Sizing and Fit

Having gloves that fit is essential to comfort and, in many cases, safety. Poorly fitted gloves restrict motion and can cause muscle cramps, aches and blisters.

You'll find that gloves with seams across the palm are often more comfortable, while gloves with seams across the back may provide more of an exact fit. Inside seams last longer, but may rub or chafe your skin. Outside seams are more comfortable, but tend to wear out more quickly.

Measure your hand for gardening gloves with a tape measure around your knuckles. Lay your hand flat on a surface and wrap the measuring tape around your four knuckles, not your thumb. 

The measurements for glove sizes are:

• Small: 6 1/2 to 7 1/4 inches
• Medium: 7 1/2 to 7 3/4 inches
• Large: 8 to 8 3/4 inches
• X-Large: 9 to 9 3/4 inches
• XX-Large: 10 to 10 3/4 inches
• XXX-Large: 11 to 11 3/4 inches

If your hand measures in between sizes, try sizing up. Gardening gloves fit looser than other types of gloves. 

• Aluminized gloves protect against intense heat and are recommended for welding and furnace work.
• Canvas gloves prevent blisters when working with long-handled tools. Use canvas gloves for yard work, concrete and roofing applications, and HVAC work.
• Cotton/jersey/fabric gloves allow skin to breathe and offer an improved grip, as well as protection from heat and cold. Look for a cotton/polyester mix for greater durability. Use these gloves for painting, installing insulation, light-duty yard work and gardening.
• Full leather gloves are tough and durable and protect against abrasions. These gloves offer some cut and puncture protection. They protect against sparks. Use with an insulated liner when working non electrical applications. Choose this type of glove for construction, electrical, heavy-duty yard work, landscaping and woodworking.
• Latex gloves are often disposable. They offer excellent dexterity and protect against mild irritants. The powdered type may irritate skin. Choose latex gloves for painting, handling some chemicals and food processing.
• Leather palm gloves protect against abrasions and provide good flexibility. Choose these gloves for handling lumber, construction work, using power tools, carpentry and yard work.
• Metal mesh gloves protect against cuts and abrasions. Choose these gloves for cutting and working with sharp tools. 
• Rubber/PVC/neoprene gloves offer excellent dexterity and are oil resistant. Use when applying pesticides, working with chemicals and gardening.
• Nitrile gloves are disposable, single-use gloves that protect against pathogens. They are latex free. Nitrile gloves are used in the medical industry and in food processing.
• Vinyl gloves are inexpensive and loose-fitting type gloves. They are disposable and latex free. Vinyl gloves are used in food processing, also for painting and cleaning.