Author: The Glove Guru

Joe McGarry - Also known as the Glove Guru Joe formerly founded Polygenex International, Inc. in 1989, the largest specialty knit glove manufacturer in the world at the time. Thousands of companies and users follow his advice on glove manufacturing, or user guidance, and utilize his gloves every day. Joe's specialty is in industrial work and critical environment high-tech gloves. Joe founded Gloves-Online in 1996 to assist consumers needing to locate hard to find gloves and educate consumers about different glove features and benefits. With just over a quarter century of glove experience, he undoubtedly can give you useful and practical glove advice.

Santa Claus glove sales indicate a very different Christmas season due to Covid-19

Posted on by The Glove Guru

Santa Claus glove sales are very different this Christmas season due to the Covid-19 virus since I am seeing a downturn in our Santa Claus style White Glove sales with our regular shopping mall operators. These operators traditionally order their glove supplies for their Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus’ exhibits by September or early October and this has occurred for many years going back for over 2 decades now. Furthermore, this includes our mall and department store operators not only in North America but in other countries like Australia and so forth.

There won’t even be any Miracle of 34th Street this year since Santa won’t be visiting any Macy’s stores in 2020 ending an almost 160 year Holiday Season tradition which started in 1861.

I feel very sad for the children anticipating their visit to Santa this year to reveal their gift wishes. However, I can’t place any blame on the mall and department store operators to help eliminate additional possibilities of the virus spread. Although, it does appear that most malls may have Santa’s behind Plexiglas for picture taking. They just won’t need a fresh supply of clean white gloves. See my teaching moment comment in my conclusion.

A lot of our glove sales have weakened this year due to the virus and, as you can imagine, this includes our sales to church groups and church ushers, Bell Choirs, doormen, many major hotel chains, restaurants, and catering companies. I refer to these glove sales as our hospitality segment.

Major parades such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade have also been cancelled due to the virus. This also affects our Band Glove sales to marching band units and cheer units which has always been a traditional prop to our holiday seasonal glove sales.

Interesting enough, I’ve found that for many years, certain gloves sales are a barometer and indicator for many occurrences. For example, I can track cold weather patterns across the country by the mere sales of cold and winter weather gloves. We also saw an unprecedented sellout of our single use disposable gloves when the pandemic hit. We can also see at this time of year new orders for our High-Visibility gloves when daylight savings time ends.

As far as our Santa gloves, I’m not complaining since that business will come back next year. I’m simply sharing how everyone is affected by the Covid-19 virus and I’m sympathizing for the children that have to sacrifice that cherished visit with Santa Claus this year.

The up-side to this matter: The most positive aspect is that this can become a good teaching moment for our children. It can be used to emphasize the importance of wearing masks and social distancing since even Santa Claus can get the virus.

Links to Gloves featured in this post:

Santa Claus Gloves

White Gloves

Band Gloves

Church Gloves

Handbell Gloves

Usher Gloves

Disposable Gloves

Masks

High-Visibility Gloves

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The Glove Guru

Joe McGarry

About the Glove Guru

Posted on by The Glove Guru

The Glove Guru

About the Glove Guru Blog: This blog is all about gloves and everything useful about gloves. Primarily, I offer tips, gloves in the news, and new product announcements. Normally, I only post about 2 to 3 times a month and most often during seasonal changes. Signing up for my posts is FREE and you will receive Special Offers and Discounts exclusive only to registered followers.

Who is the guru: It’s not clear when Joe McGarry was first dubbed the Glove Guru. Some claim it was the mid-80’s, others when his website Gloves-Online.com launched in 1996. Back in the dark-ages of the web circa 1996, he launched Gloves-Online.com to be a clearinghouse of information on all things gloves. He quickly realized that on-line was the future and today he sells millions of pairs of gloves – of all types from industrial to fashion and everything in between–each year. In addition to being an e-entrepreneur, he holds patents for several industrial and consumer gloves and continues to design gloves for all types of uses. Maybe you’ve read a few of his articles that have been published in various industrial trade publications. Chances are that if you’ve seen a new and useful glove, it was most likely from Gloves-Online and possibly designed by Joe himself. While Joe’s specialty is in industrial work and critical environment high-tech gloves, he’s the guy who spends his time tinkering with new ways to make or source a better glove. With over a quarter century of glove experience, he undoubtedly can give you useful and practical glove advice.

