The Difference Between Waterproof and Water-Resistant Gloves

With people using labels such as “waterproof” and “water resistant” interchangeably when referring to work gloves, you may be confused about what each label means. In short, “water resistant” describes an item’s ability to resist water penetration to a certain degree but perhaps not entirely. On the other hand, “waterproof” technically means that it’s impermeable no matter how much time it spends in the water.

If you work in a job that requires this type of personal protective equipment, or you’re just curious about the science behind specialty gloves, let’s walk through the differences between waterproof and water-resistant gloves.

Which Is Which?

Waterproof gloves are made from specific materials that are ideal for protection against water and other liquids such as oil. High-quality work gloves come in many styles ranging from coated leathers to half gloves with fingertip protection. When choosing the correct gloves for your needs, make sure that they have a protective liner that seals out moisture while still allowing your skin to breathe. Breathable gloves will prevent your hands from getting too hot while on the job.

On the other hand, water-resistant gloves are simply coated to repel water for a certain amount of time. They may be able to keep your hands dry and protected from accidental splashes, but they are not designed to be used in wet environments. Deciding which glove is right for you starts by determining the type of work you will be expected to complete on a daily basis.

Who Needs These Gloves?

Our specialty gloves are designed with a protective outer layer that protects your hands from moisture in all elements but especially in wet or icy conditions. Many industries need this personal protective equipment, especially anyone working in landscaping, construction, extrication, military services, and search and rescue.

Working in extremely wet environments or low temperatures without high-quality personal protective equipment puts your hands in danger. You can quickly succumb to frostbite and temporary or permanent damage to your fingers on a job site without proper gear.

Waterproof Gloves

When an item is waterproof, it can stay submerged in water without altering its functionality. Work gloves are often treated with a coating that repels any water that it comes into contact with. Additionally, the glove will have a waterproof lining that keeps moisture from leaking into your hands. The exterior fabric is essential.

Waterproof gloves are usually made from cotton fabric that has been coated with rubber to make it impermeable to liquids. The material is often treated with chemicals to make it even more resistant to water and other liquids. It can protect against harmful chemicals as well as moisture trapped inside the glove’s fibers with sweat-wicking technology that wicks perspiration from your skin. This prevents moisture from accumulating inside the glove itself.

Water-Resistant Gloves

Water-resistant gloves are not impenetrable, but they provide an excellent barrier against liquids such as water, oil, coolants, or solvents. These types of gloves typically use nylon fabric or thermoplastic polyurethane, a synthetic material that provides just the right amount of flexibility while keeping you dry. It also allows for exceptional resistance to cuts but will still melt if exposed directly to high heat sources like welding torches.

To keep safe on worksites, it is crucial that employers fully understand the differences between waterproof and water-resistant gloves. They also must require employees to wear this essential PPE on job sites when necessary.

What Are They Made Of?

Our waterproof gloves include a MicroSable™ interior lining that will keep your hands dry under any conditions. We also added flexible thermoplastic rubber to the exterior of our cold weather gloves to provide impact protection. This material also offers flexible protection from wrist to fingertips.

These protective gloves can be used in wet conditions, and the material is completely waterproof. This makes them ideal for people who work in wet environments or spend time outdoors when it’s raining or snowing. Many industries can benefit from these types of gloves, including fishermen and geologists.

If you want to extend the life of other gloves, even those not made to resist moisture, you can purchase glove liners that will insulate the gloves for cold weather. Inspired by fox fur, these helpful items are lined with water-resistant faux fur. Not only are they water resistant, but they are also oil resistant.

Oil Resistance

Oil is a very common contaminant in the oilfield. It can cause injury to your skin and the glove to fail. Oil can make a glove slippery, causing you to lose your grip on something or making it difficult for you to pull up on a wire or rope. Oil can also be absorbed into the material of your gloves, soiling them and causing them to smell, requiring replacement more often. We solve this problem by offering industry-specific, specially designed oilfield work gloves.

Understand the Difference

“Waterproof” and “water resistant” are not interchangeable terms. It is important to note that when we say “waterproof” or “water resistant” here, we’re talking about liquid chemicals specifically. Confusion around these terms can lead to small discomforts such as unnecessary purchases, but it can also lead to dangerous situations with incorrect protection on a job site. If you’re thinking about investing in these specialized gloves for your next job site or outdoor task, make sure to verify their purpose before buying them.

At Cestus Armored Gloves, our goal is to design the perfect work glove to meet your daily needs. With a passion for hand safety, we’ve created exceptional options to equip you for your job’s demands. Each of our gloves has been independently lab tested. In addition to lab testing, we also assess our gloves against real-life conditions to ensure that they will perform as required.

We at Cestus Armored Gloves hold our products to an extremely high standard for performance and dexterity. Our main focus is on developing specialized work gloves for anyone working within our targeted industries, designing all of our gloves to be as durable as they are comfortable.