Vermont Glove Flatlander Review: A Tough Glove for Serious Work
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When I first came across the Flatlander gloves from Vermont Glove, I wasn’t sure what to think. At $115, they’re a lot more expensive than the typical leather gloves I usually use from the hardware store. These are the most expensive gloves that I have, and after putting them through some serious tree work and yard clearing, I can say they’re built for real work and made to last.
First Impressions
The Vermont Glove Flatlander is made from 100 percent goat leather. Right out of the box, the leather feels soft and supple but still solid and tough. These gloves are hand-sewn in Vermont in a factory that runs net zero, which is a nice touch if you care about where your gear comes from and how it’s made. They feel different than most work gloves I’ve used. When I first slipped them on, I noticed the seams on the inside of the fingers. I’ll admit, at first it made me wonder if these were going to be uncomfortable or annoying during work. But after a few hours of use, they started to mold to my hands and broke in nicely.
The sizing guide on the Vermont Glove website is very helpful. They offer a printable chart and also a QR code that links you to a digital sizing tool. I used the printable version and was glad I did. I thought the gloves felt a bit tight at first, but once they broke in, the fit felt perfect.
Putting the Vermont Glove Flatlander to the Test
This summer, I’m building a pole barn in my backyard. It’s going to be 30 by 40 feet with 14-foot ceilings, and I needed to clear out some trees to make space for it. Earlier this year, I had two trees taken down by a friend who had more experience and better equipment than I did. I had the stumps ground down so I could back my travel trailer into the yard easier. The building site is about 100 feet away from my house, and everything was just about ready. Except there was one more tree in the way.
Instead of waiting and having to pay someone later, I decided to cut it down myself. The tree fell perfectly, landing right next to my stacked firewood pile. I sent my brother a picture and he texted back, calling me a “master arborist” which made me laugh. But I was proud. I wore the Flatlander gloves for every part of that job, from the first cut to stacking the final log.
I spent two full days cutting up that tree and hauling it to different piles. One pile for burning, one for stacking. The bark was rough and the logs were heavy. The gloves held up great. Most gloves I’ve used for this kind of work would already have a hole in the fingertips by the end of day one. I always end up wearing through that area from grabbing the wood over and over. The Flatlanders did show some wear there, which is expected, but no holes and no major damage. That’s a big deal for me.
Vermont Glove Flatlander Performance and Comfort
Once broken in, these gloves offer great dexterity. I never felt like I had to take them off for small tasks. I could grab tools, tie knots, and handle rope or straps without any problems. They call these their “nimbleweight” glove, and I think that’s a good way to describe them. Tough enough to protect your hands but not so thick that you lose all feel and control.
If you do heavier-duty work all the time, Vermont Glove also makes a model called The Vermonter. That glove has the seams on the outside and is made to be even tougher. But for my mix of backyard projects, wood cutting, and light construction, I think the Vermont Glove Flatlander was the right choice. I may not be a professional arborist, but I’ll take the title from my brother for now.
Conclusion: Worth the Investment
These gloves are definitely an investment, but if you do regular outdoor work or serious DIY projects, they’re worth the money. They cost $115, which is more than most people are used to spending on work gloves. But when you consider the quality of the materials, the way they’re made, and how they hold up under pressure, the value becomes pretty clear. I’ve already put them through some hard days, and they’re still going strong.
I’m excited to get to work on the actual construction of the pole barn, and you can bet I’ll be wearing these gloves the whole time. I expect them to last through that job and beyond. If you want to learn more or get a pair for yourself, you can visit www.vermontglove.com. They have all the details there, including the sizing tools and other glove options. The Flatlander might not be the cheapest glove out there, but if you care about comfort, toughness, and buying something built to last, they’re hard to beat.
