Which gloves for which tasks? The complete guide to protecting your hands

Whether you're a gardening enthusiast or a DIY lover, your hands are your most valuable tools. Getting them dirty is part of the fun—but protecting them is essential. That’s why wearing the right gloves is the first step in staying safe, whether you’re caring for a few plants on a balcony, growing a large vegetable garden, working as a landscaping professional, or simply tackling weekend projects.

Gloves are much more than just a barrier against dirt. They’re your first line of defense against cuts, scratches, thorn pricks—but also against moisture, temperature changes, and contact with certain substances. In short, they ensure both your comfort and safety while you work.

With so many different tasks, there’s a wide variety of gloves—each designed for a specific purpose. At Blackfox, we help you navigate these options to find the perfect pair that meets your exact needs.

This guide is here to help you choose the right gloves for the right tasks—so you can combine effective protection with optimal dexterity in every situation.

Why is it essential to wear gardening and DIY gloves?

Skipping gloves while gardening or doing DIY—even for a short time—means exposing yourself unnecessarily to various risks:

• Mechanical injuries: cuts from tools, pricks from plants (roses, brambles), splinters, and scratches caused by rough materials like wood or stone.
• Skin irritations: reactions caused by certain plants, or contact with products such as fertilizers, pesticides, paints, or solvents.
• Contact with soil and moisture: Soil can harbor bacteria (risk of tetanus in case of a wound). Prolonged exposure to moisture weakens the skin.
  
• Thermal conditions: Discomfort and risks related to cold (chapping, numbness) or heat.
  
• Dirt: To keep your hands clean and avoid stubborn grime under your nails.
  

Gardening and DIY gloves are essential allies for keeping your hands healthy, comfortable, and safe during all your tasks.

The right gloves for every task: how to choose wisely?

Rather than focusing on the exact material composition, let’s concentrate on what the glove actually offers based on your needs. Here are the main categories of gloves according to their primary use:

• Gloves for precision and dexterity :

Features: Very thin and flexible, they fit the shape of the hand perfectly, offering a 'second skin' feel and excellent sensitivity.

Typical uses: Sowing, transplanting, repotting small plants, picking delicate fruits or vegetables, small assemblies, detailed painting. They protect against dirt and light scratches without hindering precise movements.

• Multipurpose gloves for everyday gardening :

Features: Offer a good balance between protection, comfort, and flexibility. They are resistant to moderate wear and provide a good grip on tools. Some models also offer protection against moisture.

Typical uses: Planting, weeding, general flowerbed maintenance, use of common hand tools, light DIY tasks.

• Gloves for heavy-duty protection (Tough Tasks) :

Features: Thicker, tougher, and more durable—designed to resist abrasion, punctures (thorns, splinters), and tears. They may offer less flexibility.

Typical uses: Pruning rose bushes or thorny shrubs, clearing brush, handling wood or stones, light demolition work, and heavy lifting.

• Cut-resistant gloves :

Features: Incorporate specific technologies to provide high resistance to cuts from sharp objects. Their level of protection is often indicated by standards (e.g. EN 388).

Typical uses: Handling very sharp tools (cutters, sharpened shears), glass, sheet metal, or using a chainsaw (with additional specific protection). Blackfox’s Anticut range falls into this category.

• Gloves for wet environments or chemical contact :

Features: Designed to be waterproof or to provide a protective barrier against certain chemicals (it’s essential to check the glove’s compatibility with the product being handled). They often feature longer cuffs.

Typical uses: Water-based cleaning, working in the rain, handling pesticides, liquid fertilizers, paints or solvents.

• Gloves for extreme temperatures :

Features: Include insulating linings to keep hands warm in winter (cold protection) or are designed with breathable materials to reduce sweating in hot weather.

Typical uses: Any tasks carried out in very cold or hot conditions.

How to choose the right gardening or DIY gloves? The key criteria

To choose the right gloves, start by asking yourself the right questions:

1 - What’s the main use? This is the most important criterion. Clearly define the tasks you’ll be doing most often with your gloves. The needs for repotting a flower are very different from those for clearing brush!

2 - What size? Essential for comfort and safety. Poorly fitted gloves reduce dexterity, can cause blisters, or slip off. Measure your hand and refer to sizing guides. Blackfox offers tailored fits for women, men, and children.

3 - What features do you need? Depending on your tasks, identify the key properties: required level of resistance (cut, puncture, wear), need for waterproofing, desired flexibility and dexterity, protection against cold or heat, possible chemical protection, and type of grip (non-slip?).

4 - What level of protection (standards)? For high-risk tasks, rely on official standards (pictograms on the glove, e.g. EN 388 for mechanical risks). These provide an objective indication of the glove’s tested performance and safety level.

5 - What comfort and features? Well-fitted cuffs, breathability, non-slip surfaces, water-repellent treatments, touchscreen compatibility… these details can make all the difference in everyday use.

6 - What budget and durability? Higher-quality gloves are often more resistant and last longer. Consider how frequently you’ll use them to determine whether a higher initial investment makes sense.

7 - How to care for them? To maximize the lifespan of your gloves, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and drying. Proper care helps maintain the gloves’ protective qualities.

Find the perfect pair of gloves for your needs at Blackfox

As you’ve seen, choosing the right gloves is key to working efficiently, comfortably, and—above all—safely. By carefully assessing your main tasks, the associated risks, and the features you need (dexterity, durability, specific protection), you’ll be able to select the gear that’s perfectly suited to your needs.

Blackfox is here to help you make the right choice, offering a wide range of gloves designed for every task and every user—from ultra-thin gloves for precision work to heavy-duty models for tough jobs, including cut-resistant options and styles that protect against moisture or cold. Whether you're looking for men's, women's or children's gloves, our collection has something to meet your needs.

Don’t wait—explore our collection and gear up with Blackfox gloves, your best allies for all your gardening and DIY projects!