Protective Gloves Buyers Guide
Z-Force™ Protective Glove Buyer’s Guide
Choose the right glove for safety, comfort, and performance — with sustainable materials built in.
All Z-Force™ gloves are tested for abrasion, puncture, and cut resistance to ANSI/ISEA 105 standards.
How to Use This Guide
Use this guide to match your tasks and work environment to the right Z-Force™ glove:
- Identify the hazard type (general handling vs. cut risk).
- Review dexterity requirements (gauge & flexibility).
- Choose the ANSI cut level you need (A1–A6).
- Match the coating to your environment (dry vs. oily).
Step 1: Identify the Hazard Type
Start by deciding whether your workers mainly need protection for general handling or from cut hazards:
- General handling: Light to moderate tasks with minimal sharp edges, such as assembly, packaging, warehousing, and maintenance. Choose A1 gloves like 10-101, 10-102, 10-103F/S, 10-104, or 10-201.
- Cut risk: Regular contact with sharp metal, glass, or blades requires cut-resistant gloves (A2–A6), such as 11-102, 11-103, 11-104, 11-106, 11-204, 11-206, and the 12-104 sleeve.
Step 2: Review Dexterity Requirements (Gauge & Flexibility)
Glove gauge refers to the thickness of the knit liner. Higher gauge numbers mean a thinner, more flexible glove:
- 13–15 gauge: Balanced durability and comfort for general-purpose tasks. (Example: 10-101 13-gauge, 10-104 15-gauge CoolTech.)
- 18 gauge: Very thin and flexible for high dexterity, fine assembly, and small parts. (Examples: 10-102, 10-201, and Z-Force™ cut-resistant gloves like 11-102–11-106 and 11-204 / 11-206.)
Choose a higher gauge (thinner) when precision and feel are critical, and a lower gauge (thicker) when durability and ruggedness matter more.
Step 3: Choose the ANSI Cut Level
ANSI/ISEA 105 cut levels range from A1 (light cut hazards) to A9 (extreme hazards). Z-Force™ gloves in this catalog cover A1–A6. Pick the cut level that matches how often and how severely workers contact sharp edges.
A1: Light cut hazards. Ideal for general handling, packaging, and assembly with minimal sharp edges.
Gloves: 10-101, 10-102, 10-103F/S, 10-104, 10-201
A2–A3: Moderate exposure to sharp parts, light sheet metal, and fabrication tasks.
Gloves: 11-102 (A2), 11-103 (A3)
A4–A6: Frequent or severe cut hazards, heavy metal handling, and scrap or blade work.
Gloves & Sleeve: 11-104, 11-204, 12-104 (A4) and 11-106, 11-206 (A6)
Step 4: Match the Coating to Your Environment
Once you know your hazard and cut level, choose a palm coating that fits how and where your team works. The right coating improves grip, comfort, and durability.
PU Polyurethane (PU)
Smooth, lightweight coating for dry or slightly oily environments where high dexterity is important.
Best for:
- Assembly & general manufacturing
- Electronics & precision work
- Inspection & packaging
Examples: 10-101, 10-102
PPU Water-Based, Bio-Based PPU
Eco-smart, water-based polyurethane with foam or sandy textures for dry / light oil grip and higher abrasion performance.
Best for:
- Manufacturing & logistics
- Metal & glass handling (cut models)
- Hot or high-activity facilities (CoolTech)
Examples: 10-103F/S, 10-104, 11-102, 11-103, 11-104, 11-106
NTR Nitrile Blend
Durable, oil-resistant coating designed for oily, greasy, or dirty environments where grip and protection are critical.
Best for:
- Automotive & machining
- Oil & gas maintenance
- Sharp metal in oily environments
Examples: 10-201, 11-204, 11-206
Safety Meets Sustainability
Z-Force™ gloves incorporate bio-based materials, eco-smart coatings, and reduced packaging waste to support your sustainability goals without sacrificing performance.
Which Z-Force™ Glove Should I Choose?
Tap a task below to see recommended Z-Force™ glove families.
