Showa Work Gloves

Why Showa Stands Apart in Work Gloves

When it comes to work gloves, few names carry the engineering pedigree of Showa. Founded in 1953 by Akeo Tanaka — whose inspiration came from witnessing frostbite injuries among soldiers — Showa's entire identity is built around one mission: protecting hands at work. That founding philosophy still drives every product today.

What truly separates Showa from the competition is complete vertical integration. By creating all their own machinery, yarns, coatings, polymers, designs, and hand formers, Showa controls every step of the process — for 100% quality control at every level. Every possible resistance test is performed in their labs to ensure each glove is fit for work before packaging and delivery, and all production sites around the world are ISO 9001 certified.

Proprietary Technologies That Define the Line

Showa's work glove catalog is anchored by a suite of patented technologies that address the most demanding job-site conditions:

• Hagane Coil® & S-TEX® – The S-TEX 581 pairs Hagane Coil® technology with Kevlar to deliver excellent cut resistance while naturally fitting the contours of the hand.
• TEMRES® Waterproof Technology – TEMRES® was born from a challenge faced by Japanese workers who needed dry hands in wet, oily environments — making breathability and water resistance work together in a fully coated glove.
• Eco Best Technology® (EBT) – ASTM D5511 testing demonstrated that Showa EBT gloves achieved 82% biodegradation in landfill in only 386 days, while gloves without EBT achieved only 1.9% biodegradation over the same period.
• DURACoil™ & Breathex® Foam Coating – Advancements like DURACoil™ technology and Breathex® foam coating are unlike any other industrial work glove on the market.
• MFT PRO Microfiber Series – The MFT PRO series features first-of-its-kind microfiber technology across four polymer options, delivering ultra-lightweight construction, maximum breathability, moisture-wicking, and enhanced grip.

A Range Built for Real Work

Showa's work glove lineup spans nearly every occupational hazard. The iconic Atlas® 300 series covers general-purpose grip and handling tasks, while the Atlas® 317 Hi-Viz adds high-visibility protection. The nitrile-coated Showa 545 ensures superb grip along with oil and cut resistance for industrial and mechanical applications. Cold-weather workers benefit from gloves with seamless acrylic liners and latex palm coatings designed for intense manual handling in cold conditions, with antibacterial and anti-odour treatment and an anatomical seamless knit for continuous wear without seam irritation.

With 58 patents owned and more than 100 researchers dedicated to developing new, environmentally sustainable ways to protect hands at work, Showa is recognized for its portfolio of more than 1,800 specialized gloves for the industrial, professional, and homecare categories. Whether you're tackling construction, warehousing, automotive work, or heavy-duty outdoor tasks, there's a Showa work glove engineered precisely for the job.

Browse the full selection of Showa Work Gloves to find the right combination of protection, dexterity, and comfort for your hands.