TPR impact gloves: construction, standards and how to source them

Most hand injuries on industrial sites aren't cuts — they're crushes, pinches and knocks to the back of the hand. TPR impact gloves exist for exactly that. They put moulded thermoplastic rubber bumpers over the knuckles and fingers to absorb and spread impact, on top of a shell that still has to grip, flex and last. Here's how they're built, which standards apply, and how to source them properly.

What TPR is and why it's used

TPR — thermoplastic rubber — is a flexible, moulded polymer that absorbs impact and springs back. It's used on gloves because it can be shaped to follow the knuckles and finger joints, stays flexible in the cold, and is light enough not to fatigue the hand. Cheaper gloves use hard plastic that cracks; good ones use properly formulated TPR that flexes thousands of times without splitting.

Anatomy of a TPR impact glove

• TPR bumpers across the knuckles and along each finger, sized to the joints.
• Shell — full-grain leather (cow or goat) for durability and heat, or synthetic for dexterity and cost.
• Palm — reinforced or padded, often double-layer, for grip on metal, glass and tools.
• Thumb crotch — reinforced and double-stitched. This is failure point number one on cheap gloves.
• Cuff — knit wrist, hook-and-loop closure, or a gauntlet for rigging.

We break this down layer by layer on our TPR Impact A6 page.

Standards that apply

Ask for the test report for the specific glove. Impact protection can't be judged by eye — a glove can look armoured and still fail EN 13594.

Who uses them

Oil and gas, mining, construction, rigging and logistics — anywhere hands work around heavy, moving or swinging loads. Increasingly also automotive and warehousing, where pinch injuries are common.

Leather shell vs synthetic shell

A leather shell lasts longer, handles heat and abrasion, and suits welding-adjacent and rigging work. A synthetic shell is lighter, more dexterous and cheaper, and suits assembly, logistics and lighter construction. Most buyers run both in a range. If you can only spec one, match it to the harshest job it'll do.

Spec checklist to send a manufacturer

1. Impact level required (EN 388 P, or ANSI 138 Level 1/2/3)
2. Cut level, if any
3. Shell material — leather grade, or synthetic type
4. Palm — plain, reinforced, padded, or oil-resistant
5. Cuff style and closure
6. Sizes, colours, and TPR colour
7. Branding — logo on TPR, cuff or back; packaging

Sourcing and MOQ

TPR gloves involve moulded parts, so a factory needs the TPR tooling and the stitching capability in one place. MOQs start around 200 pairs per style for leather-shell impact gloves. Samples in 2–3 weeks, bulk in 30–45 days. Ask whether the TPR is moulded in-house or bought in — it affects consistency and colour matching.

Where SAS Agencies fits

We manufacture TPR impact and cut-resistant gloves in Faisalabad, Pakistan — leather and synthetic shells, EN 388 impact and cut rated, under your brand only. Custom TPR colours and logo moulding, reinforced palms and thumb crotches, MOQ from 200 pairs, samples in 2–3 weeks. BSCI, ISO 9001 and OEKO-TEX certified. Send us your impact and cut requirement and we'll spec the glove with you.

Frequently asked questions

What does the "P" on an EN 388 glove mean?

P means the glove passed the back-of-hand impact test under EN 13594. Without the P, the glove has no verified impact protection, however armoured it looks.

ANSI/ISEA 138 vs EN 388 impact — which do I need?

ANSI/ISEA 138 (Levels 1–3) is the US standard; EN 388's P marking is the European one. If you sell into both markets, specify both and ask for both test reports.

Can the TPR bumpers be custom coloured or branded?

Yes. TPR is moulded, so it can carry your colour and a moulded logo — one of the most visible branding options on any work glove.