Impact-Resistant Gloves

Impact-resistant gloves protect the backs of hands and knuckles from blunt force injuries during demolition, drilling, material handling, mining, oil and gas operations, and any application where the risk of crushing or impact injury to the dorsal hand is significant. ANSI/ISEA 138-2019 defines three levels of impact protection based on transmitted force measured in the TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) dorsal impact test: Level 1 provides the most basic impact protection; Level 2 covers most industrial applications; Level 3 provides the highest impact resistance for the most demanding oil field and construction applications. WC Safety reviews impact-resistant gloves from Mechanix Wear, Portwest, Ergodyne, and Superior Glove in ANSI 138 Impact Level 2 and Level 3 configurations.

TPR (thermoplastic rubber) dorsal protection is the primary design feature of impact-resistant gloves — molded rubber pads positioned over the knuckles, metacarpal bones, and finger joints that absorb and distribute impact energy before it can fracture the underlying bones. The thickness, density, and coverage area of the TPR pads determine the impact protection level. Level 2 gloves use pads providing meaningful protection for general construction, logistics, and manufacturing impact risks. Level 3 gloves use thicker, denser TPR construction with extended coverage over the full dorsal hand surface for maximum protection in oil field and mining operations where high-force impacts are more frequent and severe.

Combination protection combining impact resistance with cut resistance is available in ANSI A4-A6 cut-rated shells — providing meaningful cut protection alongside impact protection for applications involving both sharp and blunt hazards simultaneously. Glass handling, sheet metal work, and automotive manufacturing frequently present both hazards in the same work cycle, making combination-rated gloves significantly more practical than wearing separate cut gloves and impact gloves simultaneously. Premium combination impact/cut gloves maintain adequate dexterity for detailed assembly work while providing meaningful protection against both injury mechanisms.

Palm and finger coating selection for impact gloves follows the same principles as other work gloves — sandy nitrile for dry grip, foam nitrile for wet grip, uncoated for maximum dexterity. Impact gloves with smooth nitrile palm coating provide adequate grip for most material handling applications. For oily environments in oil and gas applications, full-dip nitrile or foam nitrile palm coatings maintain grip on oily pipe surfaces and equipment in conditions that would cause uncoated or lightly coated gloves to slip. Verify that the palm material is compatible with the specific chemicals and lubricants present in your work environment.

Glove fit is particularly important for impact-resistant gloves because the TPR pads must be positioned correctly over the specific anatomical structures they are designed to protect. A glove worn too loosely will have pads that shift away from the knuckles during use, leaving them unprotected during actual impact events. A glove worn too tightly will restrict blood flow and fatigue the hand during sustained grip work. Manufacturer sizing charts based on hand circumference measurement provide the most reliable fit guidance — order samples in adjacent sizes for workers near a size boundary before committing to a bulk order.

WC Safety reviews ANSI 138 Impact Level 2 and Level 3 gloves in combination cut-rated and standard palm configurations from Mechanix Wear, Portwest, and Superior Glove for oil and gas, construction, mining, and material handling applications. Browse our impact-resistant glove collection to find the right impact protection level and palm material for your specific work environment's hazard profile.

Related reference guides

ANSI impact gloves (ISEA 138) — decode impact levels 1, 2, and 3.
EN 388 glove standard explained — decode the abrasion, cut, tear, and puncture rating.

Cut-resistant gloves buyer’s guides

New to cut ratings? Start with the complete cut-resistant gloves guide, then pick the guide for your job:

Best-of guides

Comparisons

🔧 Free tool: Match the cut level to your task with our Cut-Resistance Level Selector (ANSI A1–A9).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an impact rating mean on these gloves?

Impact-resistant gloves carry a separate ANSI/ISEA 138 rating of 1, 2, or 3 (3 being highest) that measures how well back-of-hand and knuckle padding, usually TPR, reduces transmitted force. It is independent of cut or abrasion ratings. For oil-and-gas, demolition, and heavy assembly where pinch and back-hand impacts are common, look for the highest ANSI 138 level your dexterity needs allow.

Do impact gloves also protect against cuts?

Many do, but verify both ratings. Several gloves here combine impact protection with an ANSI/ISEA 105 cut level, such as the Ergodyne 7070 at A7 and MCR CutPro Impact models. Impact (ANSI 138) and cut (ANSI 105) are scored separately, so a glove with strong knuckle TPR may have only modest cut resistance unless an A-level is also listed. Match both to your hazards.

