Best Tactical Gloves For The Most Unforgiving Tasks

Looking To Upgrade To A Pair Of Tactical Gloves? You’re In The Right Place

Because recently, I’ve been upgrading much of my survival gear, such as my:

But there’s one thing that’s slipped through the cracks until now…

It’s a piece of tactical gear that’s simple and often overlooked.

Yet it’s an integral part of everyday personal protection – Tactical Gloves!

My old gloves were okay, I guess.

They work as long as the most challenging task I need them for is splitting firewood or digging trenches.

But are beat-up old leather work gloves suitable for real-world emergencies?

NO WAY!

They have rips and stretched stitching in the thumb.

And the palms are completely worn into tatters.

This level of wear and tear is due to years of rappelling with a heavy pack.

And honestly, I’m embarrassed I let them get so bad without looking for a replacement.

So I’m on a mission to fix this oversight!

I’m on a mission to upgrade to a new pair of quality tactical gloves, and I will share all my research notes with you.

That’s why today, I’ll be leaning on my extensive Engineering, Gear Review/Testing, and Mountain Rescue background to cover the following topics:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Tactical Gloves For Sale 

Why Are Tactical Gloves Matter

What Makes Gloves “Tactical”?

Best Tactical Glove Features

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Best Tactical Gloves On The Market Today

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↓ 5.11 Tactical, Screen Ops Tactical Gloves Overview ↓

↓ FREETOO Tactical Gloves ↓

↓ Oakley Factory Pilot Gloves: After 2 Years Of Abuse ↓

Why Are Tactical Gloves So Important?

Tactical gloves are one of the most underrated pieces of survival gear.

Why? I’m not 100% certain, but I believe it has to do with all the crappy gloves on the market.

Many people have no idea what they’re missing out on when choosing a pair of cheap gloves off a discount rack.

These impulse buys are often value traps because cheap and tactical gloves ARE NOT THE SAME THINGS.

They don’t fit the same way, wear the same way, or protect the same way.

Cheap gloves use inferior materials and have no tactical design features.

And this is a shame because your hands are one of your most crucial tools.

Losing the use of your hands would be one of the biggest hurdles to navigating in an emergency.

Imagine performing all your tasks on a given day without using your hands.

I’m willing to bet that you couldn’t do even the most basic tasks in such a situation!

And we’re not just talking about significant injuries here.

But, a small cut left untreated can lead to infection.

Or severe blisters can make using tools and weapons an exercise in pure torture.

Plus, exposure to cold and wet conditions can leave you vulnerable.

Affecting your shooting accuracy and fumbling with all sorts of delicate mechanisms.

So, a good pair of gloves is a huge asset in all sorts of tactical situations.

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What Makes A Pair Of Gloves “Tactical”?

Gloves (like all performance gear) are designed based on their intended use.

This strategy leads to a vast range of options on the market today.

But since many gloves are made for a specific task, they’re not always great for broader range use.

“Tactical” gloves protect your hands from common injuries (like scrapes, blisters, and burns).

They should remain both flexible and close-fitting.

These features provide extreme dexterity and minimal restriction on your range of motion.

Tactical glove manufacturers construct them for maximum durability.

And often offer increased padding and protection at injury-prone or high-wear locations.

Some gloves also have strategic armoring at the vulnerable knuckles and palms areas.

These features make high-impact tasks less likely to develop into stress injuries such as chopping wood, firing weapons, or operating heavy machinery.

As with any other visible equipment, tactical gloves come in various colors and styles.

You can find them in a military appearance to something looking surprisingly casual.

Your stylistic choice often depends on your desire to blend in or not.

And your willingness to draw attention to yourself or not.

For example, my daily life involves both work-from-home and in the office.

That’s why I prefer gear on the more discrete end of the spectrum.

But military-style gloves may be better for you if you work in a more rugged setting.

They’ll be less of a distraction or perceived threat in such an environment.

Note On Legality Of Knuckle Armor

Many tactical gloves feature padded or “armored” knuckles.

This feature is meant for resistance to abrasion and cuts across your knuckles.

This “armor” is generally made of thick leather, fabric, or lightweight thermoformed plastic.

But tactical gloves also include weighted or “loaded” knuckles.

