Postal workers play an important part in keeping our country rolling. It is imperative that they have the best of everything considering the tiring nature of their work. Whether you work in the esteemed United States Postal Service (USPS) or any privately owned courier/mail company, having the right gear is paramount for your job.
USPS has been kind enough to list all the required items and give their details in a long list of uniform combinations. It is the information hub for people working in the postal service.
One of the most important uniform items is the gloves. Postal service employees work in all kinds of weather, handle all types of packages, and thus have to protect their hands from external elements. Nothing beats gloves when it comes to protecting your hands. The importance of gloves is tantamount to the importance of shoes for your feet.
You have plenty of options when looking for mail carrier gloves, but picking the right one as per your needs is a tough call. You have to consider many factors before buying the best mail carrier gloves. I have shortlisted the 7 best mail carrier gloves according to the various working environments and hand shapes.
I have also included a buying guide and FAQ section to help you make a relevant purchase decision.
Let’s check out the best USPS Mail Carrier Gloves!
7 Best USPS Mail Carrier Gloves
1. Achiou Winter Gloves for Men Women
Mail carriers working in cold weather need more hand protection than those working in warm and tropical regions. If you are one of them and are looking for an effective pair of gloves, then you don’t need to look any further.
The Achiou gloves are among the most sought-after and frequently bought gloves by mail carriers. They are made from knit fabric and have a pull-on closure. The knit fabric used in the making has a 4way stretch to provide maximum flexibility and comfort while you use your gadgets on your work.
I like these gloves for their maximum touch sensitivity and anti-slip palm design. It provides a 3-way touch screen capability for the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger. This versatile feature makes sure that your work never stops while you are wearing the gloves.
It comes in medium, large and X-large sizes. All the sizes have maximum elasticity and fit your hands snugly. Moreover, they have a breathable top. The gloves reduce sweat accumulation by ensuring maximum ventilation.
Please note that the manufacturer recommends not wearing these gloves with long nails and making sure that your fingerprints reach the top of gloves for using touch screen function.
Its medium size is recommended for people with a hand circumference of 7.08-7.87 inches, large; 8.27-8.66 inch and extra-large: 9.05-9.45 inch.
User Feedback: Buyers praise these gloves for warmth, grip, and 3-finger touch capability. People have used these gloves in temperatures as low as 20F and explain that they keep their hands warm. Mail carriers express utmost satisfaction about these gloves. The only complaint about this glove is its durability. You will need to get a new one after 6-8 months.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Minimalist look
- 3-way touch screen design
Cons
- Random touch screen capability problems2
2. Ironclad General Utility Work Gloves
Ironclad work gloves are best for handling boxes in the mail carrier industry. These gloves are made from nylon and faux leather to provide maximum comfort, grip, and durability to your hands.
I recommend these gloves for mail industry employees that don’t have to work on touch screens. These gloves are best for general utility. The gloves come with thermoplastic rubber knuckle protection to keep your hands safe from impact and abrasion.
The adjustable hook and loop closure design provide a custom and snug fit for your hands. You can easily find your relevant-sized gloves starting from extra small, small, medium, large, extra-large, and XX-large.
You can wear these gloves in summer as well. It has a superb sweat management feature. Apart from breathability, it has a cloth wipe on the back of the thumb that you can use to wipe sweat from your forehead.
Another good thing I like about these gloves is that they are machine washable. However, you must only air-dry them to keep the size intact.
Apart from mail delivery, these gloves can be used at shop, home, clean-up, construction, equipment operation, garden work, and rigging. Its palm design provides maximum dexterity through leather reinforcements in critical areas for durability and traction.
User Feedback: People are very happy about their purchases. These gloves are best for handling mailboxes and provide efficient protection against cold weather. Some users have tested these gloves to replace leather gloves, and the results were great. They provide leather-like comfort and protection but are much more breathable and lighter than full leather gloves.
The common negative complaints are about sizing issues. Make sure you check the size chart before ordering.
Pros
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Durable at this price
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy-duty work
3. Dex Fit Work Gloves
If you are looking for a lightweight pair of gloves, don’t look any further. The Dex Fit work gloves are made from 100% nylon and are best for extreme summer weather. These gloves will protect your hands from tanning and keep them sweat-free.
I like these gloves because of their dexterity. The mixture of 15-gauge nylon and spandex provides an ergonomic fit, and the gloves feel like just an extended layer of skin. These gloves have been designed to provide maximum grip and control in light oil and water. Mail carriers usually don’t need such features, but they come in handy sometimes.
The gloves are smartphone compatible. You can use your phone and work gadgets while wearing them. The gloves are made breathable through a water-based rubber coating for all-day comfort.
Another good thing about these gloves is that they are CE qualified and meet ANSI standards. These gloves are 100% silicone-free. The manufacturer provides a 100% money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the gloves.
