What are PU gloves?

The "PU" in PU gloves refers to polyurethane, the material used. If you see gloves in a store with a thin coating on the palm that looks somewhat like plastic or artificial leather, but feels soft to the touch, that's basically what they are.
These gloves are particularly common in precision electronics, laboratories, or for detailed work in renovations. Here are some of their characteristics:

1. "Thin as a cicada's wing" feel

This is the most famous feature of PU gloves.
Extremely sensitive: The coating can be made very thin, so wearing them hardly affects your finger sensitivity. If you need to pick up a needle or insert and remove tiny components on a circuit board, these gloves will make you feel like you're working with bare hands, without the clumsiness of ordinary work gloves.
High degree of fit: They are very elastic and can tightly wrap around your fingers and palms, leaving no extra gaps at the fingertips.

2. Less likely to shed debris, very clean

Many gloves shed lint or rubber fragments during work, but PU gloves don't.
Anti-static and dust-free: This material itself is not prone to generating dust, making it the preferred choice for electronics factories and precision instrument assembly. If you're repairing a mobile phone, assembling a computer, or cleaning expensive lenses at home, wearing these protective gloves will protect your hands without soiling the parts.
No fingerprints: They effectively prevent oil stains and fingerprints from being left on smooth surfaces.

3. Secure grip

Despite the thin coating, they provide excellent grip.
Anti-slip and wear-resistant: The PU coating has a natural "tacky" feel, increasing friction on the palm. Even when handling slippery small glass bottles or metal parts, you can grip them very securely.
Moderate protection: Although they can't protect against sharp nails, this coating provides a reliable barrier for your skin against everyday minor scratches and abrasions.

4. Comfortable and not constricting

Soft and breathable: This PU material is much softer than ordinary rubber, and the back of the hand is usually made of highly breathable knitted fabric, so your hands won't feel stiff even after wearing them for a long time.
Lightweight: It is one of the lightest work gloves on the market, and you can barely feel its weight when you put it in your pocket.

5. When is it not recommended to use it?

Although it is very versatile, there are some situations where it is not suitable:
Heavy-duty work: If you are moving heavy bricks on a construction site or handling thorny wood, the PU coating may wear out quickly. In this case, you should choose thick leather gloves.
Environments with large amounts of liquid: Although it can resist some water, because it is not completely sealed for breathability, if you put your hand directly into water, the back of your hand will still get wet.