I didn't have any reviews on this item so I thought I'd be brave and go ahead to pioneer.
And since it sucks looking @ an item and not having a single review to read 'bout it, here's what I got:
PROS:
-Great fit. I wear a size 8 (small hands) and size S is what usually fits me. This S fit me really good. True to size.
-Amazing grip! I repeat - amazing! I grab stuff like I would with my bare hands - the feel is really, really good!
-Design (but that's subjective). ...naah... it's not! The design is great! You wouldn't be reading this if it wasn't.
-Functionality. Not only do I have a great grip on stuff, the protection and overall detail in making this functional is very well thought out.
-Price. Less that 30 bucks?! I'd have paid an additional $20 and still think they're a bargain.
CONS:
-The fingers' joints and the knuckles are gonna need an adjusting period to get used to the glove's exterior stiff protection, because they won't follow without a few objections. The glove will need a small break-in period for this to go away. If you have really beefy hands you may not experience this. Again, it depends on your individual habits and hands. I bought them for the military. If you're used to construction work or similar, I wouldn't worry too much.
-The flashlight. It's free, has a battery in it, but I don't need it. I'd much rather they spent the money on making this even better, or just clip the price a bit. I was looking for gloves. Just gloves. I am not taking any stars off, it's after all a bonus and the price is anyway reasonable to begin with, but I'd rather they reconsidered.
-Level of protection on the outside is not very thick, so I am not completely reassured that these could double as my motorbike gloves. I guess they could (and that I will use them as such some time in the future), but that's not their purpose. Especially with the index finger having a specialized purpose and not being as protected as the others. But I thought I'd write that for anyone contemplating them as such. Not gonna be bad, don't get me wrong, but I'm pretty sure there are better specialized moto gloves out there. Same for mountain-biking. Makes sense: What you win in "feel" you have to lose someplace else. I do note, however, that the design is very clever so when you clench the fist, the part for the joints is thickest. I tried to show it in the pics. So they haven't left that to chance.
-No protection for the wrists, but that shows clearly on the pic so I didn't take any stars off for that.
I will update if I run into any trouble or have them fail, but I don't see that happening. The quality of these seems exceptional, the design really thought out, and I sincerely expect them to last a long time.
PS.1. No, I didn't get a dime for writing this nor do I care for "sincere" opinions in "exchange" for the items "criticized".
PS.2. Hint: The only thing that sucks more than not having a review to read on an item is not being appreciated for taking the time to write one! :-)
I don't know why Ironclad charges so much more for these gloves than their regular impact gloves. Maybe they don't. Maybe the price discrepancy has more to do with retail politics than manufacturer pricing. Without knowing the actual SRP, it's hard to say. These gloves are essentially the same gloves as their standard Project Impact model, but with earthy, solid color designs and a little rubber removed on the trigger finger for obvious reasons. To my surprise, it came with a small flashlight too. Though that may have been a limited promotion as there's no mention of the light in the description. Still, the packaging says the light is "FREE" (as if anyone might actually fall for that - I mean, seriously, they might as well have just printed "Attention Mr. Gullible" on the packaging). Regardless, you shouldn't factor the light into your consideration. It's just a tiny pocket light, and not all that bright. We've purchased LEDs at least 3x as bright for less than three bucks on amazon around the same size.
As for the gloves themselves, I've been overall very impressed. They're definitely comparable to Mechanix. Some say these hold up longer, others seem to think the Mechanix last better. So it probably depends on the use. Same for comfort, I've read conflicting arguments for both. I personally found them more of a toss up, in terms of comfort. The rubber seems to be cut at just the right places to prevent if from hindering movement.
Rugged work gloves these are not, not remotely. But, I should quality that with what I personally consider rugged. They seem designed more like motorcycle gloves, which they'd probably be great for, as biker gloves need to be carefully stitched inside as to not cause rubbing at the seams during long rides, and these seem to fit the bill well. The material feels too soft or luxurious for any seriously rugged applications, like carrying wood rough cut wood full of splintery sharp edges, much less actual daily work carrying lumber. And anyone doing any kind of masonry work or routine carrying of cinder or stone definitely needs to look elsewhere. These probably couldn't withstand a single day of that type of duty. But few gloves could and that's not what these were designed for.
