Most “Heavy Duty” Gloves are Not What They Claim To Be

When choosing disposable gloves, many people look for one thing: thickness.

If the box says “heavy duty”, it’s easy to assume it will last longer and perform better. But in real-world use, that’s not always what happens. Gloves labelled as thick or heavy-duty can still tear quickly, split at the fingertips, or fail under pressure.

The truth is, durability isn’t determined by thickness alone. Material formulation, stretch, manufacturing quality and intended use all play a bigger role than the number printed on the box.

Before assuming thicker means stronger, it’s worth understanding what actually makes a glove perform

1. Thickness does NOT equal durability

It’s easy to assume that a thicker glove must be stronger. But thickness alone doesn’t determine how well a glove performs under real working conditions.

A glove’s durability depends heavily on its material formulation and elasticity. A thinner glove made with a high-quality nitrile compound can often outperform a thicker glove made from lower-grade material. Why? Because strength isn’t just about how much material is used — it’s about how that material behaves under stress.

In fact, recognised standards don’t measure durability based on thickness alone. Instead, gloves are tested for:

• Tensile strength – how much force the material can withstand before breaking
  

• Elongation at break – how far the glove can stretch before it tears
  

• Puncture resistance – resistance to sharp objects
  

• Freedom from holes (AQL testing) – water leak tests to detect pinholes

For example:

• EN455 (medical gloves) includes tensile strength and elongation requirements.
  

• EN374 (chemical protective gloves) assesses chemical resistance and penetration performance.

Material formulation matters

Today, nitrile is one of the most commonly used materials for disposable gloves in healthcare, aged care, cleaning and industrial settings. It has largely replaced latex in many environments due to its durability and lower allergy risk. Not all nitrile gloves are made the same, however.

High-quality nitrile compounds are designed to:

• Stretch evenly without thinning excessively
  

• Return to shape under repeated movement
  

• Maintain tensile strength under stress
  

• Resist punctures and tearing during gripping and twisting tasks

2. There’s no universal thickness reporting standard

Another reason thickness can be misleading is that there isn’t a single universal way glove thickness must be reported for marketing purposes.

While recognised standards (such as EN455 for medical gloves or EN374 for chemical protection) test for performance factors like tensile strength and barrier integrity, they do not regulate how brands advertise thickness on packaging.

Thickness varies across the glove

Disposable gloves are not the same thickness (often measured in mils or microns) throughout. Most gloves are:

• Thickest at the fingertips
  

• Slightly thinner across the palm
  

• Thinner again at the cuff

Some brands highlight only the maximum thickness measurement, often taken at the fingertip. But in many real-world tasks, stress is distributed across the palm and between the fingers — not just at the tips.

If the palm area is thinner or less consistent, durability can still be compromised even if the fingertip thickness looks impressive on paper.

Palm vs fingertip thickness

In cleaning, aged care and healthcare tasks, gloves are frequently:

• Stretched during donning
  

• Twisted during gripping
  

• Pressed against surfaces
  

• Exposed to moisture or chemicals

These movements create stress points across the palm and finger joints. If only fingertip thickness is promoted, buyers may assume the entire glove is equally robust — which isn’t always the case.

3. Glove weight can be manipulated

Another common assumption is that heavier gloves must be stronger. But just like thickness, weight can be misleading if it’s looked at in isolation.

Glove weight is sometimes used in marketing comparisons — but weight alone doesn’t automatically reflect durability, elasticity or barrier performance.

Heavier doesn’t always mean tougher

Glove weight can vary depending on:

• The material formulation
  

• The amount of filler used in the compound
  

• The glove size being measured
  

• Moisture content during production

Some manufacturers may compare glove weight without clarifying the size used. For example, an XL glove will naturally weigh more than a medium (M) sized glove — even if they are made from the same material and thickness.

Without consistent size comparison, weight figures can create a false impression of strength.

Fillers can increase weight (without improving performance)

In some cases, lower-cost fillers may be added to increase the perceived thickness or weight of a glove. While this may make the glove feel heavier, it doesn’t necessarily improve:

• Elasticity
  

• Tear resistance
  

• Tensile strength
  

• Puncture resistance

In fact, excessive filler can sometimes reduce stretch and flexibility, making the glove more prone to tearing at stress points.

Standards & certifications matter more for PPE gloves

If thickness and weight can be misleading, what should buyers rely on?

The answer is recognised testing standards and certifications.

Standards exist to measure how gloves perform under controlled conditions — not how they feel in your hand or how they’re marketed on a box. These tests evaluate abrasion, puncture resistance, chemical protection, tensile strength and more.

Key standards for mechanical durability

These standards test resistance to abrasion, blade cut, tear, and puncture.

