DeWalt Ultradex Smooth Nitrile Dip Glove

A good work glove earns its keep long before it wears out. After several months of light construction, shop work, and machine maintenance with the Ultradex glove, I’ve come to appreciate it for what it is: a lightweight, breathable, nitrile-dipped utility glove that favors dexterity and control over heavy-duty protection. It’s not trying to be a cut-resistant, impact-rated gauntlet. It’s a nimble, grippy layer for everyday tasks where handling small fasteners, tools, and slightly oily parts is the norm.

Fit and comfort

I used a size Large, and the fit felt true to size—snug without being constricting. The 13-gauge nylon/polyester shell is thin and stretchy, contouring nicely to the hand and fingers. That knit density hits a sweet spot: you get enough material to feel substantive support, but not so much that it deadens tactile feedback. The elastic cuff is low-profile and secure. It slides under jacket sleeves easily and doesn’t bunch or leave a pressure point on the wrist. There’s no hook-and-loop to snag on fabric or wiring, which I appreciate on jobs where exposure to sawdust or metal chips is constant.

The inner feel is smooth; there aren’t abrasive seams or hotspots to speak of. I could wear these for extended periods without irritation, and the cuffs kept debris from filtering down the wrist while still allowing easy on/off.

Breathability and sweat management

Breathability is a standout. With a fully coated palm but an open-knit back, the glove allows heat and moisture to escape well above average for a nitrile-dipped glove. On warm days in the shop, my hands stayed reasonably dry. That matters for grip consistency: when a glove traps sweat, the inside becomes slippery and you start over-gripping tools, which leads to hand fatigue. I didn’t experience that here. If you’re accustomed to bulky PVC-dipped gloves or leather drivers, the difference in airflow is immediately noticeable.

Grip and control

The smooth nitrile palm provides a consistent, slightly tacky grip across dry surfaces—lumber, hand tools, plastics, and painted steel all feel secure. With an oily film or light grease, I still had enough purchase to handle fasteners and parts confidently. In heavy oil or fully saturated conditions, the smooth finish can’t match the bite of a microfoam or sandy nitrile coating; it’ll do the job, but you’ll find yourself pinching a bit harder. The trade-off is high tactile sensitivity. I could manipulate small machine screws, washers, and hex keys without the frustrating fumbling common to thicker or textured coatings.

If your day regularly involves grabbing parts out of oil pans or working with cutting fluids, consider a more aggressively textured nitrile. But for general shop work and handling slightly oily components, the Ultradex glove strikes a good balance.

Dexterity and feel

This is the glove’s core strength. The thin, flexible knit and minimal coating thickness keep finger dexterity intact, so tasks like threading nuts, starting screws, and lining up washers feel almost bare-handed. The palm coating stops short of the back of the hand, so flex is natural when you clench a fist or wrap around tool handles. I could read edges and surface irregularities through the glove, which is exactly what I want when aligning machine parts or checking surface prep on a repair.

Durability and protection

The shell resists abrasion better than its weight would suggest. In daily use—moving sheet goods, handling dimensional lumber, carrying toolboxes, and working with stamped parts—the coating held up well. After months, the first signs of wear appeared at predictable spots: the fingertips (especially index and thumb) and the heel of the palm. Even then, the knit didn’t immediately blow through; the nitrile simply thinned and smoothed. If you’re abusive on gloves—dragging material across concrete, prying against sharp flashing, or doing repetitive abrasive tasks—expect these to be consumables. For general construction and maintenance, the lifespan is respectable.

Protection is oriented around abrasion and light liquid resistance at the palm. There’s no cut rating advertised and no impact padding. These are not the glove for handling sharp sheet metal, glass, or thorny brush, and they’re not chemical gloves for solvent immersion. They do, however, fend off grime well, and the nitrile coating provides a practical barrier when you’re dealing with oils and grease in typical shop quantities.

Applications

Where the Ultradex glove made the most sense for me:
- Machine parts handling and assembly work
- Tool setup, fixture adjustments, and general maintenance
- Light construction tasks: fastener driving, measuring, layout, and material handling
- Automotive tasks that involve an oily film but not heavy oil immersion
- Warehouse and material handling where touch and speed matter

I wouldn’t choose them for:
- Sharp-edged metal work where cut resistance is required
- Heavy demolition or masonry where abrasion is extreme
- Chemical handling beyond incidental contact
- High-heat tasks or spark exposure

Sizing, cuff, and ergonomics

The elastic cuff does its job: it stays put without constricting. It also keeps the glove profile slim, which helps under tight sleeves or when constantly taking the gloves on and off. The knit recovers well after stretching; I didn’t notice bagging at the fingertips or a sloppy feel over time, provided I stuck to appropriate tasks. If you’re between sizes or prefer a very fitted glove, erring toward the smaller of two sizes usually improves dexterity without undue pressure—but always prioritize circulation.

Care and upkeep

A simple wash keeps them going longer. I rinse grime at the end of the day, then hand-wash with mild soap and cool water when they start to stiffen from residue. Air-dry only—heat can harden nitrile and reduce flexibility. The black/gray color hides stains well, and the coating doesn’t shed or flake with normal cleaning.

What it’s not—and alternatives to consider

• Not cut-rated: If you regularly handle sharp stock, look for a cut-resistant knit with a nitrile foam or sandy finish and an appropriate ANSI/EN cut level.
• Not oil-specialized: For persistently oily environments, a microfoam or sandy nitrile coating improves traction on wet/greasy surfaces.
• Not impact-protective: If you’re in heavy assembly or demolition, a TPR-backed glove adds dorsal protection.

The Ultradex glove isn’t trying to cover every category; it’s a nimble, everyday workhorse that excels in dexterity and light oily handling.

Pros and cons

Pros
- Excellent dexterity and tactile sensitivity
- Breathable 13-gauge knit reduces sweaty hands
- Consistent dry grip; competent with light oil/grease
- Comfortable, secure elastic cuff
- Good abrasion resistance for the weight
- Neutral color that hides grime

Cons
- Smooth nitrile is outgunned by textured coatings in heavy oil
- No cut or impact protection
- Wear concentrates at fingertips with repetitive friction tasks

The bottom line

I reach for the Ultradex glove when I need control: fitting hardware, tuning machines, handling parts with a hint of oil, or doing general construction tasks where feel matters more than armor. It’s comfortable, surprisingly durable for its weight, and it keeps my hands from getting clammy during long sessions. If your work skews toward dexterity and cleanliness—with only occasional exposure to oil and abrasion—it’s an easy glove to like.

Recommendation: I recommend the Ultradex glove as a daily-use, breathable nitrile option for construction, maintenance, and machine parts handling where dexterity is paramount. Choose it for its comfort, grip, and tactile feel. Look elsewhere if your tasks demand cut protection, heavy oil traction, or impact resistance.