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Are you shopping around for the best shooting gloves on the market? This article will get you started. Shooting gloves are, in many ways, an extension of the firearm operator’s body. If the gloves function correctly, they enhance your experience at the range. However, if the gloves don’t do their job, then you can’t do yours. 

The best shooting gloves will combine dexterity and durability, and most people look for a snug-fitting glove, particularly when operating handguns. While there’s no one type of glove for all situations, some firearm owners will require gloves that provide more warmth, others require more durability, and some want more padding and protection. We’ll look at several popular shooting gloves. We’ll also review some of the pros, cons, and average prices of each. 

Best Gloves For Shooting?

What makes a good shooting glove? There are several key things to consider. Everyone’s needs are different, you may require gloves for tactical applications, while others may need gloves with more civilian-friendly features. Thicker gloves provide protection against extreme temperatures, as guns heat up the longer you shoot them. However, gloves made with thinner materials are much easier to pick up small items (like ammo) and useful for making fine adjustments to equipment.

Below we’ll take a look at a mix of the best options on the market while using the following criteria: 

• Fit (Accuracy To Size)
• Flexibility/Grip
• Protection/Durability
• Features/Performance
• Style
• Pricing/Availability

We’ll be rating each set of gloves using an interval scale of: Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, and Bad.

Mechanix Wear: Fast Fit Tactical

The Mechanix Fast-Fit gloves are a strong contender for those who want something simple, fast, and inexpensive. These gloves are known to be great for shooting, as they have a tight fit that allows for optimal dexterity. They do provide some insulative value, and they come in many colors. They are also compatible with touchscreen devices, which is handy.

On the downside, these gloves are neither heat resistant nor great for other outdoor tasks (such as stacking wood, building a fire, or general insulation). However, if you want a pair of gloves that won’t dent the bank account and get the job done, look at the Mechanix Fast-Fit. 

Fit (Accuracy)	Flexibility/Grip	Protection/Durability	Features/Performance	Style	Pricing/Availability
Excellent	Excellent/Good	Good/Good	Good/Fair	Basic Tactical	Excellent/Excellent

 

Shooting Experience: Comfortable with pistol and rifle calibers. Webbing between the index finger and thumb is thin, with minimal padding on the lower palm.

Pros: The least expensive gloves on the list. If you like them, you can buy a few pairs and store them everywhere. 

Cons: The flared wrist design may be less resistant to snow or mud. But for the price, there’s not much to complain about. 

Price: Less than $20.  

Mechanix Wear: Covert Tactical (Original)

Mechanix Covert gloves are the original tactical-style glove released by the company. They are made of rugged synthetic leather and offer good breathability thanks to the TrekDry mesh material on the backs of the hands. They don’t offer as much dexterity as the Fast-Fit model, however, they do have a reinforced thumb and forefinger.

Additional features include a secure velcro closure strap, tactical pull-on loop, and touchscreen compatibility.

The synthetic leather on the palms and fingers doesn’t offer a lot of protection against heat. But at the end of the day, it’s better than touching a hot barrel with your bare skin. Think of the Covert Tactical gloves as an upgrade to the Fast-Fit model.

Fit (Accuracy)	Flexibility/Grip	Protection/Durability	Features/Performance	Style	Pricing/Availability
Good	Excellent/Good	Good/Good	Good/Good	Basic Tactical	Excellent/Excellent

 

Shooting Experience: Comfortable with pistol and rifle calibers. No additional padding on the webbing, palm, or fingers.

Pros: Good features and quality for the price point. Easy to find and they come in several colors. 

Cons: Not specifically heat or weather resistant. 

Price: Around $20.  

First Tactical: Lightweight Patrol Glove

The First Tactical Lightweight Patrol gloves live up to their name. They feel like a pair of heavy nitrile gloves and are barely noticeable while wearing them. Seriously, you’ll forget you have gloves on. They are that lightweight. The fit of the gloves is excellent, you’ll have no issues with mechanical switches, small objects, or touchscreens.

The goatskin on the palms is very thin and may not be the best choice for high-volume use. After running a few magazines with these gloves, the palms began to show the textured grip patterns of the guns in the goat skin. We also felt that the velcro closure on the gloves was below average when compared to other options in the article.