Special Offers and Discounts: Sign up for my posts and receive Special Offers and Discounts exclusive only to registered followers. It’s the real deal since We Glove You! Sign up today and receive a 1 time 10% special discount on your first order!

Glove Liners for issues with Disposable Gloves

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We have a great solution for you.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many people have turned to having to use (non-breathable) disposable gloves for the first time. These gloves are typically made from plastic, latex, nitrile, rubber, and vinyl. Many discover for the first time that when they wear them for any extended period, they have new issues such as allergic reactions, rashes, clamminess, and heavy hand sweat.

We have a great solution for you that goes back to 1989 when people that did not have to wear disposable gloves had wear them due to the AIDS virus. The same issues are happening again, today.

The solution is to use the doctor recommended All-Day Nylon Glove Liners.

These liners are made from a high quality textured nylon 6/6 fiber that has the feel and softness of cotton for comfort all day long. The slick feature of the nylon makes it easy to slip on all types of rubber type gloves over the liner unlike cotton liners. They are also very size friendly since they stretch to fit everyone. The thinness allows high-dexterity. They are launderable, washable, and reusable.  We also offer them in a half-finger model.

I highly recommend you buy some today to finally have more comfort when wearing those disposable gloves.

Thank you for subscribing,

Joe McGarry

The Glove Guru

How to safely remove “used” disposable gloves

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The subject title of this post my seem to be very elementary at first but the Covid-19 virus pandemic has created a tremendous amount of confusion when buying and using PPE safety products like masks and gloves.

Actually, the title is far from elementary. It’s a major public safety issue for those not trained or used to wearing disposable gloves like food handlers or healthcare personnel. I’m not saying you should not wear gloves but to incorrectly use disposable gloves will make them a useless safety procedure and even cause more harm and spread this devastating invisible virus.

We are selling a lot disposable gloves and masks to our customers around the world looking for defensive measures against the Covid virus which is great. I am also seeing a lot of people out and about and shopping while wearing gloves which is also great. But, sadly, I am also seeing that most people aren’t wearing or discarding their gloves properly which negates the whole purpose of wearing the disposable gloves.

For example, most untrained people don’t take off their gloves quick enough, thus further contaminating themselves and others around them including the items they touch. Additionally, you should never reuse disposable gloves. I’m sure you’ve seen food handlers frequently dispose and change gloves between functions or healthcare workers frequently dispose and change gloves from chore to patient. This is to avoid any cross contamination of any type. The same thing applies to you to avoid the Covid virus bug.

So, the point I am making here is to dispose of the gloves as soon as you are done shopping at the grocery store or other venue. Disposable gloves are very inexpensive and take up very little space in your purse or pockets so I suggest carrying a couple pair on your various trips.

To shop safely, I suggest social distancing, do not touch your face (this is one reason you see people wearing a face shield in addition to a face mask), frequently sanitize and wash your hands to avoid any possible contact with the virus.

If you want to wear gloves as an added preventive measure, the guidelines below are recommended in order to safely remove your disposable gloves.

  1. Grip the outside of one glove at the wrist without touching your skin.
  2. Peel the glove away from your hand by pulling it inside out.
  3. Hold the removed glove in your other “gloved” hand.
  4. To peel off the second glove, put your bare fingers inside the glove at the wrist.
  5. Turn the second glove inside out, pulling it away from your hand, while leaving the first glove inside the second.
  6. Discard the gloves away in a trash container immediately.
  7. Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer immediately after removing your gloves.

Once you try the above method for the first time, you will laugh and smile at how clever and easy it is and want to show others as well. It’s almost like a magic trick but a very helpful one.

Also, don’t forget to tell them the Glove-Guru taught you how to remove used disposable gloves.

