THE CAGE GLOVES
THE CAGE:
GLOVES
AS WITH EVERY INSTALMENT OF THE CAGE, WE’RE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR GOOD KIT; NOT SIMPLY GEAR THAT’S 100% FIT FOR PURPOSE BUT EQUIPMENT THAT’S GOING TO GIVE YOU GOOD SERVICE AND GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY! THIS TIME THE AA LEGION TAKE A LOOK AT GLOVES, WHAT THEY’VE WORN IN THE PAST AND WHAT THEY’RE WEARING NOW, SO YOU CAN REALLY GET “HANDS ON” IN ANY SITUATION! AS USUAL, BILL LEADS OFF…
G
loves are tricky things to get right, aren’t they? How often have you parted with money for a pair of “tacticool” gloves that offer you entrance to the “operatorz world” and found that, in reality, they are sub-standard, poorly fitting, and frankly an absolute waste of your hard-earned dollarbucks? When I first started out, gloves were not such a “thing” and an old pair of black leather “NI Gloves” from your local surplus store were probably your best bet! When I moved to the USA in 2006 though, my eyes were opened to the possibilities of what I could use to cover my hands safely, as every tactical store seemed to be offering cool models designed both for law enforcement and the military. For a while I was like a fat boy in a donut shop and every couple of months I’d pick up another model; online forums were “de riguer” for the discerning tacticalist at the time and it seemed to me that someone was ALWAYS posting about gloves! Of course, the dissemination of information about which unit is using which glove model has accelerated with the rise of social media and now new gloves seem to come along on an almost daily basis (or so it seems!). For me, my “go-to gloves” are First Tactical Lightweight Patrol Gloves, Helikon Range Tactical Gloves (because PenCott!), HWI Combat Gloves 500 (Multicam), and OR Ironsight Sensors for general range work. But, with so many glove models out there, how the hell do you decide on the right glove for you? What considerations should you take into account? For me 42
SEPTEMBER 2021
there are three main areas to look at: Grip The most important thing for me is grip. A glove is of no use to you if it hinders the ability to grip your AEG/GBB, or restricts access to using technology (especially these days!). Because of this, many users choose to go with “old skool” fingerless gloves but not me! Of course, grip is related to handling and before you take every shot you have to have the feeling of contact with your trigger, or it can become a distraction from getting the shot. There are now designs which feature special finger tips to provide superior grip perfect for using technology, handling small items, plus shooting needs. Dexterity Another thing I look for in tactical gloves, is to find an option that allows not just grip but also dexterity. Some tactical gloves are designed to protect your hands from damage by way of padded knuckles, but if the material over the knuckle is too thick it will impede your dexterity. Likewise, if a glove is the wrong size, it can get in the way of movement. When it comes to finding the right sizing to ensure ease of movement, remember that phrase, “fits like a glove” as your guideline; the right fit of a glove should feel natural. Comfort When it comes to fabrics and technology many gloves still use leather (or “manufactured leather”) exteriors, or specially bonded synthetic blends. While this certainly has its place in relation to overall comfort, a better option is to choose one that
