Tactical gloves are a great way to protect your hands from the elements or from a lot of manual labor. This article is intended to be an informative and objective guide on different tactical gloves that we think are best suited for various tasks.
We’ll cover everything you need to know about these best tactical gloves, including how they measure up against each other in terms of their grip, dexterity, and comfort. We also poke at their strengths and pitfalls, so you’ll know exactly what to expect.
If you’re looking for some great new gloves but can’t decide which ones to buy, then this is the perfect article for you!
Quick Breakdown of the Best Tactical Gloves Reviewed
In a hurry? No need to worry. We’ve broken down our top picks for a range of categories below. We found each of these five pairs to be the bees knees in their particular area of expertise. And we’re sure you’ll find the same.
- Mechanix Wear: Original Covert Tactical Work Gloves – Overall best tactical gloves
- Ironclad Tactical Operator Pro Gloves – Best budget tactical gloves
- Mechanix Wear: M-Pact MultiCam – Top tactical cold weather gloves
- Mechanix Wear: Tactical Specialty 0.5mm – Best tactical shooting gloves
- TitanOPS Gloves – Best hard knuckle gloves
- Oakley Men’s Factory Pilot Glove – Top tactical leather gloves
- Mechanix Wear M-Pact 3 Gloves – Best combat gloves
- Glove Station Tactical Rubber Knuckle Gloves – Best touch screen tactical gloves
Tactical Gloves – Review Comparison Table
If you need a little more context, and want to compare each of the gloves on a number of key metrics, this comparison table will help. We’ve highlighted some important features, given an idea of price, and indicated the best use-cases for each glove on the list in the table below.
Overall Best Tactical Gloves
Out of all the tactical gloves we reviewed, we found the Original Covert Tactical Work Gloves from Mechanix Wear to be our favourites. They’re an incredibly solid and versatile pair of gloves, and Mechanix is an iconic brand.
Some runner ups were:
- Mechanix Wear: M-Pact MultiCam
- Mechanix Wear M-Pact 3 Gloves
- PIG Full Dexterity Tactical Alpha Gloves
Best Budget Tactical Gloves
Without a doubt, the best budget pair on this list are the Ironclad Tactical Operator Pro Gloves. They undercut all competitors by a solid margin and are still a good pair. Some of the other noteworthy gloves in terms of affordability were:
- Mechanix Wear: The Original Covert Tactical Work Gloves
- Mechanix Wear: M-Pact MultiCam
- Mechanix Wear M-Pact 3 Gloves
Top Tactical Cold Weather Gloves
With their heavily-padded construction and thick materials, the Mechanix Wear: M-Pact MultiCam are the top players when it comes to keeping your hands warm. Here are some other strong options for cold weather:
Best Shooting Gloves
The dexterity and precision offered by the Mechanix Wear: Tactical Specialty 0.5mm make them the best tactical gloves for shooting. Other options that work well when handling firearms are the:
Best Hard Knuckle Gloves
Living up to their name, the tough TitanOPS Gloves take the title of best hard knuckle tactical gloves. Having hard knuckles makes your tactical gloves more effective when it comes to protecting your hands. They can also do more damage in hand-to-hand combat.- not that we’re advocating it!
The next best options are:
- Oakley Men’s Factory Pilot Glove Review
- Mechanix Wear M-Pact 3 Gloves
- Glove Station Tactical Rubber Knuckle Gloves
Top Tactical Leather Gloves
We found the Oakley Men’s Factory Pilot Glove to be the best leather pair that we reviewed. There’s nothing like the feel of real leather on your skin, and these gloves do it right.
Best Combat Gloves
If you plan on using your gloves in combat situations, your best option is the Mechanix Wear M-Pact 3 Gloves.
Best Touch Screen Tactical Gloves
It may sound like a small consideration, but the ability to use your tactical gloves with your phone will save you a lot of hassle. Our top pick for this functionality is the Glove Station Tactical Rubber Knuckle Gloves.
12 Best Tactical Gloves Reviews
Now, without further delay, let’s get into the full reviews of our favourite tactical gloves.
Mechanix Recon Gloves
One of the best options for a tactical glove is Mechanix’s Recon Gloves. These gloves are dexterous and durable, which will allow you to do all sorts of tasks without worrying too much about wear and tear. They’re also touchscreen-compatible, so you can wear them while using electronics as well.
They somehow manage to be thin and hard-wearing at the same time, which is rare in a pair of gloves. But don’t expect too much in the way of padding.
One downside that we discovered with these gloves is that they stain your hands at first, but this is a common problem with all tactical gloves. If you’re looking for something more combat-oriented then these will not be your best option – they are better suited to use with firearms, whether you’re at the range or on the paintball field.
We loved the nifty storage loops as well, which help to keep them neat when they’re out of action.
While most won’t see it as a disadvantage, it’s also worth noting that Mechanix’s Recon Gloves only come in black.
In summary, we found these to be a top pick for tactical gloves that offer great protection and dexterity, particularly in the context of shooting.
