Cut-Resistant Gloves: The Complete Buyer's Guide (2026)

Cut-Resistant Gloves: The Complete Buyer's Guide (2026)

Cut-resistant gloves protect hands against lacerations from blades, sheet metal, glass, ceramics and power tools, and they are rated on the ANSI/ISEA 105 scale from A1 to A9 so you can match the glove to the hazard. For most general-purpose metal, glass and assembly work the best starting point is an ANSI A4 or A5 cut-resistant work glove built on an HPPE (high-performance polyethylene) shell — our default recommendation is the MCR Safety 92752S CutPro A5, with the Ergodyne ProFlex 7022 Hi-Vis A4 as a lighter-duty alternative and the MCR Safety PD6901 Predator A9 when you need maximum A9 cut protection plus impact defense. This guide explains the ANSI cut levels, the materials and coatings behind them, and how to choose by job, so you leave knowing exactly what to buy.

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What are cut-resistant gloves?

Cut-resistant gloves are work gloves engineered to resist slicing and laceration from sharp edges — knife blades, sheet-metal burrs, broken glass, ceramic shards, and the moving edges on saws and cutters. They achieve this through high-strength yarns knitted into the glove shell rather than through bulk: a modern A5 glove can feel almost like a lightweight liner yet stop a blade that would open an ordinary cotton or leather glove. Cut resistance is a measured, rated property under ANSI/ISEA 105 in North America and EN 388 in Europe, so unlike vague marketing terms the rating tells you precisely how much edge force the glove withstands.

Cut-resistant, not cut-proof

No glove is cut-proof. A higher ANSI level means more grams of edge force are needed to cut through, not that the glove is invulnerable — a fast draw cut from a fresh utility blade can defeat even an A9 glove under the right angle and load. Cut-resistant gloves reduce injury severity and frequency; they do not replace safe blade technique, guarded tooling, or cut-away cutting direction. They also do not address chemical permeation (see our chemical-resistant glove guide) or thermal hazards, which are governed separately. For a hands-on selection walkthrough, see how to choose cut-resistant gloves by ANSI level.

Where cut gloves fit in your hand-protection program

Cut-resistant gloves are one branch of a broader hand protection program. Where the dominant hazard is crushing or back-of-hand strikes, you want impact-resistant gloves; where it is heat, heat-resistant gloves; and for lifting and grip work, material-handling gloves. Many modern gloves combine cut and impact protection in one shell, which we cover below. Selecting the right branch starts with the documented hazard assessment that OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138 requires of employers.

ANSI/ISEA 105 cut levels (A1–A9) explained

The ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 cut standard rates a glove by the grams of force required to cut through the material on a TDM-100 test machine, then bins that force into nine levels from A1 (lightest) to A9 (highest). The newer A-scale replaced the old 1–5 scale and added the high end (A6–A9) to describe gloves that did not exist when the original standard was written. Higher is not automatically better: an over-specified glove sacrifices dexterity and costs more, so the goal is to match the level to the real edge hazard.

ANSI A1–A9 decode table

Force ranges per ANSI/ISEA 105-2016. The level marks the minimum grams of edge force needed to cut through; pick the level that covers your worst routine edge hazard, not the rare worst case.

ANSI A-scale vs. EN 388

European gloves carry an EN 388 marking instead, with a Coupe test rating (1–5) and an ISO 13997 letter (A–F). The two systems are not directly interchangeable, but as a rough field guide an EN 388 level "C" lands near ANSI A3–A4 and an "F" near ANSI A6–A9. When a glove shows both, buy to the ANSI A-level for North American work and treat EN 388 as supporting information. The Ergodyne ProFlex 7022 A4 and MCR Safety 92785NFS CutPro A5 both publish ANSI ratings, which is what you want for OSHA-aligned documentation.

Cut-resistant materials: HPPE, Kevlar/aramid, steel & glass fiber, Dyneema

The ANSI level is the result; the yarn is the cause. Four material families do almost all the cut-resistance work in modern gloves, usually blended together and wrapped around a core fiber. Understanding them tells you why two A5 gloves can feel and behave completely differently.

HPPE (high-performance polyethylene)

HPPE — the gel-spun polyethylene family that includes Dyneema and Spectra — is the workhorse fiber in today's cut gloves. It is lightweight, comfortable, machine-washable and delivers a high cut-to-weight ratio, which is why most A4 and A5 gloves such as the MCR Safety 92752S CutPro A5 and MCR Safety 92721S CutPro A4 use an HPPE shell. HPPE has a low melting point, so it is not a heat glove, but for ambient-temperature blade and glass work it is the default.

Kevlar and aramid

Kevlar (an aramid) brings cut resistance plus genuine heat tolerance, which HPPE lacks. Aramid-blended gloves like the MCR Safety 9188SFB CutPro A4 Kevlar suit work that mixes sharp edges with incidental heat — light foundry, glass and metal handling near warm surfaces. Aramid is naturally flame-resistant and does not melt, but it costs more than plain HPPE and is less comfortable in high-cut constructions. For dedicated thermal jobs, step to a true heat-resistant glove.