Link to our Disposable Gloves

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Joe McGarry

The Glove Guru

SLOW THE SPREAD – Wear Face Masks

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As states lift restrictions and work to reopen their economics, a growing number are adapting CDC guidelines regarding the use of face covers as essential to preventing community spread.

Now SPREAD the word that you can now buy your face masks at GO Gloves.

Lightweight Reusable Face Mask

  • Contoured shape provided secure fit
  • Elastic head straps for all-day comfort
  • Washable/reusable
  • Antimicrobial up to 30 wash cycles

Economical Disposable Face Mask

  • 3-ply pleated construction
  • 99% Bacterial Filter Efficiency (BFE)
  • Adjustable aluminum nose clip
  • Latex-free ear loops

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Joe McGarry

The Glove Guru

Should I buy Powder-Free or Powdered Disposable gloves?

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This old question about buying Powdered Gloves vs. Powder-Free Gloves has recently become a new question again by consumers due to the current catastrophic virus pandemic. This new virus has created a new increased demand for protective disposable gloves by new users. Most people think it’s a user issue regarding a friendlier glove but, funny enough, the powder issue is due to a necessity that came about a long time ago originating with the manufacturing. It brings back fond technical memories to me when I got into the glove business over 30 years ago.  

When disposable gloves were first developed, they were either made from solutions of latex or vinyl. Now, picture a long assembly line that moves with artificial porcelain (mandrel molds) hands hanging from a track. As these mandrels move along, they dip into big vat full with a special liquid solution containing powder. Then they move to another vat containing the latex solution. Next, they travel through a heat chamber which essentially evaporates (dries) the liquid from the latex. The gloves are now cured and ready for removal from the mandrels, inspection and packaging.

To remove a cured glove from its mandrel mold, the mandrels were coated with powder solutions prior to the dipping process in order to make it easier to remove the cured glove from the mold. Without the powder solution coating on the mandrels, the cured gloves would stick to the mandrels casing them to be defective when removed. Therefore, the powder practice became an intricate part of the manufacturing process. This was especially the case with latex gloves. It should be noted that powder ended up partially coating the outside of the gloves due to powder dust caused by the gloves  being removed from the mandrels.

What everyone discovered was that the powder process also made the latex gloves easier for users to slip the gloves on or off. This was because a residue of the powder solution remained inside each glove after they were made. This powder residue made the inside of the gloves slick eliminating a lot of glove breakage when putting them on.

In the late eighties many manufactures even used flavored powder coatings which were popular to the dental industry. A few also manufactured some latex models without powders due to allergic issues caused by the powder. The flavored models eventually were discontinued since they created excess saliva from patients which hindered many dental procedures. Powdered models are still popular but to a less degree due to good vinyl and nitrile glove models which are easier to slip on and off. It should be noted that latex had its own disadvantages to about 20% of the population due to allergies from the proteins in the latex. This is a separate issue from  problems caused by the powder as noted below.

Keep in mind that, today, disposable gloves are widely used in many industries outside of healthcare. For example, they are a required protective accessory (PPE) in the restaurant and food service industries as well as most manufacturing industries.

Today, I highly recommend powder-free gloves for many reasons.

First, they are less expensive. Yes, it is only a matter of pennies a glove but it adds up quickly with disposables.

Also, powder-free disposable gloves have been vastly improved technically over the last two decades and better materials and manufacturing processes make the gloves easier to slip-on and off and rarely break.

Additionally, powdered gloves add another element to contamination and allergy issues. Think of ordering a sandwich in a sandwich shop and they wore powdered gloves which added minuscule talc or powder to the bread or slices of meat or greens.

Another aspect is to know that the FDA has banned powdered gloves from the healthcare industry in 2016. The FDA claims the powdered glove models present an unreasonable and substantial risk of illness or injury.  

(It should be noted that having an added element such as a powder or talc added to the gloves creates issues about the type and source of the powder or talc since most all disposable gloves are made outside of the USA.)  

I also predict that powdered gloves will become more expensive over time and eventually become harder to find. I don’t think powdered gloves will disappear from some markets such as manufacturing since some workers will insist on using them. However, powder gloves no longer offer any distinct advantages over powder-free gloves for the manufacturers or for the users.

