Nitrile Exam Gloves: How to Choose Thickness, Colour and Size
Nitrile gloves are the most popular disposable glove in clinics, kitchens, salons and shops, and for good reason: they are strong, latex-free and resist many oils and chemicals. But “nitrile glove” covers a wide range. A thin 3 mil glove for a sandwich line and a heavy 8 mil glove for an oil change are very different products. This guide explains the three choices that matter most: thickness, colour and size.
Thickness: what 3, 5, 6 and 8 mil mean
Glove thickness is measured in mil, or thousandths of an inch. Thicker gloves resist tears and punctures better. Thinner gloves give more fingertip feel and cost less per glove.
| Thickness | Best for | Our options |
|---|---|---|
| 3 mil | Quick food service tasks, light exams, frequent changes | Lightblue Shield Nitrile Examination Gloves, Violet Shield Nitrile Examination Gloves |
| 5 mil | The everyday standard: clinics, kitchens, cleaning, salons | SkyBlue Shield Nitrile Examination Gloves, Black Shield Nitrile Examination Gloves, Cobalt Shield Nitrile Examination Gloves, Green Shield Nitrile Examination Gloves |
| 6 mil | Jobs where 5 mil gloves tear: cleaning, auto, food plants | Skyblue Shield Plus Nitrile Examination Gloves, BlackShield Plus Nitrile Examination Gloves |
| 8 mil | Heavy, oily or wet work: mechanics, degreasing, processing | Diamond Shield Nitrile Disposable Gloves Orange, Diamond Shield Nitrile Disposable Gloves Black, Blue Shield Nitrile Disposable Gloves Blue 8MIL 12", Black Shield Nitrile Disposable Gloves Black 8MIL 12" |
A simple rule: if staff double-glove or keep tearing gloves, move up one thickness. One stronger glove often costs less than two thin ones.
Colour: more than looks
Glove colour is a practical tool:
- Blue is easy to spot in food, so a torn piece does not go unnoticed. That is why blue is the default in many kitchens and plants.
- Black hides ink, grease and hair dye, so gloves look clean longer. Tattoo artists, mechanics and colourists prefer it.
- Green, violet and orange are useful for colour-coding. Many kitchens keep one colour only for allergen-free orders, or give each station its own colour.
Because our 5 mil Shield gloves come in sky blue, cobalt, black and green with the same fit and feel, you can set up a colour system without retraining anyone.
Sizing your team
A glove that is too big bunches at the fingertips and catches on things. A glove that is too small tears and tires the hand. Measure around the palm just below the knuckles, not including the thumb:
- Under 7 in: X-Small or Small
- 7 to 8 in: Medium
- 8 to 9 in: Large
- Over 9 in: X-Large or XX-Large
Most adults wear Medium or Large. Stock every size your team needs. A wall dispenser that holds four boxes, such as the Acrylic Wall Mountable Glove Dispenser 4 boxes Capacity, makes it easy to offer several sizes in one spot.
Nitrile, vinyl, synthetic or latex?
| Material | Strengths | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrile | Strong, latex-free, resists oils and many chemicals | Costs more than vinyl |
| Synthetic (Synmax) | Soft and stretchy, lower cost than nitrile | Less chemical resistance than nitrile |
| Vinyl | Lowest cost, quick to change | Looser fit, tears more easily |
| Latex | Most stretch and fingertip feel | Not for anyone with a latex allergy |
For short, low-risk tasks, Blue Vmax Vinyl Examination Gloves or Blue Air Synmax Examination Gloves can save money. For quick food handling, Clear Poly Disposable Gloves are the lowest cost of all. If nobody on your team has a latex allergy and you want the closest fit, Latex Shield Examination Gloves are an option.
Single use means single use
Disposable exam gloves are designed to be thrown away after each task. Change them when you switch tasks, after touching raw food or chemicals, and as soon as one tears. To take them off safely, peel the first glove off inside out, hold it in the gloved hand, then slide a clean finger under the second cuff and peel it over the first.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best all-round nitrile glove?
For most businesses, a 5 mil powder-free nitrile glove such as SkyBlue Shield Nitrile Examination Gloves is the best balance of strength, feel and price.
Are your nitrile gloves powder-free and latex-free?
Yes. All the nitrile gloves listed in this guide are powder-free and contain no natural rubber latex.
Do you sell by the case?
Yes. Most of our gloves come 10 boxes to a case. Contact us for case pricing.