I developed an aversion to work gloves in my early adulthood. They're hot, bulky, and a pain to use. Honestly, they give me the same dexterity as oven mitts without the extra heat protection. The Milwaukee Performance Work Gloves are anything but those old bulky gloves that I love to hate.
Milwaukee started working on something better. It started with the Demolition gloves earlier this year and has evolved into the performance line. I can't wait to get my hands on them!
Milwaukee Performance Work Gloves come in a variety of styles – full finger and fingerless. Apart from style, they have very similar characteristics.
Safety first
The Performance Series is the perfect blend of safety, comfort and dexterity. When it comes to safety, these are lightweight gloves. They'll protect you from cuts, scrapes, and debris, but you won't find extra-thick padding or harder materials to withstand hard hits.
Both glove styles use hook-and-loop cuffs for security. I found that the Velcro buckle locks them securely without any unwinding pressure on my wrist.
dexterity
dexterity? Milwaukee made it! These gloves fit and feel like a pair of gloves you wear when it's a little cooler outside, or in my case, cycling gloves. Wear them with little loss of flexibility. I wouldn't say I can still tie flies with them (although you can use fingerless ones), but they are solid for grip, work control and maneuvering with every tool I've ever used – from a screwdriver to a miter saw.
On both glove styles, you'll notice gussets created at the knuckles to improve their ability to flex easily. This definitely works, and combined with the thinner palm material, it does offer a lot of movement.
If you're dealing with small screws or nails, fingerless mitts will shine. You have all the fine movement and grip of your fingertips while only showing the last 1 to 1-1/2 inches of your fingers.
comfortable
Milwaukee Performance Work Gloves have created more than just a basic work glove, taking comfort to another level. There are terry cloths sewn on both thumbs for wiping the face. This might actually be a bit softer, but it's a durable material that should last you a while. The lining of each glove is breathable. When your hands sweat after a hard day's work, the moisture has a chance to escape so your hands don't feel like raisins.
From there, the two gloves parted paths slightly. Mitts include palm padding. As a cyclist, this is a must when you're constantly putting pressure on your hands, and it's a great feature to have on a pair of work gloves. Whether dealing with tough materials or using the same tools all day long, the pads take pressure off my palms and dampen vibrations.
While it's not required for fingerless gloves, the full-finger model lets you access your tech with a strip of Smart Swipe material. This thinner material on the knuckles of your index finger, fingertips, and palm lets you navigate and type on your phone if you need a quick response. Some phones like the Kyocera DuraForce XD are getting better at working with gloves on, and I found that I could operate my phone flawlessly while wearing the Milwaukee Performance Work Gloves.
the bottom line
My usual work glove of choice is the classic leather one, but the Milwaukee Performance Work Gloves changed that overnight. They're comfortable and dexterous beyond my favorite leather items. I definitely prefer the hook and loop closure over the straight fit.
The only thing I would like to see improved is a softer loop on the back of the thumb. The fit is a little generous. I got the medium (my normal glove size) and they are just a big hair on me. Time will tell how durable these gloves are, but they're off to a good start.
The Milwaukee Performance Work Gloves are an easy recommendation for light-duty applications, resist cuts, scratches, and chips, and are so affordable that everyone from DIYers to professionals can afford to have two styles on hand.
Milwaukee Performance Work Gloves
- Model: Milwaukee 48-22-8721/22/23/24
- Available Sizes: M – XXL
- Cuff Design: Hook and Loop
- Price: $14.97
Milwaukee Performance Fingerless Work Gloves
- Model: 48-22-8741/42/43/44
- Available Sizes: M – XXL
- Cuff design: Hook and Look
- Price: $18.97