What is the difference between impact gloves and anti-vibration gloves?

Impact gloves use TPR pads to absorb sudden blows and pinches; anti-vibration gloves use palm padding (often gel or foam) to dampen continuous vibration from power tools and meet ISO 10819 / ANSI S2.73. The Ergodyne 9002, 9012, and 9015F(x) here are anti-vibration designs for grinders, jackhammers, and drills, while the 925F(x) targets impact. Choose by whether your hazard is a sudden strike or sustained vibration.

Are anti-vibration gloves required by OSHA?

OSHA has no single numeric vibration glove standard, but it addresses hand-arm vibration syndrome under the General Duty Clause, and NIOSH and ACGIH publish exposure limits. Anti-vibration gloves meeting ISO 10819 are a recognized control alongside reduced tool time and lower-vibration equipment. They help limit exposure but should be part of a broader program, not the sole protection against prolonged power-tool vibration.

Will the TPR knuckle guards make the gloves bulky?

There is a trade-off, but designs vary. Articulated, segmented TPR on models like the Ergodyne 925F(x) flexes with the hand to preserve grip, while heavier full-coverage guards add bulk for maximum protection. Waterproof and thermal versions such as the 925WP and 7521 run thicker for cold or wet work. Choose lighter articulated padding for dexterity-sensitive tasks and fuller coverage for high-impact demolition.

Standards & references
Selection guidance on this page is mapped to these primary sources:

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138 — Hand Protection

Cited for reference only. Standards text is not a substitute for a written program, a hazard assessment, or evaluation by a qualified safety professional.

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NoCry Heavy Duty Work Gloves with PVC Knuckle Protection

NoCry

$18.99 - $18.99

$18.99

$18.99 - $18.99

$18.99

NoCry Heavy Duty Work Gloves with PVC Knuckle Protection from NoCry — a trusted, top-rated safety brand. Compare more in the impact-resistant glove...

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Mechanix M-Pact Gloves, Impact-Resistant Work (TPR Knuckle)

Mechanix Wear

$22.92 - $22.92

$22.92

$22.92 - $22.92

$22.92

EDITORIAL PICK. Read our hands-on Mechanix M-Pact gloves review and see where the Mechanix M-Pact ranks in our cut-resistant gloves guide. Mechan...

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Mechanix Original Gloves, Form-Fitting Tactical Work Gloves

Mechanix Wear

$20.64 - $20.64

$20.64

$20.64 - $20.64

$20.64

EDITORIAL PICK. Read our hands-on Mechanix Original gloves review and see where the Mechanix Original ranks in our cut-resistant gloves guide. Me...

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Ergodyne 9012-S — Ergodyne ProFlex 9012 Anti-Vibration Gloves with Wrist Support, ANSI/ASA S2.73

Ergodyne ProFlex 9012 — Jackhammer Gloves with Full-Length AVC Padding (ANSI S2.73 / ISO 10819)

Ergodyne

$44.48 - $84.56

$44.48

EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.6/5 — WC Safety Review of the Ergodyne ProFlex 9012, certified jackhammer gloves with full-length palm damping and wrist supp...

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Ergodyne 9002-S — Ergodyne ProFlex 9002 Certified Anti-Vibration Gloves, ANSI/ASA S2.73

Ergodyne ProFlex 9002 Anti-Vibration Work Gloves — Full-Finger, ANSI S2.73 / ISO 10819

Ergodyne

$36.78 - $53.68

$36.78

EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 — WC Safety Review of the Ergodyne ProFlex 9002, full-finger anti-vibration work gloves with an integrated wrist wrap. Ed...

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Ergodyne ProFlex 925WP Waterproof Insulated Impact Gloves — Level 2

Ergodyne

$19.73 - $38.65

$19.73

EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.6/5 — WC Safety Review of the Ergodyne ProFlex 925WP, a waterproof, insulated Level 2 impact glove. Editorial assessment by S...

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Ergodyne 925FX-M — Ergodyne ProFlex 925F(x) Dorsal Impact-Resistant Gloves, Level 2

Ergodyne ProFlex 925F(x) Impact-Resistant Gloves — ANSI/ISEA 138 Level 2

Ergodyne

$16.77 - $29.19

$16.77

EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.6/5 — WC Safety Review of the Ergodyne ProFlex 925F(x), an ANSI/ISEA 138 Level 2 dorsal impact glove with full TPR armor. Edi...

