At uvex, we believe everyone deserves properly fitting PPE for maximum protection, comfort and performance—regardless of gender.
While a diverse range of PPE exists, many wearers and buyers are unaware of their options, and procurement departments may hesitate to order less common sizes, limiting access to properly fitting protective equipment.
1. Hearing protection – ensuring a secure seal
Effective hearing protection depends on a secure seal, yet ear canal sizes vary. Women often have smaller ear canals, making standard earplugs less effective. This is a problem because ill-fitting earplugs can allow dangerous noise leakage, reduce protection and cause discomfort, leading to inconsistent use.
Oversized earplugs may not insert deeply enough, while undersized ones can seem comfortable but fail to block harmful noise. Traditional round plugs may not properly seal oval-shaped ear canals.
To address this, uvex offers earplugs with different size options including the uvex xact-fit range, designed to provide a secure and comfortable fit for different ear shapes.
2. Safety eyewear – designed for real-world use
Well-fitted safety glasses and goggles protect against hazards while ensuring comfort and clarity. They should sit securely without pressure, pinching or slipping, fully cover the eyes, eyebrows and soft tissue, and provide an unobstructed field of vision.
The frame must sit snugly without eyelashes touching the lens, while the weight should be evenly distributed to prevent discomfort. A well-fitted pair should stay in place even when the wearer moves their head and especially when looking down.
With ISO standards reinforcing the importance of proper eyewear fit, uvex goes further by testing safety glasses under real-world conditions—including with SPF and makeup. This ensures that the formulations used do not affect the impact characteristics, clarity, anti-fog performance, or fit, guaranteeing reliable protection in any work environment.
3. Footwear – engineered for women’s needs
Safety footwear is about more than protection—it must provide comfort, support and the right anatomical fit. Women’s feet often have narrower heels, different arch shapes, and varying instep heights, which standard safety footwear may not accommodate.
Many safety shoes and boots are simply downsized men’s designs, often resulting in poor support. However, uvex creates footwear using a mould that replicates the average female foot. With some styles starting at size 35 (UK 3) and the inclusion of ergonomic insoles, this promotes a better overall fit, helps reduce fatigue, prevents foot-related injuries, and enhances long-term comfort.
Just like high-street shoes, sizing varies between brands, making professional fitting essential. The uvex tune-up board helps identify arch types, ensuring workers select the right support for their feet.
4. Safety gloves – the right fit for protection and precision
We all know our shoe size—but what about our glove size? Gloves that are too large can reduce grip and dexterity, increasing the risk of accidents, while gloves that are too small can restrict movement and cause discomfort.
uvex gloves are ergonomically designed to mimic the natural contours of the hand, providing an instant, comfortable fit with no break-in period. Properly fitting gloves enhance control, safety and precision for fine motor tasks.
Not sure of your glove size? Download the uvex hand sizing chart here.
5. PPE fit and comfort – no compromises
Proper PPE fit isn’t just about comfort—it’s critical for safety. At uvex, we design high-performance PPE for a wide variety of body types and offer fit clinics where workers can trial different options with expert guidance. These sessions improve safety, reduce risk, and ensure PPE fits as intended.
Employers are legally required to provide properly fitting PPE. Getting involved in PPE trials can help identify the best solutions while establishing PPE champions in the workplace can promote awareness and ensure everyone has access to well-fitting protective products. At uvex, we are committed to ensuring PPE fits every wearer properly so that no one has to compromise.
For more information, click here
Find more industry feature articles here
