How to Choose the Right Tactical Gloves

Our Guide to Picking a Pair of Tactical Gloves

Any tactical professional understands the importance of using their hands. From latching onto tough surfaces to using weaponry and medical kits, your fingers always need to be ready. For this reason, the gloves you choose to wear are one of the most important pieces of equipment in your set of gear. Read our guide below to learn about what you should be looking for when choosing the pair of gloves you’ll be taking on your toughest outings.

What Are Tactical Gloves?

The term ‘tactical gloves’ refers to any kind of gloves that are worn by military, law enforcement, or similar professionals. Unlike other gloves that prioritize comfort, these are meant to help tactical professionals succeed on their missions, helping with grip and protecting against hazards.

Must-Have Features to Look For

Grip

This is arguably the most important feature of a glove. If your tactical mission requires sensitive or quick handwork of any kind, you’ll need gloves that don’t hinder your ability to grab, pull, climb, or aim. You might even choose to wear fingerless gloves to remain in complete control of your fingers, though this might not always be an option.

In many cases, the grip is most relevant to your ability to use your firearm. If the glove’s grip doesn’t allow you to be absolutely certain of how much pressure you are placing on the trigger, an accident is bound to happen.

Touch Screen Usage

From communications gear to delicate gadgets, you might find yourself using a few screens. Regular gloves make it next to impossible to type, and repeatedly removing your gloves is irritating. Fortunately, some gloves are designed for touch screen compatibility.

Otherwise, fingerless gloves are great for tasks that involve frequent screen usage.

Adjustable

The way your gloves fit is important for a number of reasons: they’ll be more comfortable, you’ll have more control of your fingers, and you won’t be distracted. Some gloves allow you to make precise adjustments with straps, so each part of your hands can be accounted for.

Padding

Some tactical endeavours involve harsh conditions. Don’t let the brutal snow, mud, or wind stop you from succeeding. A pair of gloves that prioritizes insulation will give you freedom over your fingers even in extreme cold.

Breathability

What does it mean for a glove to be “breathable”? Essentially, your hands are bound to get sweaty with gloves on – and breathable materials allow that sweat to escape. A pair of breathable gloves is ventilated to allow moisture to enter and exit, in order to prevent moisture, like sweat, from getting caught. In a way, it is the opposite of waterproof, which stops moisture from leaving or entering, so prioritize what is important.

Mobility

When choosing a glove for tactical activities, don’t forget to think about how well your hands and fingers can move. You don’t want a glove with too much padding, as it will give you no wiggle room.

Protection

Have you ever returned from a mission with cuts, bruises, and scrapes all over your hands and fingers? Missions are bound to get tough, but you shouldn’t put your skin in harm’s way. These injuries may seem minor, but they are distracting and can turn into infections without immediate treatment.

Tactical gloves are made from materials that protect your hands from outer forces, from hazardous elements of nature to hostile individuals and much more.

Other Factors to Consider

There is no “correct” type of gloves to get. That’s because everyone’s hands are different, as are everyone’s individual goals. Read below for a few ideas of what else you should be looking for.

Different Materials

There are so many options for materials, so how do you tell which is the right one for you? Think of what traits you want to prioritize in a glove. Are you looking for a glove that is:

Flexible and comfortable? Consider leather or spandex
Tough and durable? Consider kevlar or nomex
Good for insulation? Consider Thinsulate
Water resistant? Consider leather or rubber
Breathable? Consider polyester

Getting the Proper Fit

Picking gloves that fit isn’t always easy – especially when you consider that gloves stretch out over time. Think of these tips when you try on gloves:

Make sure there isn’t any extra space above your fingertips
Some materials, like spandex, can stretch to fit you, while materials like leather are fixed
Don’t assume that loose gloves are more preferable than tight gloves – extra space will limit your control