I bought them mostly for mechanical and shop work where I always seem to be bashing or pinching my fingers and thought the rubber padding might help. I haven't had them long enough to fully test that out yet. But already, I've discovered that you can get essentially the same gloves from Ironclad - just with the index finger fully protected rather than the rubber cut back like these are for firing a weapon - often at a considerably lower price. If you're OK with some bright colors that seem more suited for Motorcross or the X Games, that's probably the way to go, if you're not intending to use them while shooting. Personally, I've never been able to hit anything with gloves on, not as accurately anyway, except for thin, very tight fitting leather gloves. I can't see anything about these gloves that justifies the higher price unless they're WAY overcharging for a very cheap flashlight and then claiming it to be "free". Ironclad would do MUCH better I think if they lost the gimmicky light and lowered their prices, specifically to undercut Mechanix. As long as these gloves are priced about evenly with Mechanix (sometimes higher), they're going to lose out, especially considering Mechanix much better name recognition, deserving or not.
As for the sizing. I printed out the sizing chart from Ironclads website before ordering and am glad I did. I wear a size 9 glove, which most glove manufacturers, including Mechanix, label as "Medium", but for some reason Ironclad labels size 9 as "Large". Their large size fits me perfect. I liked that their printable sizing chart has a ruled 5 inch line on it so you can measure it to be sure your printer didn't adjust the dimensions on it's own (aka shrink to fit paper). That was smart, especially considering the difference in their sizing.
I've worn or at least tried out a lot of different impact gloves (Mechanix, Ironclad, Kobalt, Hardy, Gravel Gear, and a few others I didn't pay attention to the name. While I think Hardy is tough to beat, considering the $6 price, for basic non-impact form fitting type gloves, for rubberized impact gloves with padded palms, Ironclad and Mechanix are the only ones I've come across worth considering, IMHO. Despite the thick rubber protection, they both are surprisingly comfortable, much better than any of the other options anyway. But the difference between the two brands is so close, I'd personally opt for buying whichever is cheaper at the time. They're both nice gloves. Mechanix does offer a couple models with actual leather palms though, for more rugged applications that might be worth additional consideration.
060717 Update: The more I wear these gloves the more I appreciate their overall sense of comfort. They break-in fast too. That said, the padded palms is an area they may want to re-evaluate in their design. I use the word "may" because I don't know enough about why they chose such placement to really make any absolute claim. But I picked up some new Mechanix Impact gloves the other day and the palm pads are bigger, covering your palm considerably better. The palm pads on the Ironclad gloves are smaller and seem a bit too high, almost residing in the middle cup or grip of your hands. Maybe their research showed such placement to be the primary point of impact in most applications. I don't know. But, subjectively, I prefer the palm pad placement of the Mechanix Impact models for actual glove feel. I haven't spent a couple hours chopping wood with them yet, like I have the Ironclads though.
061217 Update. I've now purchased 3 pair of Ironclad Impact and also recently purchased what is supposedly Mechanix most durable Impact glove, their Genuine Leather palm version. While the Mechanix Genuine Leather is indeed clearly the most durable for rugged work loads, Mechanix Wear neglect of seams really shows in the design. The gloves are great on the outside, but the seams really press into your fingers inside, as if they're a bit too small, but they aren't. They're just badly stitched inside. Another comparison I'd like to add between Ironclad Impact and Mechanix Mpact is that the rubber Mechanix uses is touted as being advanced engineered for maximum impact protection. Indeed their rubber feels more spongy, as if it'd absorb more force. But, I'd speculate the difference isn't nearly as substantial as the difference between how much more comfortable the Ironclads are to wear. I think Mechanix tactical Mpact gloves are a little better in comfort compared to their more rugged work Mpact models, but still not as comfortable as the Ironclads, which for an Impact glove, they are THE most comfortable I've tried.
