DeWalt Hi-Vis HPPE Fiberglass Cut Glove

A bright, capable everyday cut glove for real jobsite work

I spent the past few weeks running the DeWalt hi‑vis glove through the kind of mixed tasks that eat lesser gloves: unloading pallets, handling sheet metal duct, tying rebar, trimming sharp flashing, and wrenching on oily fasteners. It’s a 13‑gauge knit with an HPPE/fiberglass shell and a foam nitrile palm, rated ANSI A4 for cut, with high abrasion and puncture numbers. On paper it looks like a solid “daily driver” glove for construction and shop work. In practice, it largely delivered—especially in grip, visibility, and durability—while carrying the usual limitations of a palm‑coated knit.

What stood out first

Two things hit me immediately. The hi‑vis yellow is hard to miss—in a good way. On busy sites, seeing a hand signal or a finger near a pinch point matters, and these pop against dark materials and equipment. Second, the foam nitrile palm has that ideal balance of tack and compliance. On dry materials it grips like a confident handshake; on damp or slightly oily parts it still finds purchase without feeling gummy.

The shell is a 13‑gauge HPPE with fiberglass, and the knit is seamless. The overall feel is lean and nimble rather than bulky, with a snug, athletic fit that encourages you to keep them on instead of pocketing them between tasks.

Fit and comfort

I wear a large in most performance knits, and the large here fit true to size—snug but not constricting, with finger lengths that didn’t bunch at the tips. The seamless knit avoids the hotspots and seam ridges you get with cut‑and‑sewn gloves. Breathability is good for a coated palm: the back of hand moves air, and the coating doesn’t trap heat as much as flat nitrile or PU can. On warm days my hands were damp but not drenched.

The glove includes a reinforced thumb saddle, and that reinforcement is well‑placed. That’s exactly where I see early wear from pulling strap, running a utility knife, or palming blocks. After days of scraping, the saddle showed scuffing but no breach.

Grip in dry, wet, and oily conditions

Foam nitrile is the right choice for mixed environments. Here’s how it behaved for me:
- Dry lumber, OSB, and concrete block: confident, predictable grip; easy to carry, push, and pull.
- Galvanized duct and flashing: secure even on smooth edges; enough tactile feedback to manage small screws and clips.
- Light oil and coolant mist: still grippy on hand tools and parts; I could thread nuts and start bolts without that “soap bar” feeling.
- Standing water or heavy oil films: still better than bare knit, but you have to mind your grip. Wiping surfaces or the glove improves control.

Remember, the palm coating provides localized oil/water resistance; the glove overall isn’t waterproof. In steady rain or in coolant splash, the back-of-hand knit will wet out and your hand will get damp.

Cut, abrasion, and puncture protection

The ANSI A4 cut rating is a useful middle ground for construction and mechanical work—enough to fend off most sheet edges, banding, and blade brushes without venturing into bulky, high‑cut territory. I intentionally stressed them on:
- Freshly cut ductwork and aluminum sheet
- Banding strap and broken tile edges
- Rebar ties and wire ends

No cuts made it through the shell during normal handling. As with any cut‑resistant glove, “resistant” isn’t “proof,” and a direct, forceful slice from a sharp blade will still win. For glass handling or very aggressive edges, step up to higher cut levels.

Abrasion performance tracks the spec: the fingertips and palm took repeated scrapes on block and concrete with only cosmetic smoothing of the foam after several days. Puncture protection is strong for a knit; nails and wire points didn’t spike through under normal pressures, though a direct stab with force will defeat it, as expected.

The EN 388 score of 4X42D broadly mirrors that story: high abrasion and tear, moderate puncture, and a TDM cut rating in the D range.

Dexterity and control

At 13‑gauge, dexterity is a standout. I could pick up small screws and washers, strip wire, and press tool triggers without feeling like I was fighting the glove. Running a utility knife felt controlled, and I could choke up on hand tools without slop. If you’re assembling fasteners, loading anchors, or working around trim, you’ll appreciate how little the glove gets in your way.

Durability over time

After two weeks of mixed use, here’s where wear showed up:
- Foam nitrile: slight glazing at the fingertips and heel of palm; no flaking or peeling.
- Thumb saddle: scuffed but intact—exactly what you want from reinforcement.
- Knit shell: no pulls or unraveling; elasticity remained snug.

Given the abrasion rating and the real‑world result, I’d expect these to outlast cheaper PU‑coated knits and sit right where good foam‑nitrile A4 gloves usually live in terms of lifespan.

Visibility and safety

The hi‑vis color isn’t reflective, but the bright yellow is extremely conspicuous in daylight and on dim interiors. Spotting hand placement around saw tables, conveyors, or moving equipment is easier, and communicating with spotters feels more confident. I prefer this over dark gloves for most site work.

Sizing, options, and build notes

• Sizes: S through XXL, which should cover most crews.
• Pack options: dozen and case quantities are available, practical for outfitting teams.
• Warranty: a 1‑year limited warranty is a welcome touch for a consumable.

The glove isn’t a winter or wind glove, and there’s no full liquid barrier. That’s by design—keeping it light preserves dexterity and breathability.

Limitations and best use cases

What it’s great for:
- General construction: framing, sheathing, handling metals, pulling strap, demo with sharp debris.
- Automotive and mechanical: handling oily parts, light assembly, tool work.
- Warehousing and material handling: pallets, banding, cartons with staples, strapping.

Where I’d choose something else:
- Heavy liquid exposure or chemicals: you need a full‑dip or chemical‑rated glove.
- Cold weather: add an insulated option.
- High‑cut hazards (glass shop, razor‑edged plate): step up to a higher cut level.
- Continuous puncture risks (dense thorns, spikes): consider specialized puncture‑resistant gloves.

Care and cleaning

My maintenance routine was simple: cold rinse and a gentle machine wash in a mesh bag, then air‑dry. The grip returned nicely once the coating dried, and the knit didn’t lose elasticity. Avoid high heat; it can harden or crack the coating over time.

Value and competition

In the crowded A4 segment, what separates the DeWalt hi‑vis glove is a thoughtful feature set—real oil‑friendly grip, a useful thumb saddle, true 13‑gauge dexterity, and high visibility—without tipping into gimmicks or bulk. It checks the core boxes I look for in a daily glove and resists the common failure points. If you’re buying for a crew, the dozen/case options and broad sizing make logistics easy.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt hi‑vis glove as a reliable, everyday A4 cut‑resistant option for construction, automotive, and material‑handling work. It combines secure grip in dry and lightly oily conditions with a dexterous 13‑gauge feel, durable reinforcement in high‑wear zones, and conspicuous color that adds a layer of safety around equipment. It’s not a rain, winter, or chemical glove, and it’s not meant for the most extreme cut hazards—but for the majority of jobsite and shop tasks, it stays comfortable, holds up, and lets you work confidently.