This is blog #3 in our "Truth in Safety" series, where we debunk myths and misconceptions surrounding PPE. In an industry flooded with bold claims and confusing standards, we provide the facts you need to make informed safety decisions for you and your team. No fluff, no hype—just the truth from the trusted safety experts who have your back.
“You get what you pay for” isn’t just a saying—it’s a reality, especially when it comes to PPE. Investing in higher-quality protective gear isn’t about luxury; it’s about ensuring safety, compliance, and long-term cost savings. While discount PPE might seem like a budget-friendly choice at first glance, it often becomes the most expensive mistake you can make.
When equipping your team, choosing the right PPE isn’t optional—it’s essential. Proper gear is designed to:
- Protect workers from harmful chemicals, dangerous hazards, and career-or life-threatening injuries
- Encourage compliance through superior comfort and Wearability®
- Withstand wear and tear for longer-lasting performance
- Save you money over time by reducing injuries, replacements, and lost time
At HexArmor®, we’re about transparency. Every material, every feature, and every test is intentionally chosen to deliver safety gear that performs when it matters most. Because when it comes to your protection, cutting corners isn’t an option. When you invest in our product, you’re getting quality that withstands the rigors of the job site, and the test of time. Let's break it down.
Safety gear is supposed to protect, not further harm you
The basic job of PPE is in the name: to protect. But, if the very materials used to make it risk your health, it’s failing at its core purpose. Proper safety gear shouldn’t leave you questioning whether you’re protected from harmful substances – or exposed to new ones.
In the safety industry, standards like REACH compliance exist to ensure that harmful chemicals are eliminated in the manufacturing process. However, not all companies adhere to these standards. Some companies cut corners with cheaper materials used to produce “bargain” PPE that’s marked with flashy claims but lacks the substance to back it up. If a glove seems “too good to be true” while offering advanced protection at a cheap price – it's worth taking a closer look. Click here to read an example of this deception in marketing tactics.
How are those chemicals applied to the products? Are they consistent? And most importantly, are they safe? Our commitment to safety is reflected in our rigorous testing protocols, which are based on both American and European standards. Where applicable, we also align with REACH guidelines to ensure our PPE minimizes exposure to harmful, unregulated chemicals. Learn more about REACH compliance here.
Product testing shouldn’t cut corners
Another hidden cost of cheap PPE? The shortcuts taken in testing and certifications. Many US-based companies rely solely on testing results they receive from the manufacturer of their gloves to determine their PPE’s performance scores. While the manufacturer's tests results can provide valuable insights, it can also open the door to misleading claims or inflated results without any additional third-party testing. When it comes to safety glove protection scores in North America, for example, ANSI/ISEA 105-2024 ratings are self-reported. Without double-verifying the results, there's no unbiased confirmation that the products truly perform as advertised, leaving buyers with potentially inaccurate information, which is an unsettling thought when it comes to safety.
We take testing seriously. We don’t just rely on a manufacturer to tell us how it performs; we have a robust testing lab in-house where we test each of our products, AND we work with third-party testing facilities to test our products to the extremely stringent European (EN) standard to ensure an impartial evaluation of our products. This dual approach guarantees that when you see a protection score from HexArmor®, there’s no bias – only transparency.
Does your glove manufacturer provide proof of testing?
It's one thing to claim your PPE scores high on safety tests—it's entirely another to back it up with verified, third-party data.
Many manufacturers flex ANSI/ISEA 105 ratings, but again, keep in mind that these scores are often self-reported and not independently verified. If you want to ensure transparency and honesty, look for documentation on your manufacturer's website that includes third-party testing results and CE Certification. If a manufacturer can't readily provide this information, it's time to demand proof from an accredited lab.
Something to note: When selecting a lab, it's important to verify that they are accredited by recognized bodies—such as the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) in the U.S., the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), or certified to EN standards in Europe—so you can be confident in their impartiality and adherence to stringent testing requirements.
Understanding where your PPE is being made
This brings us to another critical question: If you have to wonder whether your PPE contains harmful chemicals or has been properly tested to protect you, shouldn’t you also consider the factory where it’s being made? The truth is, the origins of your protective gear matter just as much as its performance.
We partner with factories that adhere to recognized safety and ethical standards during the manufacturing process to ensure the gear you’re getting is not only safe for you, but also made in an ethical way.
SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) is a globally respected framework designed to assess and ensure ethical and responsible business practices across supply chains. This standard evaluates key areas like labor rights, workplace safety, environmental impact, and business ethics, ensuring the products you rely on are made in environments that respect workers and uphold fair practices.
By adhering to these high standards, we not only ensure that the gloves on your hands are made with integrity but also that the people who make them are treated with dignity and respect. This level of accountability helps us deliver PPE you can trust—not just for its performance but for its positive impact on the people and communities behind it.
The key to compliance? Wearability ® + comfort
When it comes to PPE, Wearability® matters just as much as functionality. To us, Wearability® is the perfect balance of comfort, fit, performance, and style. The math is simple, if the PPE is comfortable, workers are more likely to wear it consistently and correctly. If protective equipment looks cheap and is cheap – it’s likely...cheap. But sometimes, looks can be deceiving. It may look good on the outside and meet all the required standards according to the manufacturer, but the flaws are in the fine print. To cut expenses, manufacturers may use less material and a simpler design to cut back on both the cost of the material and the cost of labor.
These things both have not only a negative effect on the comfort of the wearer, but also the durability of the overall product. Ill-fitting, stiff, or bulky PPE isn’t just uncomfortable – it's also distracting and frustrating, making workers less likely to wear their gear. In fact, more than 90 percent of industrial manufacturing company leaders “often or sometimes” have issues with their employees following proper PPE protocols.
This will also increase the probability that the PPE will not last for the duration of the task, in which case, it’s no longer protecting you. When PPE is made poorly, it’s prone to wear out, break down, or fail during critical tasks.
More safety math: Comfort + fit + performance + style = compliance, or like we say: Wearability®. We like to design every single one of our products with this in mind, ensuring that our products not only meet safety standards but also can perform during daily use. By using high quality materials and engineering them for durability, our gear delivers long-lasting protection that workers will want to wear, boosting compliance and increasing the longevity of products – ultimately reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Do you want to save thousands by reducing injuries, replacements, and lost time?
When you’re buying quality PPE it isn’t just an investment in safety, it’s an investment in your bottom line. When you choose high-quality protective gear, you’re minimizing the risk of injuries that lead to costly medical bills, workers’ compensation claims, and missed workdays.
But this isn’t just about saving money on injury costs or reducing downtime. At the heart of it, it’s about protecting you—ensuring that you make it home at the end of the day in the same condition you left. It’s about preserving the everyday moments that truly matter: playing catch with your child or enjoying your favorite hobby. Quality PPE gives you the peace of mind to focus on what matters most, both at work and at home.
However, not all PPE failures are easy to spot. Cheap PPE often looks and feels cheap—but sometimes, it looks just like any other high-quality glove. It may have the same outer appearance, but underneath, inferior materials, inconsistent coatings, or unverified safety claims could be putting you at serious risk. That’s why it’s so important to do your research before purchasing a safety glove. Always check for proven testing, third-party certifications, and a track record of reliability—because when it comes to your safety, looks can be deceiving.
HexArmor® can help
At HexArmor®, we design our products with your safety and comfort in mind. Our gear isn’t just about meeting compliance; it’s a promise that every piece—from head to toe—is engineered to protect you, reduce risk, and help you enjoy life without compromise.
Let us know if you have questions or would like to start a trial - our Solution Specialists are ready to work with you. Call 1.877.MY ARMOR or send us a message.
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