At Safety Section, we’re no strangers to gloves and finding the right pair for yourself. When it comes to finding the right clothing for every job and situation, we have always recommended trying all types.
It’s well-known that UV rays cause all sorts of adverse effects on the skin, including melanoma and other skin cancers. If you’re concerned about harmful UV rays on your skin, then wearing UV protective gloves or other UPF clothing can make a big difference in how you hold up against the sun.
When you work a job that requires you to be outside year-round, there are many environmental effects that you need to keep in mind.
Besides dealing with fluctuating temperatures, high winds, and various forms of precipitation, there’s another factor that all outside workers need to consider: the sun. Let’s examine how to evaluate and choose a suitable pair of UPF sun gloves.
The Best UV Protective Gloves
1. Outdoor Research ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Gloves
Best Overall UV Protective Gloves
These lightweight, breathable gloves are designed for ultimate comfort in hot conditions. Featuring ActiveIce technology, they actually cool your skin as you sweat while providing UPF 50+ sun protection. Perfect for outdoor workers, hikers, and cyclists.
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Key Features:
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UPF 50+ rating
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Moisture-wicking fabric
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Half-finger design for dexterity
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Silicone grip on palms
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Pros: Cooling fabric, lightweight, excellent dexterity
Cons: Not ideal for heavy-duty work
2. KastKing Sol Armis Sun Gloves
Best for Fishing, Driving, and Outdoor Sports
Built for anglers and outdoor sports enthusiasts, these gloves feature breathable poly-spandex fabric and UV protection rated UPF 50+. The partial-finger design keeps your grip strong while protecting the back of your hands from sun exposure.
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Key Features:
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UPF 50+ rating
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Reinforced microfiber palms
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Stretchy, snug fit
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Machine washable
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Pros: Durable, quick-drying, excellent for fishing and driving
Cons: Not suitable for industrial work
3. Coolibar UPF 50+ Men’s & Women’s Gannett UV Gloves
Best for Everyday Use & Driving
Coolibar is a trusted brand in sun-protective clothing, and their full-finger UV gloves provide reliable coverage for driving, walking, and light outdoor tasks. With UPF 50+ certification, these gloves protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
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Key Features:
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Full-finger design
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Breathable, lightweight fabric
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Touchscreen compatibility
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Machine washable
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Pros: Stylish, versatile, great for daily sun protection
Cons: Not as rugged for heavy work
4. Seibertron Lightweight UPF 100+ Sun Protection Gloves
Best Budget-Friendly Option
If you need reliable UV protection at an affordable price, Seibertron gloves are a great pick. With UPF 100+ sun-blocking fabric and a lightweight design, they’re ideal for Fishing, Driving, Cycling, Kayaking, Paddling, Boating, Sailing, Rowing, or anyone needing all-day protection without breaking the bank.
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Key Features:
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UPF 100+ protection
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Stretchable spandex blend
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Anti-slip palm grips
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Full-finger design
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Pros: Affordable, good grip, breathable
Cons: Less durable than premium options
Understanding UV Radiation and Its Effects on Skin
UV radiation can cause blemishes, dry skin, sunburn, and skin cancer. Long-term exposure to UV radiation will also naturally age and weather the skin, causing all sorts of superficial problems that are best avoided.
All skin types are negatively affected by over-exposure to sunlight and its cruel effects. So, ensure you’re consistently covering up and wearing lots of sunscreen before spending time in the sun.
We can recommend many tips to avoid the adverse effects of sunlight, and you’ll find many relatively self-explanatory.
Choosing the Right Materials for UV Protective Gloves
Speaking of spandex, how do you know whether a glove is the right material? After all, there are so many types of gloves on the market that are all made of something different. Well, a lot of the material debate comes down to personal preference.
For example, if you’re working a job outside that requires bladed power tools, you might not want to go with the driving gloves we just mentioned. While they might offer plenty of sun protection, spandex won’t do much to stop a spinning blade heading for your palm.
You can check the label of certain types of clothing to see if they offer any specific UPF rating, but remember that covering up with most kinds of clothing will protect you from sun damage.
This is because, as long as your clothing isn’t incredibly permeable by sunlight, simply putting a barrier between your skin and the sky will do quite a lot to prevent skin aging and the development of skin cancers.
Types of clothing that can significantly protect you from the sun include densely-woven fabric like cotton and wool, dark clothing composed of blacks and blues, and any cotton that isn’t bleached. Keep your outfits loose, as any tightly-stretched piece of clothing can expose more places to the sun.
