on the palm is sanded to ensure a better grip and non-slip feature. While high-performance polyethylene (HPPE) provides ventilation upon long wearing. 

These work gloves are highly durable. So, I recommend this to everyone who goes through laborious work for a living. As this is a large pack, it will be more cost-effective than purchasing separately. Besides, nitrile gloves are better than latex ones as latex can cause an allergic reaction to someone who is allergic to latex. 

Pros

• Suitable for buying in a lot;
• Abrasion, cut, tear, and puncture-resistant;
• Convenient for latex-allergic. 

Cons

• No cons.

---

12. LOCCEF Safety Work Gloves, Pack of 12 Pairs

• A full 360° breathable work gloves;
• Available in full sizes from small sizes to X-sizes;
• Versatile;
• Fine optimized grip.

With its three available sizes, it will be a better option to choose your size. Step out of the box by wearing these fluorescent yellow gloves. This catchy color will never let you forget the gloves at home. 

No doubt that gloves with multiple layers and stitching provides better safety. But it feels bulky for beginners, who are not used to wearing gloves. These gloves with latex palm and polyester tops are a better option to choose from them. It fits like a second skin yet keeps hands safe from sharp tools. 

I don’t recommend using this for chainsaw users. The latex part is okay, but the polyester part won’t be able to stop the chain. For woodwork like carving, polishing, sanding or anything that doesn’t involve a chainsaw, these gloves will be the best to use. You will get 4 pairs in a pack, so only one pack will go a long way. 

Pros

• Suitable for carpentry;
• Breathable;
• Cost-effective. 

Cons

• May is not long-lasting.

---

Maintenance Tips to Make the Gloves Last Longer

A little maintenance goes a long way when it comes to work gloves. Because these gloves are tough and do not lose shape easily. However, here are some tips that will make your favorite gloves last even more!

1. all the gloves are machine washable. To be honest, hand washing with soap and cold water is the best option. If you don’t have time for this, then at least put the gloves in a mesh bag before throwing them in the washing machine. 
2. Never ever put the gloves in the dryer. Instead, hand them to drip-dry. Even squeezing them to extract extra water may make the material wrinkly if not ruin the shape.

Conclusion

I hope you are now more confident to order a pair of woodworking gloves you can rely on. All my labor in developing this article will be successful if it really helps you even a tiny bit. I have learned a lot from my mistakes and trials and errors. But you don’t have to go through the same. You can simply consider my judgment and make your own decision. Remember, your right decision in choosing woodworking gloves will have a great impact on the work you do.

All the above-mentioned models are the best work gloves. And here we are sharing the top three recommendations.

1. Ironclad General Work Gloves are highly durable and available at a reasonable price.

2. Anself Stainless Steel Mesh Gloves are cut-resistant, rust-proof, and have no maintenance problems.
3. WISLIFE Cut Resistant Gloves are comfortable, easy to machine wash, affordable, and easy to maintain.

Relevant Resources:

• How to Choose Best Belt Sander for Knife Making
• Our Guide to the Best Miter Saw Blade for Hardwood
• 5 Common Wood-Finishing Mistakes You Need to Know