Steel and glass-fiber cores

To reach the top of the scale (A7–A9), yarns are wrapped around a fine steel or glass-fiber core. The core supplies the cut force the polymer fibers cannot, which is how gloves like the MCR Safety PD6901 Predator A9 and MCR Safety 92743LT CutPro A8 hit A8–A9 while staying thin. Steel-reinforced gloves are not for electrical work, and the wire core adds a little stiffness; glass-fiber cores avoid the conductivity issue. These are the gloves for knife-intensive and metal-recovery work.

Dyneema and engineered blends

Dyneema is a branded HPPE fiber prized for its strength-to-weight ratio; many premium "Dyneema Diamond" gloves blend it with glass or steel to lift the level without the bulk. The practical takeaway: do not buy by fiber name alone — buy by published ANSI level and coating. A blended A5 from one maker and a Dyneema A5 from another both stop the same edge force by definition. Browse the full cut-resistant gloves collection to compare constructions at each level.

Coatings & grips: PU, nitrile, foam nitrile, latex, leather — and when to use each

The shell sets the cut level; the coating sets the grip, the feel and the environment the glove suits. The same A5 HPPE liner becomes a precision assembly glove with a thin PU palm or an oily-parts glove with a foam-nitrile palm. Match the coating to your surface and contaminant.

Polyurethane (PU) palm coating

PU is thin, breathable and gives the best fingertip dexterity, which is why it dominates dry assembly, electronics and inspection work. The MCR Safety 92721S CutPro A4 PU and Ergodyne ProFlex 7040 A5 food-grade use PU for clean, dry grip. PU is poor in oil and wet conditions — that is where nitrile takes over.

Nitrile and foam-nitrile palm coating

Nitrile resists oils and abrasion and grips wet, greasy parts; foam (micro-foam) nitrile adds a sponge-like layer that wicks light oil for grip in the bay. The Ergodyne ProFlex 7022 A4 nitrile, MCR Safety 92785NFS A5 micro-foam nitrile and MCR Safety 9277NFS A7 NFT are built for oily metal fabrication and automotive. Foam-nitrile is the most popular general-industry coating because it handles light oil without going slick.

Latex palm coating

Latex (natural rubber) grips aggressively in wet and cold and is tough against abrasion, but it triggers latex allergies and degrades in oil. Crinkle-latex gloves like the MCR Safety 92743LT CutPro A8 suit wet concrete, masonry and cold/wet outdoor handling where allergy risk is managed.

Leather drivers and gauntlets

Leather is its own category — abrasion-tough, heat-tolerant and traditional for welding, driving and rigging. Cut-rated leather gloves such as the MCR Safety MU3664K Mustang HiDex leather drivers combine a Kevlar lining with a goatskin shell for cut plus durability. Leather trades dexterity for ruggedness; use it where the hazard is heavy and the task is gross-motor.

How to choose cut-resistant gloves by use case

Start from the job, not the glove. Identify the worst routine edge hazard, then pick the lowest ANSI level that covers it and the coating that matches your surface and contaminant. The ANSI-level selection walkthrough has the full decision tree; the use-case map below gets most buyers to the right glove fast.

Mechanics & automotive

Oily parts, sheet-metal edges and clips call for an A4–A5 glove with a foam-nitrile or NFT palm for wet grip. The Ergodyne ProFlex 7022 A4 hi-vis nitrile and MCR Safety 92785NFS A5 micro-foam are the everyday picks. CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON →

Metal fabrication & glass handling

Sheet metal and glass are classic A5–A7 territory. Step up to the MCR Safety 9277NFS A7 or Ergodyne ProFlex 7070 A7 for heavy glass and blade-change work; the MCR Safety 92752S CutPro A5 covers most fabrication. CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON →

Construction & trades

Mixed hazards — rebar, blades, abrasion and back-of-hand strikes — favor a cut-plus-impact glove. The MCR Safety PD6901 Predator A9 pairs A9 cut with TPR impact protection; the lighter MCR Safety PD4906 Predator A2 impact suits general site work. See the impact-resistant gloves collection for the full range. CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON →

Food processing

Knife-line and food-contact work needs a food-grade, washable A5+ glove. The Ergodyne ProFlex 7040 A5 food-grade and FDA-accepted MCR Safety 9273SPU CutPro A9 FDA-accepted are built for it. CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON →

Oil & gas / heavy industry

Heavy abrasion, oil and impact define this work. A coated A7 glove like the Ergodyne ProFlex 7072 A7 or an impact-rated leather driver such as the MCR Safety PD4971 Predator A7 goatskin impact handles it. For cold, wet platforms, the Ergodyne ProFlex 7551 A5 waterproof winter glove keeps cut protection in the weather.

Needle & medical-waste handling

Needlestick and sharps work needs maximum cut plus puncture resistance. The MCR Safety PD4900 Predator A9 needle-resist is purpose-built for recycling, waste sorting and law-enforcement search. Note that ANSI cut rating and puncture rating are separate properties — verify both on the spec sheet for sharps work.