The original Ironclad Impact gloves I bought were camel Operator gloves. I now also have the same glove in black and their Project Impact gloves (gray/black/tan/ with lime green stitching and accents) which don't have the rubber cut back on the trigger finger. All three are consistently comfortable. However the anti-vibe palm pads are located differently on both newer pair of gloves I received. They're a little lower on my palm on the Project Impact gloves. And on the black gloves they're lower and bigger, similar to Mechanix. So either, there is some pretty extreme tolerance in where the anti-vibe pads are sewn or Ironclad has since improved their design maybe. At least I'm tempted to think the black gloves are newer, since they didn't come with the gimmicky flashlight and came attached to a much smaller, more economical packaging card for hanging the gloves on a store display. I imagine black to be a more popular color, so it stands to reason they'd sell out of the "free" flashlights for that color faster than the others, if it was a limited promotion to get people to try their gloves. Hopefully we'll see the lack of a light reflected in their price soon. Like I said, if they could undercut Mechanix in price by about five bucks that would encourage more people to try them than including a gimmicky flashlight. They're already my preferred brand due to their comfort. But I still value Mechanix more rugged models, as Ironclad doesn't seem to do real work gloves well at all, from the reviews I've found. Mechanix seems to be doing better there, but not by much and for this style, they're no more rugged, just less comfortable. If Ironclad came down in price or Mechanix figured out that the inside of their gloves is just as important as the outside, either case would make me favor one over the other. As is, it's still too give and take.
The multi-colored Project Impact gloves did still include the flashlight btw, which while still just a cheap light, was curiously brighter than the light that came with my first pair of camel/tan gloves. Almost twice as bright in fact. The design is the same, so I assume they're using a brighter LED chip inside.
Update: comparison pictures of Ironclad large (size 9) and Mechanix medium (size 9 also) Tactical Impact/Mpact gloves. As you can see, Ironclad tries to make all the different materials used in the glove match in shade of camel, where Mechanix doesn't. So, if either is your personal preference, that's probably the once for you. While Ironclad is more comfortable brand new - they feel like a well worn, perfectly fit glove already as soon as they arrive, Mechanix does wear well, evening the scales some with use. And their Tactical line is one of their more comfortable models in terms in interior seams.
I've also provided a comparison of the palm pads on the Ironclad camel and Ironclad black Tactical Impact gloves. As you can see in the picture, the black gloves, which I assume to be newer, since they didn't come with a flashlight, has larger palm pads, protecting more of your palm, similar to Mechanix Wear.
I've had these gloves for a few months now and they have held up very well. I have previously purchased the Mechanix gloves that are similar, the finger tips on those started to split within a few weeks of use. I use these at the range and at work (construction) and they have been great.
On the job site they are comfortable to wear for long periods, and they are grippy enough that you don't have to overexert your hand to maintain grip on a tool. The rubber knuckle pads help when a wrench slips and you accidentally punch the floor. My hands did not get hot while wearing them, which is a common thing for me. They were also pretty warm when I shoveled snow in them last week.
On the range they are just as good. I am a lefty so operating most firearms requires some work around. For instance I have to use my left index finger instead of my right thumb to operate slide releases and safeties on pistols. These gloves fit well and had enough grip on their surface that I had no problems. They can be a little tricky getting into the trigger guard of a 1911, but that is more on the firearm side than an issue with the gloves.
+5 Stars for a product that was more functional, comfortable, and resilient that I had suspected. Price is decent and shipping was smooth
Update: I spent President's Day weekend snowboarding and wore these gloves the entire time. The temp was around 32-36 all weekend, and I was totally comfortable in them. I have much more dexterity with them versus thick winter gloves, which makes it easier to work binding, adjust earbud cords, take on and off goggles, etc.
I am a super big fan of Mechanic's gloves. I have several pair. These are much more comfortable then my mechanic's impact gloves. As for durability I have not had them long enough to judge. Time will tell, but they seem to be durable and very comfortable.
Love the way it feels I typically take an XL but opted for a L because I didn't want it to fit too loose. Not as thin as I'd like it to be. But it gets the job done. Feels as tho the fingers could be longer but I have good dexterity and free functioning movements. And no you cannot utilize an iPhone touchscreen while wearing these... but in a tactical situation why would you want to lol or at high speeds on a motorcycle. These rock and look awesome!!!
