Is the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 the right glove for cut-plus-impact work?

Short answer: Yes — for heavy industrial, oil & gas, and utility work where you face both sharp edges and crush hazards, the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 is one of the few gloves that delivers a high A6 cut rating and ANSI/ISEA 138 Level 2 back-of-hand impact protection in a breathable leather build. It is the wrong pick if you need chemical resistance, sustained heat protection, or maximum fingertip dexterity — for those, a coated knit like the HexArmor Helix 2076 or the cut-and-heat Chrome SLT 4066 fits better.

HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 Gloves Review (2026): Cut + Impact Protection in a Breathable Build

The HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 sits in a narrow but valuable niche: gloves that protect against blades and crush hazards at the same time. Most hand protection makes you choose — a cut-rated knit leaves the back of your hand exposed to strikes, while an impact glove with TPR knuckle guards often carries no cut rating at all. This review evaluates where the 4073 lands against its true competitive set on the site, grounded in the published ANSI/ISEA 105 cut rating, the ANSI/ISEA 138 impact rating, and the manufacturer's material specifications — not invented wear testing. For the broader category, start with our complete cut-resistant gloves guide and the best impact-resistant gloves guide.

Editorial verdict — 4.5/5. The HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 is a genuine dual-hazard glove: ANSI/ISEA 105 A6 cut resistance plus ANSI/ISEA 138 Level 2 back-of-hand impact protection, wrapped in a goatskin leather palm with a breathable HexVent back-of-hand. Priced as a leather impact glove rather than a budget knit, it earns its cost on the rig floor and in heavy industrial work where both cut and crush are live risks.

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Who the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 is for

• Oil & gas and rig crews facing wire rope, tooling, and pinch hazards together.
• Utility and heavy-equipment workers who need back-of-hand impact protection plus a real cut rating.
• Fabrication and fleet mechanics handling sharp stock around moving machinery.
• Anyone working hot who wants impact protection without a fully sealed leather back — the HexVent venting is the draw.

Browse the full impact-resistant gloves collection and the cut-resistant gloves collection to see where the 4073 fits the lineup.

What the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 does well

A6 cut resistance in a leather glove

An A6 rating on the ANSI/ISEA 105 A1–A9 scale is a high tier — comfortably above the A2–A4 gloves most general handling defaults to. Delivering that in a goatskin leather glove, rather than a coated knit, is unusual and gives the 4073 abrasion durability the thinner cut gloves lack. For where A6 sits on the scale, see our ANSI/ISEA 105 cut levels guide.

Genuine Level 2 back-of-hand impact protection

The 4073 carries an ANSI/ISEA 138 Level 2 impact rating across the knuckles and fingers, with tapered fingertip guards to prevent catch hazards. That is a separate, tested standard — not a marketing claim — and it is what makes this a true dual-hazard glove. Our ANSI/ISEA 138 impact reference explains how the levels are measured.

Breathable HexVent back-of-hand

Instead of solid leather across the back, the 4073 uses breathable HexVent material that vents heat. This is the single biggest reason buyers choose it over a fully leather impact glove — it stays wearable in warm field conditions and during sustained heavy work.

Goatskin leather grip and durability

The goatskin leather palm and forchette construction gives a traditional, broken-in feel with solid grip in dry and light-oil conditions, and holds up to abrasion far better than a coated fingertip would.

Where the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 falls short

No chemical resistance

There is no published chemical-permeation rating. Leather is the wrong material for solvents or acids — for those tasks you need a coated chemical glove from our chemical-resistant glove guide.

Not a heat or flame glove

Despite the leather build, the 4073 is rated for cut and impact, not sustained heat. For hot surfaces, the cut-and-heat Chrome SLT 4066 or a dedicated heat-resistant glove is the correct pick.

Dexterity trade-off and price

A leather impact glove will never match a thin coated knit for fingertip feel, so fine assembly work is not its strength. It is also priced as a premium leather impact glove rather than a high-volume disposable knit — the value is in the dual rating, not the sticker.

HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 vs the competitive set

Here is how the 4073 lines up against the gloves buyers cross-shop on this site — the row for the reviewed glove is highlighted. (*Rig Lizard cut class shown per the product's stated rating.)

