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Head to head

Wells Lamont 1132 vs Kinco 387P (2027)

Two leather drivers compared: the Wells Lamont 1132 cowhide glove against the Kinco 387P buffalo glove, on leather, water resistance, weight and price.

TGBy TrueGear Research TeamIndependent editorial teamLast updated How we researchResearch-based assessment · Work Gloves
Specs verified against manufacturer docs
No paid placements
Independently funded by readers
Updated 2026-11-03
Wells Lamont 1132 vs Kinco 387P (2027) featured graphic

What owners report

Most praised
  • The cowhide palm holds up to firewood, fencing and rough lumber where thinner gloves shred
  • After a short break-in the glove moulds to the hand instead of fighting it
  • The wrist strap keeps chips and dirt out during overhead and brush work
Common complaints
  • The first days feel board-stiff, especially across the knuckles
  • Soaked pairs dry stiffer than owners expect unless they are conditioned
  • Sizing runs snug for owners between sizes, who wish they had sized up

What owners report

Most praised
  • The buffalo palm survives wet lumber and muddy equipment work that ruins lighter gloves
  • Hands stay drier in drizzle than in untreated leather drivers owners compared it with
  • The unlined fit lets owners pick up bolts and clips without taking the gloves off
Common complaints
  • The water shedding weakens after a season of hard use and needs redoing
  • The leather feels heavy during all-day fine work compared with goatskin
  • Owners with wider palms find the finger length generous before the palm breaks in

Our recommendation

Buy the Wells Lamont 1132 for dry general work and the Kinco 387P for wet work. The 1132 is lighter, cheaper and entirely sufficient for lumber, fencing and yard work in fair weather. The 387P's buffalo leather and water-resistant treatment earn their mid-tier price the moment rain, mud and wet material enter the week. Owners who work in both conditions commonly own both, using the 1132 as the dry pair and the 387P as the wet pair, rather than forcing one glove to cover both.

Leather: cowhide against buffalo

Cowhide is the affordable all-rounder: lighter, quicker to break in, and strong enough for most outdoor work. Buffalo is denser and heavier, with more abrasion and puncture resistance on rough material. The weight difference is noticeable across a full day, and it cuts both ways: buffalo lasts longer on brutal material, cowhide tires the hand less on long general days.

Water: untreated against treated

The 1132 is untreated cowhide, which handles incidental dampness but goes soggy and stiffens in sustained wet work unless conditioned. The 387P's Hydroflector treatment sheds rain and wet material and keeps the glove workable through wet shifts, at the cost of re-treatment as the finish wears. For owners whose week includes real rain, this is the deciding difference.

Fit and cuff

The 1132 uses a gunn cut with an adjustable wrist closure, which keeps debris out and lets owners cinch the fit. The 387P uses an easy-on cuff that slides on fast with cold or dirty hands but offers less debris protection. The 1132's fit is the more deliberate of the two; the 387P's is the faster.

Price tier and value

The 1132 sits at a budget tier and the 387P at a mid tier, and the gap buys buffalo leather and water resistance, not a different category of glove. Owners on a tight budget who work mostly dry should take the 1132 without regret. Owners who lose gloves to wet work should treat the 387P's premium as replacement money saved.

Choose Wells Lamont 1132 Cowhide Leather Work Gloves if…

  • Your work is mostly dry general outdoor work
  • Budget matters and you want the best value leather glove
  • You prefer an adjustable wrist that keeps debris out
  • Lighter weight across a full day matters more than maximum toughness

Choose Kinco 387P Hydroflector Buffalo Leather Gloves if…

  • Rain, mud and wet material are regular parts of your week
  • Maximum abrasion and puncture resistance matters most
  • You want an easy-on cuff for fast changes with dirty hands
  • You accept heavier leather in exchange for wet-weather durability

Questions, answered

Which glove lasts longer?

On rough wet material, the 387P's buffalo leather and treatment give it the edge. On dry general work, the difference narrows, and the 1132's lower price means a replacement pair costs less when either glove eventually wears out.

Can I treat the 1132 to make it water resistant?

Yes, leather conditioners and waterproofing waxes help untreated cowhide shed water, but they will not match a factory treatment's even coverage, and they change the leather's feel. Owners who treat the 1132 regularly get much of the 387P's wet-weather benefit at the 1132's price, with more maintenance effort.

Which is better for driving and equipment work?

Both serve well once broken in. The 1132's lighter cowhide and adjustable wrist suit long driving days, while the 387P's unlined buffalo build keeps finger feel for equipment controls in wet conditions. Choose by weather, not by vehicle.

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