When choosing a glove, one of the biggest factors is the grip. There’s much to consider – starting with the application. Are you working in an oily, wet, or dry environment? What kind of hazards are present? What kind of equipment will you be handling?
Not having a proper grip on the job can have ramifications on a gloves’ effectiveness and can make or break a worker’s productivity. The more control, dexterity, and durability a grip provides the more benefits it has - including a decrease in hand-related injuries from slipping, dropping, or mishandling equipment.
How do you know which grip is the best for your job? Let’s walk through the options.
Polyurethane: Polyurethane, or PU, is a lightweight, flexible, durable grip coating that features good abrasion and puncture resistance. This coating is incredibly popular and sufficient for a wide range of applications.
Helix® products with a polyurethane grip: 2068, 2070, 2085
Natural rubber latex: Natural rubber latex is flexible, more resistant to abrasion compared to PU and nitrile, but has minimal tackiness. Natural rubber latex features an excellent dry grip.
Helix® products with a natural rubber latex grip: 2081, 2086
Sandy nitrile: Sandy nitrile is, of course, known for its high abrasion resistance. It’s also more elastic and form fitting compared to other nitrile coatings. It’s excellent in oily situations and very good in wet environments.
Helix® products with a sandy nitrile grip: 2096
Foam/sponge nitrile: Gloves with a sponge coating (chemically foamed) are softer and more flexible than flat nitrile and perform well in dry and oily applications.
Helix® products with a foam/sponge nitrile: 1070, 1091, 1092, 2066, 2072, 2080, 2087, 2088
Micro nitrile: Formulated to be thinner than a nitrile foam coating, micro nitrile coatings can have a slightly tacky finish and feature good breathability and flexibility.
Helix® products with a micro nitrile grip: 2072, 2089
Extra Grip (XG) nitrile: Solvent-free and derma safe, the Extra Grip nitrile coating offers excellent dexterity for an exceptional grip in wet or oily situations.
Helix® products with an XG nitrile grip: 1090
Neoprene/nitrile blend: A neoprene nitrile blend coating features abrasion resistance superior to latex. Flame retardant and solvent free – this blend is safe for people with a latex allergy.
Helix® products with neoprene/nitrile blend: 2082
With so many choices for grip options, many workers find their favorite through trial and error. While some grips are superior to others in certain applications, choosing a grip ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Innovations in HexArmor® grip coatings are found within the Helix® 1090 and 2066, which feature similar solvent-free, water-based nitrile coatings that have the best oil grip and durability in their class. These German-engineered coating formulations are manufactured solely for HexArmor® and applied over seamless gloves formed with proprietary ergo-form technology for added comfort.
From the oil rig, to the warehouse, to the lumber mill – HexArmor’s breadth of grip options provides workers with the high flexibility, durability, and breathability needed to stay productive.
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