Cut vs. impact protection (ANSI/ISEA 138)

Cut and impact are two different hazards rated by two different standards, and a glove can be excellent at one and silent on the other. Cut is ANSI/ISEA 105 (A1–A9). Back-of-hand impact is ANSI/ISEA 138-2019, which rates how well thermoplastic-rubber (TPR) padding protects the knuckles and fingers from crushing strikes, on a 1–3 scale. A glove with no TPR has no impact rating no matter how high its cut level.

ANSI/ISEA 138 impact levels

ANSI/ISEA 138 Level 1 transmits the most force (least protection) and Level 3 the least (most protection). For the full breakdown see our reference on impact-resistant gloves and ANSI/ISEA 138. Demolition, oil & gas, and heavy construction should target Level 2–3 impact in addition to their cut level.

Combined cut + impact gloves

Many modern mechanics gloves deliver both. The MCR Safety PD6901 Predator A9 carries A9 cut and TPR impact in one shell; the MCR Safety 36136HP CutPro HP impact and MCR Safety 36136 CutPro impact combine a cut-rated shell with dorsal TPR. If your hazard assessment flags both lacerations and strikes, a combined glove is more practical than layering. Browse the impact-resistant gloves and material-handling gloves ranges for combined options.

Cut-resistant gloves comparison: representative models

The table below spans the range from light A2 assembly gloves to A9 maximum-cut combined gloves, so you can see how ANSI level, material, coating and price move together. Prices are indicative and subject to change.

As an Amazon Associate, WC Safety earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are accurate as of the date shown and subject to change. Full affiliate disclosure.

Sizing, care & replacement

A cut glove only protects the area it covers and only while the yarn is intact, so fit and replacement matter as much as the rating. A loose glove that slides exposes skin at the cut point; a glove worn to fuzz has lost cut force. Use the glove size chart to measure palm circumference and match the manufacturer size, and size in the actual glove series since fits vary.

Getting the size right

Cut gloves should fit snugly with no loose fingertip material — bunched fabric kills dexterity and the gap is where blades catch. MCR CutPro and Ergodyne ProFlex lines run a true S–XL (some XS/XXL), and many are sold per size, so order the size you measure. Browse spreads in the cut-resistant gloves collection.

Care, washing and service life

HPPE and aramid shells are generally machine-washable; coatings degrade faster than the liner, so retire a glove when the coating cracks, the cuff stretches out, or you see the core fiber through worn yarn. Replace immediately after any cut-through — the compromised area no longer meets its rating. There is no fixed lifespan; inspect at each shift and match replacement to wear, the same hazard-driven logic OSHA 1910.138 expects.

Recommended cut-resistant gloves

These four cover the range most buyers need — a general-purpose A5, a lighter A4 for oily work, a maximum A9 cut-plus-impact glove, and a food-grade A5. All are stocked at WC Safety.

MCR Safety 92752S CutPro A5 — Best all-round cut-resistant work glove

ANSI A5 · $13.99

An A5 HPPE shell with a PU palm — the dexterous default for fabrication, glass and general handling. See it on the MCR Safety 92752S CutPro A5.

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Ergodyne ProFlex 7022 Hi-Vis A4 — Best for automotive and oily metal

ANSI A4 · $8.99

A4 HPPE with a nitrile palm and hi-vis color for wet, greasy parts and shop visibility. See it on the Ergodyne ProFlex 7022 Hi-Vis A4.

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MCR Safety PD6901 Predator A9 — Best maximum cut plus impact

ANSI A9 · $23.27

Steel-core A9 cut with TPR back-of-hand impact protection for construction and heavy trades. See it on the MCR Safety PD6901 Predator A9.

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Ergodyne ProFlex 7040 A5 Food Grade — Best for food processing

ANSI A5 · $8.67

Food-grade, washable A5 with a clean PU palm for knife-line and food-contact work. See it on the Ergodyne ProFlex 7040 A5 Food Grade.

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As an Amazon Associate, WC Safety earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are accurate as of the date shown and subject to change. Full affiliate disclosure.

Cut-resistant gloves: frequently asked questions

Related cut-resistant glove guides & pages

• Cut-resistance glove levels explained (ANSI/ISEA 105 A1–A9) — the full level-by-level decode.
• How to choose cut-resistant gloves by ANSI level — step-by-step selection walkthrough.
• Impact-resistant gloves and ANSI/ISEA 138 — how back-of-hand impact is rated.
• What is ANSI/ISEA 138-2019? — the hand-protection impact standard in plain terms.
• EN 388 glove standard explained — the European cut/abrasion marking.
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138 hand protection — the employer hazard-assessment requirement.
• Glove size chart — measure and match your size.
• Chemical-resistant glove guide — for permeation hazards cut gloves do not address.
• Nitrile gloves: the complete guide — the sister hand-protection pillar for disposable nitrile.
• Cut-resistant gloves collection · Impact-resistant gloves · Heat-resistant gloves · Material-handling gloves · Hand protection.