Compare on Amazon →Chrome SLT 4073Helix 2076MCR PD4971 A7

HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 vs its HexArmor siblings

Within the HexArmor leather lineup, the choice comes down to which secondary hazard you are adding to the A6 cut platform — impact, heat, or neither. The differentiator row is highlighted.

• Buy the Chrome SLT 4073 if you need cut and impact protection with breathability.
• Buy the Chrome SLT 4066 if heat, not impact, is your second hazard.
• Buy the Rig Lizard 2095 if you want a lighter synthetic impact glove for less demanding cut tasks.

Shop the HexArmor series on Amazon →Chrome SLT 4073Chrome SLT 4066Rig Lizard 2095

Pairing the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073: complementary gloves and protection

No single glove covers every hazard. Crews that run the 4073 for cut-and-impact work typically keep a thinner high-cut glove and a puncture glove on hand for the tasks the leather build is not ideal for. For high-dexterity high-cut work, the HexArmor Helix 2076 (A6 knit, foam-nitrile palm) is the natural companion — read the Helix 2076 review. For thorn and needle hazards, step up to the HexArmor ThornArmor 3092. Lighter-duty crews often supplement with a coated knit such as the Ansell HyFlex 11-561 — see the best Ansell HyFlex gloves guide for those options. Stock the whole rotation from the hand-protection collection.

Top complementary gloves on Amazon →Helix 2076ThornArmor 3092HyFlex 11-561

Category context: where dual-hazard leather gloves fit

The cut-glove market splits into three rough tiers: budget coated knits (A2–A4) for general handling, high-cut knits (A5–A9) for blade-heavy work, and leather or hybrid gloves that layer in impact protection. The 4073 lives in that third tier. Many buyers assume a high cut rating implies impact protection — it does not. Cut and impact are governed by two different standards (ANSI/ISEA 105 and ANSI/ISEA 138), and a glove can score high on one and carry no rating on the other. Our cut-resistant vs impact-resistant gloves guide explains the distinction; the 4073's value is that it satisfies both at once. To choose a cut level for your specific task, walk through our how to choose cut-resistant gloves by ANSI level guide, and for the highest tiers compare the best A5 cut-resistant gloves.

Total cost of ownership

Reusable leather impact gloves are bought by the pair, not the box, so cost-per-use depends on service life rather than a per-glove price. The goatskin leather palm resists abrasion well, which extends life in heavy work compared with a coated knit whose coating wears through. Budget for replacement when the palm leather thins, the impact guards crack, or the HexVent back tears. For programs running multiple hazards, pairing the 4073 with a lower-cost coated knit for non-impact tasks — rotating in something from the cut-resistant gloves collection or material-handling gloves collection — keeps the premium leather gloves reserved for the jobs that actually need impact protection, lowering overall spend. Compare priced alternatives in our best cut-resistant gloves guide.

Final verdict: 4.5/5

The HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 earns 4.5 out of 5 as one of the few gloves that genuinely solves cut and impact in a single, breathable build. Buy this if you work oil & gas, utility, or heavy industrial jobs with combined blade and crush hazards and want venting on the back of the hand. Buy the HexArmor Helix 2076 instead if you need maximum dexterity and puncture resistance without impact, or the Chrome SLT 4066 if heat is your second hazard rather than impact.

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HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 review: frequently asked questions

What ANSI cut level is the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073?

The HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 carries an ANSI/ISEA 105 cut rating of A6 (360-degree), one of the higher tiers on the A1–A9 scale. That places it well above the A2–A4 gloves most general handling jobs default to. For how the levels are defined, see our ANSI/ISEA 105 cut levels explained guide.

Does the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 have impact protection?

Yes. The 4073 adds ANSI/ISEA 138 Level 2 back-of-hand impact protection across the knuckles and fingers, so it covers both blade and crush hazards in one glove. That dual rating is the whole point of the glove and what separates it from a pure cut knit. Our ANSI/ISEA 138 impact reference breaks the levels down.

HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 vs Helix 2076 — which should I buy?

Both are A6 cut, but they solve different problems. The Chrome SLT 4073 is a goatskin leather glove with back-of-hand impact guards for oil & gas and heavy industrial work; the HexArmor Helix 2076 is a thinner knit with foam-nitrile palm built for cut plus puncture and finer dexterity, with no dedicated impact shell. Buy the 4073 for impact; buy the 2076 for nimble high-cut work. See the Helix 2076 review.