Vertx Breacher Gloves Review
The Vertx Breacher Gloves are a highly versatile, high-quality pair of gloves with an incredible amount of protection for the hands. The only downsides are that they’re a bit expensive and don’t have as much padding on the palm compared to other pairs. However, these tactical gloves have been recommended by the National Tactical Officers Association so you know you’re getting a quality product.
Vertx Breacher Gloves with their touchscreen-compatible fingertips are great for both outdoor and daily use. The palm of these gloves is made from soft leather, while the rest is constructed from a slightly stretchy synthetic material. The stitching is a little precarious in places, but overall the construction seems pretty solid.
FREETOO Knuckle Tactical Gloves Review
The FREETOO Knuckle gloves are a solid choice for anyone looking for an affordable, durable pair of tactical gloves. They have good ventilation and grip that is suited to combat and shooting. Unfortunately, they are not touchscreen compatible, which makes using your smartphone a chore.
At first the hands may experience staining from contact with the gloves, but this should subside quickly; you just need to take care when washing them alongside your tighty-whities.
Overall, we found these gloves to be pretty comfortable and durable. The knuckle protection is a nice touch, though the fingers seem to be slightly lacking in terms of durability.
These gloves are best for anyone who wants tactical gloves that provide solid grip and dexterity without sacrificing too much comfort or warmth.
TitanOPS Gloves Review
The Titan OPS gloves are a great catch if you need something for everyday use. They’re affordable, odor-free, and machine washable! Not to mention quick-drying.
One downside is that the Velcro strap can get irritating after long periods of time. And, if you’re looking exclusively for high-end gear, then these might not work best for you – the materials feel a bit cheaper than some of the other gloves on this list. They are also not touchscreen compatible, which can be a bit of an issue for some users.
With that said, this is a solid pair of tactical gloves that’ll do well for most people and most situations.
Oakley Men’s Factory Pilot Glove Review
The Oakley Factory Pilot Gloves are a bad-ass pair of gloves. They’re made with high-end materials, including durable leather palms and breathable synthetics. These gloves have excellent ventilation to let air move through your fingers and keep them cool in warmer conditions.
Overall these are some great tactical gloves for pretty much any task that requires hand dexterity and protection from harm – whether it’s shooting a target at the range, or getting stuck in with some hand to hand combat.
One thing worth mentioning is that this glove does not come touchscreen compatible which can be inconvenient for daily use. They’re also a little on the expensive side, but you’re getting quality for the money.
Mechanix Wear M-Pact 3 Gloves Review
M-Pact Gloves are great for combat because of their thermal plastic rubber knuckle guard. The reinforced and grippy palm allows you to perform various tasks without the gloves losing traction, while the fingertips provide extra grip for smaller-scale tasks.
They are relatively heavily padded, which could hinder use with firearms. They’re also a little lacking in the ventilation department. Finally, they come with convenient storage loops that will help keep everything neat when it’s time for storage in between missions.
PIG Full Dexterity Tactical Alpha Gloves Review
The PIG Full Dexterity Tactical Alpha Gloves are a great choice for those who want to try out tactical gloves that can be used with firearms. These gloves provide excellent protection, while still being thin enough to make them dexterous and lightweight.
They also have good ventilation which helps keep hands cool in the summer months. One downside that we found is that they come with annoying tags on the wrist area, and they don’t offer adequate combat capabilities. Finally, there’s always a chance for water entry points since the seams aren’t sealed that well around these gloves.
While the price may be high when compared with other options on this list, these tactical gloves are certainly worth considering.
Mechanix Wear: The Original Covert Tactical Work Gloves Review
The Mechanix Wear Original Covert Tactical Work gloves are one of our favorite pairs of tactical gloves. There isn’t much loose material that could interfere with your grip. They do have just enough padding on them to protect your hands without dulling your sense of feel.
The company logo is printed all over, which may bother some people who like to keep a sleek look, but it’s hardly a deal-breaker. We also didn’t care for the closing strap on the inside of the wrist instead of on top – it’s a classic Mechanix feature, but can be frustrating.
The Velcro seems a little weak, as do the single thread seams – we’re not sure how long they’ll last. But for the price, these gloves are an exceptional buy.
They are form-fitting, machine washable, and their TrekDry feature helps keep your hands cool and comfortable while you work. Plus, the adjustable wrist closures create a secure fit.
Glove Station Tactical Rubber Knuckle Gloves Review
The Glove Station Tactical Rubber Knuckle Gloves are one of the best options for those looking to up their game in terms of hand protection. These gloves offer durable construction, with double-stitched seams and an overall high-quality build that will last you a long time.
The rubber knuckles offer much more protection than soft knuckle tactical gloves, and this pair also offers touchscreen compatibility. So you can use your phone without taking them off. They’re really comfortable too – even after hours on end, there’s no noticeable discomfort or tightness around the wrist area.