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Ergodyne 9015FX-S — Ergodyne ProFlex 9015F(x) Anti-Vibration Gloves, ANSI/ASA S2.73

Ergodyne ProFlex 9015F(x) Vibration Resistant Gloves — TPR Dorsal Impact, Dual Certified

Ergodyne

$42.48 - $67.14

$42.48

EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.6/5 — WC Safety Review of the Ergodyne ProFlex 9015F(x), dual-certified vibration resistant gloves with TPR dorsal impact arm...

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Ergodyne 7521-XS — Ergodyne ProFlex 7521 Thermal Impact-Resistant Gloves, A2

Ergodyne ProFlex 7521 Thermal Impact-Resistant Cut Work Gloves

Ergodyne

$18.99 - $31.61

$18.99

EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.6/5 — WC Safety Review of the Ergodyne ProFlex 7521, a cold-weather glove that fights three hazards at once. Editorial assess...

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Ergodyne 7141-S — Ergodyne ProFlex 7141 Hi-Vis Cut-Resistant Gloves, A4

Ergodyne ProFlex 7141 Nitrile Dipped Work Gloves — ANSI A4 Cut

Ergodyne

$15.51 - $22.99

$15.51

EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 — WC Safety Review of the Ergodyne ProFlex 7141, an ANSI A4 nitrile-dipped work glove with a breathable dorsal. Editorial...

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Ergodyne 922CR-S — Ergodyne ProFlex 922CR Cut-Resistant Gloves, Impact

Ergodyne ProFlex 922CR Cut-Resistant Thermal Work Gloves

Ergodyne

$24.89 - $27.89

$24.89

EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 — WC Safety Review of the Ergodyne ProFlex 922CR, a cut-and-warmth glove for cold work. Editorial assessment by Steven Ea...

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MCR Safety 9278NF CutPro A3 Cut-Resistant Gloves

MCR Safety

EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — MCR Safety 9278NF CutPro A3 Cut-Resistant Gloves Read the full MCR Safety 9278NF CutPro A3 Cut-Resis...

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The MCR Safety 92721-XS CutPro A4 Polyurethane Cut-Resistant Gloves in X-Small represent MCR Safety's commitment to delivering full ANSI/ISEA 105...

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MCR Safety 9188SFB CutPro A4 Kevlar Sandy Nitrile Gloves

MCR Safety

$13.99 - $39.90

$13.99

The MCR Safety 9188SFB-XS CutPro A4 Kevlar Sandy Nitrile Gloves in X-Small deliver ANSI/ISEA 105 Level A4 certified cut protection for workers wi...

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EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — the MCR Safety 36136KDP CutPro Kevlar impact gloves Read the full MCR Safety 36136KDP CutPro Kevlar ...

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MCR Safety PD6951 Predator Impact Gloves, HyperMax Knit + PU Palm

MCR Safety

$16.10 - $39.90

$16.10

EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — the MCR Safety PD6951 Predator impact gloves Read the full MCR Safety PD6951 Predator Impact Gloves,...

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MCR Safety PD6952 Predator Impact Gloves, A7 Cut, Level 2 Impact

MCR Safety

EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — the MCR Safety PD6952 Predator impact gloves Read the full MCR Safety PD6952 Predator Impact Gloves,...

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MCR Safety PD4903 Predator Impact Gloves — Dorsal TPR, Hook-and-Loop

MCR Safety

EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 — WC Safety Review of the MCR Safety PD4903 Predator, a rugged dorsal-impact mechanics glove for full-shift work. Editori...

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EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 — WC Safety Review of the MCR Safety FF2931 ForceFlex, a flexibility-first dorsal-impact mechanics glove. Editorial asses...

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MCR Safety PD4900 Predator Hi-Vis Needle-Resist Impact Gloves

MCR Safety

$11.19 - $43.80

$11.19

EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.6/5 — WC Safety Review of the MCR Safety PD4900 Predator, a needle-resistant hi-vis duty glove. Editorial assessment by Steve...

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MCR Safety PD6901 Predator Hi-Vis Impact Mechanics Gloves

MCR Safety

$17.88 - $84.50

$17.88

EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 — WC Safety Review of the MCR Safety PD6901 Predator, a hi-vis impact mechanics glove. Editorial assessment by Steven Eat...

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