Choosing rigging gloves: full-finger, framer or fingerless

Every Dirty Rigger glove we stock is PPE, certified to EN 388 — the standard that rates a glove's resistance to abrasion, cut, tear and puncture. That certification is the baseline. The real choice is the cut, because the same glove comes in three versions and each suits a different day's work.

Full-fingered gloves like the Comfort Fit Full Glove protect every finger, which is what you want for load-ins, truck packs, cable runs and anything abrasive. The palms are double-layered synthetic leather at the wear points, and the backs are breathable panels that stop the glove becoming a sweat trap over a long call.

Framer gloves expose the thumb, index and middle fingertips. That keeps protection on the palm and knuckles while leaving bare fingertips for shackle pins, wing nuts, screws and anything else that needs feel. The Comfort Framer Glove is the pick if you spend the day switching between hauling and fiddly hardware.

Fingerless gloves take every fingertip off. Maximum dexterity, palm protection only — right for operators and techs handling connectors and controls all day. The Ladies Slim Fit line runs the same construction on a narrower hand shape, which matters: a glove that fits loose gives up grip exactly when you need it.

For heavy work there are impact-rated options with TPR knuckle guards, tested to the impact clause of EN 388. If your hands spend time near truss, steel or moving cases, that is the upgrade worth paying for.

The rest of the kit carries the tools: the 4-in-1 Podger Ratchet covers the common nut sizes on truss and clamps, pouches and belts keep hardware on your waist, and the Glove Clip means the gloves come home at the end of the night. Gloves are sized S to XXL — measure around the knuckles and check the size chart on each product page, and remember they break in; a snug fit on day one is right.