Contrary to popular belief, gloves are not all the same size. Although most gloves seem to fit well on average-sized hands, there is a big difference between a glove that fits “good enough” and a glove that fits perfectly.
With that in mind, how can you tell if you’re using the right nitrile glove sizing?
Nitrile gloves are designed to protect your hands from chemical, biological, and physical hazards. However, the level of protection that they can provide depends on how well your gloves fit.
So, in this article, we will talk about how to size your gloves correctly; the importance of using the perfect nitrile glove sizing, and you can tell if you’re using the right size gloves.
First, let’s get this question out of the way:
Are All Nitrile Gloves The Same Size?
No, not all nitrile gloves are the same size. Usually, nitrile gloves are available from sizes extra small (XS) to extra large (XL). However, some brands offer nitrile gloves that go up to double XL size. More than that, some brands offer different sizes for men and women, with men’s gloves being larger than women’s.
Why Does Nitrile Glove Sizing Matter So Much?
Even with the best nitrile gloves, you need the proper size to remain efficient in your work while staying safe. As a rule of thumb (pun intended), your nitrile gloves need to fit snugly on your hand. Having extra space in your glove can compromise your dexterity, tactile sensitivity, and most importantly–your grip.
On the other hand, wearing gloves that fit too tightly can cause them to tear and break due to excessive strain (and perhaps the sharpness of your fingernails, as well). If this happens while you’re working with dangerous substances, this could lead to accidental exposure. Furthermore, wearing tight-fitting gloves can make you more susceptible to punctures and abrasions since the rubber is already straining too hard against your skin. If your gloved hand makes contact with, for example, a needle, the rubber can give way more easily.
If you are a dentist, for example, having loose-fitting gloves might increase your risk of losing your grip on a tool while working on a patient. If your gloves are too tight, on the other hand, your gloves might break and introduce contaminants from your hand to the patient’s mouth.
The risks might vary for different industries, but they pose dangers nonetheless. In the food service industry, wearing ill-fitting gloves can increase the risk of contamination, which can lead to food poisoning. In the auto industry, wearing gloves that are either too tight or too loose can lead to chemical exposure, abrasions, tears, and punctures, since auto mechanics work with a lot of fluids, tools, and machinery. If there is a tear, the chemical resistance of nitrile gloves goes out the window.
You get the point - proper sizing is important! Allow us to explain how to get that perfect size for your unique hands.
Nitrile Glove Sizing: How To Size Your Gloves Correctly
Getting the correct nitrile glove sizing is not something you want to take lightly. Luckily, determining the perfect glove size is easy.
Glove sizes are usually based on the width of your hand. So, to determine your glove size, all you have to do is measure around your hand at the widest part (the knuckle area) with a tape measure, excluding your thumb. Remember to take measurements from your dominant hand.
Here is the proper sizing based on the width of your hand.
For Men:
- XS - 6.5 to 7.5 inches
- S - 7.5 to 8.5 inches
- M - 8.5 to 9.5 inches
- L - 9.5 to 10.5 inches
- XL - 10.5 to 11.5 inches
- XXL - 11.5 to 12.5 inches
For Women:
- XS - 6 to 6.5 inches
- S - 6.5 to 7 inches
- M - 7 to 7.5 inches
- L - 7.5 to 8 inches
- XL - 8 to 8.5 inches
To get a more accurate measurement, we also recommend measuring the length from the tip of your middle finger to the base of your hand (at the crease of your wrist). Here is the appropriate sizing for every size range:
- XS - 6 5/16 inches
- S - 6 ¾ inches
- M - 7 3/16 inches
- L - 7 9/16 inches
- XL - 8 1/16 inches
- XXL - 8 7/16+ inches
Do take note that these size charts are based on US sizing. If you are sourcing your gloves from a different country, check what type of sizing they are following to see if you’re eyeing the right size.
Another important thing to note is that the length and width may not result in the perfect match for everybody. If you’re getting different sizes based on the width and length of your hand, choose the size that fits the latter. In this way, your gloves don’t have excess space in the fingers, which minimizes the risk of the glove getting caught in machinery or tools.
If your hand is more muscular than the average person’s hand, resist the urge to size up. Instead, choose a nitrile glove that can stretch to accommodate the size of your hand. Doing so will prevent any extra spaces in your fingers that can compromise your safety and reduce your tactile sensitivity.
How To Tell If Your Gloves Are Sized Properly
The easiest way to tell if your gloves are sized properly is to measure the length and width of your hand, as we’ve highlighted above. Measure the width of your hand first, then measure the length. Does the width and length of your hand translate to the same glove size? If not, choose the size of glove that fits the length of your hand.
If your gloves are too long, there is going to be extra space in the gloves’ fingers. In contrast, a glove that is too wide will have too much space in the palm area. This can lead to reduced tactile sensation, which can prove to be dangerous in particularly hazardous work environments. At the very least, it can make your job harder to perform.
Another method is by trying on the gloves. Gloves that are too tight will be difficult to put on, and the movement of your fingers will be restricted. This is a clear sign that you should move a size up. On the other hand, a glove that is too easy to put on is probably too big; gloves that fit just right should be relatively easy to wear, but not so much that you can slip into them without effort.
Another way to tell if your gloves fit properly is by stretching your fingers out. Is there too much strain on the rubber on your palm area? Are your fingernails pressed too much against the rubber? If so, then you may be using a glove that is a size too small. But if your gloves are visibly loose in the palm area, then your gloves are too big.
Final Thoughts On Nitrile Glove Sizing
As you can see, it’s easy to tell if you’re wearing the right size nitrile gloves. All you need to do is measure either the width or length of your hand (or both), then find the recommended size from the appropriate size chart. In general, your glove should fit snugly, but with enough wiggle room to move your hands comfortably and feel what you’re touching to a certain degree (tactile sensitivity).
Finding the perfect size of nitrile gloves is crucial to not only your own safety but the safety of your clients and customers as well. With that being said, find the best quality nitrile gloves that fit perfectly on your hand.
Ready to get the right gloves for a wide variety of industries? Buy nitrile gloves online at Primo Dental Products. We are the leading PPE shop online for not just dentists, but mechanics, doctors, and more. Aside from high-quality nitrile gloves, we can also supply your business with face masks, hand sanitizer, and sterilization pouches, among many, many others.