The Difference Between Nitrile, Latex, and Vinyl

When it comes to choosing the right glove, you might feel bombarded by all the different types of gloves available today! Each glove serves its own purpose, and it’s essential to learn which glove is right for your before making your purchase. You may not always need the strongest or most expensive choice. By educating yourself beforehand, you will end up saving yourself money and improving your safety!

The three main glove types are latex, vinyl, and nitrile. The most popular is nitrile, but just because it’s the most popular, it may not be the glove needed for your industry or line of work.

Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile gloves are the newest glove on the market, but they quickly beat out latex as the most popular glove choice, as they are safe for those with allergies. They are the most versatile glove option, offering the highest level of strength, comfort, and flexibility.

Nitrile is a synthetic rubber copolymer, which is three times more puncture resistant than latex, but has the same feel as latex! When nitrile gloves were first introduced, they were a very expensive option, but due to technological advancements, they are much more cost-effective today.

• Latex-free
• Powder-free (most common)
• Durable
• Excellent puncture and tear resistance
• Chemical resistance
• Long shelf life
• Molds to your hand with a comfortable fit
• Can be worn for a long period of time
• Great choice for high-risk situations with infectious materials

Latex Gloves

Latex gloves were first introduced back in 1894 by William Stewart Halsted, the first surgeon in chief of The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Halsted created the gloves to protect his staff from chemicals.

Latex gloves are made of natural latex and are known for being comfortable, low-cost, and offer a high degree of touch sensitivity. While years ago, latex was the most popular glove type in the healthcare industry, it no longer is today. Unfortunately, many people have latex allergies. This means that even though they have many benefits, they are not always the safest option.

Vinyl Gloves

Vinyl gloves are derived from PVC, a petroleum-based film. The main benefit of vinyl disposable gloves is that they’re inexpensive to manufacture. Since they are low-cost, they are not very durable or flexible and offer limited protection against chemicals. When vinyl gloves become stretched, the individual molecules separate and the protective barrier is compromised. According to Health & Safety International, they also don’t have a positive impact on the environment.

Due to their limited protection and low-cost, vinyl gloves are an ideal option for use in non-hazardous and low-infection environments.

Shop FDA 510K Nitrile Medical Examination Gloves Online at DEFEN95

Our Premium Medical Examination Nitrile Gloves are FDA-approved and manufactured in a 510k factory. Although they are medical grade, they can be used in various industries, including food service, automotive, janitorial, hospitality, and more. View our online collection of gloves or send us a message if you are interested in purchasing wholesale!