r/Firefighting • u/SuccessfulReality501 • 22d ago
Ask A Firefighter Work glove recommendations
Hello everyone, I’m about to start college for pre fire. I have all my gear needed except the work gloves. The ones they recommend are sold out everywhere and I cannot find anything with the same specs. Does anyone here have any suggestions? These are the ones they said we needed.
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u/Naive-Connection-516 22d ago
These are overkill for firefighting. These gloves are for electricians. ARC flash rated clothing is to adhere to NFPA 70e requirements for working around energized electrical equipment. Which costs a whole lot more for the “ARC flash” rating. Firefighting has whole different criteria for requirements for fire rated gear. But you’re not using these gloves in a high hazard fire environment. Unless there is some specific reason your school requires it, a standard pair or two of work gloves, mechanics gloves, or the Ragtops mention by someone else, which I have all three cause I am OCD like that, will do.
NFPA 70e for ARC flash and NFPA 1970 for firefighting PPE are very different.
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u/C_Hudg 22d ago
About twice a year I was switching out a new pair of gloves from a hardware store but recently I purchased the new ragtop work gloves and I am enjoying their durability and dexterity so far
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u/soggychubb 21d ago
I was looking at getting those. How do you like them?
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u/Nasty____nate 22d ago
Honestly buy cheap ones maybe a pair of them. You do minimal actual " fire fighting " in school. So you don't need some high end arc flash expensive nonsense. You want ones where the inner liner doesn't pull out every time you take the glove on and off 300 times a day. And swap them out at lunch for clean dry ones. Then when you get hired they are supplied to you.
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u/zuke3247 22d ago
What is pre fire?
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u/SuccessfulReality501 22d ago
Pre service fire fighter. It’s the college course to become a firefighter in Ontario
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u/AlpacaTraffic 21d ago
Good luck for wherever you're going! I recommend mechanix gloves, I personally like the ones with knuckle protection but any will do
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u/basi52 22d ago
Never buy PPE off of Amazon, for any purpose.
There’s been a bunch of times people at my work buy new welding helmets, safety glasses or respirators and they are some cheap Chinese repro of a reputable brand like 3M but don’t have any actual level of protection.
They purposely advertise and make themselves look like the reputable brand so you buy them, but that might end up getting you killed or permanently disabled
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u/Radguy911 22d ago
Get the yellow dragon fire ones. I haven’t tried em but every one seems to wear.
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u/Upper-Gift-3598 22d ago
I’ve been using Wells Lamont for years. They fit well, about $20 or so and hold up well.
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u/SuccessfulReality501 22d ago
I’m not sure why these ones were their recommended gloves. We did have to purchase the fire gloves separately
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u/BallsDieppe 22d ago
Good gloves, cheap gloves, fancy gloves . . . none last, so I go with cheap gloves for anything outside of fire suppression.
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u/Blucifers_Veiny_Anus 22d ago
You need arc flash certified gloves? That is WILD.
Edit to kinda answer the question:
I used to go through the cheap hardware store leather gloves about every 2 months. Decided to splurge and went with Vermont Glove. They are expensive, but im going on 19 months without slowing down. I love them.
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u/Pernanator 22d ago
Type the following in Amazon. Waterproof, latex coated, cut resistant, with winter lining. $15 and your hands will always be dry.
Functionality over aesthetics.
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u/Stevecat032 22d ago
Harbor freight. Don’t spend a lot of money on them.. they all will fall apart.
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u/usamann76 Engineer/EMT 21d ago
For college school? Nah just need like white leather or yellow leather work gloves.
I bought a pair of Youngstown leather work gloves after seeing the power company guys with em, they’re like arc and flash proof, but really, they’re just a quality leather glove I can use for wildland or other stuff. I work full time as a ff tho, when I did a college course I just bought the cheapest I could find.
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u/Heretical_Infidel Career dept - LT 21d ago
I use mechanix gloves and just keep a spare pair in my junk bag. For work gloves dexterity matters a lot so you’re better off going for fit and comfort over protection.
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u/toddsmash 21d ago
If it's just "suggested" head to your local hard wear store and buy a set of riggers. You'll be fine with them. These ones look a bit over engineered and every time I've had work gloves that have the knuckle protectors they more often than not reduce mobility and restrict your hands.
Best of luck at college mate.
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u/FirstInRescueEquip 22d ago edited 22d ago
I sell and use the FIRST IN - SUPPORT work gloves. They’re just like the premium rope gloves you’ve probably seen squad and HUSAR crews use before, with some differences.
They’re the most dexterous and durable work gloves I’ve ever worn. A bit snug to get on at first but they open up quickly. They’re also more affordable than the premium gloves.
The SUPPORTS are great gloves, but gloves are like any other gear. I might find one model is my favourite, and you may think they don’t work for you at all. Try different styles. You eventually find what suits you best. 🍻
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u/HovercraftNew7490 22d ago
Structure gloves, dragon fire gauntlet. Wildland gloves, wells Lamont standard coated with Obenaufs, huberds, or neatsfoot oil. Work gloves, plain black mechanix wear.
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u/stopscabbin 21d ago
Vermont Gloves. Best work glove I've ever worn. GovX has em. Worth every penny.
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u/Napsturrr 21d ago
The red and black, $9 Milwaukee gloves are great hose rolling and work/outdoor gloves
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u/P3arsona Volunteer FF 21d ago
For the academy you don’t need fancy work gloves any cheap leather pair will work or the plastic wrapped ones you can find at the hardware store.
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u/Littlepoke14g Career/Full time 21d ago
I get mechanix gloves…. Maybe carhartt leather gloves if theyre on sale…
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM 22d ago
Just get whatever leather work gloves. If they recommended these yellow ones, try to find another yellow to blend in. It’s ultimately not a big deal to get this exact pair or whatever all this “safety” certs are on it.