One downside is that these don’t provide much palm protection; it’s mostly focused on the top of the hand. They’re also not great for use with firearms. But all in all, these are some of the best tactical glove options, and a good choice if you’re looking for something affordable.
Ironclad Tactical Operator Pro Gloves Review
Ironclad’s Operator Pro gloves come with a variety of features that are sure to keep your hands protected from external threats.
One of the best things about these gloves is their grip. They’re made out of smooth leather on the palm, with neoprene on the top side helping to protect the knuckles. The palms also come equipped with embossing for enhanced gripping power.
They’re made from high-quality materials and feel durable enough to last for quite some time, especially if you take care of them correctly. The gloves have plenty of dexterity, too. Furthermore, they’re comfy with a snug fit.
Unfortunately, we found that they don’t work too well when it comes to touch screens on mobile devices, despite being advertised as “touch screen compatible.”
Mechanix Wear: Tactical Specialty 0.5mm Review
Another top-notch pair from Mechanix Wear, the Speciality 0.5mm gloves are lightweight and thin, making them more suitable for those who need to work in hot environments or on tasks that require dexterity.
With that said, the thinness of the materials means that they are more prone to wearing through than the thicker pairs on this list. It also means that they’re not as well suited to colder weather.
We found them to be highly dexterous and grippy. They’re also very comfortable, which is especially important when you need to wear gloves for extended periods.
Overall, these gloves are a great choice for those looking to use their hands in more active tasks, such as driving or shooting.
Mechanix Wear: M-Pact MultiCam Tactical Work Gloves Review
The M-Pact MultiCams are some of the best tactical gloves on this list. They’re available in sizes small to XXL, making them great for people who have larger hands or wear large size work gloves.
The M-Pact MultiCam gloves feature durable synthetic leather palms that provide good grip – even when wet. They also have a breathable TrekDry back that helps keep sweat from building up on your skin.
After a few weeks of use, we found that the gloves mold to the shape of your hands, so they’re easy to don and doff without having the material bunch up.
The downsides are that the gloves are thicker than some others, so they’re not ideal for hot summer days or fiddly tasks. Getting a grip on small objects is a challenge with the thick material – a consideration if you’ll need to do precision work like picking up screws or doing fine detail.
Overall, though, we were impressed by the durability and breathability of these gloves, which makes them a good option for work or play.
What to Look for When Buying Tactical Gloves
If you’re new to the world of tactical gloves, it’s important to understand what to keep an eye out for. You’ll want to find a pair that suits your purposes. In doing so, you’ll need to consider the following features and qualities.
Protection
The level of protection offered by a tactical glove should be one of your primary considerations. This is particularly true if you’re going to be using the police gloves for high-impact activities, or in dealing with heavy machinery.
That said, some purposes are better suited to gloves with less padding and protection. Shooting, for example, requires dexterity to remain intact, so padded fingers could get in your way.
In the protection department, look out for knuckle guards and padded fingers.
Grip
Enhanced grip is one of the primary functions of a tactical glove. The best gloves will have a grip that is versatile – bonus points if it holds up in both wet and dry conditions.
Dexterity and Movement
While grip and protection are the main functions of tactical gloves, it’s critical to consider how these things can impact dexterity.
Dexterity is one’s ability to move with freedom and accuracy – the more dexterity your gloves allow, the easier it will be for you to carry out fiddly tasks.
Heavily padded gloves tend to offer less dexterity than thinner gloves. As do gloves that are not form-fitting.
If you’re using your gloves for clunkier tasks, like manual labour, opt for protection over dexterity. But if you need fine precision, keep your sanity by choosing the thinner gloves.
Warmth
Warmth (and conversely, ventilation) is something that’s often overlooked in tactical gloves. Not all gloves are made equal when it comes to heat management, so it’s important to consider the environment in which you’ll be using your police gloves.
Do you want a comfy pair to keep your digits warm in winter? Or some slick slide-ons that won’t get uncomfortable on a hot day?
The key factors here are thickness, material, and ventilation. For cold-weather gloves, opt for thicker construction, double-stitched seams, and insulating materials.
For warm-weather gloves, aim to buy thinner gloves with good ventilation built in – ideally with moisture-wicking materials in the construction.
Other FAQ’s About Tactical Gloves
Choosing the right gloves for you can be a challenge. But we find that having the right information and answers to your questions can be a real help. So here are some more questions that we get asked frequently.
Are Tactical Gloves Legal?
Are tactical gloves legal? We’re not experts on the topic, but we’ve done some research, and here’s what we found. We do not intend to offer any kind of legal advice, so seek professional guidance from a legal expert before making any decisions.
It seems that there are likely no issues with un-weighted, hard-knuckle gloves or soft-knuckle tactical gloves. This is contrary to sap (weighted-knuckle) gloves, which seem to be illegal in some areas.
Summary of the Best Military Gloves
So, there you have it. We hope this guide to the best tactical gloves has been an insightful piece of your buying journey. We’re sure you’ll be ready for some hard-hitting, hand-based action with your sparkling new pair. Which gloves did you choose?
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