Feature Product
- Thermoplastic rubber on back of hand for knuckle and metacarpal impact protection.
- Thermoplastic rubber hook and loop closure allows for easy on and off.
- Realtree Xtra camo pattern.
- Thermoplastic cuff puller helps you get your glove in the proper position faster.
- Terry cloth sweat Wipe conveniently located on the back of the thumb.
Description
The Realtree impact work gloves offer impact protection on the back of hand through the thermoplastic rubber that protects the knuckles and metacarpals. This impact work glove also features open cell memory foam pads on the palm that absorb impact and vibrations when using hand and power tools. It also benefits from ironclad’s exclusive 16-point measurement system for best-in-class fit with a No bulk feel. The Realtree xtra camo on the back of hand is one of the best camo patterns on the market. Protect yourself with the ultimate impact protection provided by the Realtree impact work gloves!
Holds up better than mechanix style gloves. The seam from the thumb to pointer finger is reinforced and stays tight to the hand. I do not lose dexterity with these. You can still manipulate all manner of action with these one. They are tough, second skinish, breath well, and have outlasted any other shooting/tactical glove I have owned. They are tight to the finger but do not restrict movements. Fabric stays out of the way. 5 stars.
Have been using these for airsoft for a couple months and wow! Best airsoft gloves out there hands down! I recently used them in a MILSIM out the in the rain and mud all day, slipping and caking them with mud multiple times....came out of the washer looking like new! Crawled around in sticks, through bushes and prickers, still look new! Comfortable, fit well, good grip and excellent hand and finger protection without sacrificing mobility! I will be buying another pair and only Ironclad from now on!
I love these gloves. I use them alot and they have held up very well so far.
The rubber protection on top of the hands and the padded palms have saved me from hurting my hands on many occasions and at least once saved me from a hospital visit.
Most gloves that keep your hands warm leave you with little to no ability to precisely manipulate things but these really seem to offer the best of both worlds.
My only complaint is that they tend to get get a little.... 'stinky?' after you get them sweaty. Even after washing my hands after wearing them they still smell like the gloves...
Not a big issue so far as I just toss them in the wash with my laundry but im afraid that they may eventually start to fall apart from doing so.
Even if they do eventually fall apart I will just buy another pair.
Highly recommended. 5 stars all day long.
These gloves are great. The armor on the back of these gloves has saved my hands from injury and even some burns many times, and these gloves have certainly stood to the test of time. I've used these gloves for roughly a year, for shooting and training with firearms, hunting, dealing with fires and have been used in some situations while I was with a Fire company; I've also used these when digging deep holes and trenches, along a river and along some rocky dirt roads in the mountains of NE PA. These gloves have also been with me through some hiking and similar adventures. Through rather rough terrain and thick woods of the north eastern United States. I have recently bought a pair of Mechanix Mpact gloves, and though I have not used them for long, at this point I will say that I prefer these Ironclad gloves over the Mechanix. One thing that I do wish was improved with these gloves is the warmth, (or lack there of), they provide in colder temperatures. These gloves will not keep your hands warm in colder temperatures, at least in my experience. In my experience so far, the armor on these Ironclad gloves is definitely more protective than the armor on the Mpact gloves I have.
Another issue that I think should be addressed or at least considered, at least from my experience with these gloves, is the stitching of the straps. Within about 6 months, (of admittedly hard use), the strap on the left glove ripped off and I had to stitch it back on myself. It wasn't too big of an issue for me, but still I do wish it hadn't happened. Other than with the straps, there have been no other issues with the stitching anywhere else on the gloves.
I will be buying these again in the future.
The best tactical gloves I have ever tried. I normally fit a size medium, and these gloves fit a bit smaller but in a perfect way that manipulating smaller objects is pretty easy. Easy to grab magazines, use a speed loader and even handle small bolt screws for rail attachments without much trouble. I choose these gloves over my Oakley, Mechanix and even over my HWI gloves! These gloves are well worth it.
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