Nitrile safety gloves are the industry standard for latex-free disposable safety gloves. For decades, many industries used latex gloves for puncture, abrasion, and chemical resistance. Healthcare, food service, beauty, automotive, and manufacturing professionals loved its flexibility, sensitivity, comfort, and low cost.
However, many people suffer from latex sensitivity, which causes symptoms ranging from skin irritation to respiratory issues — and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis or death.
Due to latex posing a risk to both professionals themselves and their patients or customers, many industries have transitioned toward safer alternatives, such as nitrile gloves.
We’ll compare the top three types of disposable gloves:
| Latex Gloves | Nitrile Gloves | Vinyl Gloves | |
| Material | Natural rubber latex | Synthetic rubber | Synthetic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) |
| Fit and Feel | Very elastic; molds closely to the hand | Snug and flexible; slightly firmer than latex | Looser fit; minimal stretch |
| Tactile Sensitivity | Excellent | Very good; close to latex | Poor to fair |
| Durability | Moderate; can tear if overstretched | High; strong puncture and tear resistance | Low; prone to tearing |
| Puncture Resistance | Moderate | High | Low |
| Chemical Resistance | Limited; weak against many solvents and oils | Excellent against oils, fuels, and many chemicals | Limited; breaks down from solvents |
| Barrier Protection | Good biological barrier | Excellent biological and chemical barrier | Basic biological barrier only |
| Allergy Risk | High | Very low | Very low |
| Cost | Low to moderate | Moderate to higher | Low |
| Shelf Life | Shorter; degrades with heat and light | Long | Moderate |
| Environmental Impact | Biodegradable but resource-intensive | Most aren’t biodegradable (eco-friendly options available) | Not biodegradable |
| Best Use Cases | Precision tasks; low chemical exposure | Medical, lab, cleaning, and industrial work | Short, low-risk tasks |
Made from nitrile butadiene (or synthetic rubber), nitrile gloves offer significantly higher puncture and chemical resistance than natural rubber (latex) or vinyl. At RX-Safety, our nitrile glove line protects professionals who can’t afford a protective barrier breach, whether they’re handling corrosive chemicals, automotive fluids, or biohazardous materials.
Unlike vinyl gloves, which can feel loose and brittle and tear easily, nitrile gloves react to your body heat by forming to your hand. This provides outstanding tactile sensitivity for performing delicate tasks.
There are two main types of nitrile gloves:
Nitrile glove thickness is measured in mils, or units of 0.001 inches. We offer gloves measuring in thickness from under 4 mil (thin for maximum dexterity) to over 8 mil (thick for optimal puncture resistance).
These gloves also come in a variety of finishes, such as diamond-textured palms to provide better grip in wet or oily conditions.
Our gloves, which we offer for bulk purchase or specialized individual protection, meet the FDA standard for low dermatitis potential. This means they significantly reduce the risk of chemical allergies and skin irritation, making them safe for users with allergies or sensitive skin.
Nitrile is synthetic, latex-free, and offers better puncture and chemical resistance.
Yes, they are 100% latex-free and safe for those with Type I allergies.
One mil equals 0.001 inches. A higher mil value means a thicker, more durable glove.
Yes, most nitrile gloves are FDA-approved for food handling and contact.
They offer excellent resistance to oils, greases, and many acids. For your safety, always confirm with a chemical resistance chart.
They have a long shelf life: typically 3–5 years if stored in a cool, dark place.
It provides better traction when handling tools or glassware in wet or oily environments.
Standard nitrile is not, but we offer specialized “eco-friendly” biodegradable options.
Their gasoline and motor oil resistance make them ideal for mechanics.
They are easy to put on by design without the messy, potentially irritating cornstarch powder in some gloves.
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Vinyl is prone to tearing, while latex can degrade when exposed to petroleum products. Unlike these, nitrile’s chemical makeup creates a rugged synthetic rubber that can withstand the rigors of industrial environments. It provides a reliable barrier against fuels, oils, and various chemicals. Rather than developing a pinhole leak, puncture-resistant nitrile gloves are designed to tear completely, a failsafe feature that alerts the user immediately if their protection is compromised.
Modern engineering has created high-sensitivity nitrile gloves for extraordinary tactile feedback, even in thicker industrial styles. As the glove warms with body heat, it conforms to your hand’s shape, reducing “hand-drag” and muscle fatigue during repetitive tasks. Due to this, nitrile is the superior choice for precision work such as laboratory research, tattooing, or electronics assembly. With the perfect balance of thickness and flexibility, RX-Safety’s gloves give you the protection you need without compromising the fine motor skills required to work with small parts or delicate instruments.
The “right” nitrile glove comes down to its application. A 3 or 4-mil glove offers adequate protection and excellent flexibility for light cleaning or food prep. A 5-mil glove meets the standard for barrier protection during medical exams. For heavy-duty automotive or construction work, we recommend an 8-mil high-visibility glove with a raised diamond texture.
We categorize our inventory by application to make it easy to find the exact combination of cost-effectiveness, comfort, and durability you need.
When it comes to finding the right pair of protective gloves, you’ll need to consider comfort, durability, safety, and what you’ll be doing when you have them on. Nitrile and latex gloves dominate healthcare, industrial, and lab environments, but each type has pros and cons. Here are the key differences between nitrile gloves and latex […]
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