DeWalt Full Dip Water-Resistant Breathable Work Glove

My wet-weather kit usually includes a pair of rubberized gloves, but most feel like wearing sandwich bags over wool socks—clammy, stiff, and clumsy. The DeWalt full-dip work glove changed that equation for me. After several weeks using it in rain, mud, and at a slick jobsite wash station, it’s become the pair I reach for when grip and water resistance matter, but I still want decent dexterity.

Build and first impressions

This glove pairs a 15-gauge nylon liner with a fully dipped nitrile coating. That full dip is what keeps water out and gives the glove its confident, rubbery bite on wet surfaces. The liner is thin and close-knit, so the glove molds to the hand better than most “waterproof” options. It’s an open-cuff design—quick to pull on and off, without a gauntlet or hook-and-loop strap.

DeWalt lists it as water resistant rather than waterproof, and that’s accurate. The coating blocks moisture across the hand, but the open cuff is an obvious entry point if you’re working in sustained rain or dipping past the wrist.

A few specs worth calling out: ANSI abrasion level 6 (that’s at the top end for abrasion resistance), nitrile grip, and a non-washable designation. Touchscreen compatibility is a no, which matters if you live on your phone between tasks.

Fit and dexterity

The 15-gauge nylon liner is the star here. It delivers a snug, close fit with better fingertip feel than I typically get from fully coated gloves. I could thread hose fittings, fish out screws from wet gravel, and snap small electrical connectors without resorting to bare hands. Dexterity is noticeably better than thick PVC-coated gloves, but not as airy as thin foam-nitrile “dry” gloves.

The open cuff makes for easy on/off when you need bare fingers for a second. The tradeoff is debris can get in, and the cuff doesn’t seal out trickles of water running down your sleeves. I’d pair it with a jacket that has a snug wrist or a sweatband if you’re working overhead in the rain.

Sizing is offered from small through XL. The fit is on the secure side thanks to the stretch liner; if you’re between sizes, I’d choose the larger for all-day comfort, especially in heat.

Grip and control in the wet

Grip is the reason to pick this glove. Nitrile has excellent wet traction compared to bare skin, and the full coating kept grip consistent across the entire hand. Handling wet lumber, PVC pipe, metal conduit, and tool handles felt confident. On smooth, oily surfaces, grip was still usable, though not as locked-in as a sandy-finish nitrile. In water and mud, though, I rarely lost hold of anything I meant to keep.

I used them to guide pavers during a rainy patio repair and to handle wet rebar and buckets at a wash station. The gloves stayed planted. Hammer and drill handles never felt slick, even when the rubber grips were streaming water.

Water resistance and breathability

Fully dipped often means fully sweaty. Here, the glove does better than most. The nylon shell seems to move moisture off the skin faster than thicker liners, and the coating isn’t overly stiff, so I didn’t get that greenhouse effect right away. Still, they’re water resistant first, breathable second. After an hour of steady work, my hands were warm and a little damp from sweat—expected for this category.

A note on temperature: in cold weather, nitrile can stiffen a bit. I noticed a slight loss of flexibility below freezing, but not enough to give up on fine tasks. These aren’t insulated, and they’re not wind resistant either. If you’ll be in cold wind or icy water, add a thin liner glove or switch to an insulated option.

Durability and protection

Abrasion resistance is where these gloves shine. ANSI level 6 is no joke, and the coating held up after dragging masonry, handling cinder blocks, and repeated use on rough plywood and concrete. I saw scuffing on high-wear areas after several muddy job days, but no peeling or breakthrough.

Cut protection isn’t the claim here, and there’s no cut rating listed, so I treated them as general-duty gloves. For sharp sheet metal or heavy demolition, I’d move up to a cut-rated glove. For plumbers, landscapers, and general trades working wet, the durability-to-dexterity balance is excellent.

Impact protection is minimal—no knuckle padding—which is typical for a glove this light. If you’re in tight spaces where you’ll rap your knuckles, plan accordingly.

Comfort over a full day

The liner is smooth and non-irritating, and seams never rubbed even with frequent on/off cycles. The coating has enough flex that it doesn’t fight your hand movements. Over a long day, the main comfort factor is moisture buildup. I had better results taking the gloves off during breaks to let the liner air out; they dry quickly if you hang them cuff down.

Weight is light enough that the gloves disappear on your hands, and the open cuff adds to that “no-fuss” feeling.

Practical drawbacks

• Not touchscreen-friendly. You’ll be slipping one off to use a phone or tablet. The open cuff helps, but it’s still a pause in the workflow.
• Open cuff invites water/debris. In heavy rain or slurry, water can creep in at the wrist. A tighter cuff would help, though it would also slow donning/doffing.
• “Non-washable” care tag. In practice, I wiped them with a damp cloth and mild soap and let them air dry, which preserved the coating. A machine wash will likely shorten life; I wouldn’t risk it.
• Limited weather protection. No insulation and no wind resistance means they’re not a winter solution on their own.

Use cases that suit them

• Plumbing, irrigation, and trench work in wet soil
• Concrete and masonry handling around wash stations or in light rain
• Landscaping and yard work with wet grass, mud, and slippery tools
• Vehicle washing and detailing where constant water contact is a given
• Light construction tasks on rainy days where you still need dexterity

For prolonged oil immersion or heavy chemical exposure, these aren’t specialized chemical gloves. They’re built for general wet or slippery conditions, not hazardous materials.

Longevity and value

The abrasion performance suggests good lifespan if you avoid machine washing and let them dry between uses. I didn’t see delamination or cracking during testing, and the palms remained grippy after multiple wet/dry cycles. As with any fully coated glove, once the coating abrades through, performance drops quickly—so rotate pairs if you put heavy miles on them.

The one-year limited warranty is a pleasant surprise in this category, though it typically covers manufacturing defects, not wear. Still, it speaks to a baseline of build quality.

Tips for best results

• Pair with a jacket or sleeve that seals at the wrist to prevent water ingress.
• Air them out between tasks; hang cuff-down to dry quickly.
• Keep a thin liner glove handy for cold days.
• Wipe clean with mild soap and water; avoid heat drying or solvents.
• If you need to use a phone often, set up voice commands or quick toggles to reduce glove removal.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt full-dip work glove for anyone who needs reliable grip and water resistance without sacrificing fine control. It hits a sweet spot: a flexible, close-fitting glove that stays sure-handed in the wet, with abrasion durability that outlasts most light-duty options. The tradeoffs—no touchscreen use, open cuff, and modest breathability—are typical for the category and manageable with a few habits. If your workday regularly includes rain, wash stations, slippery materials, or muddy ground, this glove earns a spot in the kit. If you need cut protection, insulation, or sealed-cuff waterproofing, look elsewhere; otherwise, this is a balanced, capable choice.