Tactical gloves are commonly used by the military and by other members of law enforcement. They give you protection from heat, the elements, and injury, making them a vital element of your personal safety equipment.
It is important to consider where, when, and for how long you will be wearing the gloves. The requirements of the material they are constructed from will depend on what you intend to use the gloves for.
Leather is the most common material to use, however it is not breathable and should not be worn for extended periods of time.
It is also important to consider the levels of padding and insulation contained within the gloves. These will not only protect your hands but help the wearer to retain manual dexterity no matter the climate.
How To Choose Tactical Gloves
Padding
A good pair of tactical gloves will incorporate padding to protect the delicate parts of the wearer’s hands. The extra padding is usually located on the knuckles and palms, as these areas are the most susceptible to damage. Padding is usually made of rubber to increase the grip.
This also incorporates the insulation of the gloves. The insulation material is often made from wool or Thinsulate to lock in heat and keep the dexterity of the user’s hands.
Beware that high levels of insulation could impede your dexterity, so it is wise to test the gloves out before you purchase them.
Breathability
If your gloves are not breathable, this can cause your hands to become sweaty.
Extended exposure to this could cause skin irritation. As such, it is important to choose a protective yet breathable material for your gloves.
Grip
Tactical gloves are useless if you cannot grip your equipment while wearing them. For this reason, many users opt for fingerless gloves.
There are gloves specifically designed to have additional grip and full coverage of your hands, but these will not give the user as much dexterity as fingerless gloves.
Design
Fingerless
These gloves are optimal for use with guns. They allow your fingers a free range of motion and simultaneously protect the vulnerable areas of the user’s hands.
These are very breathable as the exposed fingers allow heat to escape.
Touchscreen compatible
Most modern tactical gloves are designed to be compatible with touchscreens. This means that you do not have to remove and replace your gloves every time you need to use a device.
This may not seem like a big deal, but when time is of the essence, every second counts.
Insulated
Insulated gloves are ideal for use in harsher climates. Cold fingers can quickly become stiff and this can cause you to fumble with your equipment.
Insulated gloves will keep your hands warm and functional, but may hinder your dexterity slightly due to the volume of padding.
Hard knuckle
These tend to use a thermoplastic rubber to create a barrier across your knuckles.
This is very lightweight but gives a great deal of protection to the user. These gloves are commonly used by military personnel and law enforcement.
Adjustability
Gloves cannot be bought in small size increments, and as such, are unlikely to fit your hands perfectly.
A good pair of gloves will have some level of adjustability. This is commonly found in the wrists, utilizing Velcro to tighten the seal.
Material
Kevlar
This is the material used in stab-proof vests.
Tactical gloves made from Kevlar will protect the wearer from sharp objects, meaning that fewer injuries are sustained. This material is favored by law enforcement and military personnel.
Leather
This is made from the dried and cured skin of animals such as sheep, goats, and cows. It is the most common material used to make tactical gloves due to its many advantageous qualities.
These include flexibility, water-resistance, and comfort. Leather is a very strong and tough material that will last a long time.
Thinsulate
This is an insulation material, and the insulation power is measured in grams.
The higher the gram rating, the stronger the insulation. It is often preferred to fleece (the other main insulation material), as it is thinner and more flexible.
Neoprene
This material is commonly used to create wetsuits. It is very water-resistant and can keep the wearer at a stable temperature regardless of the climate.
These gloves will keep the user’s hands warm and dry in almost all conditions.
Nylon
This is a very tough and flexible material.
As such, it is commonly used in areas where the glove needs to flex.
Polyester
This is not water-resistant but is a very breathable material. The main appeal of polyester is that it will absorb sweat from the user’s hands.
This means that their hands will remain dry, so the grip is not compromised.
Rubber
This is water-resistant but is not breathable. Tactical gloves are not made completely of rubber as these would be uncomfortable.
Instead, the knuckle and palm areas tend to be covered in rubber to provide protection against impact. The surface provides a good grip due to the increased friction the rubber creates.
Spandex
This is a stretchy material commonly used to make women’s shapewear.
The material is very flexible and allows for a wide range of motion for the wearer. They are ideal for shooters due to the dexterity they provide.
Velcro
This is commonly used to make adjustable wrist fittings. This means that the glove fit can be adjusted to suit a wide range of users.
This mechanism also allows for fast application and removable with little effort required. These kinds of wrist fittings are common in gloves used for law enforcement and the military.
Nomex
Nomex is fire-resistant and is commonly used by military personnel and welders.
Summary
There are many factors to consider when choosing a pair of tactical gloves. Depending on the intended use of the gloves, you will require different features.
The most important thing to consider is the level of dexterity the gloves allow for. In combat situations, it is vital to be able to react appropriately.