You want to keep your hands safe from the harsh working environment. Be it friction, weather, flame, or general abrasion, leather work gloves keep you safe from all of it. When it comes to leather work gloves, style, and protection work literally hand-in-hand. There are many options to choose from. Different types of hides, stitchings, and patterns. It might seem overwhelming, but don’t worry. We have outlined the best guide to selecting the leather work gloves that suit you best.
There is a wide variety of grains to choose from. Join us to find which type of leather glove suits you best!
Split Leather
Split leather or more famously known as suede, is often associated with larger animals. It is the bottom layer of the leather that is removed from the hide of an animal. The leather gloves crafted from split leather have many advantages.
These include the abrasion-resistant properties of split leather. This is due to its dense fibers and its weaving of them. This quality of split leather is so famous that synthetic products try to mimic it. But they cannot beat the toughness of natural split leather. Moreover, this type of leather is puncture resistant and more water-resistant than grain leather. If you work in oily situations, this is a great option as it has great oil absorption qualities. Not only this, but it also provides a better grip in oil. Now you might be thinking that it would be costly, well that’s not a worry. Split leather is less expensive.
Grain Leather
After the process of splitting the leather, the topmost layer of leather is removed. This layer is grain leather. Grain leather is famous for its luxurious appearance, thus, making it more expensive than split leather. Due to its premium look, grain leather is used for the manufacture of commercial goods. These include mostly belts, purses, and shoes. Grain leather proves to be more durable in outdoor working conditions. But the split leather is known to be sturdier and more worn as safety apparel.
The hide can be taken from many different places. These include the longest-lasting top grain followed by the split leather. The split-leather has two further sub-categories i.e., the side and the shoulder. The side split leather is more durable and hence is more expensive. The shoulder split is also known to be durable but is more economical. Whereas the belly split leather is the least durable, although, the most pocket friendly.
The Right Animal Hide to Choose
The one thing that you must keep in mind while choosing the right leather is that not all leather is the same. The most common rule is that the bigger the animal, the thicker the leather. Whereas synthetic leather is made from a polymer base and is not that durable. So, let’s dive into the world of leather and choose what’s right for you.
The most common type of leather is the cowhide. It is heavy, water and dirt resistant, durable, comfortable, and great value for money leather. New cowhide apparel might be stiff at first, but it easily gets adjusted.
The pigskin leather is dense, soft, yet breathable. It stays soft even after getting wet which is because of the high lanolin content in the leather.
Next comes the sheepskin leather. It is very soft, light, delicate, and comfortable. It is great for both cold and hotter climates. Sheepskin leather is also mostly waterproofed.
Goatskin leather is softer but sturdier than cowhide. This leather is durable, economical, thin, flexible, water and abrasion-resistant, and has a fine grain. Goatskin leather has a high oil content naturally making it very soft.
Next in line, we have an extremely soft, extra supple, and the best fitting, deerskin leather. It is naturally cold-resistant, water-friendly, lightweight, and flexible. These gloves provide the best comfort for work but compromise durability and are pricier.
Buffalo hide is extremely durable, thick, breathable, and has superior abrasion resistance.
Horsehide leather is one of the toughest, thickest, and more expensive leathers. It is non-porous yet very comfortable and fits your body shape over time.
Leather Glove Thumb Options
When choosing the thumb options on your leather work glove, you come across three possible options. The keystone, wing, and the straight thumb. The keystone thumb reinforces the leather making the thickness twice in places of critical wear. Making it more comfortable and durable.
The next is the wing thumb which is angled diagonally across the palm and hence improves comfort.
Whereas the straight thumb is such that it lies parallel with the index finger and provides a good grip.
What Style Glove and Cuff to Go For?
There are many options in the styling of the glove and cuff when choosing the best leather work glove for yourself. Finally, let’s select the style that suits you best.
Clute Cut: 
This is a glove that features a seamless palm and three seams on the back of the glove along each finger and a straight thumb.
Gunn Cut/Fitter:  
This glove features the most used pattern for work gloves. Featuring a seamless back and a Gunn seam along the base of the middle and ring fingers. Making the glove naturally comfortable.
Reversable Cut: 
It is also known as the two-handed cut, thus can fit on either hand. This glove is mostly seen as disposable, in knitting or textile industries.
Driver Cut: 
This style features around-the-finger and thumb stitching, keystone thumbs, and a seamless palm.
Mechanics Cut:  
This glove comes with knuckle pads, palm patches, and stitching in many areas for better mobility. Hence has a better grip and is more abrasion-resistant.
Gauntlet cuff: 
This type of cuff features a 4 ½’’ length for extra protection of the forearm. These are very narrow and create a clean and exquisite look.
Safety Cuff: 
This cuff comes with a 2 ½’’ length which is easy to remove quickly.
Slip Cuff: 
The slip cuff lives up to its name. It’s an entire glove without a cuff area to easily slip it on or off.
Knit-wrist Cuff: 
This type of cuff keeps out the wind and dust due to its snug fit.