In conclusion, powder-free gloves offer you a safer and more economical glove choice over their powdered counterpart.

Link: Disposable Gloves

Please let me know if you have any questions and thank you for subscribing,

Joe McGarry

The Glove Guru

The Best Heat Resistant Gloves

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Unlike other utility and work gloves, Heat Resistant Gloves are made with a wide variety of various materials from fibers including Nomex and Kevlar to rubber including neoprene. Besides using them at home with cooking and grilling, they are most commonly used for personnel protection in many industries. They are most popular of the food, rubber, mechanical, and petrochemical industries but also widely used for boiler room work, handling of molds, adhesive manufacturing, construction and road work, medical autoclaves and sterilizing, and steam cleaning.  

With over 25 years of selling heat resistant gloves, we’ve managed to select the very best heat resistant gloves that meet everyone’s individual needs and requirements. We have also managed to eliminate any heat resistant gloves from our glove offerings over the years that didn’t perform well or that didn’t hold up well in everyday industrial applications. It should be noted that our offerings include models from neoprene to terry cloth and from knit to heavy gauntlet cuff styles.

We also carry a line of heat resistant arm sleeves for workers that require some arm protection from heat in addition to gloves. Additionally, we also offer some heat resistant gloves with long cuffs and sleeves that offer both hand and arm heat protection. You will find these on our category listing link at the end of this post.

Since we offer over 15 styles of heat resistant gloves that vary in many levels of heat protection from 2500 F up to 26000 F temperatures, I will not list each one here for brevity purposes. However, I will highlight a few models due to their uniqueness. Again, you can find all of our popular and best heat resistant glove models in the category listing on our web site which is linked at the bottom of this post.

Special Note: Keep in mind that some models listed in the Heat Resistant Glove category are also cut resistant in addition to their heat resistant properties.

Below, I am highlighting 3 Heat Resistant Models. I’ve selected these three not only because they are our most popular heat resistant gloves but since they are very distinct from one another.

MAPA Temp-Tec Insulated Neoprene Gloves

These heat resistant gloves are a heavy duty, double-layer glove with thermal insulation and extended length (17” overall) for extra arm protection. A multi-purpose chemical resistant glove with excellent thermal insulation due to a double-knit cotton lining. They also offer good grip of wet or slippery objects. Besides the high heat and chemical resistance against acids and aliphatic solutions, these gloves are also liquid and steam proof. Their heat resistant has been certified up to 480 F. See listing on web site for additional details.   

CarbonX Heat and Flame Resistant Gloves

These heat resistant gloves with a built-in 20” sleeve are made of CarbonX material which is extremely nonflammable. Originally developed for NASCAR, these gloves will not ignite or burn, even when exposed to 26000 F for 120 seconds. They will not melt or shrink. The material’s soft finish and multi-directional stretch make them exceptionally comfortable. The ambidextrous reversible design allows replacing one glove at a time, rather than pairs. The ambidextrous feature also permits the gloves to be worn on either hand, extending wear and reducing costs. See listing on web site for additional details.   

Wells Lamont Heat Resistant Gloves

These seamless knit heat resistant gloves are made with Nomex and Kevlar fibers and rated up to 5000 F.

This is the thinnest model we offer at this temperature range. This is a heat resistant glove that also offers cut resistance. The cotton lining provides comfort while the outside provides excellent thermal properties, allowing you to handle hot objects. The ambidextrous reversible design allows replacing one glove at a time, rather than pairs. The ambidextrous feature also permits the gloves to be worn on either hand, extending wear and reducing costs. These gloves also have an extended continuous protective cuff. See listing on web site for additional details.   

Link:  Heat Resistant Gloves

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The Glove Guru

Joe McGarry

The Best High Visibility Gloves

Posted on by The Glove Guru

It’s that time of year again… so this post should be timely for those that work outdoors.

This is a very helpful guide for selecting the best High Visibility Gloves for your particular need and conditions. These recommendations are based on over 2 decades of experiences in selling Hi-Vis Work Gloves and assisting customers in fulfilling their specific needs with their specific work conditions.

