Trial by Fire: Test of 5.11 Tactical Gloves

For testing, we received four models: HARDTIME and TAC NFO2 from Expert series, TAC K9 from Professional series, and Taclite 2 of Everyday series. We put them to intense trials, often very hard, for months. Now, you’ll learn how have they handled the tests, and hear if their are rightly praised by NTOA (National Tactical Officers Association).

The gloves are made in sizes ranging from S to 2XL. Luckily the smallest size was the most suitable for my rather small hands (gloves that are not dedicated for women, even in the smallest available size are often too large for me) making me categorize them as unisex. They are made in multiple variants, adapted to different needs, from thicker — providing greater degree of protection — to thinner, suitable for finer tasks. Depending on the model, they are in black, shades of gray, or beige colors. One of the traits characteristic to majority of the gloves produced by the company is use of the tactical touch, a finger sewing solution enabling more precise movement and comfortable wearing. Some models have connective fingertips, allowing for touch screen use without taking off the gloves, but the pairs we received lacked that function.

The producer provided some technical data and noted the gloves are sturdy and ensure reliable knuckle protection excelling in harsh mission environment. Well, after the generic description we could expect anything. The first impression was positive, brought by well made, regular, and precisely lead seams. Interior part is made of single sheet of elastic and light kidskin. Pieces of the same skin are sewn in place to protect knuckles. Metacarpal bones are covered by thermoplastic reinforcement, appearing flexible enough to avoid hindering movement. Additional support for the user’s hand is provided by Kevlar inserts. Extended wrist- parts together with velcro fastener can potentially shield wrist tendons and median nerve, as well as limit amount of dirt getting inside the gloves.

In practice, despite being the “hard” version, the protection felt comfortable and flexible. The gloves were tested by us during various precise and not-so precise tasks. They worked fine on firing range, while pulling a delicate trigger of a .22LR Ruger carbine, replacing magazine in Glock was smooth and without issues (although a few profanities slipped out while filling the magazine with bullets), and a paper tissue was removed out of a package as well as a flashlight from a pocket without taking off the gloves. Surprisingly, they even held their own during coin test.

What about the more sturdiness-reliant tasks, the ones the gloves were supposedly dedicated to? Among the positives, we counted the fact that Hard Gloves were excellent during sawing wood – provided sure grip, saved from blisters, the construction ward the splinters off the soft tissue, and avoided being scorched while feeding the wood into the stove. They also did they part while exploring abandoned and ruined buildings, protecting from scratches while climbing and giving confidence to handle dirty or otherwise unhygienic findings. The drawbacks include hole on one of the thumbs on one glove and abrasion of one of the fingers on the other after a few months of use. Regretfully, all the tested pairs have worn out textile parts, and individual threads getting loose. What’s more, velcro fasteners have tendency to adhere to woven parts when carried in pockets or backpacks, potentially reducing their lifespan. HARDTIME GLOVES, thus, aren’t as hard as they could be.

HARDTIME gloves work well when driving. Well profiled palm panel matches the body contour

Even sensitive trigger can be effectively used with HARDTIME gloves

HARDTIME gloves provide adequate protection against splinters

HARDTIME passed the coin test without any problems

According to the producer, these gloves provide comfort and precision of touch, and are made out of fireproof NOMEX material. Like in HARDTIME, the interior part is made out of single sheet of soft kidskin. External protection is provided by a flexible leather piece with a foam layer in between. For a better fit, the wrist has elastic element sewn in, and an additional piece of leather reinforces the cuffs.

Tests soon revealed that use of elastic gave the opposite effect to the intended one: cuffs get annoyingly loose on my feminine forearm. It isn’t the result of too few exercises – the more muscular co-testing man has similar impressions. This flaw turns into an advantage only when you want to quickly remove the gloves, helping yourself with your teeth (but only as long as you know where you put your hands in the first place, or you don’t mind mouth infections). The short cuffs don’t protect the forearm and aren’t long enough to perfectly fit the sleeve.

Promise of being fireproof enticed us to include literal trials by fire in our tests. We didn’t manage to get any of our disliked acquaintances to volunteer, nor any of those we like, so we had to risk our own skin. Thankfully, TAC NFO2 really protects against an open flame. Pouring alcohol over the glove and igniting it inflicted no harm on the tester. The only side effect of the experiment was black, hard to wash away stain made by paint the gloves released due to heat. The scorched glove changed its color slightly, but suffered no damage otherwise, still being fully suitable for wearing afterward.

To sum up: while camping together by a fire, the potatoes won’t taste of burned plastic, nor will offering fire to the significant other lead to jokes regarding melted gloves or scorched fingers. Because of the loose construction, they will be suitable for hot summer month, because the sweat will find the way out. Sadly, we can’t recommend them for garden work, because dirt and other impurities will get in easily.

