What is the difference between nitrile, latex and vinyl gloves?
Disposable gloves are an essential item in a number of industries, yet choosing the right type can be pretty overwhelming given the variety of gloves available.
The three main types disposable gloves are: latex, nitrile and vinyl, each suiting different needs. In this blog, we’ll explore the main attributes of each type of glove, as well as offer guidance into which environments each is best suited for. If you’re in need of Coronavirus gloves, take a look here.
The 3 Main Differences Between Nitrile, Latex And Vinyl Gloves:
- Materials
- Protection
- Fit
1. Materials
| Feature | Nitrile Gloves | Latex Gloves | Vinyl Gloves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Synthetic rubber (latex-free) | Natural rubber latex | PVC (polyvinyl chloride) |
| Allergy Risk | None – latex-free | High – can cause allergic reactions | None – latex-free |
| Durability | Excellent – high chemical & puncture resistance | Good – strong and stretchy | Low – suitable for short tasks |
| Comfort & Fit | Very comfortable, moulds to hands | Best comfort and dexterity | Loose fit, less tactile sensitivity |
| Chemical Resistance | High | Low | Very low |
| Best For | Medical, laboratories, mechanics, cleaning with chemicals | Healthcare, dentistry, tasks needing dexterity | Food preparation, low-risk tasks |
Shop Nitrile and Latex Gloves
Need high-quality disposable gloves for your workplace or home use? Explore our full range of nitrile and latex gloves designed for medical, industrial and food-safe environments.
- Nitrile Gloves – latex-free, durable and chemical-resistant.
- Latex Gloves – excellent fit, comfort and tactile sensitivity.
Latex
The most commonly used glove material, latex, is a biodegradable material made of organic tree sap, making it a 100% natural substance. Unfortunately, a common allergy that develops from the use of latex products is an allergy to the natural rubber proteins. This allergy can cause irritation, and in more severe cases, anaphylaxis or respiratory issues.
Those who develop a latex allergy tend to choose nitrile or vinyl gloves.
Nitrile
Nitrile is a synthetic material similar to latex, made from nitrile butadiene rubber (natural rubber). Due to being latex free, nitrile gloves have very low allergy rates (less than 1% of users).
Vinyl
Vinyl gloves are also completely synthetic (and hence, free from latex), and made from PVC, a petroleum-based film. Similarly to Nitrile gloves, allergic reactions to vinyl gloves are pretty much non-existent.
2. Protection/ Uses
Latex
Latex gloves are a popular choice for those in medical or food industries as they offer the most effective protection against body fluids, viruses and bacteria. They don’t however offer any real protection against solvents, therefore if chemical resistance is important, nitrile would be a better choice.
Nitrile
Nitrile gloves are often referred to as ‘medical grade’ and are the superior glove when it comes to puncture resistance. Due to their synthetic construction, they can also provide up to 3 times more resistance to punctures and tears compared to latex gloves, as well as being more flexible and elastic.
Nitrile is similar to latex in feel, fit and durability, but is more resistant to solvents, chemicals, oils and fats, making them ideal for the chemical industry, laboratories, meat processing, and medical applications. Nitrile gloves are also a popular choice in automotive applications as they have the ability to tolerate higher temperatures than latex.
Vinyl
Vinyl gloves offer limited protection against chemical or biomedical exposure, therefore commonly used in non-hazardous and low-infection environments, such as the food industry and situations where durability and protection is less of a priority.
However, it’s important to note that while vinyl gloves comply with EC 1935/2004 and European Regulation 10/2011, they should not be used when handling fatty foods, as the oils can leak out the softening agents into the food, causing the glove to become brittle.
3. Fit
Latex
Latex gloves are close-fitting, just like a second skin, and are great for wearing for an extended period of time. Latex gloves also offer a high level of sensitivity. They are also lightly powdered, making them easier to put on.
Nitrile
Due to the synthetic material, nitrile gloves are less fitted to the hand, meaning the user has less range of motion. Although they may not be as comfortable to wear than latex gloves, they are wearable for an extended period of time and have a high level of touch sensitivity.
Vinyl
Vinyl gloves have a much looser fit than latex and nitrile gloves. Due to this reason, they are usually only worn for short periods of time.
So, when deciding which type of glove is best suited for your industry, ask yourself how much protection you need and how durable, comfortable and flexible you need them to be.
At Morsafe, we stock an extensive range of PPE equipment and Coronavirus PPE Equipment for your workplace. To find out more, visit our website or contact us at 01686 611 377
Written by Kate Jones, for Morsafe Supplies.
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