American Firewear produces fire fighting gloves of cowhide, elkskin, and kangaroo leathers. Each offers unique properties, and our experts utilize the appropriate weight, cut, and tanning to bring fire fighters the best combinations of comfort, performance, and price available.

Cowhide is most common, available in many weights and cuts. It’s naturally stiffer than the other leathers, but can be softened by tanning. Elk is naturally softer, but, as with all game animals, the hides are inconsistent in weight, size and density, often contributing to premature wear. Kangaroo leather is strong and abrasion resistant, with extraordinary properties (see Fire Mate information) that make it ideally suited for high-dexterity applications.

Fire glove leather generally weighs in at 2 – 5 oz. / sq. Heavier leathers are used in carvings, straps, laces, etc. The heaviest (12 – 16 oz.) is used for protective armor and shoe soles.

“Cuts” of leather refers to the portion of the animal the hide was taken from. American Firewear uses no shoulder, the weakest cut, in our NFPA gloves, specifying only side-split or grain leather. Split leather is fleshy (rough) on both sides while grain leather is the smoothly finished “skin” on one side.

Tanning is the process that makes and keeps animal hides soft and supple. Our leathers are “chrome-tanned”, in an acidic bath containing chromium which is fast, economical, and an excellent means of reducing stretch. Some styles feature “Eversoft” tanning, which imparts a water repellency and long-lasting softness that will not wash out.

Leather prices generally increase with the weight. Other factors are the size and condition of the hides.