Leather

Our most tradional glove comes in a variety of classic styles and leathers depending on the application. From motorcycle riding to lumber handling to equesterian we are sure to have a style to suit your need.

Combo

A classic working glove for construction, forestry, landscaping, gardening and general purpose. This style is a combination of a leather palm, fingertips, knucklebar and a cotton back. The safety cuff makes removal quick and easy and offers additonal wrist protection.

Technical

A form fitting style offering high tech protection in recreation and work. These styles can have hard plastic knuckle protectors, rubberized pieces added to fingers and knuckles, silicone grips on palms, vibriation absorbing gel pads, spandex or ultra strong micro fibre materials.

Palm Coated

Known for a 'sure-grip' and high dexterity, this popular style is ideal for handling small and intricate parts, gardening, mechanics and construction. Palm coated gloves are manufactured by placing a soft and flexible seamless knit shell on a mold and partially dipping in a variety of polymer finishes.

Welder

Specially made to repel and resist welding sparks. Often lined to protect against heat. Usually full leather with a retan leather gauntlet-type cuff.

Disposable

One time use, this option is economical and has a wide variety of choices to best suit your need.

Unsupported

Ideal for the chemical industry, janitorial, food handling and household use, this style is manufactured by dipping a ceramic mold directly into a polymer of neoprene , nitrile, PVC, rubber, vinyl or a combination. This style is unlined but often has a light flock lining sprayed on the inside for additional comfort.

Supported

Created for the chemical industry this style is manufactured by placing a canvas, jersey or knitted shell onto a mold and dipping into a polymer of neoprene , nitrile, PVC, rubber, vinyl or a combination. This style is also referred to as coated or dipped.

Liner

A knit or cotton jersey glove that can be worn inside a glove for added warmth.

Aluminized

Used mainly on our leather products for additional heat protection. A thin film of aluminum is bonded to the leather giving it a heat reflective quality.

Aramid

A class of heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibers.

Cotton

A soft, breathable, absorbent, lightweight and durable material. Often used as liners and knit shells.

Cowhide

Striking a good balance of durability, dexterity, abrasion resistance, and comfort this leather is most commonly used�it's availabilty also makes it an economical choice.

Deerskin

A prime choice, this highly flexible leather is soft, but strong. It is regarded as the best leather for gloves in industries where dexterity is important.

Dyneema

Dyneema®is a superstrong polyethylene fiber 15 times stronger than quality steel and up to 40% stronger than aramid fibers, both on weight for weight basis.

Elk Hide

A similar softness to deerskin but a heavier leather makes for a tougher glove and provides more heat protection in low heat applications.

Endurosaf®

A specialty product from Ansell, Endurosaf® combines unique characteristics that outperform traditional materials. It is light to the touch, exceptionally resistant to punctures, abrasion and a wide array of chemicals; deterioration from fats & oils. It's soft, easy to clean and comfortable. Endurosaf™ also maintains it's flexibility in cold temperatures.

Foaming

This process is used on coatings such as nitrile and rubber; creating microscopic bubbles that will enhance and improve wet and oily grip.

Full Grain

The outer smooth surface of the hide. Provides a superior wear resistance compared to split leather.

Goatskin

This premium leather is hard wearing, durable and maintains a soft supple feel. The natural lanolin properties produced by goats allows the leather to withstand moisture without stiffening. It is highly recommended for applications requiring tactile sensitivity with light to medium protective needs.

Kevlar

Kevlar® is five times stronger than steel, yet, it is lightweight, flexible and comfortable. It is resistant to chemicals, heat, flames, cuts and breaking. Kevlar® thread is used in many of the Watson glove styles.

Natural Rubber

The most popular material used for protective gloves�combines strength, elasticity and comfort. The slightly tacky texture allows gripping with ease. Natural rubber latex provides excellent protection from aqueous chemicals such as acids but does not hold up well to organic solvents, oils, grease and fuels. Unfortunately for some, latex is known to cause allergic reactions and irritations. Please see our wide range of products for alternative solutions.

Neoprene

This synthetic rubber is a rugged and heavy duty material providing excellent insulation and protection against a punctures and abrasion. Neoprene provides excellent protection against a wide array of chemicals including; many organic solvents, oils, greases and petrochemicals.

Nitrile

The new alternative to latex, due to recent increase in latex allergies. This new generation material is chemically resistant to oils, solvents and bio-hazards; superior in strength with excellent resistance to punctures and tears.