The good news is that we offer a wide variety and range of Hi-Vis Work Gloves that meet most any requirement, weather and temperature conditions, wet environments, day and night time conditions. We also have Hi-Vis gloves that also meet heavy-duty work conditions or light weight, normal work conditions.

Having said all that, I’ll break things down at make it simpler and easier to match up the gloves to the various conditions. I’ll present them in a step by step manner which should help make it easy to find a High Visibility glove model ideal for your work.

Although some of these points may seem to be very obvious, the options should make a good check list for you so that you don’t overlook a condition or option before purchasing a new pair of Hi-Vis gloves.  

Color – Safety Orange or Lime

According to safety standards, the color does not make any difference and more a matter of personal choice. Both the traditional orange and the newer hi-vis lime colors work identically. The lime color was initially introduced in Europe and the thought was to stand out better than the traditional common orange color. I’m told that people became less alert to seeing the orange color as a potential safety hazard but I believe that when people see hi-vis colors they notice them whatever the color.

I’m sure that there are people out there that may disagree with me but the ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 High Visibility Standard does that make any preference to color other than the intensity and reflective capability is the benchmark. 

Day Time or Night Time

I know for a fact that customers overlook the time of day when they will use hi-vis gloves but this is a primary safety selection issue. For example, many customers fail to realize that some hi-vis gloves will only be effective during day light hours while other hi-vi gloves will work in both day time and night time.

First, it is important to know that Nighttime Hi-Visibility Gloves contain retro-reflective patches or elements within the gloves that will reflect back light beams to the source such as automobile headlights. These patches are easily identified since they are normally a glossy colored material or shiny silver metallic material.

Warm Weather or Cold Weather

This is an obvious issue but, again, often overlooked by customers. Some Hi-Vis gloves are suitable for both types of weather depending on the temperature ranges but this is primarily a comfort issue verses a safety issue. Look for lined or thermal models in cold conditions. We also have some nice breathable mesh back models or knit models for warm weather.

Wet Conditions

Police, Traffic Control, Highway Workers, and Construction personnel frequently find themselves working in rainy weather. Consider using High Visibility Moisture or Waterproof Gloves. They do exist and you will find them a useful in these wet conditions. 

You may notice that the most popular Hi-Vis Leather Gloves are made of Pigskin. There is a very logical reason for this. First, Pigskin is very dense and more durable than Cowhide so they usually last longer. They are not much more durable than Cowhide but enough to make them stronger.

The main reason that the Pigskin High Visibility Gloves are more popular is due to the fact that they are principally used outdoors and in wet conditions. Therefore, since Pigskin remains soft when they dry out after being wet, they are the best option in wet conditions. You should note that as nice as cowhide is, it becomes hard when it dries out after being wet. This will reduce the life, flexibility, and comfort with cowhide models in a wet environment.

We also have a Cryo Hi-Vis glove model which is both liquid proof and withstands freezing conditions. These are popular with aircraft signalers, crossing guards, and commercial fishermen.

Durability – Heavy Weight and Light Weight models.

There is not much that I can say on this topic since it is obvious which model may be more durable than another. All of the Leather Palm models are the obvious choice for rugged conditions. We also have a new Hi-Vis model that is also cut resistant and impact resistant which is a nice glove.

The light weight models are also popular with parking attendants and we have a few nice options there.

Below are seven (7) examples of the High Visibility Gloves that I’ve mentioned. We currently carry 16 different Hi-Vis Glove models so I won’t list them all in this post. However, you can see all of these models at this link:

High Visibility Gloves

Examples:

  • Heavy Duty Model

Shown is our WK-1938 Lined Pigskin Model which also available in Lime Green.

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  • Light Weight Model

Shown is our WK-HVO990K Drivers Gloves

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  • Daytime Model

Shown is our WK-C874FY Maxiflex Coated Gloves

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  • Daytime & Nighttime Model Example

Shown is our WK-1919 Model – Note the Retro-Reflective Strips which can be found on other models.