These “loaded knuckles” are designed to cause damage when throwing a punch.

They also tend to have extra weight to make the blow more impactful.

And some even have exposed metal to injure an opponent as well.

The bottom line is:

These glove-based weapons are made to provide an advantage in hand-to-hand combat.

But they’re generally NOT LEGAL in many areas around the world.

So we will not include this type of glove in this article.

If you desire this glove type, please check your local laws before purchasing it.

Best Tactical Glove Features To Look For

As noted earlier, our hands are critical tools. They’re necessary for humans to accomplish, well…just about ANYTHING!

That’s why you should consider looking for a well-built pair that won’t disappoint when you need them most.

But what features are requirements, and which are “nice to have”?

As always, it comes down to how you use them and what tasks you face.

Grip

First, they’re rubbish if you can’t keep a grip on things while wearing gloves!

Fortunately, most tactical gloves feature textured palms and fingers to increase grip dramatically.

Split-grain leather is also excellent as well. But this type of leather can get polished smooth over time with heavy use.

Finished leather, however, often has minimal grip from the start. So make sure you know the difference before you buy.

Dexterity

Just as necessary as the grip is dexterity.

Dexterity allows you to do delicate tasks without taking your gloves off.

There are two schools of thought on how to achieve this.

Some manufacturers make gloves with thin material and a close fit on the fingers.

This option is accomplished with synthetic materials or very high-grade leather.

But can come at the price of durability.

The other option is fingerless gloves.

These protect your palms and the first joint of your finger.

But stop at the second knuckle, leaving your fingertips free to do detailed work.

These are great for warm weather and fair conditions.

But I’ve had injuries that could have been easily prevented with full-finger gloves.

Bulk / Ease Of Movement

Insulation and padding are essential features to keep your hands comfortable and warm. But it can also be too much of a good thing.

When the gloves get bulky, you tend to lose range of motion.

Fit and ease of movement are critical here – you need a glove that “fits like a glove.”

They should go on and off smoothly.

And you should be able to move your hands freely while wearing them.

Check the sizing guide from the manufacturer, but don’t let that be your only guide.

If possible, try them on before buying, or if you buy online, return them ASAP if they don’t fit well.

Always check online reviews to see if others mention the fit.

The chances are a poor-fitting glove will be more hassle than it’s worth.

Touchscreen Capability

It’s a fact of modern life: Touchscreens are everywhere!

And not just smartphones either. GPS units, vehicles, computers, and small electronics sport touchscreens.

You can’t even unlock the keyless entry on my front door with thick gloves on!

So look for a glove with touchscreen compatibility.

Or be prepared to take your gloves off dozens of times a day.

These gloves have a unique material on the fingertips to register on touchscreens.

But there’s a wide range of effectiveness, so test any gloves as soon as possible.

Comfort

Comfort is a product of all the other features, but it’s worth mentioning again.

Whenever you wear gloves, they must be as comfortable as possible, or you’ll take them off often.

Breathable materials, durable stitching, and a soft liner help dramatically.

Padding, armor in the right places, and a secure fit make some gloves stand out.

Cost

Cost plays a role here as the final deciding factor in many gear purchases.

You can expect gloves ranging in price from under $15 to $75 per pair.

Materials, design, and brand names all play equally important roles here.

So be sure to understand what you need from your gloves and what you’re willing to spend.

↓ The Basics Of Tactical Gloves ↓

Final Thoughts

Protecting your hands is a non-negotiable part of being prepared for survival.

Or even just a day at work.

Finding the right pair of tactical gloves for you is a matter of determining your needs and price range.

I tried many different tactical gloves to upgrade my gear this year.

I’ve found differences between the makes in fit, comfort, and utility.

Pay attention to what your friends have on at the range or work.

If, in the end, you still like the hardware store version best, that’s great!

But don’t skimp on the research with something so critical as your hands!

Jason K.

Born & Raised In The Remote Woods Of Michigan

Engineering Degree From A Major University

Long Standing Member Of Mountain Search & Rescue

Offical Gear Tester For Several Outdoor Companies

Avid Outdoorsman: Backpacking, Camping, Fishing

Years Researching & Writing About Surival & Gear

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