Protective Arm Sleeves: PE vs SMS vs TPU vs Canvas vs Kevlar
Gloves protect your hands and aprons protect your front, but the forearm is often left exposed. That is where food juices soak shirt cuffs, cleaning chemicals run down the wrist, and sheet metal leaves cuts. A simple sleeve closes that gap. The right sleeve depends on one question: what are you protecting against?
Quick comparison
| Sleeve | Protects against | Reusable? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE (polyethylene) | Water, food, light splashes | No | Food prep, wet cleaning |
| SMS fabric | Dust, dirt, non-hazardous particles | No | Cleanrooms, labs, dry work |
| TPU | Water, fats, many cleaners | Yes | Fish, meat, dish rooms |
| Cotton canvas | Dirt, debris, light abrasion | Yes (washable) | Warehouses, yard work |
| Kevlar / cut-resistant | Cuts and abrasion | Yes (washable) | Sheet metal, glass, blades |
Disposable PE sleeves
Polyethylene sleeves are thin, waterproof and very low cost, so you can change them as often as gloves. They are the go-to choice for food prep, bakeries and wet cleaning. We carry two weights:
- PE Sleeves: 16-inch, 0.75 mil, blue. The economical everyday option.
- Virgin PE Sleeves: 18-inch, 1 mil virgin PE in blue, white or red. Longer, stronger, and colour-coded.
PE does not breathe, so for long dry shifts a fabric sleeve is more comfortable.
Breathable SMS sleeves
SMS (spunbond-meltblown-spunbond) is the same three-layer fabric used in disposable lab coats. It lets air through but blocks dust and dirt, which makes SoftCover® SMS 16" Sleeves a good fit for cleanrooms, electronics, labs and packaging. Wearing sleeves over a lab coat also protects the cuffs, which get dirty first. You can swap the sleeves instead of the whole coat.
Reusable TPU sleeves
TPU Reusable Sleeve are 6 mil thermoplastic polyurethane, which is waterproof, flexible and much tougher than disposable film. Rinse them after each shift and they last a long time. They match our TPU Reusable Apron and TPU Reusable Gown, so a fish or meat processing team can be fully covered in reusable TPU.
Cotton canvas sleeves
For dry, abrasive work, such as moving boxes, lumber or bricks, plastic sleeves tear and get sweaty. Cotton Canvas Sleeve, Both Side Elastic Band are washable, breathable, and held in place by elastic at both ends.
Cut-resistant sleeves
Many cuts happen just above the glove, where a sheet of metal or glass slides along the forearm. Cut-resistant sleeves are rated like cut gloves:
- DuPont Kevlar sleeves rated A3 in five lengths: 8-inch, 10-inch, 12-inch, 14-inch and 18-inch.
- DuPont Kevlar Cut-Resistance Sleeve with Thumb Hole: the thumb hole stops the sleeve riding up and overlaps the glove cuff.
- Cut-Resistance Arm Protection, Level A4: a higher A4 rating for sharper hazards.
Match the sleeve’s cut level to your gloves so the whole arm has the same protection. Kevlar sleeves can be washed in warm water with mild detergent, but avoid bleach, which weakens the fibres.
Wearing sleeves with gloves
For wet work, pull the sleeve up first and put the glove cuff over the end of the sleeve, so liquid running down your hand stays outside. If liquid runs down from above, for example when reaching into a tank, tuck the sleeve over the glove instead. The goal is no bare skin at the wrist.
Frequently asked questions
Which sleeve is best for food processing?
For short tasks, disposable PE sleeves. For all-day wet work, reusable TPU sleeves save money and waste.
Are Kevlar sleeves cut-proof?
No sleeve is cut-proof. Cut-resistant sleeves reduce the risk from sliding contact with sharp edges, but they will not stop a powered blade or a direct stab.
Can I buy sleeves in bulk?
Yes. Most sleeves are sold by the bag with full cases available. Contact us for case pricing.