Microfiber Tech: MFT PRO Gloves Pair Comfort and Performance

Microfiber is today’s go-to fabric for performance. Because it is lightweight and breathable, athletes wear it as base layers and jerseys to pull moisture away from the body to keep them cool and dry.

For the last decade, metalworking and manufacturing workers have enjoyed the same performance benefits of microfiber in their hand protection. In these industrial environments, microfiber helps improve comfort and dexterity, which translates to personal safety and business efficiency.

About 20 times smaller than a human hair, microfibers are engineered for softness, toughness, absorption, water repellency, electrostatics and filtering, according to SHOWA, a global provider of hand protection solutions. The fabric is breathable, lightweight, comfortable and durable, making it an effective material for work gloves.

SHOWA’s 381 general-purpose glove, for example, is a testament to microfiber’s popularity in the industry over the years. The 381 features 13-gauge knitting, four-way-stretch microfiber fabric and ventilated sections for optimal airflow. The company has sold more than 3 million pairs of the product since 2015, making it one of SHOWA’s top-selling general-purpose gloves.

SHOWA was the first glove manufacturer to incorporate microfiber technology (MFT) into a general-purpose glove, continuing a legacy of innovation that includes pioneering the first PVC glove, the first disposable nitrile glove and the first biodegradable single-use glove.

“Everybody likes to wear microfiber, because it feels so smooth, and it also breathes. We saw that technology and thought it would make for a great general-purpose glove,” says Christie Graff, national account manager at SHOWA.

Microfiber Gloves Enhance Performance, Cost-Effectiveness

Whereas bulky gloves limit movement and might prompt a worker to take them off to accomplish certain tasks, microfiber gloves are lightweight and designed for comfort, even with extended wear.

SHOWA’s 381 glove, for instance, weighs just 19 grams and has a finger thickness of 0.84 millimeters to ensure optimum tactility when working on delicate projects.

Read more: SHOWA’s Sentinel Program: Protection That Pays

Another benefit that contributes to usability: “Microfiber helps wick away moisture to give you enhanced fit, feel and grip through the palm and fingertips with maximum breathability,” Graff says.

In demonstrations at shows, SHOWA’s microfiber fabric absorbs water droplets in about two seconds compared with 11 to 14 seconds on traditional nylon fiber. The faster absorption illustrates the ability to quickly pull moisture away from the skin.

“When you’re talking about these wet, humid environments, you want the glove to absorb the moisture,” Graff says.

“The microfiber liner used in the 381 enhances the flexibility and workability for users. Some comment that they feel like the glove is actually an 18 gauge,” she says. “The feedback has been phenomenal.”

Microfiber gloves are machine washable and reusable, so they’re a cost-effective choice in hand protection for many employers. Also, as SHOWA notes, durability extends the glove’s lifespan and contributes to cost savings over time.

“There is reduced cost based on the usage of the glove because they’re wearing them longer, because they’re more comfortable to wear, and they’re absorbing the moisture instead of it just sitting on the glove,” Graff explains.

The Power of Microfiber Glove Palm Coatings

A microfiber glove’s performance is enhanced by palm coatings, which resist abrasion and improve a worker’s holding capability on tools and workpieces.

Nitrile is a common coating on gloves, including SHOWA’s 381. Micropores in the polymer provide grip when wet, oily or greasy. But other applications may require a different palm coating, Graff says.

Read more: How SHOWA EBT Gloves Protect Both Workers and Their Environment

Meeting this need, SHOWA has expanded and branded a line of microfiber gloves based on the 381 to include foam nitrile and three new palm coatings.

“To make use of the features of the microfiber liner, we launched a variety of palm-coating materials that include flat nitrile, natural rubber and polyurethane,” Graff says. “Users can select the glove for the most suitable application.”

The legacy 381 is now the MFT PRO 381. As mentioned earlier, the foam (or microporous) nitrile offers enhanced grip in wet or oily conditions, which is ideal for mechanical and engineering jobs.

The MFT PRO 374 features a flat nitrile palm coating, creating a durable and oil-resistant surface that’s especially suited for light assembly and parts handling.

“The flat nitrile is almost sticky,” Graff says. “It’s so great for tactility.”

Also, the gray palm color makes dirt visible to avoid transferring it from application to application.

The MFT PRO 344 has a natural rubber palm coating with a “crinkle texture” for unmatched grip in dry conditions, Graff says.

“That natural rubber gives you the tactility on your fingers,” she says. “You can pick up even the smallest nut, bolt or product piece in the manufacturing facility.”

Finally, the palm of the MFT PRO 264 is coated with polyurethane for enhanced dexterity and durability in manufacturing and packaging applications.

“Polyurethane is great if you’re trying to get things to move through your hands, like somebody on an assembly line who would be moving or picking up products,” Graff says.

Now, no matter what a worker needs to get done, there is a lightweight, comfortable and durable microfiber glove that’s up to the task. “With one line,” she says, “you’re able to work around and hit every different application.”

Which of SHOWA’s MFT PRO gloves do you need most in your workplace? Tell us in the comments.