You can use these gloves for various tasks, but they don’t work great for heavy-duty work. The gloves are machine washable, but please don’t dry them in a spinner to keep the size intact.
It is available in small, medium, large and X-large sizes. There are plenty of color options available, but USPS recommends using black gloves for its employees.
User Feedback: These gloves are termed as great for USPS employees. Not only carriers, box handlers, pellet workers, drivers; all find these gloves to be great and effective. It takes some time to get used to the gloves, but you will never use any other gloves once you adjust your fingers.
Some buyers are not happy with its breathability. They complain that their hands sweat a lot while wearing these gloves.
Pros
- Perfect sizing
- Comfortable and ergonomic
- Good touch screen capability
Cons
- Slippery
4. Carhartt Men’s W.P. Waterproof Insulated Glove
Some people work in freezing temperatures. They need maximum protection from cold, snow, and rain. Leather gloves are great for protection against snow and cold, but they are not very effective for rainwater.
Synthetic gloves made from polyester are best for protecting your hands from rain and cold. The Carhartt gloves are good for all the men mail carriers looking to keep their hands safer from cold and rain.
I like these gloves because they are 100% polyester and offer a hook and loop closure for maximum protection and snug-fitting. The gloves offer a waterproof insert for maximum water resistance. Its reinforced polyurethane palm delivers a good level of comfort and grip while handling mailboxes or sorting through letters.
Another great thing about these gloves is the fast dry lining that wicks away sweat for maximum comfort and keeps your hands relaxed throughout the day. The gloves feature a fleece cuff with an adjustable wrist strap closure to keep the gloves aligned with your wrist and hand movement.
User Feedback: These gloves get mixed reviews from mail carriers. Some people use these gloves above nylon gloves for additional protection against water and cold. These gloves don’t have touch capability, and you cannot use them for using smartphones.
Pros
- Well-built
- Warm and comfortable
- Internal padding
Cons
- Expensive
- Size runs small; order a size larger
5. Under Armour Men’s Gloves
These gloves are best for summers and under heavier gloves in cold weather. Under Armour’s gloves are composed of 87% polyester and 13% elastane, giving your hands the perfect fit and comfort you want from the gloves.
These gloves come with a pull-on closure which guarantees a snug fit. The gloves are machine washable but must be hang dried to ensure size integrity. They have a UA storm finish for maximum resistance against rain and snow. The polyester top ensures 100% breathability during humid conditions so that your hands don’t feel sweaty, and you keep on doing your work without taking off the gloves.
I like these gloves for their plush interior. You will never feel tired and uncomfortable while wearing these gloves. The ultra-soft knit fabric with a smooth exterior accounts for just the right amount of warmth.
One thing where this glove leads others is a 10-point touch capability. All fingers on both gloves are touch-sensitive. Mail carriers will never feel the need to remove the gloves to use their smartphones and update the delivery status.
User Feedback: Buyers mention comfort and nice grip during work. These gloves are usually used by people working in hotter climates. The touch screen capability is mediocre and doesn’t garnish too much praise from the buyers. However, the gloves are 100% waterproof and can also resist snow. Buyers also like the fabric quality.
The common complaints are about gloves not being very warm and durable. Some buyers also mention that gloves don’t provide ample grip in cold weather.
Pros
- Snug fit
- Comfortable
Cons
- Gloves are thicker; don’t fit well under heavy-duty gloves
- Inside seems touch fingers if you don’t order a correct size
6. Gorilla Grip Slip Resistant All Purpose Work Gloves
Gorilla Grip’s all-purpose gloves are best for mail carriers who need an anti-slip work surface to handle boxes, mails, and letters. The gloves are made from nylon to provide maximum breathability and sweat reduction for your hands.
The gloves’ palm has been designed to maintain grip in wet and dirty, and oily conditions. The polymer palm coating pushes grease and liquids away from your hands while working. This structure ensures superior dexterity and breathability.
You can use these gloves for plumbing, DIY tasks, oil changes, wet surface jobs as well.
User Feedback: Buyers like these gloves for their maximum grip and palm comfort. The touch screen capability is not that great, and users experience trouble using smartphones with these gloves. Many users mention the glove’s thickness and its maximum gripping strength. A lot of buyers use these gloves under heavy-duty gloves.
The negative points include the Gorilla Grip logo coming off after 1-2 washes. The gloves don’t offer much grip when handling smooth objects.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Good fit
- Decent value of money
Cons
- Not very durable
7. Koxly Winter Gloves
Koxly’s gloves are one of the best for mail carriers working in winter conditions. The gloves are made from cashmere and high-quality wind-resistant materials to keep your hands breathable and warm in the winters.
