PU Coated Gloves vs Nitrile Gloves | What's the Difference?
PU Coated Gloves vs Nitrile Gloves: What's the Difference?
Choosing work gloves can be confusing, particularly when different gloves look as though they could perform similar jobs.
Two options commonly encountered in commercial and industrial workplaces are PU coated gloves and nitrile gloves.
But they're actually quite different.
PU coated gloves are typically reusable general handling gloves, designed to provide grip, dexterity and comfort for tasks such as picking, packing and assembly.
Disposable nitrile gloves are designed to provide a single-use barrier around the hand and are commonly used for cleaning, hygiene, food handling and many other workplace applications.
So, which should you choose?
The answer depends on the job.
What Are PU Coated Gloves?
PU stands for polyurethane.
A typical PU coated work glove combines a knitted fabric liner with a polyurethane coating over the working area of the glove, usually the palm and fingers.
This creates a lightweight reusable glove that can provide a useful combination of:
- Grip
- Dexterity
- Flexibility
- Comfort
- Durability
PU coated gloves are particularly useful when employees need to protect their hands while retaining good finger movement.
The Bastion Messina Nylon PU Coated Glove, for example, uses a 13-gauge nylon liner with a grey polyurethane coating and is designed for general handling and precision tasks.
What Are Nitrile Gloves?
Nitrile gloves are made using synthetic nitrile rubber.
Many of the nitrile gloves used in commercial workplaces are disposable gloves, designed to be worn for a task and then discarded when appropriate.
Depending on the specifications of the particular glove, disposable nitrile gloves are widely used in areas such as:
- Commercial cleaning
- Healthcare
- Food handling
- Hygiene applications
- Automotive work
- Maintenance
- Manufacturing
- General workplace tasks
One of their key differences from a PU coated nylon glove is that a disposable nitrile glove covers the whole hand with a continuous material rather than using a fabric liner with a coating over selected working surfaces.
PU Coated Gloves vs Nitrile Gloves
The easiest way to understand the difference is to look at what you're asking the glove to do.
| PU Coated Gloves | Disposable Nitrile Gloves | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use | General handling | Disposable barrier protection |
| Construction | Fabric liner with PU coating | Synthetic nitrile rubber |
| Reusable | Generally yes | No – designed for single use |
| Dexterity | Excellent for handling tasks | Generally good |
| Breathability | Fabric construction can provide good breathability | Less breathable |
| Picking & packing | Excellent application | Usually unnecessary |
| Assembly work | Excellent application | Depends on task |
| Cleaning | Depends on task | Commonly used |
| Chemical resistance | Do not assume | Depends on the particular nitrile glove and chemical |
| Best choice | Handling, grip and dexterity | Tasks requiring an appropriate disposable barrier |
The important point is that neither glove is universally better than the other.
They're designed to solve different problems.
When Should You Choose PU Coated Gloves?
PU coated gloves make sense when the primary requirements are handling, grip and dexterity.
Imagine an employee spending the day picking products from warehouse shelves and packing orders.
They need to grip cartons and products while still being able to use their fingers easily.
Continuously replacing disposable gloves may offer little benefit for that particular task.
A reusable PU coated glove could be a much more practical option.
Other applications can include:
- Warehouse work
- Picking and packing
- Assembly
- Handling components
- Manufacturing
- Light engineering
- Inspection work
- General maintenance
- Horticulture and orchard work
For these types of jobs, a lightweight glove such as the Bastion Messina Nylon PU Coated Glove can provide a useful combination of comfort, grip and finger movement.
When Should You Choose Disposable Nitrile Gloves?
Disposable nitrile gloves are more appropriate when the task requires an appropriate disposable barrier.
This is one reason nitrile gloves are widely used in commercial cleaning and hygiene-related environments.
They can also be useful where employees need to frequently change gloves between different tasks or work areas.
However, it's important to choose the nitrile glove according to its intended use and specifications rather than assuming that every nitrile glove provides the same protection.
Which Glove Is Better for Warehousing?
For straightforward warehouse picking, packing and general handling, a reusable PU coated glove can often be the more practical option.
Warehouse employees typically need good grip while maintaining enough dexterity to handle cartons, packaging, scanners and smaller products.
A lightweight PU coated nylon glove is designed with precisely this type of handling in mind.
Disposable nitrile gloves may still be required for particular warehouse tasks, but they aren't necessarily the best choice simply because gloves are required.
We'll look at this in more detail in Best Gloves for Warehousing, Picking, Packing & Assembly Work.
Which Glove Is Better for Cleaning?
This requires more care because cleaning can involve exposure to chemicals.
The Bastion Messina is a general handling glove. It should not be selected as a chemical-resistant glove simply because it has a polyurethane coating.
Likewise, you shouldn't assume that any nitrile glove is suitable for every cleaning chemical.
If chemical protection is required, the glove needs to be appropriate for the specific chemical, its concentration and the expected type and duration of exposure.
The relevant Safety Data Sheet and glove manufacturer's chemical-resistance information should be considered when selecting suitable PPE.
We'll explain the PU distinction further in Are PU Coated Gloves Chemical Resistant?
What About Comfort?
Comfort can be particularly important when gloves are worn for long periods.
A lightweight nylon glove can allow air to circulate through the uncoated fabric, making this type of glove well suited to extended general handling work.
The Bastion Messina combines a breathable nylon construction with a snug fit, helping maintain flexibility and dexterity.
Disposable nitrile gloves create a different wearing environment because the nitrile material forms a barrier around the hand.
Again, the better option depends on the job rather than one glove inherently being better than the other.
What About Waste?
There can also be a significant difference in the number of gloves consumed.
A reusable general handling glove can potentially be used repeatedly while it remains in suitable condition for the task.
Disposable nitrile gloves are intended to be discarded after use as appropriate to the application.
For businesses using large quantities of disposable gloves for simple picking, packing or general handling tasks, it may therefore be worth considering whether a reusable handling glove could be more appropriate for some jobs.
This doesn't mean replacing disposable gloves where they're required. It means matching the glove to the task.
Bastion Messina Nylon PU Coated Gloves
For businesses needing a lightweight reusable glove for general handling work, Hygiene Direct supplies Bastion Messina Nylon PU Coated Gloves.
Features include:
- 13-gauge nylon construction
- Grey polyurethane coating
- Lightweight and breathable design
- Snug fit
- Good flexibility and dexterity
- Colour-coded wrist bands
- Sizes Small through XX-Large
They're particularly suited to warehousing, distribution, picking and packing, assembly, manufacturing, light engineering and other general handling applications.
Shop Bastion Messina Nylon PU Coated Gloves
Hygiene Direct also supplies a range of nitrile gloves for applications where a disposable glove is more appropriate.
If you're unsure which glove is suitable for your workplace, contact Hygiene Direct and we can help you select the right option for the job.
Related Articles
- What Are PU Coated Gloves? A Guide to Polyurethane Work Gloves
- How to Choose the Right Gloves for General Handling Work
- Best Gloves for Warehousing, Picking, Packing & Assembly Work
- Are PU Coated Gloves Chemical Resistant?