Which glove for which task?

Which glove for which task?  

When choosing a glove for your protection it is very important to choose a glove that meets your needs. This may vary from the need of comfort or dexterity to the need for chemical protection. The fit, the level of protection & the possibility of allergic reaction are all factors that need considering. Take a moment to study our guide to choose the right fit for your glove application. 

Latex Gloves

Latex Gloves are made out of natural rubber, they are the glove of choice for comfort, fit & dexterity.

• Latex gloves provide a high level of flexibility & comfort alongside good protection. 
• Robust & reliable - latex gloves provide a good level of chemical, infection & contamination protection. 
• Available in powdered or power free.
• Can cause latex allergies. 
• Costs can fluctuate dependent on weather or season. 

In summary, Latex gloves are more elastic than Nitrile & more puncture resistant than Vinyl. 

Vinyl Gloves

Vinyl gloves are the cheaper alternative to Latex & Nitrile, & are the glove of choice for situations where durability & high level protection is not a priority (such as the food industry).

• Latex free - reducing the risk of allergic reactions.
• Great for basic hand protection. 
• Cheap alternative to latex & nitrile.
• Available in clear or blue, powdered or powder free (in some applications red, green & yellow are used).
• Not as good a fit as Latex or Nitrile.

In summary, vinyl gloves are stronger than polythene but more cost effective than latex & nitrile, offering basic hand protection for short-term low risk tasks. 

Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile Gloves are made from synthetic rubber & are the glove of choice for puncture resistance & chemical protection.

• Latex free - reducing the risk of allergic reactions. 
• Are highly puncture & chemical resistant.
• Good for dexterity & sensitivity - a comfortable fit. 
• Superior to latex as they provide protection against petroleum based products.
• More expensive to produce than Vinyl & Latex. 

In summary, nitrile gloves are the most expensive disposable glove option but with superior performance in a variety of work environments (due to the puncture & chemical resistant properties).

Synthetic Gloves

Synthetic Gloves are hypo-allergic & durable making them a suitable choice for a wide range of applications.

• Latex free - reducing the risk of allergic reactions.
• Very comfortable to wear, even with prolonged usage. 
• Softer, more flexible & greater sensitivity than Vinyl & Nitrile.
• Better fit than vinyl, but less chemical resistant than Nitrile.

In summary, these durable, well fitting gloves are perfect for medical, laboratory & food environments, especially where high protection from chemicals is not required. 

Superstretch Gloves

Superstretch gloves are allergen free & offer an environmentally friendly & cost effective option to Vinyl.

• Lower cost alternative to Vinyl. 
• More puncture resistant than Polythene. 
• Food safe & odourless.
• Skin friendly - no latex, softeners & silicone. 
• Suitable for short term use as limited protection offered. 

At Santé, we're committed to providing the most appropriate gloves for the task you have at hand - if you are still unsure, please contact us, or view our technical specification sheets for more information.