Top 10 Best Mechanic's Gloves
There are several good reasons why you often see car mechanics wearing gloves while working on a car. For starters, cars are extremely dirty being on the road all day long. Mechanic’s gloves are designed to keep your hands clean, but also to protect them from cuts and bruises, especially since most cars are packed with sharp edges. In addition, gloves provide a better grip of your tools and can keep your hands warm if you’re working in the cold.
A quality pair of mechanic’s gloves has to go beyond fitting comfortably. You’ll want gloves that are constructed with tough materials, so they don’t tear or cut easily. And nowadays, you may even want a pair of gloves that is compatible with touchscreen devices, so you don’t have to take off your gloves to use your phone.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 10 best mechanic’s gloves, with recommendations for different situations. Those who just do a routine oil change in their garage may just want affordable disposable gloves, while others may want a pair that lasts for years. We’ve got you covered no matter what your situation is.
For more information on the top 10 best mechanic’s gloves, refer to our table of contents.
Table of contents
- 1. Editor's Pick: CLC Custom Leathercraft Gloves
- 2. Best Disposable Mechanic's Gloves: Ammex Gloveworks HD Nitrile Gloves
- 3. Mechanix Wear Original Work Gloves
- 4. Venom Steel Nitrile Gloves
- 5. Ironclad General Utility Work Gloves
- 6. RevHeads Mechanic Gloves
- 7. Gorilla Grip Slip Resistant Work Gloves
- 8. John Tillman and Co. TrueFit Mechanic's Gloves
- 9. Superior Glove Clutch Gear Mechanic's Gloves
- 10. Grease Monkey Nitrile Coated Work Gloves
- What are Mechanic's Gloves?
- How Do I Choose the Right Pair of Mechanic's Gloves?
1. Editor's Pick: CLC Custom Leathercraft Gloves
There is a plethora of mechanic's gloves or work gloves available in today's market, but if we had to choose one as a recommendation, it would be these from Custom Leathercraft. These gloves offer a fine balance of quality and price.
Available in small, medium, large, X-large, and XX-large sizes, these gloves feature a wing closing strap (1-1/2" woven elastic cuff with hook and loop close) to prevent them from slipping off when working on your car. They also boast cold weather insulation and reinforced finger tips, 3 of which can be used on touchscreen devices.
Custom Leathercraft's Handyman Flex Grip Gloves are constructed with stretchable spandex and lycra side panels for improve dexterity, meaning your hands remain flexible so you can work on your car without any discomfort. Concealed inner stitching helps prevent the gloves from getting snagged while you're wrenching away.
Product features:
- Available in various sizes (small to XX-large)
- Wing closing strap
- Cold weather insulation
- Reinforced finger tips (touchscreen friendly)
- Stretchable spandex and Lycra side panels
- Concealed inner stitching
- Attractive price
2. Best Disposable Mechanic's Gloves: Ammex Gloveworks HD Nitrile Gloves
We understand that not everyone needs a specific pair of gloves when working on their car. There are plenty of car owners out there that would prefer buying a box of disposable gloves, which can come in handy for other uses around the house. If you're one of those car owners, Ammex's Gloveworks HD Nitrile Gloves are made for you. Available in sizes small, medium, large, X-large, and XX-large, you can purchase these gloves in a box of 100 or even a case of 1,000.
These disposable gloves are constructed from heavy duty 8-mil thick nitrile and feature a raised diamond fully textured grip. These industrial-grade nitrile gloves provide excellent elasticity and are resistant to punctures and chemicals. These are latex-free gloves, making them ideal for those who are allergic to natural rubber latex.
Product features:
- Available in sizes ranging from small to XX-large
- Purchasable in quantities of 100 or 1000
- 8-mil industrial grade nitrile
- Latex and powder free
- Raised diamond texture
- Chlorinated
- Non-sterile
- Disposable gloves designed for single use
3. Mechanix Wear Original Work Gloves
One of the most popular brands when it comes to mechanic's gloves is Mechanix Wear. In fact, if you search for Mechanix on Amazon, you'll see a wide assortment of offerings. If you're not in the mood to browse through dozens of Mechanix gloves to figure out which one to get, go with the Original Work Gloves. These gloves are available in a wider assortment of sizes, ranging from XXX-small to XXX-large.
