String knit gloves are the most widely used hand protection product in US industrial, warehousing, and general labour environments. They’re inexpensive, comfortable, and available in both natural cotton and coated variations that dramatically improve grip and durability. American Textile Mills supplies string knit gloves in bulk quantities — by the dozen, case, and pallet — to US distributors, safety managers, and facilities looking to reduce PPE cost without compromising worker protection.
What Are String Knit Gloves?
String knit gloves are constructed from continuous yarn knitted into a seamless tube, then finished at the cuff. The knit construction creates a stretchy, form-fitting glove that accommodates a range of hand sizes without custom fitting. The same basic construction is used across materials — cotton, polyester, acrylic, and blended yarns — with the choice of material affecting absorbency, heat resistance, and durability.
The majority of string knit gloves used in the US industrial market are 10-gauge knit cotton or cotton-poly blend, available either uncoated (natural gloves) or with a palm-and-finger coating of latex or nitrile. Coated versions provide grip and abrasion resistance that the uncoated base glove lacks.
String Knit Glove Variations
Uncoated String Knit
Natural cotton or poly-cotton knit with no coating. Used for light general handling, sorting, assembly, and tasks where grip enhancement is not required. The lowest-cost option and the fastest to go through — workers in light-duty tasks change gloves multiple times per shift. Buying by the pallet dramatically reduces the cost of treating these as consumables.
Latex-Coated String Knit
Latex palm coating provides grip on dry and wet surfaces. The textured latex surface improves handling of smooth, slippery, or lightweight parts. Standard in general warehousing, parts handling, and assembly operations where oil is not present. Latex coating is not appropriate for workers with latex sensitivity or for use around oils (latex degrades with petroleum exposure).
Nitrile-Coated String Knit
Nitrile foam or flat nitrile palm coating provides oil-resistant grip — the dominant specification in US automotive, MRO, and metal fabrication environments where oil and coolant are present. Nitrile-coated string knit gloves are the single most commonly ordered PPE item in US industrial facilities. They provide grip on oily parts, resist abrasion, and are latex-free.
Polyurethane (PU) Coated String Knit
Thin PU coating maintains maximum dexterity while providing grip and abrasion resistance for fine assembly and electronics work. The lightest and most tactile of the coated options, used where precise finger control is needed alongside basic protection.
Selecting the Right Gauge and Coating
- 10-gauge: Standard — the most common gauge for general industrial use, balancing protection and dexterity
- 7-gauge: Heavier knit for coarser work; less dexterity, more cut abrasion resistance
- 13-gauge: Fine knit for precision assembly; maximum dexterity, minimum bulk
- Coating match: Match coating to hazard — no oil = latex is fine; oil present = nitrile required; precision work = PU or thin nitrile foam
Buying String Knit Gloves in Bulk
String knit gloves are the definition of a high-volume consumable. Facilities that issue gloves frequently — construction crews, warehouse teams, assembly operations — should not be buying by the dozen from a local safety distributor. American Textile Mills supplies by the case (typically 120–144 pairs per case) and by the pallet, with pricing that reflects volume consumption. Bulk purchasing eliminates the markup built into safety distributor pricing and allows facilities to treat gloves as a freely replaceable item rather than a rationed resource.
Why US Operations Choose American Textile Mills
- All coating types available: Uncoated, latex, nitrile, and PU in standard gauges from US inventory
- Pallet pricing available: For facilities that order in high volume for multiple locations
- Consistent sizing: Medium, large, and extra-large reliably sized for predictable issuance
- Fast domestic shipping: US warehouse stock ships same day
- Consolidated PPE purchasing: Gloves alongside leather gloves, disposable gloves, wiping rags, and other consumables on one PO
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common string knit glove specification in US warehousing?
10-gauge nitrile-coated string knit, size large. This covers the broadest range of workers and tasks in a standard warehouse or manufacturing environment.
How many pairs per worker per week is normal?
It varies widely by task. Light assembly might use 1–2 pairs per day; heavy handling or chemical-exposure tasks might require changing every hour. Budget 5–20 pairs per worker per week and adjust based on actual consumption tracking.
Can I mix coating types in a case order?
Standard cases are single specification. If you need multiple coating types, order separate cases for each. Contact us if a custom split-case arrangement is needed for a specific order.
Order String Knit Gloves in Bulk
American Textile Mills supplies string knit gloves — uncoated, latex, nitrile, and PU coated — by the case and pallet to US industrial operations. Contact us for current pricing or to set up a wholesale account.