We live in a hard world. You need to be hard too, or you’ll get squished like a bug on the windshield of life. Fortunately, hard knuckle gloves exist! These are gloves with hard knuckles on the top side so that your hands stay as safe as can be. But how do we know which ones are best? That’s what this guide is here for – we sifted through the noise and found these five best hard knuckle tactical gloves on the market today.
Quick Breakdown | Tactical Gloves Hard Knuckle – Reviewed
- Oakley Men’s Factory Pilot Glove – Overall Best Knuckle Protection Gloves
- Mechanix Wear M-Pact 3 Gloves – Best Cold Weather Tactical Gloves
- Glove Station Tactical Rubber Knuckle Gloves – Best Touch Screen Tactical Gloves
- FREETOO Knuckle Tactical Gloves – Best Tactical Shooting Gloves
- TitanOPS Gloves – Warm Tactical Gloves
Best Hard Knuckle Gloves Comparison Table
Short on time? The following comparison table breaks down the key aspects of each pair on our list, so you can quickly spot which is the right option for you.
Overall Best Knuckle Protection Gloves
Our top pick for the best overall knuckle protection gloves are the Oakley Men’s Factory Pilot Glove. The tough plastic knuckles and thick padding help keep your hands extra safe.
Other good options are the:
Best Tactical Shooting Gloves
The best shooting gloves on this list are the FREETOO Knuckle Tactical Gloves, thanks to their slim-fitting and dexterity-preserving design.
Our other top choice is the:
Best Cold Weather Tactical Gloves
With their thick fabric and snug design, the Mechanix Wear M-Pact 3 Gloves are our favourite option for colder weather.
The Oakley Men’s Factory Pilot Gloves are great for this too.
Best Touch Screen Tactical Gloves
If you’re after tactical hard knuckle gloves that are touchscreen-savvy, your best bet is the Glove Station Tactical Rubber Knuckle Gloves.
Top 5 Tactical Gloves with Knuckle Protection
Now it’s time to dive into the full reviews for each pair of gloves.
Glove Station Tactical Rubber Knuckle Gloves Review
Glove Station Tactical Rubber Knuckle Gloves are an excellent hard knuckle tactical gloves choice for anyone who wants a hard-core product that will last. The high-quality build is evident in the stitching and durable construction, making these gloves perfect for hard labour or taxing combat sports.
However, they do not provide quite as much protection on the palm as they do on the back of the hand. That said, they have excellent build quality and offer touchscreen compatibility, so you can slide off a text to your lady or guy friend in the heat of battle.
Mechanix Wear M-Pact 3 Gloves Review
The Mechanix Wear M-Pact gloves are some of the best hard knuckle tactical gloves on the market today. They’re machine washable, have extra grip that will keep your hands from slipping, and heavy padding in all of the right places. The main drawback is poor ventilation which may cause you to overheat if you’re working in warm conditions.
They’re also not ideal for use with firearms, as the design can cause some hindrance.
Overall, these tactical gloves are for those who want durability and heavy-duty protection from hard hand impacts but don’t need to worry too much about ventilation or firearm use.
Titan OPS Tactical Gloves Review
The Titan OPS hard knuckle tactical gloves are the best option for those on a budget. They’re affordable, odour-free and machine washable. They’re also quick drying. One of the drawbacks is that they have no touchscreen compatibility, but for hard knuckle gloves, that’s not usually much of a problem!
Another downside is that they’re not made of the highest-end materials, but considering the price range, it’s hard to expect more.
So, would I recommend this pair of hard knuckle gloves? Absolutely, yes. They’re great for the price and can be worn in an incredible variety of situations.
Oakley Hard Knuckle Tactical Gloves – Pilot Glove Review
High-quality hard knuckle tactical gloves don’t come cheap. But if you’re willing to pay the price, these hard knuckles are one of the best on the market. They’re made from top-end materials and they’ll keep you comfy in any situation!
They’re also some of the most stylish hard knuckle tactical gloves we’ve seen, with great ventilation to boot.
