What Gloves Do I Need for My First Day on a Movie Set?

Prices are in AUD, check the linked product pages for live pricing and stock.

If it is your first day on a movie set and you can only buy one pair of gloves, buy the Setwear EZ-Fit. It protects your hands for grip and cable work while keeping the dexterity you need for everything else, and it is machine washable so it survives a dusty shoot. From there, the right second pair depends on your department. This guide walks a new crew member through what to buy and why.

Start with one glove: the EZ-Fit

The EZ-Fit is the industry default for a reason. It has a synthetic-leather palm with gel and foam padding, a padded mesh top that breathes, a spandex knuckle panel and a seamless index finger so you keep feel in your fingertips. It coils cable, handles stands and sandbags, moves apple boxes and does general set work all day, and when it is filthy you put it through the wash. If you are unsure what department you will end up in, this is the safe first purchase.

Then add a pair for your department

Lighting and grip: heat and heavy handling

If you are working around hot fixtures, gel frames and rigging, add the heat-resistant Hot Hand, which is built from 100 percent heat-resistant leather and rated by Setwear to Contact Heat Level 2 at 250 degrees C. For heavy rope, truss and cable work where durability matters more than heat, step up to the full-leather Pro Leather or the reinforced EZ-Fit Extreme. Always follow the manufacturer's guidance on heat, no glove makes a hot fixture safe to hold indefinitely.

Camera department: feel and control

Camera assistants often need their fingertips for building the camera, threading small hardware and tying off cable. The Leather Fingerless gives palm protection while leaving your fingertips free, and the lightweight, touchscreen-friendly Stealth suits days spent on a phone, tablet or delicate gear.

Sound and production: light and touchscreen-friendly

If you live on a radio, a tablet and a phone, the Stealth or the updated V.2 Stealth keep your hands protected without getting in the way of comms and screens.

The two-pair rule

Most experienced crew carry two pairs: a light glove for feel and touchscreens, and a leather or heat glove for the heavy or hot stuff. On your first day, an EZ-Fit plus one specialist pair for your department covers almost everything you will be asked to do.

Getting the size right

Setwear gloves run XS to XXL. Measure around the widest part of your palm, excluding the thumb, and match the brand's size chart. If you are between sizes and want the most dexterity for camera or knot work, size down; if you want a looser fit for heavy handling, size up. For a full model-by-model breakdown, see our Setwear glove comparison guide and the complete Setwear guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best all-round glove for a new set crew member?

The Setwear EZ-Fit. It balances protection and dexterity, handles grip, cable and general set work, and is machine washable, which makes it the safest single purchase before you know your department.

Do I need heat-resistant gloves on my first day?

Only if you will be working around hot lighting fixtures, gel frames or rigging near heat. In that case add the Hot Hand glove, which is rated for contact heat. If you are on camera, sound or general set work, a standard glove like the EZ-Fit is the right start.

Which Setwear glove is best for camera assistants?

Many camera crew prefer the Leather Fingerless for bare-fingertip control when building the camera, or the touchscreen-friendly Stealth for lightweight everyday handling.

How many pairs of gloves should I own?

Two is the practical answer: a light, touchscreen-friendly glove for feel and a leather or heat-resistant glove for heavy or hot work. Start with an EZ-Fit plus one specialist pair for your department.

What size Setwear glove should I buy?

Measure around the widest part of your palm and use Setwear's size chart. Gloves run XS to XXL. Size down for maximum dexterity, or up for a looser fit when handling heavy gear.

Where to buy in Australia

Black Flag Distribution is the official Australian distributor of Setwear. We supply an Australia-wide network of authorised retailers and stockists rather than selling direct to the public, so there is a local dealer who can help wherever you are. To check pricing and availability and to buy, use the Black Flag Distribution store finder to find an authorised retailer or stockist near you. Search our store finder to locate your nearest Australian stockist and purchase from an authorised dealer.