One useful item for any shop is protective gloves. These come in handy for common tasks such as painting, cleaning, or when handling messy or hazardous materials and liquids.
Typical gloves comes in 3 main types – Vinyl, Latex, and Nitrile, each with their own pros and cons which depend on the intended use and budget.
Vinyl
- Synthetic material
- Cheapest option
- Good overall general purpose glove for basic protection for non-hazardous materials
- Do not fit as well as latex, looser fitting
- Not as durable as latex and nitrile
- Anti static
- Allergy free
Latex
- Natural plant based rubber
- Typically best fitting and best touch sensitivity
- Some people can be allergic
- Biodegradable
- Best option if allergies are a non issue
Nitrile
- Synthetic material but with rubber like properties
- Similar fit and durability as latex
- Most puncture resistant
- Best protection from chemical/petroleum-based products
- Allergy free – great latex alternative if allergies are an issue
- More expensive than latex