TAC NFO2 really are fire-resistant

After the fire trails, some discolouration is present. The gloves, however, still function very well

Too short and protruding wrist part of the TAC NFO2 gloves

In case of these gloves, the first noticeable thing are crude rubber panels on the upper side. Palms have inlays of thin rubber and the same material was used for fingertips. Thumbs and tips of the index fingers were additionally strengthened. The wrists are stabilized with thick rubber and velcro fastener. The remaining parts of gloves are made out of thickly woven fabric, and a few key areas are reinforced with Kevlar. The pattern was designed with dog handling officers in mind. Not being one, nor even having a dog, I found it hard to test them according to their intended purpose and had to improvise. I decided to use a climbing wall as a substitute. After all, a climbing rope resembles a leash or a dog chain a bit, and the wall is coarse like hair of a short-haired German shepherd.

During the visit to the rope course, we found that the seemingly crude rubber panels don’t hinder movement in any way nor are they uncomfortable. Instead, they are providing excellent protection during contact with rough surfaces. Rubbery palms improve adherence and enhance grip, preventing slippage of the zip-line out of hands. Extra reinforcement on thumbs and index fingers (at key points, as the testing showed) are effective at minimizing effects of friction during the way down. I had some problems while manipulating carabiners and tying ropes – gloved fingers lose finesse. T

AC K9 also provided decent protection from unfavorable weather. The rope course visit took place in the fall, when the temperature fell below 10 degree Celsius (50 degree Fahrenheit) with a short bout of precipitation. All the time, I felt comfortably warm and dry.

I also noticed (although in different circumstances) that rubber fingertips let the fingers rest steadily on a firearm’s trigger, although the thickness of the gloves limits the precision of the shooting while wearing them. Other operations on firearms are either restricted or even completely impossible. Finesse is not the TAC K9 strong suit.

Despite their rugged design, TAC K9 work well even when shooting a revolver

Paws, fur and sharp fangs – almost like a dog. TAC K9 gloves were designed with canine handlers in mind and did not succumb to the portraited beast

Construction of these gloves is simplistic. They are wonderfully soft, though. The upper side is made of nylon, with some spandex, the palm is made of delicate sheepskin. The fingertips (with tactical touch seam) are made of the same smooth skin. Wrists are protected with neoprene-made cuff with velcro fastener.

Delicate, soft, flexible… Where to wear it? The first thought is everywhere, although without excesses – I wouldn’t take them to a toilet (unless public) nor wear them under shower. However, I used them to avoid grime while traveling via public transport. I must admit that, while traveling by rail during my vacation, thanks to assurance provided by TACLITE2 I felt safe and secure. I traveled long distances without anxiety while gripping unhygienic train handrails and easily pulled my ticket out of my bag upon the conductor’s request. T

ACLITE 2 made lesser overall impression on the second tester. That started to change when he discovered, completely accidentally (supposedly those were the only gloves at hand at the moment) that they are suitable to wear while cutting metal. Stinging fillings failed to penetrate the thickly woven outer layer, the sheepskin was also a decent barrier. TACLITE 2 is also useful in cold cellars: they allowed installation of an electric socket (with all of its minuscule screws) while being comfortably warm. They also protect from aggressiveness of some firearm clips, allowing for their issue-less reloading. They allow operation of an AK 47 front sight adjustment tool. They are definitely fit for tasks that require manual precision. They failed at completely different trial: at an outdoor gym, they suddenly ruptured.

TACLITE 2 work especially well for precise activities

All tested models after a couple of months of hard testing. Wear and tear are very noticeable

All the tested gloves can be easily called well-designed. Composite elements are strictly matched, without excess of material that could pinch the user. Flat seams are made of soft threads improve the comfort of use. Leather used in the models we tested was flexible and professionally tanned, preventing loss of elasticity after contact with water, which is common is such type of products. Additionally, all the tested gloves let the moisture escape easily. They don’t protect against frost, but they function decently during warmer days. Let’s stress that the advertised tactical touch is not merely a marketing ploy – that idea actually works.

Durability is less impressive. On website of one of Polish distributors I noticed a 2-year producer’s warranty. Well, if they really give one, they might be aspiring to a charity status. After a few months of tests, the gloves look badly and are suitable to warranty exchange. It could be the results of all those unconventional and savage trials they were given during the tests. During the routine use they might last longer.

Gloves from 5.11 will be useful in different kinds of situations, although they have some disadvantages – mainly limited durability and some slight design flaws. Is the NTOA trainers’ recommendation warranted? Well, for less active and retired officers, 5.11 products will serve for many years. Those are good gloves but not perfect – although perfect gloves might not yet be designed?

This article was originally published on MILMAG 02/2018