Polyurethane-coated gloves are a weird beast. I gave 'em a shot last summer thinking they'd be the holy grail for grip, but honestly, when things got sweaty or damp, they were only a slight upgrade from the Maxiflex—nothing mind-blowing. They feel thinner, so you do get a bit more dexterity, but that also means my hands felt clammy fast. At this point, I keep a towel nearby and just rotate gloves like I'm in a pit crew... Not ideal, but I've yet to find a glove that checks every box. Maybe one day someone will invent a glove that absorbs sweat, repels rain, and makes coffee. Until then, it’s all compromises.
- Totally get where you’re coming from—finding the “perfect” glove is like chasing a unicorn.
- I’ve tried a bunch too. Polyurethane’s nice for grip, but yeah, sweaty hands are still a thing.
- Rotating gloves and keeping a towel handy is pretty much my routine on hot days.
- If someone ever invents that magic glove, I’ll be first in line... Until then, it’s all about trade-offs.
I hear you on the sweaty hands—summer up on a black roof, it’s brutal. I’ve tried both disposables and reusables. Nitrile disposables are decent for quick repairs, but they rip fast if you’re hauling shingles. I usually stick with reusable ones, just toss ‘em in the wash at the end of the week. Not perfect, but better than going through a box of gloves every couple days.
I get the appeal of tossing reusables in the wash, but I’ve had mixed luck with them. Maybe it’s just me, but after a few cycles, mine start to stiffen up or lose grip—especially if I’m working with tar or adhesives. Disposables are wasteful, sure, but at least you know what you’re getting each time. I’ve started using those bamboo-fiber gloves lately. They breathe better and seem to hold up longer than the cheap cotton ones. Not perfect, but less landfill guilt...
- Had the same issue with reusables getting stiff—felt like I was wearing cardboard mittens after a few washes.
- Tar and adhesives are brutal on gloves. Even the “washable” ones end up gunked up or lose their grip.
- Disposables are easy, but yeah, tossing a pile after one messy job feels kinda wrong.
- Tried those bamboo-fiber gloves too. Decent breathability, but mine got holes after a week demo’ing drywall. Maybe I’m too rough...
- Ever tried nitrile-coated gloves? Not perfect, but they hold up better for sticky stuff, at least until you forget them in the truck and they bake solid.