LEATHER
Leather gloves are highly durable, made with tanned hides of various animals and are a popular choice for tasks that require abrasion, heat, and fire resistance. Liners can be sewn into leather gloves to offer protection from additional hazards, and other additives and treatments can also be integrated to enhance glove performance.
Because leather is a natural material, it softens over time to conform to the hand’s shape. This adds to dexterity and comfort. But not all leather grains are created equal. The part of the animal’s body the hide comes from contributes to leather’s overall thickness, feel, dexterity, durability, and comfort. To learn more on the different parts and types of leather materials used for safety gloves, see Glove Shell Materials | Leather.
Note: The only mechanical protection that leather gloves really provide is abrasion resistance. While thicker and more abrasive hides may also offer a degree of cut and puncture protection—it is nominal. This is because leather is just skin, and skin inherently offers almost no cut or puncture resistance. For this reason, some leather gloves are paired with other engineered materials to enhance protection.