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  • Warm Weather Model

Shown is our WK-908 Mesh Back Leather Gloves which is also available on Orange.

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  • Cold Weather Model Example

Shown are our WK-41-1400 POWERGRAB Thermal Grip Gloves which are also available in Lime Green.

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  • Water Resistant Model Example

Shown is our WK-1938KWP which are a Lined Waterproof Pigskin Model with a Knit Wrist to keep out cold air.

Please let me know if you have any questions and thank you for subscribing.

The Glove Guru

Joe McGarry

The Best Handbell Gloves

Posted on by The Glove Guru

This is a useful guide for selecting the best Handbell Gloves for Ringers for their individual need and use. These suggestions are based on over 25 years of making and selling gloves for Bell Ringers and Bell Choirs. We even have a special category link on our Home page devoted to Handbell Gloves.

Cotton Gloves verses Nylon Gloves

My first major suggestion is DON’T buy nylon gloves for Handbell Gloves! Always buy and use 100% COTTON gloves.

Cotton gloves for handbell use are better for the following reasons. First, 100% Cotton gloves last much longer than nylon gloves and fit the hand better (snugger) for better dexterity. Additionally, cotton protects the bells better due to its density and softness. Cotton gloves also act as a better barrier from hand oils that will tarnish the bells. Blended cotton gloves are OK but blended cotton gloves tend to be inferior since they are generally blended with weaker fibers to make them less expensive than 100% cotton gloves. Blended gloves are also less durable and the seams tend to break down quicker.

It should be noted that gloves made from 100% cotton are also washable and can be bleached when they become soiled.

Nylon gloves may look good and are more size friendly since they stretch but they are weaker. They also tend to get runs like nylon stockings due to the active stress from the constant hand movements. This includes stress on the stretchy seams which will split quickly. Nylon gloves are also slick and slippery which is undesirable when good grip is essential. By having to grip the bells harder with nylon gloves due to the slippery issue also creates hand fatigue.

Colors: Black & White

Although White Gloves are the most popular, many bell choirs prefer to use Black Gloves. It’s really a matter of choice but it is presumed that the Black Gloves are used since they will not show any soiling over time.

Dotted Palm Glove Models for better grip

Our glove models with the rubber Dotted Palms and Fingers are by far the most popular models with ringers. They offer a much better grip which also provides more dexterity and less hand fatigue. We also have gloves without the dotted palms and fingers for those that prefer a slicker grip.

Handbell Glove Models

We offer 8 different Handbell Glove models. Although this many may seem to be perplexing, we really have 4 models when you consider we offer the same models in either black or white.  

MC-571 – Deluxe Beaded Grip Sure Gloves with Velcro Wrist Closure

These are our most popular Handbell Gloves which come in both Black and White Models. These are the ultimate grip gloves which offer robust gripping and reinforcement elements in high stress areas of the gloves including the thumb crotch. Even the side finger panels (fourchettes) are dotted for extra dexterity.

This model also has a special Velcro Wrist Strap Closure for a more comfortable and snug fit.

This model is very popular among active ringers due to their high dexterity, extra durability, and long glove life.

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MC-550 – White Cotton Beaded Gloves

This is our other very popular Handbell Glove model.

These are the beaded palm and finger version of our most popular white gloves.

I’ve only listed here our two most popular Handbell  gloves but you can use the link below to see all 8 models. It would be too redundant to list all of the gloves in this post. The other models include Black versions and extra-long versions for those that prefer to hide their skin.

See all Handbell Gloves using this link.

Thank you for subscribing to my blog and please let me know if you have any questions.

Joe McGarry

The Glove Guru

Rappelling & Zip Line Gloves

Posted on by The Glove Guru

Photo above courtesy of the Alligator Farm who use the Kinco 97 Gloves.

Rappelling & Zip Line gloves are very similar for their hand safety, gripping, and abrasion resistance properties and functions.

The primary safety goal is to protect your hands from the friction caused by the fast movement of the ropes or zip line cables. Therefore gloves used in rappelling maneuvers and grabbing zip lines must have a high level of abrasion resistance on the palms of each glove. These gloves should also be sized to the user so their dexterity is not hindered.

