Choosing the right glove material is crucial in the healthcare and industrial sectors – for protection, comfort, and skin compatibility. But what exactly are the differences between nitrile and latex gloves? We show the properties of both materials, where their strengths lie – and when which material is more suitable.
Latex – Elastic, Grippy, but Prone to Allergies
Advantages:
- High elasticity
- Very good fit (“second skin”)
- Excellent tactile sensitivity
Disadvantages:
- Contains natural latex proteins → Risk of Type I allergies
- Less resistant to oils and chemicals
- Not always biologically compatible with sensitive skin types
Conclusion: Latex is comfortable – but not suitable for everyone.
Nitrile – the Modern All-Rounder among Disposable Gloves
Advantages:
-
- Latex-free → no allergy risk from proteins
- Better suited for allergy sufferers due to BISON’s proprietary cleaning process (leaching) during glove production
- Better skin compatibility through acrylate inner coating
- Higher mechanical resistance
- Dimensionally stable formulation
- Very resistant to oils, fats, chemicals
- Good tear resistance, even with thinner material
- Available in various colors – ideal for HACCP visibility
- Long shelf life
Disadvantages:
- Slightly less elastic than latex
- Minimally reduced tactile sensitivity for very fine tasks
Conclusion: Nitrile is the all-rounder – especially in case of allergy risks and in sensitive application areas.
Why BISON Relies on Nitrile
At BISON, we have deliberately chosen nitrile – because it offers the best combination of protection, comfort, and compatibility. Our powder-free nitrile gloves are particularly skin-friendly, robust, and certified for many applications – from everyday clinical use to chemical protection.
Find the right glove now
Further Reading
Allergy risk from disposable gloves – what you should know – Read now
How to use disposable gloves correctly – avoid common mistakes – Read now
Sources further Information
DGUV Rule 112-995 – Use of protective gloves
Information on material selection and areas of application
To the DGUV rule https://publikationen.dguv.de/regelwerk/dguv-regeln/1356/benutzung-von-schutzhandschuhen
Professional Association of German Dermatologists (BVDD)
Information on latex allergies and alternative glove materials
https://www.bvdd.de