Fit (Accuracy)	Flexibility/Grip	Protection/Durability	Features/Performance	Style	Pricing/Availability
Excellent	Excellent/Excellent	Fair/Poor	Good/Good	Basic Tactical	Good/Excellent

 

Shooting Experience: You feel every bit of vibration and recoil with pistol and rifle calibers in these lightweight gloves. Webbing between the index finger and thumb is good, with no additional padding on the fingers and palm.

Pros: So lightweight, you’ll forget you have them on. Extremely flexible, making it easy to manipulate small items or mechanical switches.

Cons: Not the most durable material or a good vibration/shock-absorbing option. 

Price: $35.  

Magpul Technical Gloves – Minimalist Tight-Fitting Shooting Gloves

The Magpul Technical is an excellent glove for those who want a minimalist look and a snug fit. These gloves are called “rubber gloves” by some shooters because of their appearance. They’re actually made out of neoprene and synthetic suede. While not flimsy, their slim fit makes them easy to slip on and maneuver. 

These come in two colors, black and tan. They have touch pads for two fingers and the thumb for smart screen compatibility. There is no strap at the bottom; they have an elastic band that fits snugly around the non-flared wrist. 

Fit (Accuracy)	Flexibility/Grip	Protection/Durability	Features/Performance	Style	Pricing/Availability
Excellent	Excellent/Good	Good/Fair	Good/Good	Basic Tactical	Good/Excellent

 

Shooting Experience: Comfortable with pistol and rifle calibers but not shock or vibration-reducing.

Pros: These gloves are no-nonsense. They fit well, will protect your hands, and, help with training. You’ll barely notice you’re wearing them. 

Cons: For those who use the gloves regularly (many hours every week), you’ll begin to see some wear. 

Price: $30.00.

Magpul Patrol Gloves

Magpul’s Patrol gloves are an upgrade from their Technical glove line. The materials, construction, and durability are all excellent. The grip is confidence inspiring. The premium goatskin palm protects and absorbs a lot of vibration while remaining flexible enough to be comfortable for long-term use. 

The cell foam padding on the back of the gloves offers good protection. However, the slip-on design may not be for those who prefer a secure hook and loop wrist closure. Also. only the thumbs are touchscreen compatible with the Patrol model.

Fit (Accuracy)	Flexibility/Grip	Protection/Durability	Features/Performance	Style	Pricing/Availability
Excellent	Excellent/Excellent	Good/Excellent	Good/Good	Tactical	Fair/Excellent

 

Shooting Experience: Comfortable with pistol and rifle calibers. If you’re doing a lot of shooting, these gloves are a great option.

Pros: Good features and quality for the price point. Easy to find and they come in two colors. 

Cons: Not as easy to get on or off as Technical gloves, no hook and loop wrist closure. 

Price: $50.  

SKD Pig Delta Tactical Shooting Gloves – Simple & Durable 

The SKD PIG Delta glove is similar to the Magpul Technical, with a few upgrades. They run small in size and are form-fitting. The cuff around the wrist has a loop, making removing these gloves simple. The first finger and the thumb also have smart touch-compatible material, allowing you to operate touchscreen gear easily. 

These gloves have single-layer palms and folded stitching on the fingers. This feature provides several benefits. Firstly, it reduces that uncomfortable feeling of having thick seams at your fingertips.

Second, the thin palm lets you get a good grip on the firearms. The gloves don’t “muffle” the feeling of the gun in your hand. Additionally, the fingers and the thumb also have a thin silicone layer, providing a really nice extra grip.

Fit (Accuracy)	Flexibility/Grip	Protection/Durability	Features/Performance	Style	Pricing/Availability
Excellent	Excellent/Excellent	Good/Excellent	Good/Good	Tactical	Good/Good

 

Shooting Experience: Comfortable with pistol and rifle calibers. The areas on the palm with the silicone layers absorb a good amount of vibration.

Pros: Tactical and tactile. These gloves have many color options and come in sizes from small to 2XL. 

Cons: There aren’t many cons at this price point. However, they don’t have the knuckle protection of other gloves on the list – but that’s not so much a flaw as it is a design feature. 

Price: $40.00 

Blackhawk: Fury Prime Gloves

The Blackhawk Fury Prime glove is a step up from some of their basic tactical models. These gloves are a good option for those who want added protection. It should be noted that this extra protection comes at the cost of some flexibility. The thermoplastic rubber which is sonically welded to the back of the glove takes some getting used to. It makes the glove feel stiffer and less comfortable with a closed fist. 