The buckle closure with a zip helps you fit the gloves snuggly and keep your hands warm and reduce the chance of cold air entering inside your hands. The extra zipper on the gloves improves the waterproofing of the gloves. Zipper also makes the glove fit on a variety of hands. It solves the user complaints about fitting issues.
The PU palm provides a good grip on the surface of the gloves and helps you handle mailboxes and letters conveniently. I like the gloves because they offer an excellent touch screen capability. All fingerprints of the gloves are touch screen capable. Despite being heavyweight, the gloves offer touch-screen capabilities.
User Feedback: The gloves get mixed responses from the buyers. Most buyers recommend these gloves for areas where the temperature doesn’t fall below 32F. The users praise the gloves for a good fit, not too bulky, comfort and lightweight.
The negative points include poor water resistance and chill hands if the temperature falls below freezing.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Zipper for better fitting
- Good touch screen capability
Cons
- It doesn’t work well in an extremely cold environment
Best Mail Carrier Gloves Buying Guide
Mail carrier gloves are not too costly. I mean, you can afford a new one every two months, but it doesn’t mean that you start experimenting with every other glove you see online. Gloves are an integral part of your work routine and are very important for the well-being of your hands.
I have explained all the important factors you need to consider before buying mail carrier gloves. Spending a little time on these factors will help you make a sound purchase decision.
Working Temperature
The most important thing to check before buying mail carrier gloves is to consider the temperature of the area you are working in. I recommend you consider the lowest temperature ever recorded in your area and then look for a suitable pair of gloves. If you live and work in a moderate climatic zone, nylon gloves are great for mail carriers.
Materials and Build-Quality
Once you have figured out the working environment, look for materials and build quality. USPS recommends gloves made from leather or knit. A combination of both is acceptable too. If you work in a privately owned business, the requirement may vary.
Don’t forget to inspect the build quality and durability of the gloves. You cannot physically inspect the build quality when buying gloves online, but you can read the relevant reviews to check user experience.
Some manufacturers use chemicals and unapproved materials to make the gloves durable and effective against cold weather. These chemicals can be harmful to your hands and can cause damage. Wearing gloves for a long time can also cause skin problems like allergies, redness, dryness, and rashes. An article published by Occupational Health & Safety outlines the threats lurking under gloves.
Grip
As a mail carrier, you will be handling boxes, letters, and pellets. A mail carrier’s gloves must have good gripping strength. Hence, it is best to wear gloves that offer maximum grip and work with smooth and hard surfaces.
Touch Screen Capabilities
The best mail carrier gloves will have touch screen capability. Almost all gloves come with this feature, but the quality varies from one product to another. However, there are a couple of tricks to ensure that your gloves give the best result while working on a smartphone. You must make sure that your fingers touch the tip of the gloves, and your nails must not belong. Long nails also reduce the overall life of the gloves.
Breathability
Wearing gloves mean sweaty hands. The sweating process is identical to sweating feet when your wear socks and shoes. Hence, your gloves must be breathable to keep your hands moisture-free.
Additional Features
Closure Design: Closure design impacts the glove fitting. The common closure designs are pull-on, hook and loop closure, buckle, and zipper. The purpose of the closure mechanism is the same. However, the design impacts the way the gloves hold your hands.
Knuckle Protection: Knuckles are the bones where the fingers meet the external sides of the hands. Some gloves offer knuckle protection to avoid shocks and jerks while working. This feature is best for mail carriers lifting boxes and dealing with pellets.
Sweat Wipe: A sweat wipe is an additional piece of cloth attached to the gloves’ thumb. It is used to wipe sweat from your forehead while working.
FAQs
Is it a good idea to buy two pairs of mail carrier gloves?
Yes. It is practical to buy two gloves if you wear them regularly. You can wear each pair on alternate days, and it can help enhance the life of gloves by giving them ample time to dry.
How to measure glove size?
Follow the steps below to measure your glove size.
- Grab a tape measure. It is better to use a dressmaker’s tape, but a piece of string and a ruler will work.
- Measure around the widest part of your hand, usually the knuckles. Don’t include your thumb in this measurement.
- The result will be the size of your glove. Most people have a hand circumference between 6 and 9 inches.
Which material is better for mail carrier gloves, leather, or knit?
USPS approves both materials. The overall quality of the gloves depends on the quality of the material used in the making.
What to do if my hand size is in between sizes?
If your hand measurements are in between sizes, I suggest you go with a bigger size than your hand. A small glove will be uncomfortable, and you will not be able to perform your work easily.
Do the touch screen gloves work if they are wet?
No. The touch screen capabilities of the gloves fail when glove tips, screen, or both are wet.
Final Words
Keeping your hands protected from external elements is critical for postal workers. The need for a good pair of gloves increases manifolds in winters. I have reviewed the top 7 USPS mail carrier gloves in the review above. You can select the best one as per your needs.
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