Why use nitrile? Why use latex? What's the difference? Aren't all disposable exam gloves the same? All medical exam gloves are not the same and there are huge differences between latex and nitrile gloves. Although often compared, latex gloves and nitrile gloves are not strictly competitors. Because of their different respective strengths and weaknesses, nitrile and latex gloves each have their own separate spheres of use. However because of some similarities and crossover uses, many people confuse nitrile and latex. Don't confuse nitrile with latex or latex with nitrile. Click ahead to find out why and how.