Z-Force™ Hazard & Coating Icons
Use these icons to quickly understand the primary hazards and coatings for each glove:
Hazard Icons
Coating Icons
General Purpose Gloves (ANSI A1)
These gloves are ideal for light to moderate tasks where dexterity, comfort, and abrasion resistance are key. All are touchscreen compatible.
10-101
13-Gauge Bio-Based PU Coated Gloves
ANSI Cut: A1
Smooth bio-based PU palm with breathable nylon liner for everyday general-purpose tasks.
Industry uses:
- General manufacturing & assembly
- Warehousing & distribution
- Packaging lines
- Facility maintenance
10-102
18-Gauge Bio-Based PU Coated Gloves
ANSI Cut: A1
Thinner 18-gauge liner for maximum dexterity, ideal for detailed and precision work.
Industry uses:
- Electronics & small parts assembly
- Precision manufacturing
- Inspection & quality control
10-103F / 10-103S
Bio-Based PPU Coated Gloves – Foam & Sandy Grip
ANSI Cut: A1
Water-based PPU palm with foam grip (10-103F) for dry/light oil and sandy grip (10-103S) for better traction in wet or oily conditions.
Industry uses:
- Automotive parts handling
- General construction support tasks
- Manufacturing & packaging lines
- Material handling & loading
10-104
Bio-Based PPU Coated CoolTech Gloves
ANSI Cut: A1
15-gauge nylon/spandex liner with CoolTech fibers that pull heat and moisture away from the skin for all-day comfort.
Industry uses:
- High-activity manufacturing
- Distribution & fulfillment centers
- Facilities with warm or humid environments
10-201
Bio-Based Nitrile Blend Coated Gloves (GY / GN)
ANSI Cut: A1
Ultra-thin nitrile blend palm for outstanding grip in oily and greasy environments, with high abrasion and puncture resistance.
Industry uses:
- Automotive & machining
- Oil & gas maintenance
- Industrial MRO operations
Cut-Resistant Gloves & Sleeves (ANSI A2–A6)
When working with sharp metal, glass, or blades, upgrade to Z-Force™ cut-resistant gloves and sleeves for added protection.
11-102
A2 Cut Resistant PPU Coated Gloves
ANSI Cut: A2
Lightweight A2 protection with water-based PPU coating; ideal when cut risks are present but not extreme.
Industry uses:
- HVAC installation
- Light sheet metal work
- Assembly & maintenance with occasional sharp edges
11-103
A3 Cut Resistant PPU Coated Gloves
ANSI Cut: A3
Elevated cut protection with flexible, tactile liner for frequent handling of sharp parts and edges.
Industry uses:
- Metal fabrication & stamping
- Glass handling & installation
- Recycling & sorting operations
12-104
Orange A4 Cut Resistant Sleeve (18" with Thumbhole)
ANSI Cut: A4
High-visibility sleeve provides extended forearm coverage and pairs with any cut-resistant glove.
Industry uses:
- Glass factories
- Automotive stamping
- Scrap & recycling facilities
11-104 / 11-204
A4 Cut Resistant PPU & Nitrile Blend Gloves
ANSI Cut: A4
A4 cut level with a choice of PPU (dry/light oil) or nitrile blend (oily conditions) coating.
Industry uses:
- Sheet metal & stamping
- Glass installation & glazing
- Recycling & waste sorting
11-106 / 11-206
A6 Cut Resistant PPU & Nitrile Blend Gloves
ANSI Cut: A6
Highest cut protection in the Z-Force™ line with robust abrasion and puncture resistance for extreme cut hazards.
Industry uses:
- Heavy metal fabrication
- Blade handling & knife work
- Scrap metal processing
- High-hazard industrial maintenance
Final Selection Checklist
- Match the hazard type (general handling vs. cut risk).
- Review dexterity needs (gauge & flexibility).
- Choose the ANSI cut level (A1–A6) based on your materials.
- Match the coating to your environment (PU/PPU for dry or slightly oily; nitrile blend for oily).
- Add sleeves where forearm protection is needed.