Durham closed Day 1 at Emirates Riverside on 197/6 after Glamorgan chose to bowl first on a cloudy day that saw a delayed start thanks to overnight rain.
BJ Watling finished on 83 not out, with support from Alex Lees and Ben Raine key on a difficult batting track that was prepared just before play, thanks to Tropical Storm Humberto wreaking havoc on the covers in the North-East.
Michael Hogan took 4/31 from 16 overs as he exhibited incredible control and accuracy to restrict Durham's batsmen, and he made inroads at vital times for Glamorgan.
"I would say it was honours even after day one," said Hogan. "The Durham lads have applied themselves well out there on a nibbly wicket.
"We would have liked taken a few more wickets, but it's a pretty even game. We expected the pitch to do a little bit more than it did, but there was still some assistance there.
"The way BJ played is what you want from your overseas player. He has probably experienced a lot of these conditions in New Zealand.
"He's grafted a decent total for Durham, and it would be nice to get him early tomorrow."