One downside is that they’re not touchscreen compatible – but Instagram isn’t often paired with hard-knuckle activities, so we reckon you’ll be fine.
FREETOO Knuckle Tactical Gloves Review
The FREETOO Knuckle tactical gloves are a great choice for people who need to use their hands in high-risk situations. They offer protection against hard impacts such as punches or falls, as well as from potential cuts to the skin on your hand. They also provide excellent ventilation and grip so you don’t lose control over what you’re doing.
The only real drawbacks here are that they may stain your hands for a short time after purchase – it seems to be a side-effect of the dyeing process that the manufacturers used. But it wears off in time. The other consideration is that they are not touchscreen compatible.
However, on the whole, this is a great pair of hard knuckle tactical gloves for the price. And they certainly look the part.
What are Hard Knuckle Tactical Gloves
Hard knuckle tactical gloves feature hard-plastic, hard rubber, or hard metal inserts that go over the knuckle area of a pair of gloves. They can be used for many purposes including:
- Knuckle protection against punches and other hand to hand combat situations
- Offering an extra layer of defence while using firearms
- Knuckle protection during manual labour
- Protection against hard impact sports
What Are Hard Knuckle Gloves Used For?
Hard knuckle gloves are used for a range of activities and types of work. You can use them in hard-core hand combat sports, such as martial arts or other friendly hand-to-hand combats. They’re also useful in the workplace and around the home for DIY projects, especially when dealing with heavy objects or risk injury from hard impacts.
They can be used for all kinds of riding, whether it’s motorcycles or mountain biking, and hard knuckle gloves are often worn by police officers and military personnel.
In essence, they’re just hardy tactical gloves that offer added protection in the knuckle area. So if you’re ever worried about the safety of your knuckles, some form of hard knuckle gloves might be the best option for you.
How To Choose The Right Hard Knuckle Tactical Gloves For Your Needs
In order to choose hard knuckle tactical gloves, you’ll need to know what your needs are and how hard the hand impact can be. If you’re in a job that involves dangerous manual labour, then more expensive hard knuckle tactical gloves may suit your needs better than cheaper ones. Those made of plastic can break down quicker and collapse under high pressures.
Conversely, if you’re going to be using hard knuckle tactical gloves for paintball or another low-risk sport, you may welcome the lighter nature of plastic knuckles. Rubber knuckles, on the other hand, are better suited to martial arts or other friendly hand-to-hand combat disciplines.
A Guide To Buying The Best Hard Knuckle Gloves
If you’re looking to buy hard knuckle tactical gloves, there’s a few things that you should keep in mind.
Firstly, and most obviously, make sure that they have some sort of hard-knuckle protection on the back of the hand. This will be hard and thick enough to protect your skin from hard impacts with objects or other people.
Secondly, hard knuckle gloves should be hard-wearing and have some sort of grip on the palms so that your hands don’t slip. Most activities that require hard knuckle tactical gloves also require a level of robustness, and generally good grip.
Thirdly, hard knuckles will often come in different sizes – make sure to find a pair that fits you well. Be sure to check a glove sizing chart and to read reviews to see whether a pair runs large or small.
Lastly, cost is a major factor when it comes to hard knuckle gloves. You’ll find that gloves with hard knuckles come in all sorts of different prices, with some being high-end and others more low cost.
Of course, as with most things, you get what you pay for. So, if you want hard knuckle gloves that will be comfortable, long-lasting, and safe, go for a high-end pair. For lower-risk activities or short-term purchases, there are some excellent budget hard knuckle tactical gloves available!
We hope this article has helped with your hard knuckle glove selection process. We’re happy to answer any questions in the comments section below or on our social media.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hard Knuckle Tactical Gloves
This hard knuckle tactical gloves guide has hopefully been informative and helpful. We hope that you’ve found the best hard-knuckle gloves for your needs and budget, whether it’s a high-end pair or a cheap option.
If not, feel free to ask us in the comments section below! And if you’re ever unsure about hard knuckle gloves, feel free to come back and take a gander at this hard knuckle tactical gloves guide.