Certain tasks, such as welding or working with chemicals, require gloves with an extended cuff for added forearm protection, while others call for easy removal in case of an emergency. The length and cut of the cuff directly affects your protection, your dexterity and speed of execution. It is therefore important to adapt your glove selection accordingly.
Short cuff gloves are ideal for wearing under jacket sleeves or with other layers, since they’re smaller and less bulky than other cuff types. If you’re working in an environment with limited space or need to perform tasks that require dexterity, short cuffs may be the way to go. Super comfortable and snug, these types of gloves offer added wrist mobility and general ease of use.
Short-cuff gloves are often made of similar materials as long-cuff gloves and can provide equal hand protection; just keep in mind that they provide less wrist protection and support than longer cuffs and generally don’t offer the same level of warmth.
Long cuff gloves are often used for activities that require wrist and forearm protection, such as welding or dealing with chemicals. Cuffs are usually about 4.5” long and are often designed to fit over jacket sleeves for added warmth and protection from the elements. They restrict your movement more than short cuffs, but are often easier to take on and off since they tend to be less snug and less likely to be fastened.
Like their shorter-cuffed counterparts, long-cuff gloves are designed for diverse purposes and offer varying levels of impact, temperature, and moisture protection.
Often found on leather work gloves, safety cuffs provide added wrist protection over short cuffs but aren’t as long or restrictive as gauntlet cuffs. Safety cuffs are usually about 2.5” long, but may be longer, and are often featured on gloves designed for construction and manufacturing work.
Knit cuffs provide a firm grip around the wrist, holding the gloves in place and keeping dirt and debris from getting in. Found on a variety of glove types, from string knits and cotton to leather or coated gloves, knit wrist cuffs prevent slippage and can often be worn under a jacket sleeve for added warmth and insulation.
With no seam between the glove and the cuff, slip-on style gloves are designed to be super easy to put on and take off. If your work necessitates hand and wrist protection but also requires you to frequently remove your gloves, perhaps to write notes or to perform other secondary tasks, slip-on cuffs are a convenient feature. Lined jersey gloves and leather drivers most commonly use the slip-on cuff style.
Ranch cuffs promote breathability and prevent hands from getting too hot. Great all-around work gloves, they provide ventilation without letting debris get in. In addition to ranch and farm work, ranch-cuff gloves are used in mechanics, forestry, weapons handling, roofing, construction, wood working, aircraft maintenance, and many other industries.
For tasks that involve lots of dirt or debris, it’s important to have gloves that are fitted around your wrist or arm to keep your hands dry and protected. These gloves and their cuff design are ideal for working in outdoor environments where you need extra protection from moisture, wind, dirt, and other debris.