Mechanix's Original Work Gloves are manufactured from synthetic leather and feature thermal plastic rubber hook and loop cuffs, making them easy to get on and off. Breathable TrekDry technology conforms to the back of your hands, helping keep them cool and comfortable while you're working on your car. With 0.8mm synthetic leather, these gloves provide great dexterity while maintaining durability.
These gloves are also touchscreen friendly, while a second layer of materials can be found reinforcing the index and thumb fingers, which are most often used.
Product features:
- Wide assortment of sizes from XXX-small to XXX-large
- Manufactured from synthetic leather
- Thermal plastic rubber hook and loop cuffs
- TrekDry technology keeps hands cool and comfortable
- Touchscreen friendly
4. Venom Steel Nitrile Gloves
Another option for disposable nitrile gloves comes from Venom Steel. Unlike the bright orange finish of Ammex's gloves, Venom Steel opts for black on its gloves that are 6-mil thick. With 2 layers of protection, these gloves are resistant to rips, tears, punctures, and chemicals, leaving your hands nice and protected. These nitrile gloves are latex and powder free, along with being fully textured for better grip.
Venom Steel's nitrile gloves are available in medium, large, X-large, XX-large, and a "one size fits most" in quantities of 50, 90, 100, and 500.
Product features:
- Available in medium to XX-large sizes and "one size fits most"
- Black 6-mil nitrile gloves
- 2 layers of protection
- Resistant to rips, tears, punctures, and chemicals
- Latex and powder free
- Fully textured for better grip
5. Ironclad General Utility Work Gloves
Available in X-small to XX-large are Ironclad's General Utility Work Gloves. These all-purpose gloves are machine washable and feature thermoplastic rubber knuckle protection. An adjustable hook and loop closure on each glove keeps it nice and secure, while a terry cloth sweat wipe is conveniently located on the back of the thumb to wipe away sweat with ease. Fortunately, these gloves are machine washable and air drying is recommended to keep their size consistent. Synthetic leather reinforcements balances dexterity and durability.
According to Ironclad, all of its gloves are designed with an industry-leading flawless fit system that defines up to 16 application driven measurements to provide the best fit.
Product features:
- Available sizes range from X-small to XX-large
- Thermoplastic rubber knuckle protection
- Adjustable hook and loop closure
- Convenient terry cloth sweat wipe located on the back of the thumb
- Designed with an industry-leading flawless fit system
6. RevHeads Mechanic Gloves
These mechanic gloves from RevHeads are only available in medium, large, and X-large, but the company says that the large size will fit most men. One of the most affordable pairs of mechanic's gloves on our list, these feature breathable lycra fiber mesh to keep your hands cool while you work. Padded knuckles made of real leather help protect your hands while you work, while a custom wrist strap makes for a secure fit. While not heavily insulated, these gloves will do a good enough job to keep your hands nice and warm if you're working out in the cold.
These gloves are ideal if you only work on your car from time to time and don't want to invest a lot of money into an expensive pair of gloves. Their quality won't hold up to other options on our list, but that's expected considering how affordable they are.
Product features:
- Available in medium, large, and X-large
- Extremely affordable
- Breathable lycra fiber mesh
- Padded leather knuckles
- Custom wrist strap
7. Gorilla Grip Slip Resistant Work Gloves
Gorilla Grip's all purpose work gloves is a compromise between disposable nitrile gloves and regular, more expensive mechanic's gloves. You can get a 5-pack of these at an affordable price, featuring the company's "never slip" technology that uses a polymer palm to push grease and fluids away from the center of the glove. This helps enhance grip and prevent slipping while you're wrenching away under the hood.
Although you can hand wash these so you can re-use them, they are really meant to be disposable. Still, you can probably get a few good uses out of them before they start fraying and have to be tossed out. Ideal for those who want to maintain dexterity while working.
Product features:
- Affordable, reusable mechanic's gloves that eventually need to be disposed
- "Never slip" technology enhances grip
- Polymer palm
- Can be hand washed
8. John Tillman and Co. TrueFit Mechanic's Gloves
Another popular brand you may have seen at repair shops is John Tillman and Co.'s TrueFit gloves. Available in small, medium, large, and X-large, these gloves feature top grain goatskin and spandex construction with an elastic cuff. Additional palm padding, side bolsters on the back of the glove, and double reinforced fingertips make these gloves a popular choice among mechanics. A breathable finger design helps wick away moisture.
