I use these gloves for my woodworking and gardening and highly recommend them for any craft or chore that you need protection from sharp or abraisive objects. The knitted base is helpful in allowing your hands to breathe and not sweat and the nitrile coating gives a flexible, secure grip. The fingers are a snug fit, allowing for more accuracy and sesitivity than bulkier suede or rubber gloves.The knitted base is porous, so it's not leakproof, but it is usable with water as it still provides protection when wet. They are washable, but I go through them pretty hard and just toss them out when the fingertips wear out. I use them constantly in the wood workshop and have avoided splinters and mishaps with the power sanders and they give a secure grip for holding tools. For the garden, they are great for pulling weeds, digging, and avoiding blisters when holding tools or cuts when probing around in the dirt and brush. They don't resist thorns as well as suede gloves, but I still highly recommend them for tough dirty chores.