The only difference is that some rappelling gloves should offer some higher dexterity for handling ropes and tools. This would especially be the case when rappelling out of helicopters. However, in most cases, gloves used in rappelling operations would also be ideal for use in zip line operations.

We currently feature 2 types of Rappelling and Zip Line Glove models which are distinctly different in design and materials. These 2 glove models are described below.

Before I describe the gloves we are featuring, it is important to understand why. First, while I was searching for gloves to sell with the elements needed with these types of gloves, I obviously searched the internet. I found a few potential glove candidates but the problem was that these gloves were not sold or made by known reputable glove manufactures. They were branded gloves sold by companies who cater to the rappel and zip line markets and made by third-party foreign vendors. This is a red flag to me for many reasons.

I’m sure that some of these branded gloves are very good but I am also sure that many are made with more focus on fashion and design than the actual quality. This quality issue is in both the quality of materials used along with how the gloves are actually made. This is most important since these gloves need to last and withstand the high stress and friction that these gloves will endure.

As a footnote to some of the better rappelling and zip line gloves that I reviewed, the ones that looked very good were priced in the $40 to $50 range. That’s a bit extravagant in my personal opinion but that’s what the big brands guys do. The gloves we feature work and look just as good at a fraction of the price.

The gloves we are featuring are made by very reputable and reliable glove companies who design and make their own gloves. Furthermore and a very interesting aspect is that both of these companies are known for and make industrial work gloves such as welding gloves. Obviously, you want to purchase durable, hardworking gloves from companies who actually know how to make strong gloves.   

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Kinco WK-97 Strong Cowhide Fencing Gloves

A Glove that is very popular with Zip Line operations is our Kinco WK-97 Strong Cowhide Fencing Gloves. Don’t let the name fool you since these gloves were originally designed for ranchers constructing and mending fences. Think barbed wire!

Kinco has since changed the name of these driver style leather gloves but I kept the old name alive for posterity reasons. I still think ranchers need to identify with their own type of glove that was originally designed for them.

By word of mouth, Zip Line operators started buying these gloves and they became as popular with zip line customers as well as their popularity with ranchers, landscapers and utility workers. It’s actually not surprising when you consider the basic features of these gloves. These gloves found their way to the zip line market by their own design and function and I take no personal credit or accolades for making them popular with zip line customers.

I’ll mention a few important features with these gloves but you can read more at this link: Kinco 97 Cowhide Gloves

  • They have an additional Suede cowhide patch on the palm which reinforces the high-wear area of the glove. This allows the gloves to withstand abrasions and to extend the longevity of the gloves.
  • Out-seam wrap around index finger for more comfort and less wear on a high wear seam.
  • Ergonomic keystone thumb design offers more flexibility, a fuller range of motion and provides more dexterity and less hand fatigue.
  • Shirred back for a snug fit.

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Caiman MAG 2984 Rappelling and Zip Line Gloves

The MAG stands for multi-activity gloves.

These gloves were specifically designed by the Caiman glove company for rappelling and rope handling.

  • The MAG-2984 Gloves are made with a base of Goatskin leather for a comfortable fit and feel with a large reinforcement layer of tough Pig Skin Grain leather in the high wear areas of the palms and the fingers.
  • The leather palm reinforcement extends over onto the backside of the index finger and the thumb crotch for added durability and longer glove life.
  • Air-mesh back keeps gloves cool.
  • Internal padded palm for extra comfort.
  • Hi-Viz reflective back for maximum visibility. I’m told by the manufacturer that these gloves may come in a black model due to requests from police departments but I think the hi-vis aspect is a very nice feature.
  • Although the base Goatskin is not as durable as cowhide or pigskin, I feel these gloves offer a great balance of higher dexterity and good abrasion resistance for rappelling. For zip line users they meet their needs in many ways.

See this link for additional information: Caiman MAG 2984 Gloves

Link to both models: Rappelling and Zip Line Gloves

Please let me know if you have any questions and thank you for subscribing to my blog.

The Glove Guru – Joe McGarry