Glove Sizing Guide - How to Measure the Right Size? (2024)

The Glamorous Gloves

Confusion is what hits people when asked about the necessity of gloves. Especially those who live in countries with warm climates. For some, the sole function of a glove is to protect your hand against the cold. For others, it may be to protect themselves whilst working in some industry. These may include mining, automotive, chemical factories, or food processing stores. Having said that, the more rich circles wear gloves more for aesthetic purposes than its functionality.

Hence, the question arises, “Are gloves really important?”. However, the answer is slightly complex. The advent of gloves has seen them moving past their traditional roles. Different types of gloves are now used for various reasons.

The Purposes

Once, gloves were all the craze in royal banquets or opera houses. Its sleek design and enticing cut would draw eyes all around. Though with time, they have evolved to serve several other fields. Here are a few examples of its uses apart from fashion.

. Chemicals

Our skin secretes oils and metabolic waste. These include various salt and urea. Many chemicals react negatively when interacting with them. Severe cases may even cause irreparable damage. To protect yourself from such an incident, wearing gloves is of the utmost importance.

. Medicinal

Those who work in hospitals and clinics are regularly in contact with numerous germs and fluids. These can be very harmful and, in the worst cases, can comprise your immunity. Thus, it is important to wear gloves whenever in proximity to a number of substances. These include bodily fluids, tissues, blood, broken skin, etc.

It’s also wise to wear gloves when operating on a patient. Any remnants of any elements may interact negatively with the patient’s body. This could lead to damaging consequences for the patient. With this in mind, it is advisable to wear gloves during surgeries and other procedures to minimize such risks.

. Handling Artifacts

Historical artifacts are precious pieces of our history that need preservation. However, because they date back many centuries, their constitution is equally delicate. Any contact with a foreign element may cause lasting damage. Additionally, the oil in our skin can leave an imprint on any historical document. This would alter its original structure, which would be detrimental.

Wearing gloves eliminates this possibility by creating a barrier between the artifact and other objects. This allows the artifact to maintain its integrity and structure without any worry.

. Sports

Previously, many sports transpired without protective measures. This led to the players facing several injuries. In some cases, the injuries proved fatal. However, with time, many regulatory authorities enforced guidelines to protect the players.

For example, boxing evolved from bare-knuckle fights to mandates instructing boxers to wear gloves. Subsequently, regulatory bodies started examining the size and nature of gloves to protect boxers.

The Types

Just as the purposes and functionality of gloves began to diversify, so did their types. Different gloves required different materials to develop into an efficient product. The constitution of sports gloves is vastly different from one for industrial workers. Let’s take a look at some of the different types.

. Nitrile Gloves

Created from synthetic rubber, nitrile gloves are disposable with a commendable tensile strength. They are latex-free, which makes them a popular choice for those with latex allergies. Economical, water-resistant, and puncture resistant, these gloves possess remarkable versatility.

Offering protection from multiple substances, they are a popular choice in a number of professions. These include tattoo artists, chefs, janitors, etc.

. Latex Gloves

Latex, produced from a rubber tree, is biodegradable that’s used to make latex gloves. Unlike nitrile gloves, latex gloves aren’t made from synthetic rubber but natural rubber. This results in high elasticity and resilience, which makes it a popular option in high-precision jobs.

When handling biological materials or water-based solutions with care, then latex gloves are the right fit. Thus, in the automotive industry, dental work, childcare, etc. regularly use latex gloves.

. Vinyl Gloves

Vinyl gloves, made from vinyl, have an added plasticizing agent to enhance flexibility and comfort. It’s an excellent option for those allergic to latex and bothered by the sturdiness of nitrile gloves. They’re the least expensive of all gloves, whilst also protecting the user from harmful pathogens and substances. This makes them a wise choice when gloves are regularly changed or for any light work.

Glove Sizing

The next decision to make after selecting a glove is what size. Although the answer may seem easy to the layman, the sizing process is an intricate one. How do you determine your glove size?

. Glove Sizing Chart

First, let’s take a look at the glove sizing chart for both men and women. Noticeably, a man’s glove size chart is different from a woman’s. Small size for men can equate to a medium one for women. Let’s take a look at the glove sizing chart for both genders.

Measurement are based on palm circumferences.

. How To Measure

Determining the size of your gloves can be done in two ways. Either, you do it yourself or have a professional do it for you. In the case of the former, here’s how to do it.

Firstly, decide on your dominant hand and lay it out. Then, take a measuring tape and place it in the center of your palm. Whilst holding it with your thumb, take the other end with your free hand and circle it around your hand. Once wrapped, hold it firmly to observe the measurement and write them down. The metric of your measurement will depend on your respective region of residence.

Secondly, hold the end of the measuring tape over the tip of your middle finger. Subsequently, proceed to pull the tape down until it’s at the base of your hand. Hold it straight to observe and record the measurements.

Now, you have the widest part (Step 1) and the longest part (Step 2) of your hand. Take a look at the recorded measurements and see which one is the larger one. Though close, there will always be a difference. Select the higher measure and round it up to the nearest whole number. That is your glove measure.

In Conclusion

All in all, finding the right glove in the right size is a tricky process. Having said that, the applications and uses of gloves have grown tremendously over time. The time taken in this process is bound to pay dividends in the future.