The padded grip of the palm is excellent. It controls vibration and absorbs the shock from felt recoil very well. We do however wish that the fit was a little more accurate to size. The large size we tested had enough extra material in the fingers to almost fit two hands inside. If you have sausage fingers, these might be a good fit for you.

Another feature of the Blackhawk Fury Prime gloves is touchscreen compatibility. We found that the index finger seemed to work the best. The hook and loop wrist straps are among the best we tested. Conveniently, the velcro wrist straps provide a snug fit that any debris from getting inside. 

Fit (Accuracy)	Flexibility/Grip	Protection/Durability	Features/Performance	Style	Pricing/Availability
Good	Fair/Good	Excellent/Good	Excellent/Good	Tactical	Good/Good

 

Shooting Experience: Comfortable with pistol and rifle calibers, assuming that the stiffness eases over time. Excellent vibration and felt recoil control.

Pros: Good features, versatility, and quality for the price point. Easy enough to find and they come in several colors.

Cons: Not the most form-fitting gloves on the list. You’ll either love or become annoyed with the TPR overlay on the back.

Price: $40.00

5.11 Tactical: Competition Shooting

For anyone who wants their gloves to work a little harder, the 5.11 TAC Competition Shooting series steps things up. With synthetic suede palms, microfiber/nylon spandex backing, and neoprene-padded (but not rigid) knuckles, you’ll get a good fit and super functionality. The build quality is excellent. These gloves feel like they should cost more than they do. 

If we’re being picky, gloves that are advertised for competition shooting should (at a minimum) have some padding on the palms. The extra material between the thumb and index finger is reinforced and feels good. The fit is good, not tight, and the velcro wrist straps secure the gloves very nicely without the feeling of being restrictive. 

The three rolled fingertips don’t restrict movement and allow for touchscreen compatibility. This feature has to do with how the seams are cleverly stitched vertically at the fingertips. Overall, you’ll get a feeling of confidence when running guns in these gloves.

Fit (Accuracy)	Flexibility/Grip	Protection/Durability	Features/Performance	Style	Pricing/Availability
Good	Excellent/Good	Good/Excellent	Good/Excellent	Tactical	Excellent/Good

 

Shooting Experience: Comfortable with pistol and rifle calibers, but lacking any padding on the palms. 

Pros: Build quality is excellent, and the features compare well against gloves that cost twice as much. 

Cons: Some shooters might shy away from the small hook and loop straps, and lack of padding. 

Price: $35.00

Oakley Flexion 2.0

Oakley’s Flexion 2.0 gloves have enjoyed some notoriety in the firearm community. Not only are they some of the most comfortable gloves you can buy, but they also come loaded with great features. If you’ve been to a competition match recently, you’ve likely seen a competitor wearing these gloves. The fit is excellent, and the placement of the padding on the synthetic suede palms is the best we’ve encountered.

The sonically welded TPR material protecting the back of your hands allows for excellent flexibility. While the grip and secure velcro wrist straps offer an added feeling of security. The fingertips of these gloves are lined with a touchscreen-compatible material. The old adage is true, you pay for what you get. These aren’t the cheapest gloves on the list, but they are well worth the investment.

Fit (Accuracy)	Flexibility/Grip	Protection/Durability	Features/Performance	Style	Pricing/Availability
Excellent	Excellent/Excellent	Excellent/Excellent	Good/Excellent	Tactical	Fair/ Fair

 

Shooting Experience: Comfortable with pistol and rifle calibers. Excellent vibration-reducing padding on the palms.

Pros: Very durable, tested, and proven design. The TPR material on the knuckles is functional and offers added protection. These gloves come in two colors, coyote and black.

Cons: Some shooters may prefer a more form-fitting, simplistic option without the company logos.

Price: $50.00

Shooting Gloves Buying Guide

Typically, those looking for shooting gloves fall into two categories. The first looks for gloves to protect their hands from the stresses of the gun, like reloading, shooting, etc. The second group looks for added protection while using the weapon. 

There’s nothing wrong with carrying a pair for each purpose – one for shooting and one to protect from the elements. But if you could only bring one, try to choose a pair that combines some aspect of protection from weather and protection from the weapon. 

So, which glove should you buy? Consider picking your top three gloves from this list. Once you buy them, test them. If you shoot often, you’ll wear them through, so you’ll need several pairs anyway. By trying a few different kinds, you’ll get the most honest assessment of how they fit and what works for you. Be sure to check out all of our product reviews on the blog.