These gloves are also popular with welders, so if you're having to do some metal fabrication from time to time, go with these gloves.
Product features:
- Available in small, medium, large, and X-large
- Top grain goatskin and spandex construction
- Elastic cuff
- Additional palm padding
- Side bolsters on back of the glove
- Double reinforced fingertips
- Breathable finger design
- Popular with welders
9. Superior Glove Clutch Gear Mechanic's Gloves
From Superior Glove are these goatskin leather mechanic work gloves, offering a form-fitting design while maintaining great dexterity. Split leather patches add strength and durability to these gloves, along with excellent resistance to abrasion. The stretch-nylon backs are cushioned for greater resistance to impact, helping contribute to longer lifespan. Securing these gloves to your hands are wide-band elastic cuffs with adjustable velcro closures.
These gloves are available in sizes small, medium, large, and X-large.
Product features:
- Available in small to X-large sizes
- Goatskin leather construction
- Form-fitting design
- Split leather patches
- Excellent resistance to abrasion
- Stretch-nylon backs
- Wide-band elastic cuffs
- Adjustable velcro closures
10. Grease Monkey Nitrile Coated Work Gloves
Here is another option for gloves that are similar to Gorilla Slip's product found earlier on our list. Available in a 12-pack or 15-pack, these are affordable nitrile-coated gloves that are latex free. They're only offered in a one size fits most, so keep that in mind if you have really small or large hands. The nitrile-dipped palm and fingers provide improved grip, while the knit backing on the gloves allows them to breathe and helps prevent debris from entering the wrist area.
These stretchable, latex-free gloves are a great option for those who only work on their car from time to time and want something more heavy duty than disposable nitrile gloves.
Product features:
- Available in 12-pack or 15-pack
- One size fits most
- Nitrile-coated gloves
- Latex free
- Knit backing
What are Mechanic's Gloves?
Working on a car isn't the same as doing yard work or building a fence. Most vehicles are full of dirt, grime, grease, and all sorts of other contaminants that are picked up from daily use. That means you need specialty work gloves that are more heavy duty than your standard glove, and that's where mechanic's gloves come in.
Mechanic's gloves are typically manufactured from heavy duty materials, to resist cuts and abrasions, while designed to offer flexibility and dexterity so you can freely work on your car. Quality gloves will provide better grip of your tools and ensure your hands are safe from sharp edges on your car or even accidental knuckle bruising.
But we understand that not everyone needs a pair of heavy duty gloves, especially if your definition of car maintenance is changing your brake pads or oil. In that case, we do provide some disposable nitrile glove recommendations that will do the job at an affordable price.
How Do I Choose the Right Pair of Mechanic's Gloves?
Choosing the right mechanic's gloves largely comes down to the work you're doing on your vehicle. If you're just doing routine maintenance such as changing your oil or rotating the tires, then disposable nitrile gloves will do the job just fine. They're affordable, keep your hands clean, and once you're done, you can just toss them out. Now if you're regularly working on your car or digging under the hood, you'll want to invest into a more expensive set of gloves that are built to last.
When choosing the right mechanic's gloves, you'll want a pair made of quality materials that allow your hand to breathe. Fitment and comfort is also an important factor, although that may require you to try on the gloves. Make sure you're getting a pair of gloves that are offered in a size that fits your hands comfortably—you don't want gloves that are too small or too large.
Think of convenience as well. If you know you'll often have to take the gloves on and off while working on a car, you may want a pair that makes that task quicker. Or maybe you need a pair of gloves that are touchscreen friendly so you can access your phone while working on the car. While not as important, these factors can play a role in choosing the right mechanic's gloves.
Are nitrile gloves better than fabric?
This depends on what you need to be doing. For touch sensitivity, nitrile can’t be beaten. However, they do rip fairly easily after prolonged use, and there’s no way to get around the sweaty, rubbery palms you’ll end up with. In other words, use the right tool for the right job—fabric for durability and protection, nitrile for a lighter touch.
Are mechanic gloves water resistant?
Some can be, but they’re almost always advertised as such. If you need protection from wet stuff, we’d recommend just using nitrile gloves—they’re naturally waterproof.
Recent updates:
November 15, 2023: Added additional FAQs. Our recommendations remain the same.
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Photo credit: Sergey Hramov / Shutterstock.com
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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