Nylon

Synthetic fiber that is lightweight, exceptionally strong, resilient and abrasion-resistant. Used in many of our string knit shells of the palm coated styles.

Pigskin

The porous texture of this hide offers excellent breathability. Similar to goatskin, pigskin tends to become softer with use and withstands moisture without stiffening.

PLA

Polylactic acid (PLA), a plastic substitute made from fermented plant starch (most often renewable resources such as corn). This product is celebrated for it's ability to biodegrate in industrial composts.

Polyestor

A synthetic fibre often blended with natural cotton fibres, this material can be resistant to natural elements such as wind and water.

Polyethylene

An economical and disposable option with protection for light to medium duty use. It is resistant to chemicals, fats and oils.

Polypropylene

Highly resistant to solvents and chemicals, Polypropylene has outstanding resistance to water and other inorganic environments. Used in a woven format this material is both economical and disposable.

PVC

A common coating for work gloves, known for it good abrasion resistance and is effective against water and most aqueous solutions, detergents and diluted bases. It has limited chemical resistance to organic solvents and may be susceptible to punctures, cuts and snags.

Retan

The process of tanning leather a second time to create a stiff, durable leather.

Split Suede

Suede layer cut from meat side of thicker skins, a consistently durable grade leather.

Urethane

Chemical resistant, lightweight material, provides long wear.

3M Thinsulate™

Designed by 3M, Thinsulate™ is regarded as state of the art technology in insulation. The fibres are fine, making them ideal for trapping insulating air and reflecting back the body's radiant heat. Thinsulate™ insulation provides more warmth with less bulk.

Foam

Polyurethane layer, generally covered by fleece or flock lined with nylon. Provides a good glove lining for warmth

Fleece

A lightweight 100% cotton, combed to provide insulation and excellent dexterity.

Sherpa

Sherpa lining is a nubby, soft pile material that provides a high degree of warmth. The sherpa material is often made from a blend of fibers including acrylic and polyester.

DuPont™ ComforMax™

This unique mulit-layer fiberfill insulation is lightweight but provides excellent warmth in cold conditions. Microfibers are evenly dispersed creating more air pockets that increase insulating performance.

Nap

The fibers of seamless string-knit shells are brushed and create a warm lining.

Flocked

Cotton sprayed to the interior of many unsupported gloves to absorb moisture and additional comfort.

Beaded Cuff

Offers additonal tear resistants and prevents liquid from running inside the glove.

Serrated Cuff

A common cuff style for unsupported gloves.

Straight Cuff

A common cuff style for unsupported gloves.

Safety Cuff

A band of bonded material sewn to a glove as a cuff, sometimes with a slit opening on the side. Safety cuff gloves are designed to be removed quickly if required and offer additional wrist protection.

Knit Wrist

A knit wrist is a stretch-knitted cuff, typically made from cotton, used to protect the wrist and hold the glove in place securely. Keeps out dirt and debris.

Gauntlet

A longer cuff to protect the forearms. Standard length is 5"

Leather Gore

Triangular piece of leather added to gauntlet cuffs to accommodate covering clothing.

Out Seam

Stitching and seams are on the outside surface. A comfortable wear for unlined gloves but not often used on work gloves because of vulnerability of seams to abrasion.

Straight Thumb

A glove thumb that normally lies straight with the index finger.

Wing Thumb

The angled construction allows good flexibility with no seams on the palm side to obstruct work or cause fatigue.

Pulse Protector

Leather reinforcement added to the cuff to the protect the inside wrist area.

Welted Seams

A thin piece of leather sewn into the seam to strengthen it and protect from sparks. Often a welt is used in the seam at the crotch of the thumb and the base of the fingers.

Knuckle Strap

A band of leather across the back of a glove, covering the knuckle area for additional protection.

Shirred Elastic Wrist

An elastic band sewn into the wrist area on the back of a glove to snug the fit.

Palm Patch

An additional piece of leather is stitched to either the inside or outside of the palm for reinforcement. Also referred to as a double palm.

Technical Specifications

A glove is a glove is a glove, right? Wrong! Just take a look below. You'll see a wide range of styles, materials, linings, coatings- the fact is there is a lot to consider when it comes to making great-quality gloves. With almost 100 years of experience, Watson takes the guesswork out of choosing the right glove for the job. And that's good news. Because let's face it, you've got enough to do without adding "glove research" to your list. There's a reason folks trust Watson gloves at work, at home and at play. Why not find out for yourself?

Glove Styles