Impact Gloves vs. Cut Resistant Gloves: What's the Difference?

When choosing the right protective gloves for industrial or manual work, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the technical specifications and safety standards. Among the most commonly confused glove types are impact gloves and cut resistant gloves. While they may look similar on the surface, they serve very different purposes.

In this article, we'll break down the difference between cut level and impact rating, explain how each glove type works, and help you choose the best option for your work environment based on the EN388 glove standard.

What Are Impact Gloves?

Impact gloves are designed to protect the back of the hand and fingers from blunt force trauma. They are most commonly used in industries where workers are exposed to dropped tools, pinch points, or heavy machinery.

These gloves typically feature TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) padding molded across the knuckles and fingers. This padding absorbs and disperses energy upon impact, reducing the risk of bruises, fractures, or crush injuries.

Industries that use impact gloves:

• Oil and gas

• Construction

• Mining

• Heavy equipment operation

What Are Cut Resistant Gloves?

Cut resistant gloves, on the other hand, are designed to protect the palms and fingers from sharp objects such as blades, glass, metal edges, or wires. They are made with high-performance materials like HPPE, Kevlar, or steel fibers to resist slashes and cuts.

These gloves are rated based on how much force they can withstand before being penetrated by a blade. The higher the level, the greater the cut protection.

Industries that use cut resistant gloves:

• Glass handling

• Sheet metal work

• Automotive assembly

• Recycling and waste management

Impact Gloves vs Cut Resistant Gloves: Key Differences

Understanding the impact gloves vs cut resistant debate starts with knowing what each glove is made to do. Here's a quick comparison:

Some gloves combine both features, offering cut resistance and impact protection in one glove. These dual-purpose gloves are ideal for high-risk jobs that involve both cutting and impact hazards.

Understanding the EN388 Glove Standard

To ensure safety across various work environments, gloves are tested and rated according to the EN388 glove standard, a European regulation that assesses a glove's mechanical protection in four main areas:

1. Abrasion Resistance (1–4)

2. Cut Resistance (Coup Test) (1–5)

3. Tear Resistance (1–4)

4. Puncture Resistance (1–4)

5. TDM Cut Test (ISO 13997) (Levels A–F, optional)

6. Impact Protection (P = Passed, F = Failed, or blank if not tested)

If you're comparing gloves, the EN388 label is a useful tool to determine both cut level and impact rating.

For example:

• A glove labeled 4X43EP has high abrasion resistance (4), no Coup Test score (X), high tear and puncture resistance, a cut level E (TDM), and impact protection (P).

This shows the glove is both cut resistant and impact rated.

Which Glove Should You Choose?

If your job involves working with heavy objects or a high risk of impact injuries, choose impact gloves with tested TPR protection and a certified impact rating.

If you're handling sharp materials like glass, blades, or wires, cut resistant gloves with a high EN388 cut level are the best fit.

For environments where both risks exist—such as oil and gas, demolition, or industrial maintenance—consider multi-protection gloves that combine both features.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right glove can make the difference between staying safe and suffering a serious hand injury. Understanding the difference between cut level and impact rating helps ensure you're selecting the proper PPE for your specific job tasks.

When comparing impact gloves vs cut resistant options, always refer to the EN388 glove standard to make an informed decision.

Need help selecting the right glove for your industry or looking for OEM glove solutions? Contact LITA Safety at info@litasafety.com – our team is here to help you protect what matters most.