CABRATS REVIEWS
Work Gloves Reviews
Grip gloves, thermal gloves, cut-resistant gloves and more — rated by the drivers who rely on them every shift.
HOW WE RATE
Review Categories
Every work glove is rated across five key areas that matter most to professional drivers.
Grip
How well they hold ratchet straps, curtain rails, pallet wrap, and ropes. Wet and dry grip performance on different surfaces.
Comfort
How they feel over a full shift. Flexibility, breathability, fit, and whether they cause hand fatigue or sweating.
Warmth
Insulation quality, wind resistance, and performance in cold Irish winters. Essential for night shift and outdoor loading work.
Dexterity
Can you still do paperwork, use a phone, operate straps, and handle small clips? Thin enough for fine tasks without removing them.
Durability
How long they last before the grip wears out or seams split. Cost per week of actual use compared to cheaper alternatives.
TOP RATED
Featured Work Glove Reviews
The most popular work gloves for professional drivers, rated by the people who use them on the job every day.
Top Rated
Mechanix Wear Original
All-Purpose Glove | Synthetic Leather Palm
“The gold standard. Perfect grip, thin enough for straps and curtains.”
16 years driving
Budget Pick
Portwest Thermal Grip Glove A140
Thermal Grip | Latex Palm Coating
“Cheap and warm. Latex palm grip is excellent. Buy a multipack.”
7 years driving
Winter Pick
Wonder Grip Thermo Plus
Winter Glove | Double Latex Coating | -20°C Rated
“Best winter driver gloves. Double latex coating. Warm down to -20°C.”
13 years driving
Showa 306 Breathable Glove
All-Season Glove | Latex Foam Coating
“Great all-rounder. Breathable in summer, decent warmth. Good for all-year use.”
10 years driving
Uvex Phynomic XG
Precision Grip | Aqua-Polymer Coating
“Excellent grip in wet and oily conditions. Thin enough for paperwork.”
9 years driving
Driver Favourite
MaxiFlex Ultimate 42-874
Light Handling | Nitrile Micro-Foam | Touchscreen
“Industry favourite for light handling. Cool in summer. Touchscreen compatible.”
12 years driving
Portwest Cut-Resistant A665
Cut Level F | Nitrile Foam Palm
“Good cut protection for sheet metal/strapping work. Slightly stiff at first.”
14 years driving
Premium Pick
Dirty Rigger Leather Grip
Leather Palm | Heavy Duty | Reinforced
“Premium feel. Leather palm lasts well. Great for crane/chains work.”
18 years driving
RIGHT GLOVE, RIGHT JOB
Best Gloves By Task
Different tasks need different gloves. Here’s what works best for the most common driving jobs.
🛒 Curtainside Work
Pulling curtains, tensioning straps, handling ratchets. You need excellent grip that doesn’t slip on wet nylon, plus abrasion resistance for curtain rails.
Our picks:
- Mechanix Wear Original — best all-round grip and dexterity
- Dirty Rigger Leather Grip — leather palm outlasts synthetic on rough straps
Tip: Avoid smooth rubber palms — they slip on wet curtain rails. Textured grip is essential.
📦 Pallet Handling
Moving pallets, stacking boxes, using pump trucks. Good grip on wood and cardboard, plus enough dexterity to use a scanner or sign paperwork.
Our picks:
- MaxiFlex Ultimate 42-874 — lightweight, breathable, touchscreen compatible
- Showa 306 — great grip on cardboard, breathable for all-day wear
Tip: For multi-drop work, you need gloves thin enough to use a handheld scanner without removing them.
❄ Winter Driving
Cold starts, icy trailer connections, frozen load straps. Warmth is the priority but you still need grip and enough feel to connect airlines and suzie cables.
Our picks:
- Wonder Grip Thermo Plus — warm to -20°C, double latex coating grips in wet and ice
- Portwest Thermal Grip A140 — budget-friendly, buy in bulk for the winter months
Tip: Keep a spare pair in the cab. Wet gloves in winter are worse than no gloves.
⚠ Chemical Handling (ADR)
Handling IBCs, connecting tanker hoses, checking chemical loads. Standard grip gloves are not enough. You need chemical-resistant gloves rated under EN 374.
Our picks:
- Portwest Cut-Resistant A665 — for physical protection when handling drums and strapping
- Specialist EN 374 gloves — your employer must provide gloves rated for the specific chemicals you handle
Important: Check your ADR documentation for specific PPE requirements. See our ADR certification guide for full details.
HEAD TO HEAD
Quick Comparison
How do the top-rated work gloves stack up at a glance?
| Glove | Overall | Grip | Comfort | Warmth | Dexterity | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanix Wear Original | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 3.2 | 4.8 | 4.3 |
| Wonder Grip Thermo Plus | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 3.5 | 4.2 |
| MaxiFlex Ultimate 42-874 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 2.5 | 4.9 | 4.1 |
| Showa 306 Breathable | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 3.3 | 4.4 | 4.2 |
| Portwest Thermal Grip A140 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 3.4 | 3.5 |
| Dirty Rigger Leather Grip | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 3.3 | 3.8 | 4.7 |
| Uvex Phynomic XG | 4.2 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 4.6 | 3.5 |
| Portwest Cut-Resistant A665 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 4.8 |
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