You will also want to remember that no matter how hot it gets outside, you will want to wear long sleeves and long pants. The more skin you cover, the more skin you save in the long run.
Ensuring a Proper Fit for Maximum Protection
Loose-fitting clothing is best for general protection. This also goes for gloves, but sometimes you will prefer having tight-fitting gloves that you can wear to keep your nimbleness factor high, especially if you’re doing any sort of work that calls for high precision.
Handling power tools or doing most kinds of construction all come to mind, as you will not want to wear a pair of chunky work gloves for that. This is probably where you’ll want to seek out a pair of work gloves with a high UPF.
Choosing the Right Features for Your Needs
Technology these days has come quite a long way, so finding clothing that suits all of your needs is easier than it has ever been. If you require a type of glove that can perform a specific task or fulfill a specific feature you’re on the hunt for, you’ll likely be able to find it without any real hitch.
No matter what kind of job you’re working, you should always try to hunt down the product that comes with all of the features you need.
Whether you want a pair of waterproof gloves or leather cowhide gloves that could stop a rotating blade, to lightweight gloves that would allow your fingers to stay nimble, there is almost assuredly a product on the market that will do what you need to do.
We’ll always be here to help you find what you need, but never be afraid to go out on a limb while shopping for your ideal products.
Proper Care and Maintenance of UV Gloves
If you want to make sure your gloves will last you for as long a time as possible, then you will want to make sure you take good care of them. This means many things depending on what kind of material they use. For the more delicate gloves, ensure they don’t get ripped, and if they do develop any holes or tears, address them immediately.
You must prevent any hole in a cotton work glove from getting bigger, as delaying the repair process will only lead to a bigger problem in the long run. This might sound like kind of an obvious tip, but it’s one that we wanted to hammer home sooner rather than later.
Another general tip we want to ensure you remember is not to let your UV protective gloves be too tight on your hands or wrists. The more fabric is pulled tight, the more skin you’ll risk exposing to direct sunlight. This will, in turn, make it more likely that you’ll develop one of the negative symptoms of sun exposure on your skin.
It’s also a good idea for you to keep your gloves from getting wet, as the wet fabric can shrink, which again will cause it to pull tight around your skin, leading to more holes and more skin being exposed to sunlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are UV protective gloves, and how do they work?
UV protective gloves are specially designed gloves made from fabrics with a high Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating. They block harmful UVA and UVB rays from penetrating the skin, reducing the risk of sunburn, premature aging, and long-term skin damage. A UPF 50+ rating is considered excellent, blocking about 98% of UV radiation.
2. Who should wear UV protective gloves?
Anyone who spends extended time outdoors can benefit from UV gloves. This includes construction workers, landscapers, drivers, cyclists, fishermen, and gardeners. They’re also useful for people with photosensitive skin conditions or those undergoing treatments (like chemotherapy) that increase sun sensitivity.
3. Are UV gloves better than sunscreen for hand protection?
Both provide protection, but UV gloves often have the advantage of being longer-lasting and more convenient. Sunscreen on hands can wash off quickly due to sweat, water, or frequent handwashing, while UV gloves provide consistent coverage without reapplication. Ideally, they should be used together for maximum protection.
4. Can UV protective gloves be used for work and outdoor sports?
Yes. Different types of UV gloves are designed for different needs:
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Lightweight, breathable gloves are great for cycling, fishing, and driving.
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Durable, reinforced gloves work best for construction or heavy outdoor jobs.
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Stylish, everyday gloves are ideal for walking, gardening, or commuting.
It’s important to choose a glove that matches your activity.
5. How do I care for UV protective gloves?
Most UV gloves are machine washable or can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Always check the manufacturer’s care instructions. Avoid bleach or harsh detergents, as these can damage the fabric and reduce UV protection. With proper care, UV protective gloves maintain their effectiveness for a long time.
Finding the Right UV Protective Gloves
UV protective gloves are a niche product you might not have heard of today. We hope that if that is the case, you feel more informed about them and that you’re equipped to go out and find the perfect pair of them for yourself.
UV protective gloves are a must-have for any outdoor worker exposed to a lot of sun. And there are so many kinds of work gloves made from all kinds of materials, so no matter what type of job you find yourself doing outside, you’ll be able to find a pair of UV protective gloves that suit your needs. Good luck on your hunt, and we hope this guide proved helpful to you.
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