Yeah, I hear you on the glove front. Disposables are handy for quick, dirty jobs, but I go through way too many if I use them for everything. Those nitrile-coated ones last me a couple weeks unless I’m tearing off old shingles or dealing with tar—then nothing survives. As for sweaty hands, I’ve tried mesh backs too, but they just get filthy faster on a roof. Eye protection’s a pain with all the fogging, especially in humid weather. I’ve started using those foam gasket safety glasses—still fog up sometimes, but at least they keep the grit out. Honestly, reusable gear just makes more sense for most of what we do, even if it takes a bit more effort to keep clean.
Honestly, reusable gear just makes more sense for most of what we do, even if it takes a bit more effort to keep clean.
Couldn’t agree more on the reusable side, especially for gloves. I’ve burned through boxes of disposables on crawlspaces and attics—feels wasteful and they never fit right anyway. The nitrile-dipped ones are my go-to unless I’m dealing with insulation (then it’s double up or regret it later). On the eye protection, I’ve tried anti-fog wipes and sprays, but they’re hit or miss. Sometimes I just end up taking the glasses off to wipe them every five minutes... not ideal when you’re under a house with spiders dropping in. Reusable gear’s a pain to clean, but at least it doesn’t fall apart halfway through a job.
- Totally with you on the glove thing—disposables just shred in crawlspaces.
-
Couldn’t have said it better.“Reusable gear’s a pain to clean, but at least it doesn’t fall apart halfway through a job.”
- I keep a few pairs of those coated gloves in my truck and just toss them in the wash after a rough day.
- For eye protection, I’ve had better luck with the anti-fog glasses that have vents, but they’re not perfect either... especially when it’s humid.
- Only time I reach for disposables now is if there’s something really nasty or sticky involved. Otherwise, reusable wins for me too.
I’m with you on the coated gloves—those nitrile disposables are just money down the drain if you’re crawling around under a house or dealing with rough lumber. I’ve tried a few brands and even the “heavy duty” ones tear way too fast. Tossing reusable gloves in the wash isn’t really a big deal, and they seem to last months if you’re not using them for something super nasty.
On eye protection, I’ve had mixed results with anti-fog glasses too. They work okay until you get into a humid crawlspace or attic, then it’s just constant wiping. I’ve even tried those little anti-fog wipes, but honestly, they’re hit or miss.
Curious if anyone’s found a reusable glove that actually holds up to solvents or adhesives? That’s the one spot where I still grab disposables, just because cleaning glue or caulk out of a fabric glove is a nightmare. If there’s something out there that can handle that and still last, I’d rather spend a bit more up front than keep buying boxes of disposables.
I get the frustration with disposables, but honestly, I still keep a stash around for the nasty stuff—solvents, adhesives, or anything that’ll eat through fabric or rubber. Tried a few “chemical resistant” reusable gloves (think those thick green ones from the paint aisle), but they’re clunky and you lose all dexterity. Plus, once you get caulk or epoxy on ‘em, they’re never the same. For crawlspaces and rough work, reusable’s great, but for sticky messes, I just accept I’m burning through a few pairs. Sometimes convenience wins over durability...