Is the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 good for oil and gas work?

It is one of the better fits for it. The goatskin leather palm grips in dry and light-oil conditions, the A6 cut rating handles wire rope and sharp tooling, and the Level 2 impact guards protect against pinch and strike hazards on the rig floor. The breathable HexVent back-of-hand also helps in hot field conditions. Compare it against the field in our best impact-resistant gloves guide.

Is the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 breathable?

Yes — that is its signature feature. The back-of-hand uses HexVent breathable material instead of solid leather, which vents heat and is the reason buyers pick the 4073 over a fully leather impact glove for warm-weather and indoor heavy work. The leather palm still keeps abrasion and grip protection where you need it.

What does the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 NOT protect against?

It is not a chemical glove and not a heat glove. There is no published chemical-permeation rating, so for solvents or acids you need a coated chemical glove — see our chemical-resistant glove guide. For sustained heat or flame, look at the cut-and-heat Chrome SLT 4066 or a dedicated heat-resistant glove instead.

HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 vs Chrome SLT 4066 — what is the difference?

Same A6 leather platform, different add-on. The 4073 adds ANSI 138 Level 2 back-of-hand impact protection and breathable HexVent venting; the 4066 trades the impact shell for cut-and-heat resistance. Choose the 4073 for crush and strike hazards, the 4066 for hot surfaces.

Is the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 worth the price over a cheaper cut glove?

If you genuinely face impact hazards, yes. A coated A4–A6 knit like the Ansell HyFlex 11-561 costs far less but offers zero back-of-hand protection. The 4073 is priced as a leather impact glove, and you are paying for the combination of A6 cut, Level 2 impact, and breathability. For low-impact tasks the savings on a knit are real; for rig and heavy-machinery work the 4073 earns it.

What size HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 should I order?

Leather impact gloves should fit snugly without bunching at the fingertips, since loose fit reduces both dexterity and impact-guard alignment. HexArmor sizing runs fairly true; if you are between sizes in a leather glove, most users size up by one. Check our glove size chart before ordering.

Can the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 be used for mechanic work?

Yes, especially heavier automotive, fleet, and equipment work where you face both sharp edges and pinch points. For lighter, high-dexterity wrench work a thinner glove may feel faster — see our best cut-resistant gloves for mechanics guide to compare. The 4073 shines when impact protection matters more than fingertip feel.

Is the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 cut-resistant enough for glass handling?

A6 is a strong cut tier and suitable for many glass and sheet-metal tasks, but glass handling often prioritizes grip and puncture over impact. Review the dedicated picks in our best cut-resistant gloves for glass handling guide — the 4073 works where you also need crush protection, while a coated A6–A9 knit may grip glass better.

How does the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 compare to the Mechanix Wear M-Pact?

They are not the same class of glove. The Mechanix Wear M-Pact is an impact glove with TPR knuckle guards but is not ANSI cut-rated, so it suits low-cut impact tasks. The Chrome SLT 4073 adds A6 cut resistance on top of impact. If sharp edges are in play, the 4073 is the safer call; for pure crush protection at lower cost, the M-Pact competes.

Does the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 meet OSHA hand-protection requirements?

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138 requires employers to select hand protection from a documented hazard assessment rather than naming a specific glove. For a job with combined cut and impact hazards, the 4073's A6 cut plus Level 2 impact rating is a defensible selection. See our OSHA 1910.138 explainer for the assessment steps.

Is the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 puncture-resistant?

Leather gives meaningful incidental puncture resistance, but the 4073 is rated for cut and impact, not as a dedicated needle or thorn glove. For high puncture risk, HexArmor's ThornArmor 3092 or a needle-rated glove is the correct tool; the 4073 is built for blade-and-crush environments.

Where does the HexArmor Chrome SLT 4073 fit in the cut-vs-impact decision?

It is one of the few gloves that refuses to make you choose. Many buyers wrongly assume a cut glove also stops impact, or vice versa — our cut-resistant vs impact-resistant gloves guide explains why they are separate standards. The 4073 carries both an A6 cut rating and a Level 2 impact rating, making it a true dual-hazard glove rather than a single-purpose one.