EN 388:2016+A1:2018 (Mechanical risks)

Adopted in Australia and New Zealand as AS/NZS 2161.3:2020.

EN 388:2016+A1:2018 is one of the most widely recognised global benchmarks for mechanical protection gloves.

It evaluates:

• Abrasion Resistance (1–4)
  Measures how many cycles of sandpaper rubbing are required to wear through the material.
  

• Blade Cut Resistance (Coup Test 1–5 or TDM A–F)
  Assesses how resistant the glove is to being cut by a blade.
  The TDM method (A–F) is used for higher accuracy with high-performance materials.
  

• Tear Resistance (1–4)
   Measures the force required to tear the glove material.
  

• Puncture Resistance (1–4)
  Tests the force needed to pierce the glove with a standard stylus.

This standard is particularly relevant in industrial, maintenance and warehouse settings.

ISO 13997 (TDM Cut Test)

Often used alongside EN 388.

The TDM test measures cut resistance using a straight blade under increasing force, reporting results in Newtons (A–F scale). This is important for materials that blunt the traditional Coup test blade.

ANSI/ISEA 105-2016

ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 is a North American standard that ranks cut resistance (A1–A9), abrasion resistance, puncture resistance and other mechanical risks. Although developed in the US, it is widely referenced internationally to complement EN 388. 

In February 2016, this standard was updated to include the ASTM F2878-10 hypodermic needlestick puncture test, recognising that traditional puncture tests were not adequate for measuring real-world needle hazards.

Before this update, puncture testing under ANSI/ISEA 105 and EN 388 used a blunt probe to measure the force required to pierce a material.

While useful for general puncture risks (e.g. sharp objects, splinters, rough materials), this method did not accurately represent the danger of hypodermic needles.

Needlestick injuries are a recognised risk in:

• Healthcare
  

• Law enforcement
  

• Sanitation
  

• Waste handling
  

• Recycling industries

The updated standard addressed this gap.

General requirements and fitness

EN ISO 21420:2020 (formerly EN 420)

The EN ISO 21420:2020 covers general requirements for protective gloves, including:

• Design and construction
  

• Comfort and fit
  

• Innocuousness (harmlessness to the wearer)
  

• Marking and labelling requirements

This ensures the glove is not only protective but also safe and usable.

Chemical and biological protection standards

For disposable gloves used in healthcare, cleaning, food handling and laboratory environments, chemical and biological protection standards are critical.

EN ISO 374:2016 (Chemicals & micro-organisms)

This standard applies to chemical protective gloves.

It includes:

• Type A, B, or C classification
  Based on breakthrough time (usually 30+ minutes) against a defined list of test chemicals.
  

• Degradation Testing (EN 374-4)
  Measures physical changes (such as swelling or brittleness) after chemical exposure.
  

• Penetration Testing (EN 374-2)
  Tests for holes using water or air leak methods and assigns an AQL (Acceptable Quality Level).

This is highly relevant for cleaning contractors, healthcare workers and laboratory environments.

Thermal and specialised protection

EN 407:2004/2020 (Thermal risks)

The EN407:2004/2020 tests resistance to:

• Flammability
  

• Contact heat
  

• Convective heat
  

• Radiant heat
  

• Molten metal splashes

Relevant in industrial and trade environments.

EN 511:2006 (Cold hazards)

Measures resistance to:

• Convective cold
  

• Contact cold
  

• Water permeability

Important for outdoor or refrigerated environments.

Match gloves to tasks, not thickness

Choosing gloves based on “heavy duty” or thickness alone can lead to the wrong protection — and unnecessary cost.

The smarter approach? Match the glove to the actual task and risk.

For general cleaning and hospitality

What matters:

• Chemical resistance to common cleaners
  

• Good grip (especially when wet)
  

• Comfort for longer wear

For healthcare and aged care

What matters:

• AQL rating (freedom from pinholes)
  

• Medical-grade compliance
  

• Comfort and tactile sensitivity

For food handling

What matters:

• Food-contact compliance
  

• Low chemical residue
  

• Dexterity for prep work

For industrial or mechanical work

What matters:

• Cut resistance (EN 388 / ANSI ratings)
  

• Abrasion resistance
  

• Puncture resistance

For waste handling or recycling

What matters:

• Puncture resistance
  

• Tear strength
  

• Proper sizing to prevent overstretching

So, instead of asking:

“How thick is this glove?”

Ask:

• What am I protecting against?
  

• Is there a relevant certification?
  

• Is the material suited to this task?
  

• Does the size fit correctly?

At the end of the day, glove selection isn’t about labels. It’s about understanding risk, performance testing, and real-world use. And certifications like EN, ISO, ASTM or ANSI often tell you far more about performance than a mil number ever will.

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