DeWalt Hi-Viz Performance Glove

Bright hands are easier to see on a busy jobsite. Over several night shifts and pre-dawn starts, I put DeWalt’s hi‑viz glove to work moving materials, running hand tools, and doing general utility tasks where visibility and quick on/off mattered more than brute protection. It’s a lightweight, synthetics-first glove with a few thoughtful touches that make it a good fit for night work and high-traffic environments—so long as you understand its limits.

Design and build

The back of the glove is a high‑visibility green spandex with silver reflective tape laid across the knuckles and down the fingers. The reflective elements are bright and placed where they actually catch light, which helps drivers and equipment operators pick up hand movement in low light. I also like the reflective “nail guard” strips on the fingertips; they add a bit of scuff protection when you’re pulling tape, cinching straps, or working against rough crates.

The palm is synthetic leather with PVC overlays in high‑wear zones and a foam pad under the heel. The synthetic palm strikes a balance: more durable than bare fabric, softer and more tactile than heavy leather. The foam pad doesn’t turn this into an anti‑vibration glove, but it does cut down on hot spots when you’re pushing a hand truck, carrying boxes, or using a driver for extended periods.

DeWalt goes with a RapidFit slip‑on cuff rather than a hook‑and‑loop closure. The cuff hugs the wrist well enough for light to medium tasks, and it’s fast—great for jobs where you’re frequently pulling gloves on and off. The trade‑off is adjustability: you can’t cinch it down to keep debris out, and if you have slender wrists you may prefer a glove with a strap.

Fit and comfort

I wore a size large, and the fit was true to expectations: snug across the palm with a bit of stretch across the back. The spandex breathes reasonably well, making the glove comfortable in warm interiors and cool nights alike. The synthetic palm is not perforated, so it retains a bit more heat and moisture than a mesh‑backed utility glove, but for most shift lengths I didn’t find it clammy.

Finger length is proportional and allowed full closure without webbing bunching up. I could tie knots, sort hardware, and operate latches without feeling like I was fighting the glove. The foam padding slightly mutes feedback from small fasteners, but not enough to get in the way of typical hand‑tool tasks.

One note: because the cuff is slip‑on, the glove is quicker to don than to remove with a single hand if your hands are sweaty or dusty. It’s a small thing, but I found myself using my teeth once or twice to peel the first glove, which isn’t ideal—brushing the cuff clean before peeling helps.

Visibility and safety

The hi‑viz back is bright under overcast skies and artificial light, and the reflective tape pops under headlights and forklift strobes. The reflective placement along the fingers means even a small hand wave or point shows up. That matters on ramps, loading docks, roadside work, or any site with vehicle traffic. It’s not PPE rated as high‑vis apparel, of course, but as far as gloves go, this is at the top end of visibility.

Important caveat: these are not cut‑rated, chemical‑resistant, or impact‑rated gloves. There are no TPR knuckle guards, and no ANSI cut level is listed. If your work involves sheet metal, glass, demolition, or pinch hazards, you’ll want something purpose‑built. Think of these as general‑utility gloves with enhanced visibility, not specialized safety gloves.

Dexterity and grip

Grip is good on cardboard, plastic totes, and wooden handles. The synthetic palm has a light texture, and the PVC overlays at stress points add durability without feeling bulky. On smooth steel and aluminum, grip is average; if you’re handling oily parts, you’ll want a dedicated nitrile‑coated pair.

I could operate a multi‑tool, pull a tape measure, and thumb a locking carabiner easily. Turning small machine screws was doable, though I preferred to remove the glove for tiny electronics screws. Touchscreen use was inconsistent; there’s no conductive patching called out, and my phone only registered swipes about half the time. Expect to pull a glove for phone work.

Durability so far

After a few weeks of use—unloading palletized goods, moving baggage, and odd jobs around the shop—the palm shows normal polish with no premature wear. Stitching at the seams has held, including along the thumb crotch where cheaper gloves blow out first. The foam pad hasn’t packed down noticeably.

The reflective tape does its job, but like most reflective trims, the edges are the vulnerable points. After repeated brushing against pallet wrap and crate handles, I noticed minor lifting at a fingertip edge. A quick press put it back down, and it hasn’t progressed, but it’s something to watch if your work is particularly abrasive.

Overall, I’d rate durability as solid for a synthetic utility glove: better than bargain-bin options, not as long‑lived as a heavy goatskin or split‑leather glove in abrasive environments. If you’re grinding, masonry cutting, or doing heavy demo, pick a more robust glove.

Where it shines

• Night and low‑light work. The visibility bump is real. Great for traffic control assists, ramp work, delivery routes, and facilities maintenance.
• Frequent on/off workflows. The slip‑on cuff saves time when you’re bouncing between paperwork, radio use, and hands‑on tasks.
• General utility tasks. Loading, strapping, tool carry, light carpentry, and warehouse handling are all in the glove’s wheelhouse.
• Comfort over a shift. Breathable back and moderate padding reduce fatigue without turning the glove into a sweatbox.

Limitations and trade‑offs

• No adjustable closure. Less debris sealing and potentially looser on slim wrists.
• Not specialty safety gear. No cut rating, chemical resistance, or impact protection.
• Touchscreen inconsistency. Plan to remove a glove to use a phone or tablet reliably.
• Reflective trim longevity. Expect normal wear at tape edges with heavy abrasion.
• No warranty eligibility. Gloves are consumables, but it’s still worth noting there’s no formal warranty if stitching or overlays fail prematurely.

Care and maintenance

Synthetics usually handle washing well. I hand‑washed these in cool water with mild soap and air‑dried flat; they came out clean and kept their shape. If you machine wash gloves, use a gentle cycle, cold water, and avoid high heat in the dryer—the adhesives behind reflective tape don’t love heat.

Alternatives worth considering

If you like the hi‑viz focus but want more dexterity and an adjustable cuff, look at a thin hi‑vis utility glove with a hook‑and‑loop closure; you’ll trade some padding for a tighter feel. If your work demands knuckle protection, a hi‑vis glove with TPR guards is the safer bet, though bulkier. For cut hazards, choose an ANSI‑rated hi‑vis glove with a coated palm.

The bottom line

The DeWalt hi‑viz glove is a practical, comfortable option for people who need to be seen and still handle day‑to‑day tasks without fuss. It’s quick to slip on, visible in the dark, and tough enough for most warehouse, ramp, delivery, and facilities work. It’s not a do‑everything glove, and it doesn’t pretend to be—you won’t get cut resistance, impact protection, or leather‑grade abrasion resistance. But within its intended lane, it’s well executed.

Recommendation: I recommend this glove for general utility and nighttime workflows where visibility and quick on/off are priorities—think loading docks, ramp operations, deliveries, and maintenance. If your job leans toward heavy abrasion, sharp edges, or impact risks, choose a more specialized glove; otherwise, this hits a very useful sweet spot at a comfortable weight and with smart visibility features.